The fact that the Asiatics are participating in the cult offering, and even sacrificing animals in what appears to be a comparable manner to the Egyptians, brings them clearly into the Egyptians’ way of thinking. Despite their non-Egyptian clothing, hairstyles, and material culture, they are no longer completely foreign, but are bridging the gap between Egypt and the outside world.
This is done under the direct supervision of Khnumhotep II himself whose three registers in height, larger than life representations, bracket this scene, enhancing his standing and status as an effective intermediary between the forces of earthly chaos and heavenly order. Within this scene’s larger context, it demonstrates Khnumhotep II’s ability to successfully overcome chaos and thus makes him worthy to survive and flourish in the eternal afterlife. He is demonstrating his ability to be a delegate, both of the king and of the creator god, helping to maintain the proper cosmic order for the world. This scene is therefore a forerunner and comparable to the images of kings smiting their enemies as found on the temple walls from the later New Kingdom period.
In the same way, the written texts of the Torah depicts Israel as a people of Ma’at, in overcoming and subduing the forces of isfet in the world, by being the conduit to the harmonious way of heaven in obeying Gods instructions. When they do not follow His instructions, chaos prevails. When they do, Israel becomes the effective intermediary and delegate between the creator god Yahweh and the world. Israel becomes the vehicle through which Yahweh maintains His proper cosmic order.
