Haman - The Construction Official
Did You Know?
The Quran uniquely describes Haman as a construction official under Pharaoh (28:38, 40:36-37), asking him to build a tower. Critics claimed this was a mistake, confusing the Biblical Haman from Persia. However, in the 19th century, hieroglyphic inscriptions were decoded revealing 'Haman' as the 'Head of Stone Quarry Workers' under Ramesses II.
ููููุงูู ููุฑูุนููููู ููุง ููุงู ูุงูู ุงุจููู ููู ุตูุฑูุญูุง ูููุนููููู ุฃูุจูููุบู ุงููุฃูุณูุจูุงุจู
And Pharaoh said, 'O Haman, build for me a tower that I might reach the ways'
Quran 40:36-37
Explanation
For centuries, critics argued the Quran confused the Persian Haman from the Book of Esther with Egypt. However, the deciphering of hieroglyphics in 1822 revealed 'Haman' (Hmn) as a historical Egyptian figure - specifically the 'Head of Stone Quarry Workers' under Pharaoh Ramesses II. This precisely matches the Quran's description of Haman as Pharaoh's construction official. This knowledge was locked in undecipherable hieroglyphics until 1,200 years after the Quran's revelation.
Scientific Details
Hieroglyphic Evidence
The name Haman appears in the Vienna Hof Museum on a monument mentioning 'Haman' as a chief of stone quarry workers. This inscription was only readable after Jean-Franรงois Champollion decoded hieroglyphics in 1822.
Biblical vs Quranic Accounts
The Bible's Haman (Book of Esther) was a Persian official under King Ahasuerus. The Quran's Haman is explicitly Egyptian under Pharaoh. Modern archaeology confirms the Egyptian Haman existed, validating the Quran's distinct and accurate account.
References
- Bucaille, M. (1977). The Bible, The Qur'an and Science
- Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum - Haman Inscription