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Hatshepsut

Verdict: Not a Jew
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While the Old Testament famously features a pharaoh with a penchant for drowning Israelite babies, Hatshepsut was decidedly not that pharaoh. In fact, she reigned centuries earlier, long before anyone in the region was really keeping tabs on who was Jewish and who wasn't. Her primary concerns involved things like maintaining divine favor and ensuring Egypt's economic stability, not religious demographics.

Indeed, Hatshepsut's rise to power was a masterclass in ancient Egyptian political maneuvering. Initially regent for her young stepson Thutmose III, she gradually assumed the full titles and regalia of a pharaoh, often depicted with a beard and male physique. One must respect the dedication to branding.

Her reign was marked by extensive trade expeditions, most notably to the Land of Punt, which brought exotic goods back to Egypt, and an ambitious building program that included the magnificent mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari. Despite later attempts to erase her from history (some angry male pharaohs just couldn't handle a successful woman, apparently), her legacy remains undeniable. So, while she certainly wasn't a member of the tribe, her achievements are worthy of an honorary kvelly nod, if only for sheer audacity.

Filed August 30, 2026 · historical-figures

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