Merneptah

Merneptah was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who ruled around 1213–1203 BCE, the son of Ramses II. He is best known for his campaign inscriptions and the famous "Merneptah Stele," a stone monument that records his military victories. This stele is historically significant because it contains the earliest known reference to Israel outside the Bible, mentioning "Israel" as a people in Canaan. Merneptah's reign helped maintain Egypt's influence in the region, and the stele provides valuable insights into the geopolitical landscape of the late 13th century BCE.