Editing Khnum

{{Short description|God of creation and the waters in Egyptian mythology}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Egyptian
| name = Khnum
| image = Khnum.svg
| alt = 
| caption = The Egyptian god Khnum was usually depicted with the head of a ram.
| god_of = 
| hiero = <hiero>W9-E10</hiero>
| cult_center = [[Elephantine]], [[Esna]]
| symbol = the [[potter's wheel]]
| parents = 
| siblings = 
| consort = [[Heqet]], [[Satis (goddess)|Satis]], [[Neith]], [[Menhit]], and [[Nebtuwi]]
| offspring = [[Heka (god)|Heka]], [[Serket]] and [[Anuket]]
}}
{{Ancient Egyptian religion}}

'''Khnum''', also romanised '''Khnemu''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|n|uː|m}}; {{langx|egy|𓎸𓅱𓀭 [[wikt:ẖnmw|ẖnmw]]}}, {{langx|grc-x-koine|Χνοῦβις}}), was one of the earliest-known [[Ancient Egyptian religion|Egyptian deities]] in [[Upper Egypt]], originally associated with the [[Nile cataracts|Nile cataract]]. He held the responsibility of regulating the annual inundation of the river, emanating from the caverns of [[Hapi (Nile god)|Hapi]], the deity embodying the flood. Since the annual flooding of the [[Nile]] brought with it silt and clay, and its water brought life to its surroundings, he eventually became known as the creator of [[human]] bodies and the life force [[Ancient Egyptian concept of the soul#kꜣ "double"|kꜣ]] ("''ka").'' Using a [[potter's wheel]] and [[clay]], he fashioned these entities and placed them within their mothers' [[Uterus|wombs]]. Often, his creative endeavors were overseen by another god. He was later described as having moulded the other deities, and was revered as the creator of the animal kingdom.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Velde |first=H. te |date=1980 |title=A Few Remarks upon the Religious Significance of Animals in Ancient Egypt |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3269982 |journal=Numen |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=76–82 |doi=10.2307/3269982 |jstor=3269982 |issn=0029-5973}}</ref><ref name="Hart-2005">{{Cite book |last=Hart |first=George |title=The Routledge dictionary of Egyptian gods and goddesses |date=2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-36116-3 |edition=2 |location=London}}</ref><ref name="Pinch-2004">{{Cite book |last=Pinch |first=Geraldine |title=Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of ancient Egypt. |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2004 |location=USA}}</ref> [[Banebdjedet]] was the equivalent god in [[Lower Egypt]].<ref name="pinch">{{cite book|title=Handbook of Egyptian Mythology|first=Geraldine| last=Pinch|pages=114–115|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]| date=2004 |isbn=0-19-517024-5| url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Handbook_of_Egyptian_Mythology/Y77OEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0| via=[[Google Books]]| url-access=limited}}</ref>

Worship of Khnum spanned from the [[First Dynasty of Egypt|First Dynasty]] and persisted even into the [[Greco-Roman period]] when rule by native dynasties had ended. Initially, his primary cult center was at [[Herwer]] in [[Middle Egypt]]. While his presence on the island of [[Elephantine]] dates back to the [[Early Dynastic Period (Egypt)|Early Dynastic Period]], it wasn't until the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom]] that he ascended to become the principal deity of the island, acquiring the title as the overseer of the [[First Cataract]] of the [[Nile]] River. At Elephantine, Khnum formed a divine triad alongside the goddesses [[Satis (goddess)|Satis]] and [[Anuket]]. His religious significance also extended to [[Esna]], located south of [[Thebes, Egypt|Thebes]].<ref name="Hart-2005" /><ref name="Redford-2001">{{Cite book |last=Redford |first=Donald B. |title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2001 |isbn=9780195102345 |chapter=Khnum}}</ref><ref name="Hallof-2011">{{Cite journal |last=Hallof |first=Jochen |date=2011-10-27 |title=Esna |url=https://escholarship.org/content/qt6k78t4w9/qt6k78t4w9.pdf |journal=[[UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology]] |location=Los Angeles |publisher=UCLA |volume=1602 |issue=1 |pages=1–15}}</ref>

Khnum's primary function in the inception of human beings was typically portrayed with the horns of a [[Ram (sheep)|ram]], one of the sacred animals worshiped in [[Ancient Egypt]], representing aspects such as [[fertility]], rebirth, regeneration, and [[resurrection]]. He was originally illustrated with horizontally spiraled horns (based on the [[Ancient Egyptian corkscrew-horned sheep]], an extinct subspecies of the [[barbary sheep]]), but his representation later evolved to feature the down-turned horns of [[Horns of Ammon|Ammon]] in the New Kingdom (based on the extinct sheep subspecies ''Ovis platyra palaeoaegyptiacus''). Khnum's imagery also includes the [[crocodile]] head, denoting his dominion over the Nile. He can additionally be found wearing the [[atef]] crown adorned with two feathers, or the white crown of Upper Egypt.<ref name="Hart-2005" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ali |first=Mona Ezz |date=2020 |title=God Heryshef |url=https://journals.ekb.eg/article_94946_8d4c80161800403237fbbcd71888b68f.pdf |journal=Journal of Association of Arab Universities for Tourism and Hospitality |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=27}}</ref><ref name="Treasure-2021">{{Cite journal |last=Treasure |first=Matthew |date=2021-01-31 |title="Four Faces on One Neck": The Tetracephalic Ram as an Iconographic Form in the Late New Kingdom |url=https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/1538 |journal=Theses and Dissertations}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hassib |first1=Ayat Abid El Aziz |last2=Mahmoud |first2=Abeer Fathy |date=2022 |title=Publication of a funerary stela of (WAH-ib-Ra) GEM 15461 "In the Grand Egyptian Museum" |url=https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/ijmshr.2022.274669 |journal=International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Heritage Research |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=97–116 |doi=10.21608/ijmshr.2022.274669 |via=Academia|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The [[hieroglyphic]] symbol ''hnm (𓎸'' ) often appearing in Khnum's name is derived from the word ''hnmt'', signifying "well", or "spring". His name can also be connected to a [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] root meaning "sheep". Alternatively, the formation of the name can be interpreted as "the beloved divine being". Khnum is also often described with the term ''iw m hapy'', meaning "the coming of the Nile". Additionally, he is called Khnum-Ra, representing his role in the Nile cataract as the soul of the sun-god, [[Ra]]. Khnum's positions and powers are described through various titles such as the "Creator god", "Potter god", "Lord of Life", "Lord of the Field", "Lord of Esna", "the good protector", and "Lord of the crocodiles".<ref name="Hart-2005" /><ref name="Redford-2001" /><ref name="Hallof-2011" /><ref name="Treasure-2021" /><ref name="Hornblower-1932">{{Cite journal |last=Hornblower |first=G. D. |date=1932 |title=321. Theology and Physical Paternity. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2790610 |journal=Man |volume=32 |pages=270–272 |jstor=2790610 |issn=0025-1496}}</ref>

Over time, the Egyptian word ''khn.m'' was later created to mean "shape" or "build", akin to Khnum's divine powers in creation.<ref name="Hornblower-1932" /> His significance also led to early [[Theophoric name|theophoric names]] of him, for children, such as Khnum-Khufwy "Khnum is my Protector", the full name of [[Khufu]], builder of the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]].<ref name="Shaw">Shaw, Ian. ''The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt''. Oxford University Press. 2000. {{ISBN|0-19-280458-8}}</ref>

==Worship==
The worship of Khnum centered on two principal riverside sites, Elephantine and Esna, which were regarded as sacred sites. At Elephantine, he was worshipped alongside Satis and Anuket, while at Esna, he was worshipped alongside [[Menhit]], [[Nebtuwi|Nebtu]], [[Neith]] and [[Heka (god)|Heka]]. [[Banebdjedet]] was the equivalent god in [[Lower Egypt]]. Khnum has also been related to the deity [[Min (god)|Min]].<ref name="Pinch-2004" /><ref name="Shaw" /><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |year=1907 |title=Ammon |encyclopedia=The Catholic Encyclopedia |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |location=New York |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01430d.htm |access-date=2008-03-27 |last=Bechtel |first=F. |volume=I}}</ref>

At the Temple at Elephantine and the Temple at Esna, ancient [[Ritual|rituals]] and festivals would take place. Among these was a [[fertility]] rite, exclusively participated in by women seeking to conceive, with male priests disallowed. Held late in the evening at the Temple of Esna, this ceremony featured women presenting a potter’s wheel and offering chants before a concealed statue in honor of Khnum.<ref name="Hallof-2011" /> The "Installation of the Potter's Wheel" culminated in a celebrated with a feast, occurring on the first day of the month of [[Paremhat]].<ref name="Lichtheim-2006b">{{Cite book |last=Lichtheim |first=Miriam |author-link=Miriam Lichtheim |title=Ancient Egyptian Literature: Volume III: The Late Period |publisher=University of California Press |year=2006 |edition=2}}</ref>

==Temple at Elephantine==
[[File:Egyptian Mummy Coffin of a Ram.jpg|thumb|Coffin of a Ram associated with Khnum in the [[Egyptian Museum]].]]
The original cult center of Khnum was situated in the town of Elephantine, with the [[temple]] dating back to the [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]] era. Khnum, along with his consort Satis and daughter Anuket, were all documented at Elephantine by the [[Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt|Eleventh Dynasty]]. During the New Kingdom period, leaders expanded existing temples and erected additional structures on the island of Elephantine. Notable additions included the Temples of Khnum and Satet, overseen by Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, along with a  [[Barque#Barques and barque shrines in Ancient Egypt|way-station for the festival barque]] dedicated to Khnum. Subsequent [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Ptolemaic]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]] rulers also imposed their own embellishments later on.<ref name="Raue">Raue, Dietrich, et al. (2007.) "Report on the 37th season of excavation and restoration on the island of Elephantine'." ''Online Reports of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institute''</ref><ref name="RW2">Wilkinson, Richard H. ''The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt''. Thames and Hudson. {{ISBN|0-500-05100-3}}</ref><ref name="Lichtheim-2006a">{{Cite book |last1=Lichtheim |first1=Miriam |title=Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume 1: The Old and Middle Kingdoms |last2=Lopriano |first2=Antonio |last3=Fischer-Elfert |first3=Hans W. |last4=Manning |first4=Joseph G. |date=2006-04-03 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520248427 |edition=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Doniger |first=Wendy |title=Britannica Encyclopedia of World Religions |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica, Incorporated |year=2010 |isbn=9781593392666}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781444320053 |title=A Companion to Ancient Egypt |date=2010-04-23 |publisher=Wiley |doi=10.1002/9781444320053 |isbn=978-1-4051-5598-4 |editor-last=Lloyd |editor-first=Alan B.}}</ref>
[[File:Assuan Elephantine Chnumtempel 09.JPG|left|thumb|Remains of the temple house of the Khnum Temple on Elephantine Island in Aswan, Egypt]]
Rams revered by Khnum have been unearthed on the Elephantine Island, mummified, embellished with golden headgear, and placed in stone coffins.<ref name="Hart-2005" /> There is also evidence discovered of tensions between the staff at the Temple of Elephantine and a nearby [[Jews|Jewish]] temple, arising from a desire of the Elephantine staff to enlarge the temple, causing detriment to the Jewish community.<ref name="Kemp-2006">{{Cite book |last=Kemp |first=Barry J. |title=Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization |date=2006-01-13 |publisher=Taylor & Francis Group |isbn=9780415235501 |edition=2}}</ref>

Remnants from the [[Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt|Thirteenth Dynasty]], such as [[limestone]] fragments, provide evidence of architectural features including an entrance, an ornamented room featuring ceremonial depictions, and a sacred boat shrine. Portions of the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum are believed to have originated from the Middle Kingdom [[Temple of Satet]].<ref name="Raue" /> Opposite Elephantine, on the east bank at [[Aswan]], Khnum, Satis and Anuket are shown on a chapel wall dating to the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom]].<ref name="RW2" />

Presently, one of the few remaining sections of the Temple of Khnum is a grand monumental entrance.<ref name="Shaw" />

==Temple at Esna==
[[File:SFEC_EGYPT_ESNA_2006-013.JPG|left|thumb|Khnum on the right with [[Menhit]] on the left, shown on the outside wall of the temple at [[Esna]]]]
In [[Esna]], a temple was dedicated to Khnum, [[Neith]] and [[Heka (god)|Heka]], among other deities. Although construction of this temple commenced during the Ptolemaic era, the majority of its surviving sections were erected during Roman times. The temple rested in a field, which Khnum is regarded as the lord of, and was responsible for maintaining the land's fertility, ensuring the continuation of life. The Temple of Esna emphasizes his role as a divine potter through numerous hymns that attribute the creation of deities, mankind, plants, and animals to him. The north temple's wall features depictions of the favor shown by Roman rulers, showcasing offerings made by emperors and their encounters with deities.<ref name="Hart-2005" /><ref name="Hallof-2011" /><ref name="RW2" /><ref name="Lichtheim-2006a" />[[File:EsnaTemplePM04.jpg|thumb|At the Temple of Esna, Emperor Tiberius is depicted led by the deities Buto and Nekhbet to Khnum.|left]][[File:26949- Khnum makes man on the potters wheel.jpg|left|thumb|Khnum (left) fashions the god Ihy (middle) on a potter's wheel, with the help of the goddess Heqet, Dendera Temple.]][[File:EsnaTemplePM27.jpg|left|thumb|Horus, emperor [[Commodus]] and Khnum drawing a net with birds of the marshs and fishes, inner north wall, Temple of Khnum, Esna, Egypt.|220x220px]][[File:EsnaTempleExample2.jpg|
thumb|Scene at the south wall, king offers feathers to Khnum and Nepthys, Temple of Khnum, Esna, Egypt|left]]

Within the temple, Khnum is occasionally depicted with the head of a crocodile. His primary consorts are Nebt-uu and [[Menhit]], while Heka is recognized as his eldest son and successor. Khnum is sometimes referred to as the "father of the fathers" and Neith as the "mother of the mothers". They later become the parents of [[Ra]], who is also referred to as Khnum-Re.<ref>[[Kathryn Bard]], ed. (1999). ''Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt''. Psychology Press.</ref> 

The completion of hieroglyphic embellishments in Egyptian temples culminated with the Temple of Esna.<ref name="Hallof-2011" /> Esna-A, built in the Ptolemaic era, later gained modern renown as the first ancient Egyptian structure to formally record a connection between the [[zodiac]] and the two [[decan]] lists.<ref name="El">El-Shaieb, Mona Z. and Hemeda, Sayed. (2014). "Reconstruction of the first zodiac: Esna A". ''Cairo University.''</ref>

Presently, much of the site lies in ruins, as many blocks had been repurposed to build a canal.<ref name="El" /> The remnants of the temple lie largely obscured beneath modern residential areas.<ref name="Shaw" />

==Portrayal in Art and Literature==
Khnum is commonly depicted seated beside a potter's wheel, with a formed entity standing upon it, symbolizing his act of creation.<ref name="Hart-2005" /> Khnum is often portrayed alongside the frog-headed fertility goddess [[Heqet]], who can be seen assisting him at the pottery wheel, as seen in the wall relief of the [[mammisi]] of [[Nectanebo II]]. Khnum and Heqet can also be found together molding the god [[Ihy]] at the [[Dendera Temple complex|Dendera Temple]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ibrahim |first=Venice |title=East-West Dialogue: Individual and Society through Ages |date=June 7, 2019 |publisher=Editura Universul Academic |editor-last=Tatomir |editor-first=Renata |edition=2 |location=Hyperion University of Bucharest |pages=43–70}}</ref>

Statues of Khnum, Satis, and Anuket, along with [[Isis]] and [[Horus]], adorned the [[Temple of Beit el-Wali]] of Ramesses II.<ref name="RW2" /> In Karnak's Great [[Hypostyle]] Wall, Khnum stands beside Pharaoh Ramses II and Horus, employing a net to ensnare water fowl. This is also similarly depicted on the inner north wall of the Temple at Esna with Khnum alongside the Roman emperor [[Commodus]].<ref name="Hallof-2011" /><ref name="Kemp-2006" />

Throughout ancient texts, Khnum is depicted as a creator. In the [[Pyramid Texts]] of the later [[Old Kingdom of Egypt|Old Kingdom]], he crafts ferryboats and a ladder ascending to heaven.<ref name="Redford-2001" /> The [[Fifth Dynasty of Egypt|Fifth Dynasty]] portrays him specifically as the creator of the vessels used by the [[Ra|sun god Ra]], known as the [[solar barque]]. In the [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]], Khnum is credited as the creator of humans in spell 214 of the [[Coffin Texts]].<ref name="Treasure-2021" /> Khnum is mentioned as an inactive god during a [[famine]] in the [[Ipuwer Papyrus]] of the 12th dynasty, where it is said he "does not fashion because of the state of the land."<ref name="Lichtheim-2006a" /> In the [[Tale of Two Brothers|Papyrus d'Obriney]] of Seti II of the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom]], or ''Tale of Two Brothers'', Khnum is responsible for creating [[Bata (god)|Bata's]] wife.<ref name="Simpson-2003">{{Cite book |last=Simpson |first=William Kelly |title=The Literature of Ancient Egypt : An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, and Poetry |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2003}}</ref> Khnum's role extends to the [[Book of the Dead]], as part of the formula spell to prevent the heart of the deceased from opposing them in the Necropolis.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lichtheim |first=Miriam |title=Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume II : The New Kingdom |publisher=University of California Press |year=2006}}</ref>
=== Stelas ===
Khnum features prominently in an inscription and relief of the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom]] known as the [[Famine Stela]], located on the island of [[Sehel Island|Sehel]], south of Elephantine. The [[Stele|stela]] recounts a seven-year period of drought and famine during the reign of King [[Djoser]] of the [[Third Dynasty of Egypt|Third Dynasty]]. According to the inscription, Djoser receives a vision of Khnum, who promises to end the famine. In response, the king issues a decree of one-tenth of all revenue to be allocated to the Temple of Khnum as an offering of gratitude. Above the stela, King Djoser is depicted offering tributes to Khnum, as well as the goddesses [[Satis (goddess)|Satis]] and [[Anuket]].<ref name="Shaw" /><ref name="Simpson-2003" />[[File:Sehel-steleFamine.jpg|thumb|The Famine Stela, on the island of Sehel.]]Khnum is also portrayed in the Stela of [[Seti I]]. The king is depicted presenting an offering to Khnum, bowing while holding two ''nw''-pots. Khnum holds a [[Was-sceptre|''was''-scepter]] in his left hand and an ankh in his right, adorned in a kilt and an atef crown topped with a solar disk. Both figures stand on a ''mA''-sickle and are equally sculpted. Above Khnum, it states, "Beloved of Khnum, lord of the West."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Darnell |first=John Coleman |chapter=A Stela of Sety I from the Region of Kurkur Oasis |url=https://www.academia.edu/19067683 |editor1=S. Snape |editor2=M. Collier |title=Ramesside Studies in Honour of K.A. Kitchen |location=Liverpool |publisher=Rutherford Press Limited |year=2011 |pages=127–144}}</ref>

In the Stela of [[Tutankhamun]] from Sinn el-Kabid, Tutankhamun is depicted incensing the god Khnum. Khnum is seated on a throne, dressed in a kilt, chest piece, and wide collar, holding an ankh and a ''was''-scepter. Khnum, revered at Kumma, holds an epithet indicative of his protective role over riverine and desert passes, symbolized by opposing bows at the entrances. The text above Khnum designates him as the "Lord of the Cataract."<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Darnell |first1=John Coleman |last2=Haddad |first2=Abd el-Hakim |date=2003 |title=A Stela of the Reign of Tutankhamun from the Region of Kurkur Oasis |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25152884 |journal=Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur |volume=31 |pages=73–91 |jstor=25152884 |issn=0340-2215}}</ref>

=== Hymns ===
Khnum is a recurring figure in numerous of the hymns within the temples at Elephantine and Esna, showcasing his significance. Distinctively, ''The Morning Hymn to Khnum'' aligns him with the gods [[Amun]] and [[Shu (Egyptian god)|Shu]], venerating him as the "Lord of life" and attributing him the ability to shape the bodies of humans. Another revered hymn, ''The Great Hymn to Khnum'', celebrates him as the creator of all men, gods, and animals, as well as the provider of minerals and nurturer of plant life. This hymn delves into Khnum's intricate craftsmanship in forming body parts and assigning their functions. Additionally, Khnum is also acknowledged for creating a diversity of languages across regions, contrasting with Egyptian speech. In this hymn, Khnum is further depicted as the "Ba-of" many different deities scattered throughout Egypt, merging with the gods and representing the embodiment of their souls.<ref name="Lichtheim-2006b" /> In ''The Great Second Hymn to Khnum'', the hymn depicts Khnum-Ra sailing across the sky to establish pillars with goddesses in the south, north, and east, and possibly the west.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hafez |first=Sherin |date=2024-01-01 |title=The Mythological Significance of aHaj.t ; The Goddess of the South |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.21608/ijthsx.2024.245028.1066 |journal=The International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Studies |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=1–23 |doi=10.21608/ijthsx.2024.245028.1066 |issn=2785-9851}}</ref>

Further linking Khnum to the divine narrative, he is mentioned in ''The Hymn to Hapy'', connecting him to the Nile-god.<ref name="Lichtheim-2006a" />

=== Divine Birth Scenes ===
[[File:Khnum, Setos I., Amun.jpg|thumb|Khnum, Setos I and Amun in the mortuary temple of Seti I in Abydos]]
The god Khnum plays a significant role in the birth narratives of Egyptian leaders, often serving to legitimize their rule. In the Old Kingdom, King [[Sahure]] of the Fifth Dynasty can be seen suckling on the goddess [[Nekhbet]] at his birth, with Khnum presiding beside them.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=El-Shamy |first1=Saraa |last2=Ibrahim |first2=Osama |last3=Hassan |first3=Taher |last4=Shaikh Al Arab |first4=Walid |date=2019-03-01 |title=Goddess Nekhbet Scenes on Royal Monuments during the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties |journal=International Journal of Heritage, Tourism and Hospitality |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=190–201 |doi=10.21608/ijhth.2019.35114 |issn=2636-414X|doi-access=free }}</ref> In the Middle Kingdom, the [[Westcar Papyrus]], recounts the birth of three triplet kings by the woman [[Ruddedet]]. Khnum and the other deities disguise themselves to assist with the birth, and Khnum infuses "health" into the life of the bodies of the future kings, receiving a sack of barley as payment.<ref name="Hart-2005" /><ref name="Lichtheim-2006a" /> Queen [[Hatshepsut]] of the New Kingdom was similarly illustrated being created on Khnum's potter's wheel in the [[Depiction of Hatshepsut's birth and coronation|depiction of her Divine Birth]], at the Temple of [[Deir el-Bahari]], bestowing "life, health, and strength, and all gifts," upon her. It is also carved that Khnum made "her appearance above the gods". Additionally, reliefs in the [[Luxor Temple]] illustrate Khnum crafting the body and ''ka'' of King [[Amenhotep III]] in a comparable manner.<ref name="Treasure-2021" />

== In popular culture ==

* Khnum is featured in [[Hirohiko Araki|Hirohiko Araki's]] 1989 Manga and its subsequent [[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders|TV adaptation]], ''[[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]] [[Stardust Crusaders|Part 3: Stardust Crusaders]]'' as the stand of Oingo, the first of the Oingo Boingo Brothers, giving him the ability to alter his appearance in reference to Khnum's feat of creating humans.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDHIgMDYZhY |title=JJBA Stardust Crusaders - Khnum's Oingo and Thoth's Boingo - Animation Highlights. |date=2022-12-27 |last=DevilRedViper |access-date=2024-06-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter 189 |url=https://jojowiki.com/Chapter_189 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=JoJo's Bizarre Encyclopedia - JoJo Wiki |language=en}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|title=Depictions of Khnum and the Temples at Esna and Elephantine
|width=160 | height=170
|align=center
|footer=
|File:Statuette of the god Khnum, steatite - Museo Egizio Turin C 513 p05.jpg
 |Khnum with the curved horns of Ammon, of the [[Late Period of ancient Egypt]], made of [[soapstone]].
|File:Amulet of Khnum MET DP241018.jpg
 |Amulet of Khnum, of the Ptolemaic Period, made of [[faience]].
|File:RPM Ägypten 209.jpg 
 |[[Psamtik II]] offers a sacrifice to the god Khnum wearing a [[solar disk]] (right).
|File:Esna Tempel Relief 02.jpg
 |Emperor [[Domitian]] slays the country's enemies in front of Khnum and Menhit, southeast side of the Temple of Esna from Roman times, Egypt.
|File:Egyptian sculpture IMG 0573.JPG
 |Seated statue of Khnum, 18th Dynasty, [[Louvre Museum]], [[Paris]], [[France]].
|File:Reliefs at Deir el-Haggar (V) (8157855708).jpg
 |Relief at [[Deir el-Haggar]] (V) depicting [[Titus]] Caesar (left) making an offering before Khnum (middle) and Satet (right).
|File:Flickr - schmuela - sweeeet Khmoun.jpg 
|Painted relief of [[Thutmose I]] and Khnum in Elephantine Island.
|File:Momie du Muséum de Perpignan 09.jpg 
|Khnum on the details of the sarcophagus of the mummy from the Perpignan Museum. The mummy is a priest-scribe of the temple of Amun-Re from the [[21st Dynasty|21st dynasty]] named Iouef-en-Khonsou.
|File:27267- Esna, Temple of Khnum.jpg 
|The Temple of Khnum at Esna.
}}
==See also==
* [[Banebdjedet]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Khnum}}

{{Ancient Egyptian religion footer|collapsed}}{{Kushite religion footer}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Khnum| ]]
[[Category:Creator gods]]
[[Category:Egyptian gods]]
[[Category:Horned gods]]
[[Category:Mythological caprids]]
[[Category:Nile]]
[[Category:Nubian goddesses]]
[[Category:Personifications of rivers]]
[[Category:Sea and river gods]]