Statue of Khnum

Khnum was regarded as god of creation and guardian of the Nile’s sources at Elephantine. The lands beyond the First Cataract were unknown at the time, and the First Cataract was regarded as the source of the Nile. Khnum was in general considered the lord of water, including the Nile and its inundations. According to the Famine Stele in Aswan, Khnum intervened on behalf of King Djoser, when the inundation was low for several years in succession. A temple dedicated to Khnum was built on the island of Elephantine.

Khnum is represented as a man seated in front of a table, with a ram’s head and two twisted horns. Well preserved representations of him can be seen in Deir el-Bahari and the temples of Luxor and Esna.

Farid Atiya. Ancient Egypt. Farid Atiya Press. Giza, Egypt, 2006. p. 54.