While reading your wonderful explanation about shepherd rulers in the ancient world section, a question popped up in my mind. How serious were those pharaohs about shepherd leadership concept as they ruled in the Middle Kingdom? I think those Egyptians must have thought themselves more civilized and distrusted any nomadic peoples (Wenham, Genesis 16-50, pp.445-446). Maybe, Semitic influence? (Ex.1:8)? [/i]