Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
a. READER
2.
Prof. M. V. Fox
2
PART I. EGYPT
1. Abbreviations
2. Outline of Egyptian Chronology
3. Glossary of Egyptian Gods
4. The Ennead ("Ninesome")
5. The "Trinity"
6. from Wisdom of Anii '37 (NK)
7. from the Wisdom of Amenemope, chap 25 (NK)
8. from the Adoration of Amun-Re (sun god) (NK).8
9. Amun's transcendence (Pap Leiden I 350; NK).
10. The Great Hymn to the Aten
11. Love magic 20th Dyn.
12. Spell to drive off a cockroach (BD 36)
13. For burns (Pap. Ebers)
14. Threat, from a late love charm:
15. The role of the sun in creation from BD 17.
16. Before Creation
17. Self-creation; by Atum. BD 79.
18. Atum / Khepre the Scarab-beetle. Pyr 1587a-d
19. Gender of creator (CT I, 161f)
20. Self-creation of God; monad; CT 714
21. Creation through "masturbation", Pyr '527; 1248 a-d
22. Creation through expectoration, Pyr '600
23. Creation and destruction of the world (CT 1130)
24. Creation by thought and word; from the Memphite Theology
25. God's Providence, from the Wisdom of Merikare
26. from the Cow of Heaven
27. The End of Everything; from BD 175
28. Descriptions of death
29. Prehistoric texts incorporated in the Pyr Texts gods.
30. Dealing with Death: claim of primeval birth; Pyr '486
31. "The Cannibal Hymn." (Selection) Pyr '' 273-274
32. Threatening the gods: Pyr '310 2300 BCE.
33. Threatening the gods: Pyr '569
34. Preparing for eternity
35. Lamentation of Isis and Nephthys of Prince Hardjedef,
36. Self-Purification Declaration of the Dead; BD 105
37. The Judgment of the Dead; from BD 125.
38. Ethical Judgment of Dead
39. On the road to Eternity; CT ' 1131
40. The road to Eternity; CT '1035
41. The Eloquent Peasant, selections
42. The Wisdom of Amenemope, selections
43. Gods in Enuma Elish
44. Enuma Elish, the Babylonian Creation Epic
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45. The ADAPA legend
46. lnanna the Warrior; Inanna declares selections.
47. Inanna as the Power in Rain and Thunder
48. An Evening Hymn to Inanna (Venus)
49. A Morning Hymn to Inanna
50. From the Sacred Marriage Ceremony
51. Inanna / Ishtar Descends to the Netherworld
52. From the Code of Hammurapi
PART III. ISRAEL
53. Inscription from Khirbet el-Qom; dated 750-700
54. Inscriptions from Kuntillet `Ajrud
55. Other inscriptions mentioning Yahweh
56. Theophany from Desert; Psalm 68:2
57. The Midianite Connection Numbers 10:29-32.
58. Psalm 82:1-8
59. The Queen of Heaven; Jeremiah 44
60. Possible statements of monotheism
61. The Kavod, God's "Glory" or "Substance"
62. Theomachy (battles of the gods): Psalm 74
63. Theomachy: Isaiah 51:9-11
64. Theomachy: Psalm 104:6-9
65. Control of Sea: Job 38:8-11
66. War with Leviathan: Job 40:25-32
67. Leviathan: Isaiah 27:1
68. Creation As Craft; Genesis 2:4b-24
69. Creation as arrangement; genesis 1:1-2:4a
70. The ideal ruler and the restored eden; isaiah 11:1-16
71. God's victory banquet, isaiah 25:6-8 orderly procedure
72. New heavens and new earth; isaiah 66:17
73. Unceasing Light; Isaiah 60:19-21
74. World Peace; Isaiah 19:23-24
75. Condemnations Of Cult Of The Dead
76. Condemnations of cult of the dead
77. Resurrection (Isa 26:19; Dan 12:1-3)
78. ETHICS. Jer 22:1-5
79. Acknowledgements (endnotes)
ABBREVIATIONS:
BD
Book of the Dead
80. CT
Coffin Text(s)
81. N or PN
Name; stands for anyone's name
82. DN
Any divine name
83. MK
Middle Kingdom (2040-1650)
84. Nany personal name; NN = so-and-so son/daughter of so-and-so
85. NK
New Kingdom (1557-1070)
86. OK
Old Kingdom (dyn 3-6; 2686-2181)
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87. Pyr
88. '
Pyramid Text(s)
spell number or section number
89. In Egyptian texts, capital letters indicates that these words were written in red ink,
signifying special importance, e.g. in titles. Italics usually indicate my own remarks.
90.
EGYPT
PREDYNASTIC OR
ARCHAIC 3100-2686
BCE
A. Inscriptions
(dockets, seals,
dates)
B. Narmer Palette
C. Cities Stele
III.
IV.
6
98. VI. NEW KINGDOM (dyn 18-20;
1557-1070)
V.incl. Amarna Period
A. Tomb
autobiographies
B. Royal inscriptions
C. Stories, incl.
Conflicts of Horus
& Seth
D. Wisdom, incl
Amenemope
E. Hymns & prayers,
incl:
99. Hymn to the Aten
100. Private prayers
F.Mortuary Texts
101. Book of the Dead
102. Amduat
103. Book of Gates
104. "Guidebooks" to Afterlife
VI. Third Intermed. (dyn
21-25 ["Ethiopian"]
1085-668
VII. Late Period (dyn 26-31
[Saitic and Persian rule],
664-332 BCE.
VIII. Ptolemaic period (332-30
BCE)
105. (course stops with NK)
IX. Roman period (30
BCE-4th c. CE)
A. Victory of Horus
7
106.
EGYPTIAN GODS
107.
GLOSSARY OF EGYPTIAN GODSi
108.
Amun, "The hidden one." Shown with a tall crown of feathers; often also in the form
of Min, as well as ram and goose forms. His cult is attested first in the Theban nome, but
he is mentioned earlier as a primeval deity, and in later times he belongs to the system of
the Hermopolitan ogdoad (group of eight gods). From 2000 to 1360 B.C. he is
preeminent among deities, and combines in a single figure all the characteristics of the
creator and sustainer of the world.
109.
Anubis, "Puppy" (?), the god responsible for embalming, who is also lord of the
necropolis. Depicted as a black canine ("jackal"), or in the mixed form, with a "dog's"
head and human body.
110.
Apopis, the snake enemy of the sun god, who must constantly be repulsed from the
solar bark, and thus embodies the continual threat of disorder to the ordered world.
111.
Aten, "Sun disk," not worshiped as a deity until the New Kingdom; raised by
Akhenaten to the status of the unique, exclusive God. Depticted at first with a hawk's
head, and then as a sun disk with rays that terminate in human hands.
112.
Atum, "The undifferentiated one," at once primeval being and creator of the world in
mythology he is placed at the head of the ennead of Heliopolis; in later periods he is
worshiped as the evening manifestation of the universal sun god. Usually represented in
purely human form.
113.
Geb, earth god; Judge and "hereditary prince" or "father" of the gods, esp. of Osiris.
Purely human form. Husband of Nut.
114.
Hapy, "Inundation" of the Nile, personification of the fecundity inherent in the Nile
and hence depicted as an obese human figure.
115.
Hathor, "House of Horus," probably the most universal Egyptian goddess, who has
marked characteristics of a mother, but, as the "eye of Re," also brings ruin to all enemies,
and in addition is worshiped as a goddess of the dead, especially in Thebes. Usually shown
as a woman with cow's horns and sun disk or as a cow, but also as a lioness, snake, tree
nymph, and so forth.
116.
Hike, "`Magic,'" anthropomorphic personification of this creative force, also revered
in the cult from an early date, especially in the delta and at Esna; frequently accompanies
the sun god.
117.
Horus, "The distant one" (?), ancient god of the sky and of the kingship who
absorbed a whole set of gods with hawk form. His close links with the sun god and later
with Osiris and Isis lead to many new associations, and his martial and youthful aspects
become especially prominent.
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118.
Hu, personification of the "Utterance" with which the creator god calls things into
being. With Hike and Sia he is one of the three creative forces that constantly accompany
the sun god, not worshiped in the cult.
119.
Isis, whose name is written with the sign for "throne," the sister and wife of Osiris
and mother of Horus, whom she protects from many dangers in her role as the magician
goddess. Usually shown as a woman with the sign for "throne" on her head, but also
depicted, because of the multiple connections with other goddesses, in countless other
forms, so that she becomes the "multiform one" par excellence.
120.
Maat, personification of the "Order" of the world which was established at creation;
shown as a woman with a feather in her hair. She was considered to be the daughter of the
creator god (Re), had a widespread cult, and is also found doubled as the "two Maats"
from an early period.
121.
Min, god worshiped in fetish form in predynastic times, and in the historical period as
a man with erect penis. He is the lord of procreation and protector of tracks in the desert,
while at the festival of Min the fertility of the land is renewed.
122.
Nefertem, god of the primeval lotus, shown as a human figure with a lotus on the
head, or as a child sun god on the lotus. In Memphis he forms a triad with Ptah and
Sakhmet.
123.
Neith, "The terrifying one" (?, fem.), goddess whose attributes are weapons (arrows
and shield) held in the hand or shown above the head. Primeval goddess (often
androgynous) and protector of the king, chief cult centers are Sais and Esna.
124.
Nun, personification of the primeval waters from which everything arose, and hence
"father of the gods," out of which the sun comes daily anew. With his female doublet
Naunet he forms the most important of the four pairs of primeval deities of Hermoplis.
125.
Nut, the ancient goddess of the sky, who is shown as a woman arching over the earth
god Geb. She gives birth to and then swallows all the heavenly bodies, but also takes the
deceased into her protection. Wife of Geb.
126.
Ounuris, "He who brings the distant (goddess)," an ancient god of hunting; worshiped
as an anthropomorphic god with four feathers on his head. His domain is the desert at the
edge of the world, and from this "distant" region he brings back the eye of the sun.
127.
Osiris, the god who suffered a violent death; depicted in human form without
indication of limbs. His attributes of crook and flail allude to ancient links with the kinship
and with pastoralism; other features provide analogies with the death and resurgence of
nature. But the most important aspect of this most complex of gods is his role as ruler of
the dead. At an early period Abydos becomes his most important cult center.
128.
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combined from an early period with Apis andSokar, and later with Tatenen. Worshiped
mainly as a creator god and as the patron of every type of craftsmanship.
129.
Re, the most important and most widespread name of the sun god, who is combined
syncretistically with many other gods; usually depicted in human form, and worshiped
primarily as the creator and sustainer of the world. He travels in a bark through the sky by
day and the underworld by night. Fram an early date Heliopolis was his chief cult center.
130.
Sakhmet, "The most powerful one" (fem.), goddess with the ambivalent nature of a
lioness, usually shown as a woman with the head of a lioness; worshiped primarily in
Memphis, where she forms a triad with Ptah and Nefertem. Sakhmet disseminates and
cures disease, and, in her role as the sun's destructive eye, attacks hostile powers.
131.
Seth, violent and ambivalent god who is shown as a fabulous animal (the "Seth
animal"), or as a human being with the head of the same animal; connected with foreign
countries, the desert, and marginal regions of the ordered world. His fratricidal conflict
with Osiris and Horus clothes the constant struggle of the world in a comprehensible
form; he also, however, helps the sun god against Apopis.
132.
Shu, god of the space between earth and sky and of the light that fills that space.
Through his separation of earth and sky Shu takes part in the creation of the world.
Depicted in human form or with a lion's head.
133.
Sons of Horus, the four gods who protect the deceased and his internal organs
134.
Sun god. Many Egyptian gods can be the sun god, especially Re, Atum, Amun, and
manifestations of Horus. Even Osiris appears as the night form of the sun god in the New
Kingdom. It is often not defined which particular sun god is meant in a given instance.
135.
Tefnut, goddess who forms, with Shu, the first divine couple, engendered by Atum
without a female partner. Shu and Tefnut are envisaged as a pair of lions, and Tefnut also
appears as the eye of the sun.
136.
Thoth, moon god, messenger of the gods and patron of the art of writing, as well as
mediator in the conflict of Horus and Seth. His chief cult places are two towns, called
Hermopolis in Greek, in Middle Egypt and in the delta; commonest manifestations are as
ibis and baboon.
137.
Note on Reading the Egyptian texts. Read them--but most of these texts cannot
simply be "read." Some are meant for in-class reference. All of them can be read as
sources of data. They are extracts from various kinds of texts, mostly mortuary literature,
quoted as sources of information. As you read them, ask what information they give
about the major topics (the gods; creation and destruction; death and rebirth; worship
and ritual; justice and ethics; society and its rulers. Some texts are obviously more
pertinent to certain topics than others.
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138.
COMBINATIONS and GROUPINGS OF GODS
139.
How many Gods are there? The following quotes give different impressions of how
the Egyptians would have answered this question:
140.
141.
Atum
Shu + Tefnut
a.
3
142.
Geb + Nut
a.
Osiris + Isis Seth + Nephthys
B.
C. [Horus*]
X.
143.
The "TRINITY"
144.
(From the Leiden Hymn to Amun, 18th d., late 14th c.)
145.
All gods are three: Amun, Re [sun], Ptah, they have no equal. His identity ("name") is
hidden as Amun, he is perceived as Re [lit. he is Re before men], and his body is Ptah.
Their cities on earth remain forever: Thebes, Heliopolis, and Memphis, for all time.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.
160.
161.
162.
163.
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164. Leave him <in> the hands of the god;
165. Fill his belly with bread of your own,
166. That he be sated and weep.
[AEL 2.150]
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
178.
Chpter 3
Dont start a quarrel with a hot-mouthed man,
Nor needle him with words.
Pause before a foe, bend before an attacker,
Sleep (on it) before speaking.
A storm that bursrts like fire in straw
Such is the heated man in his hour
.
Withdraw from him, leave him along,
The god knows how to answer him.
If you make your life with these (words) in your heart,
Your children will observe them.
179.
180.
181.
182.
183.
184.
185.
186.
Chapter 18
Do not lie down in fear of tomorrow:
Comes day, how will tomorrow be?
Man is ignorant of how tomorrow will be.
God is ever in his perfection,
Man is ever in his failure.
The words men say are one thing,
The deeds of the god are another.
187.
188.
189.
190.
191.
192.
193.
194.
195.
196.
197.
198.
199.
200.
Chapter 25
Do not laugh at a blind man,
Nor tease a dwarf,
Nor cause hardship for the lame.
Dont tease a man who is in the hand of the god,
Nor be angry with him for his failings.
Man is clay and straw,
The god is his builder.
He tears down, he builds up daily,
He makes a thousand poor by his will,
He makes a thousand men into chiefs,
When he is in his hour of life.
Happy is he who reaches the West,
When he is safe in the hand of the god.
201.
202.
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203.
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.
209.
210.
211.
212.
213.
214.
215.
216.
217.
218.
219.
220.
The Great Hymn to the Aten From the Tomb of Ayiv (Topics: gods, creation,
Amarna religion)
222.
223.
224.
225.
226.
227.
228.
229.
230.
231.
232.
233.
234.
235.
236.
237.
238.
239.
240.
II. [Night]
When you set in western lightland,
Earth is in darkness as if in death;
One sleeps in chambers, heads covered,
One eye does not see another.
Were they robbed of their goods,
That are under their heads,
People would not remark it.
Every lion comes from its den,
221.
13
241.
242.
243.
244.
245.
246.
247.
248.
249.
250.
251.
252.
253.
254.
255.
256.
257.
258.
259.
260.
261.
262.
263.
264.
265.
266.
267.
268.
269.
270.
271.
272.
273.
274.
275.
276.
277.
278.
279.
280.
281.
282.
283.
284.
IV. [Reproduction]
Who makes seed grow in women,
Who creates people from sperm;
Who feeds the son in his mother's womb,
Who soothes him to still his tears.
Nurse in the womb,
Giver of breath,
To nourish all that he made.
When he comes from the womb to breathe,
On the day of his birth,
You open wide his mouth,
You supply his needs.
When the chick in the egg speaks in the shell,
You give him breath within to sustain him;
When you have made him complete,
To break out from the egg,
He comes out from the egg,
To announce his completion,
Walking on his legs he comes from it.
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285.
286.
287.
288.
289.
290.
291.
292.
293.
294.
295.
296.
297.
298.
299.
300.
301.
302.
303.
304.
305.
306.
307.
308.
309.
310.
311.
312.
313.
314.
315.
316.
317.
318.
319.
320.
321.
322.
323.
324.
325.
VII. [Rays]
Your rays nurse all fields,
When you shine they live, they grow for you;
You made the seasons to foster all that you made,
Winter to cool them, heat that they taste you.
You made the far sky to shine therein,
To behold all that you made;
You alone, shining in your form of living Aten,
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326.
327.
328.
329.
330.
331.
332.
333.
334.
335.
336.
337.
338.
339.
340.
341.
342.
343.
344.
345.
346.
347.
348.
349.
350.
351.
352.
353.
354.
355.
356.
357.
358.
359.
360.
361.
362.
IX. [Rising]
Splendid you rise in heaven's lightland,
living Aten, creator of life!
When you have dawned in eastern lightland,
You fill every land with your beauty.
You are beauteous, great, radiant,
High over every land;
Your rays embrace the lands,
To the limit of all that you made.
Being Re, you reach their limits,
You bend them <for> the son whom you love;
Though you are far, your rays are on earth,
Though one sees you, your strides are unseen.
363.
MAGIC.v
364.
Magic and religion are intertwined. How do magical spells work, and how does man
relate to the gods in them?
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365.
366.
367.
368.
369.
370.
371.
372.
373.
374.
375.
376.
Spell to drive off a cockroach (BD 36) (Try it out!).
377.
Get away from me, crooked lips! I am Khons, lord of the circuit, who brings the
words of the gods to Re. I report the message to its lord.
378.
17
390.
18
Another explanation: That is the day of the festival called "We Abide," that is, the day
when the burial of Osiris was directed by his Father (Re).
415.
The battlefield of the gods was made according to my command.
416.
What is that? It is the west [the Land of the Dead]. It was made for the souls of the
gods according to the command of Osiris the lord of the necropolises. Another
explanation: It is (the west). It is this to which Re causes every God to descend. Then he
fought in their behalf.
417.
I know this great God who is therein.
418.
Who is he? He is Osiris. Another explanation: His name is Acclaimer of Re. He is
Re's soul, with which he himself copulates. ....
419.
Before Creation. (Statements from various places describing the time before the
world was created.)
b. Creation was a time "when no god had come into
being and no name had been invented for
anything".viii
c. Primeval God arises mysteriously, "of himself,
without being born."ix
d. The the creation of the king took place "before
the sky existed, before earth existed, before men
existed, before the gods were born, before death
existed." (Pyr '1455b-d).
e. Atum speaks of the time when "I was alone in the
Waters (Nun), in inertness, not finding a place in
which I could stand or sit."x
f. "Conflict had not yet come into being" (Pyr
'1040c; 1463d).
g. "There were not yet two things" (CT II 396b; III
383a).
h. "You made time, and you established birth."
(hymn to Amon-Re).
420.
421.
422.
423.
424.
425.
Self-creation; by Atum BD 79
i. Hail to thee, Atum!
who made the sky, who created what exists;
who emerged as earth, who created seed;
lord of what is, who gave birth to the gods;
great god, who came into being of himself.
Atum / Khepre the Scarab-beetle (Pyr 1587a-d.xi
D. Hail, Atum-E. hail, Scarab, self-developing-F. as you become high, in this your identity of the Mound;
G. as you develop, in this your identity of the Scarab!
19
426.
427.
428.
429.
430.
431.
432.
433.
434.
Self-creation of God; monad; from CT 714xii
435.
I am the Waters, unique, without second,
436.
That is where I developed,
437.
on the great occasion of my floating that happened to me.
438.
I am the one who had developed-439.
Circlet, who is in his egg.
440.
I am the one who began therein, in the Waters.
441.
See, the Flood is subtracted from me:
442.
see I am the remainder.
443.
It was through my effectiveness that I brought about my body.
444.
I am the one who made me."
445.
It was as I wished, according to my heart, that I built myself.
446.
...
447.
What went forth from me was under my supervision; it means that tears are what I
created in him who was angry with me, and men of the blind ones are my cattle...
(Alternate translation: "The weeping I did was because of the uproar against me; mankind
belongs to the blindness that is behind me.")
448.
Creation through "masturbation", Pyr '527; 1248 a-d
449.
Atum is the one who masturbated [or: "who developed (by) growing ithyphallic"] in
Heliopolis. He took his penis in his hand in order to have an orgasm thereby, and so were
born the siblings Shu and Tefnut.
450.
451.
452.
453.
454.
455.
456.
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458.
Hail in peace! I repeat to you the good deeds which my own heart did for me within
the serpent-coil, in order to silence strife. I did four good deeds within the portal of
lightland:
(1) I made the four winds, that every man might
breathe in his time. This is one of the deeds.
(2) I made the great inundation, that the humble
might benefit by it like the great. This is one
of the deeds.
(3) I made every man like his fellow; and I did
not command that they do wrong. It is their
hearts that disobey what I have said. This is
one of the deeds.
(4) I made that their hearts not be disposed to
forget the West, in order that sacred offerings
be made to the gods of the nomes. This is
one of the deeds.
459.
(4+) I created the gods from my sweat, and the people from the tears of my eye.
460.
B. I will shine anew daily in [their] booth for the Lord of All, I made night for Him
who was languid. I will navigate aright in my bark, for I am the Lord of waters when
crossing the sky, I am not rejected(?) because of any member of mine. Hu is in company
with Magic, felling yonder Ill-disposed One for me, I see the horizon, I sit before it, I
judge between the wretched and the wealthy; so also as regards the evildoers. I possess
life, because I am its lord, and my staff will not be taken away.
461.
C. I have passed myriads of years between myself and yonder Weary One [Osiris], the
son of Geb; I will sit with him in the one place, and mounds will be towns and towns will
be mounds; mansion will desolate mansion.
462.
463.
464.
I made millions of years into something between me and that Weary-Hearted One
[Osiris], the son of Geb. Then I shall dwell with him in a single place. Mounds will become
cities and cities mounds, and estate will destroy estate."
465.
D. I am the lord of fire who lives by truth, lord of eternity, who creates joy, and the
snakes of...Will not rebel against me: my shrine belongs to me, the lord of wounds who
puts a stop to the raging, who drives out snakes for him whose names are many, who goes
forth from his shrine; lord of the winds who foretells the north-wind, whose names are
many in the mouths of the ennead; lord of the horizon who creates light and illumines the
sky with his own beauty. Such am i; prepare a path for me that I may see nyw and amun. I
am a spirit who has acquired... I pass by the... <And they will> not <speak> the word(?)
Which is on the back of the roll, they will not speak through fear of him whose name is
secret who is within my belly. I know him and am not ignorant of him, I am one who is
equipped, skilled in opening portals."
21
466.
E. As for anyone who knows this spell, he will be like Re in the east of the sky like
Osiris within the Netherworld, and he will go down to the circle of fire; there will never be
a flame against him for ever.
467.
22
496.
"The Cow of Heaven" or the Rebellion of Mankind (Theban royal tombs; NK).
497.
What are the relations between the gods and mankind like? How do the gods
behave? Compare this with other examples of the "rebellion of mankind" motif in other
myths you encounter.
c. Mankind plots rebellion
498.
THEN IT CAME to pass that the majesty of Re, he who created himself...having been
king of men as well as of the gods. Then men began to devise evil plans against him. As to
his majesty, let him live, be safe and in good health, he had grown old, his bones became
like silver, his flesh like gold, his hair like real lapis lazuli. Now his majesty had learned
about the plans which men were devising against him. Then his majesty, let him live, be
safe and in good health, said to those who were in his following:
499.
b. Re Summons Ancient Gods
500.
Call to me my Eye, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, and Nut, together with the fathers and mothers
who were with me when I was in the Watery Abyss, as well as the god of the Watery
Abyss. Let him bring his attendants with him. (But) bring them secretly, lest men see, and
their hearts escape (?). Come with them to the Great Palace, let them confess their
(wicked) plans so that I may go into the Watery Abyss to the place from which I came into
being.
501.
These gods were brought, and these gods were (standing) on both sides with heads
inclined toward the earth before his majesty, in order that he might speak his words in
front of the father of the eldest (gods) who created men and is king (of the) common
people. Then they said before his majesty:
502.
Speak to us so that we may hear!
503.
Then Re spoke to the Watery Abyss:
Eldest One out of whom I came into being, and you
primeval gods! Behold, men who came into being from my
eye devise plans against me. Tell me what would you do
about it. Behold, I seek not to kill them before having heard
what you will say.
504.
Then spoke the majesty of the Watery Abyss:
505.
My son Re, god greater than he who created thee, older than he who made thee, be
seated on thy throne! Great is the fear before thee when thy Eye comes out against those
who scheme against thee!
506.
Then the majesty of Re said:
507.
Behold, they have escaped into the desert land, their hearts being afraid that I speak
to them.
508.
Then they said before his majesty:
509.
May thy Eye go out and catch (?) for thee those who conspire (against thee). There is
no Eye more fit to strike them for thee. Let it come down as Hathor!
510.
511.
512.
Then this goddess came back after having killed men in the desert land.
Then the majesty of this god said:
Welcome in peace, O Hathor, thou hast accomplished (that) for which I came.
23
513.
Then this goddess said:
514.
As true as thou livest, I overpowered men, it was sweet for my heart.
515.
Then the majesty of this god said:
516.
I shall have power over them as king by diminshing their number.
517.
That is how the Powerful One (Sekhmet) came into being, the Confused One in the
night, to wade in their blood as far as Heracleopolis.
518.
Then Re said:
519.
Call to me (my) messengers, who hurry and run like the shadow of a body.
520.
And these messengers were brought at once.
521.
Then the majesty of this god said:
522.
Let them run to Elephantine, and bring me a large quantity of red ocher(?).
523.
Then this red ocher (?) was brought to him, and the majesty of this god ordered the
Tufted One, He of Heliopolis, to squeeze this red ocher (?). Then the slave girls brewed
beer out of oats, and this red ocher (?) was poured into this beer, and it looked like the
blood of men, and made 7000 jars.
524.
Then the majesty of Re, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, went out with these gods
to see this beer.
525.
And when the earth was light for the killing of men by this goddess, in the day when
they went South, the majesty of Re said:
526.
It is good indeed, I shall protect men from her!
527.
Re said:
528.
Carry it to the place where she intends to kill men.
529.
The majesty of Re, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, arose early when it was still
night in order to let this sleeping draught be poured out. And the fields were covered three
palms high according to the wish of the majesty of this god.
530.
When the goddess came in the morning, she found (the land) inundated and her face
looked beautiful in (the beer). Then she drank, and it was pleasant for her heart. She
became drunk and failed to recognize men. The majesty of Re said to this goddess:
531.
Welcome in peace! O Beautiful One!
532.
And the beautiful ones came into being in the city of Yamit. The majesty of Re said to
this goddess:
533.
Let there be made for her intoxicating drinks on feasts of the year, and let this be
entrusted to slave girls.
534.
And since this first day the (custom) came into being that all people entrust to the
slave girls the preparation of intoxicating drinks on the Feast of Hathor.
535.
Then the majesty of Re said to this goddess:
536.
Is there a burning pain of sickness?
537.
And the period of sickness came into being.
538.
Then the majesty of Re said?
539.
As true as I live, my heart is weary to remain with them. I keep on killing them to the
last one--the small remainder is not my gift!
540.
The gods who were in his following said:
541.
Be not disappointed, be not weary. Thou hast power over all thou wishest.
542.
Then said the majesty of this god to the majesty of the Watery Abyss:
543.
My limbs are feeble as in primeval times--I will not return until another (cycle?)
24
overtakes me.
544.
Then the majesty of the Watery Abyss said:
545.
My son Shu! Let thine eye (look upon thy) father, and protect him. My daughter Nut
place him (on thy back)!
546.
Then Nut said:
547.
How is that my father the Watery Abyss?
548.
So Nut said in...the Watery Abyss. Nut became (a cow), and the majesty of Re was on
her back. Men were (astonished when)... they saw him on the back of the cow.
549.
Then these men spoke to him:
550.
...we...will overthrow thine enemies who devise plots to do this(?)...
551.
His majesty proceeded to his palace (being on the back) of this cow, and he was
together with them (the gods?).
552.
And earth was in darkness. When it dawned in the morning, these men came out with
their bows...and shot (arrows) against the enemies.
553.
The majesty of this god said:
554.
Beware and take care of the slaughter, the massacre is far off....
555.
Then this massacre (came into being) among men.
556.
Then this god said to Nut:
557.
I placed myself on thy back to be elevated; what then?
558.
So said he, and Nut became the sky.
559.
The majesty of this god begged (?):
560.
Be far from them and elevate me, that I may see (them).
561.
And the On High came into being.
562.
Then the majesty of this god looked into her, and she said?
563.
Make me into a multitude!
564.
And (stars) ...came into being.
565.
The majesty of this god, let him live, be safe and in good health, said:
566.
Peaceful is the field here!
567.
And the Field of Peace came into being.
568.
Oh, I shall plant green herbs in it!
569.
And these Yaru fields came into being.
570.
I shall provide it (?) with everything.
571.
And these Ihih stars (came into being).
572.
Then Nut began to shake owing to the height.
573.
Then the majesty of Re said:
574.
Had I only the Heh gods to support her!
575.
And then the Heh gods came into being.
576.
Then the majesty of Re said:
577.
My son Shu be placed under my daughter Nut and guard for me the Heh gods--the
Heh gods who live in twilight. Place her on thy head and keep her.
578.
And it came to pass that a nurse is given to a son or a daughter and that a father
places his son on his head. This spell is to be recited over a cow with the Heh gods
(represented) on her chest, and with the Heh gods who are behind her. Her four legs are
painted (as well as) nine stars on her belly. Seth stands behind in front of her hind legs...
(CT VI, 69c, 72d).
579.
"A path is opened for my soul, my spirit, my magic and my shade, and it will enter to
25
Re within his shrine it will see the great god in his true shape, and it will repeat the words
of Osiris to those whose places are secret, who are in charge of the members of Osiris. CT
'492
580.
.....
581.
The End of Everything; from BD 175
582.
Read this important text carefully. It also has significant implications for the concept
of death.
583.
WORDS SPOKEN BY OSIRIS So-and-So [i.e., a dead man, who gets the title
"Osiris"]. This is a dialogue between the dead man, speaking as Osiris, and Atum:
I. The nature of the afterlife
584.
[Osiris:] "O Atum, what does it mean that I am departing to the necropolis, the silent
land, which has no water and no air?"
585.
[Atum:] "It is deep, deep, dark, dark, boundless, boundless, and one lives in peace of
heart of the silent land and sexual pleasures are not enjoyed in it. But a blessed state is
given to you in exchange for water, air, and sexual pleasure, and peace of heart in
exchange for bread and beer." So said Atum.
586.
[Osiris:] "In the sight of your face? I will not suffer being deprived of you. Every
(other) god has assumed his place in the forefront of the barque (called) Millions of
Years."
587.
[Atum:] "Your place belongs to your son, Horus, says Atum.
588.
[Osiris:] "Will he too be sending out the Elders?"
589.
[Atum:] "Well, he rules thy throne and will inherit the throne that is in the Isle of
Flame."
590.
[Osiris:] "Then command that <the God> see his associate; (so) shall my face see the
face of my lord Atum.
591.
B. Extent of existence
592.
[Osiris:] "What is a lifetime of life?" [ie What is the span of my life?], says (Osiris).
593.
[Atum:] "You are destined for millions of millions of years, a lifetime of millions (of
years). I have caused that he [your successor] send out the Elders [ancient gods]. But then
I will destroy all that I have made. This earth will return to the Deep, the to boundless
flood, as it was in its first state. (Only) I shall survive, together with Osiris, after I have
transformed myself into another snake which men know not and the gods see not.
594.
C. The blessings of the dead
595.
How good is what I have done for Osiris, more than for all the other gods; for I have
given him the desert, the silent land, and his son Horus as heir upon his throne that is in
26
the Isle of Flame. I have made his <throne in> the barque Millions (of Years), while Horus
abides on his faade [ie, in his earthly palace] in order to establish his monuments."
596.
[Osiris:] "And has Seth's soul, rather than those of all the other gods, been sent (to the
West)?" I have put under guard his soul that is in the barque, that he may not cause fear to
the god's body."
597.
D. [Deceased, speaking as himself, prays:]
598.
"O my father, Osiris, may you do for me what your father, Re, did for you. I remain
on earth, so that I may establish my place. May my heir be healthy, my tomb strong, for
these are my supporters on earth. May my enemies be turned to sycamore figs, with Selket
piercing them. I am your son, O my father Re. May you do these things for me for the
sake of life, prosperity, and health, while Horus remains in his palace facade. May you
cause that this my time of passing to the revered state come."
599.
DEATH. "In the midst of life we are surrounded by death."
600.
What attitudes toward death to these selections show? How to they envision
overcoming death?
601.
Descriptions of death
27
618.
619.
OVERCOMING DEATH
Prehistoric texts incorporated in the Pyr Texts
620.
My father, stand up. Take this water. Shake the sand off your face. Raise yourself up
from your left side and support yourself on your right side. (Pyr '1877-78)
621.
(To weaver goddess:) Protect the head of NN, so that it won't come off; bind together
the bones of NN, so that they wont come apart. (Pyr '730).
622.
Dealing with Death: claim of primeval birth; Pyr '486xvi
623.
The king (in this case, Pepi, ca. 2200) also claims that he was born before anything
else. Why?
624.
Hail. O waters brought by Shu,
625.
Which the twin springs raised,
626.
In which Geb has bathed his limbs,
627.
So that hearts lost fear, hearts lost dread.
628.
629.
630.
631.
632.
633.
634.
635.
636.
637.
638.
639.
Often the deceased threatens the gods. The Cannibal Hymn is the foremost case.
640.
"The Cannibal Hymn." (Selection) Pyr '' 273-274,xvii ca 2300 BCE. (Unas is the
king)
641.
642.
643.
644.
645.
646.
647.
648.
649.
650.
651.
28
652.
653.
.....
654.
655.
656.
657.
658.
659.
660.
661.
662.
663.
664.
665.
666.
667.
668.
669.
670.
671.
672.
673.
674.
675.
676.
677.
678.
679.
680.
681.
682.
683.
684.
685.
686.
687.
688.
689.
690.
691.
692.
29
693.
694.
695.
696.
697.
698.
699.
700.
701.
702.
703.
704.
Preparing for eternity; an often-quoted passage from Wisdom of Prince
Hardjedef, 5th dynxviii
705.
Make good your dwelling in the graveyard,
706.
Make worthy your station in the West.
707.
Given that death humbles us,
708.
Given that life exalts us,
709.
The house of death is for life.
710.
Lamentations help the dead achieve eternity just as the lamentations of Isis and
Nephthys helped their brother return to life.
711.
712.
713.
715.
716.
717.
718.
Isis says:
Come to thine house, come to thine house!
thou of On [Heliopolis], come to thine house,
for thy foes are not.
fair Sistrum-player, come to thine house,
that thou mayest see me,
for I am thy sister whom thou lovest,
and thou shall not be parted from me....
My heart grieves for thee, mine eyes search for me ...
719.
Nephthys says:
720.
721.
fair Sovereign,
come to thy house and rejoice,
for all thy foes are not.
722.
723.
724.
725.
714.
30
726.
...
727.
I have found him, said Nephthys, when she saw Osiris on his side on the bank...My
brother, I have sought thee."
728.
A major function of mortuary texts is to help the deceased get to the land of the
blessed dead, often through Rosetau to the Field of Reeds or the Field of Offerings.
Rosetau means "passage of dragging," ie the sloping entranceway to the tomb; then it
refers to the entire necropolis (graveyard), then the entire Afterworld. Consider the
processes for getting to the Afterlife implied in the following.
729.
730.
731.
732.
733.
734.
735.
736.
737.
738.
739.
740.
741.
742.
743.
744.
745.
746.
747.
748.
749.
750.
751.
752.
753.
754.
The Judgment of the Dead; from BD 125xxi. The dead man says this as he comes
to the court that judges the dead:
755.
756.
31
757.
758.
759.
760.
761.
762.
763.
764.
765.
766.
767.
768.
769.
770.
771.
772.
773.
774.
775.
776.
777.
778.
779.
780.
781.
782.
783.
784.
785.
786.
787.
788.
789.
790.
791.
792.
793.
794.
795.
796.
797.
798.
799.
800.
801.
32
802.
803.
804.
805.
806.
807.
808.
809.
810.
811.
812.
813.
814.
815.
816.
c. Interrogation of Names.
817.
The dead must traverse several gates; at each one he says:
818.
"I shall not let you enter through me, Says the beam of this gate, unless you tell my
name.
819.
`Plummet of the Place of Truth' is your name." etc.
820.
"Let him come," so they say of me.
821.
"Who art thou," so they say to me. "What is thy name?" so they say to me.
822.
"I am the Lord of the lower growth of the papyrus plant.
He-Who-is-in-His-Morenga-Tree is my name."
823.
"What didst thou pass by?" they say to me.
824.
"I passed by the city north of a morenga tree."
825.
"What didst thou see there?" etc.
826.
...
827.
d. Instructions on using this manual
828.
This is the way to act toward the Hall of the Two Truths. A man says this speech
when he is pure, clean, dressed in fresh clothes, shod in white sandals, painted with eyepaint, anointed with the finest oil of myrrh. One shall offer to him beef, fowl, incense,
bread, beer, and herbs. And you make this image in drawing on a clean surface in red paint
mixed with soil on which pigs and goats have not trodden.
829.
e. What the book will do for you:
830.
He for whom this scroll is recited will prosper, and his children will prosper. He will
be the friend of the king and his courtiers. He shall receive bread, beer, and a big chunk of
meat from the altar of the great god. He will not be held back at any gate of the west. He
will be ushered in with the kings of Upper and Lower Egypt. He will be a follower of
Osiris.
J. Effective a million times!
831.
33
832.
833.
834.
835.
836.
837.
838.
839.
840.
841.
842.
843.
844.
845.
846.
847.
848.
849.
850.
851.
852.
853.
854.
855.
856.
857.
858.
On the road to Eternity; CT ' 1131xxiii
859.
Guide to the double doors of the horizon when they closed on account of the gods.
This is the name of their keepers which is in writing and this is their entire nature. As for
anyone who does not know what they speak, he shall fall into the nets of those who net
there(?)... As for anyone who shall know what they speak, he shall pass by, and he shall sit
beside the great god wherever he may be, and he shall give respect to him, for he is one
wholly equipped and spiritualized. As for a man who shall know, he will never perish, and
their seal shall be on him like any god for whom they do it among all the gods.
860.
The road to Eternity; CT 1035xxiv
861.
SPELL FOR KNOWING THE WAY
862.
I have passed by the roads of Rosetau on water and on land; these roads are those of
Osiris, they are in the sky.
863.
If a man knows the Spell for going down to them, he will be like a god directed by the
followers of Thoth. He will indeed go down to every heaven to which he desires to
descend.
34
864.
But if he does not know this Spell for passing on these roads, he will fall a prey to the
tribunal of the dead, his destiny being that of one who has nothing, and will lack
justification eternally.
865.
The ideal afterlife. What will the next life be like, if you succeed in getting there?
866.
867.
868.
869.
(Summary of introduction: A Peasant was travelling to sell produce in Hnes. On the
way, a powerful man, Nemtynakht, coveted the donkey and goods. To get them, he spread
his cloak on the narrow path. The peasant was forced to stop. His donkey ate a wisp of
Nemtynakht's barley. "Now," said Nemtynakht, "I shall seize your donkey, peasant, for
eating my barley. It shall tread out grain for its offense." On this pretense, he seized the
donkey and the goods and had the peasant beaten.
870.
The peasant spent 10 days appealing to Nemtynakht, swho paid no attention. So he
went south to Hnes to appeal to the high steward Rensi son of Meru. Rensi tried to
dismiss the matter, but the peasant made the following appeal (First Petition):
a.
First Petition
871.
Now this peasant came to appeal to the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru. He said:
"O high steward, my lord, greatest of the great, leader of all!
872.
873.
874.
875.
876.
877.
878.
879.
880.
881.
882.
883.
884.
885.
886.
887.
888.
Let me make your name in this land according to all the good rules:
889.
35
890.
891.
892.
893.
894.
895.
896.
897.
898.
899.
Now this peasant made this speech in the time of the majesty of King Nebkaure, the
justified. Then the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru, went before his majesty and said:
"My lord, I have found one among those peasants whose speech is truly beautiful. Robbed
of his goods by a man who is in my service, he has come to petition me about it." Said his
majesty: "As truly as you wish to see me in health, you shall detain him here, without
answering whatever he says. In order to keep him talking, be silent. Then have it brought
to us in writing, that we may hear it. But provide for his wife and his children. For one of
those peasants comes here (only) just before his house is empty. Provide also for this
peasant himself. You shall let food be given him without letting him know that it is you
who gives it to him."
900.
So they gave him ten loaves of bread and two jugs of beer every day. It was the high
steward Rensi, the son of Meru, who gave it. He gave it to a friend of his, and he gave it
to him. Then the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru, wrote to the mayor of Salt-Field
about providing food for this peasant's wife, a total of three bushels of grain every day.
b.
Second Petition
901.
Now this peasant came to petition him a second time. He said: "O high steward, my
lord, greatest of the great, richest of the rich, truly greater that his great ones, richer that
his rich ones!
902.
903.
904.
905.
906.
907.
A great lord taking a share of that which is (now) ownerless; stealing from a lonely
man? Your portion is in your house: a jug of beer and three loaves. What is that you
expend to satisfy your clients? A mortal man dies along with his underlings; shall you be a
man of eternity?
908.
909.
910.
911.
36
912.
913.
914.
915.
916.
917.
918.
919.
920.
921.
922.
923.
Said the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru: "Are your belongings a greater concern
to you than that my servant might seize you?"
924.
This peasant said:
925.
926.
927.
928.
929.
930.
931.
932.
933.
934.
935.
936.
937.
938.
939.
Oh for a moment of destruction, havoc in your vineyard, loss among your birds,
damage to your water birds!
940.
941.
942.
943.
944.
945.
946.
947.
948.
949.
950.
37
951.
952.
953.
954.
955.
956.
957.
958.
Ninth Petition
959.
Now this peasant came to petition him a ninth time; he said: "O high steward, my
lord! The tongue is men's stand-balance. It is the balance that detects deficiency. Punish
him who should be punished, and <none> shall equal your rectitude. ---......When
falsehood walks it goes astray. It does not cross in the ferry; it does not progress. He who
is enriched by it has no children, has no heirs on earth. He who sails with it does not reach
land; his boat does not moor at its landing place.
960.
961.
962.
963.
964.
965.
966.
967.
968.
969.
970.
Conclusion
971.
Then the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru, sent two guards to bring him back.
Then this peasant was fearful, thinking it was done so as to punish him for this speech he
had made. This peasant said: "A thirsty man's approach to water, an infant's mouth
reaching for milk, thus is a longed-for death seen coming, thus does his death arrive at
38
last." Said the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru: "Don't be afraid, peasant; be ready to
deal with me!" Said this peasant: "By my life! Shall I eat your bread and drink your beer
forever?" Said the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru: "Now wait here and hear your
petitions!" Then he had them read from a new papyrus roll, each petition in its turn. The
high steward Rensi, the son of Meru, presented them to the majesty of King Nebkaure, the
justified. They pleased his majesty's heart more than anything in the whole land. His
majesty said: "Give judgement yourself, son of Meru!"
972.
Then the high steward Rensi, the son of Meru, sent two guards [to bring
Nemtynakht]. He was brought and a report was made of [all his property. And all of his
property--his wheat, his barley, his donkeys, his pigs, his small cattle, etc.--was given to
the peasant].
973.
974.
975.
976.
977.
978.
979.
980.
981.
982.
983.
984.
985.
986.
987.
Chapter 2
Dont raise an outcry against one who attacks you,
nor answer him yourself
He who does evil, the shore rejects him,
Its floodwater carries him away...
You hot-headed man, how are you now?
He cries out, his voice reaches heaven.
It is the Moon who declares his crime.
steer, we will ferry the wicked,
We do not act like his kind;
Life him up, give him your hand,
Leave him <in> the hands of the god;
Fill his belly with bread of your own,
That he be sated and weep.
988.
989.
990.
991.
992.
993.
994.
995.
996.
997.
998.
999.
chapter 3
Dont start a quarrel with a hot-mouthed man,
Nor needle him with words.
Pause before a foe, bend before an attacker,
Sleep (on it) before speaking.
A storm that bursrts like fire in straw
Such is the heated man in his hour
...
Withdraw from him, leave him alone,
The God knows how to answer him.
If you make your life with these (words) in your heart,
Your children will observe them.
1000.
chapter 10
1001.
Do not force yourself to greet the heated man, for then you injure your own heart; Do
not say greetings to him falsely, while there is terror in your belly. Do not speak falsely to a
man, The god abhors it; do not sever your heart from your tongue ...
39
1002.
1003.
1004.
1005.
1006.
1007.
1008.
1009.
chapter 18
Do not lie down in fear of tomorrow:
Comes day, how will tomorrow be?
Man is ignorant of how tomorrow will be.
God is ever in his perfection,
Man is ever in his failure.
The words men say are one thing,
The deeds of the god are another.
1010.
1011.
1012.
1013.
1014.
1015.
1016.
1017.
1018.
1019.
1020.
1021.
1022.
1023.
chapter 25
Do not laugh at a blind man,
Nor tease a dwarf,
Nor cause hardship for the lame.
Dont tease a man who is in the hand of the god,
Nor be angry with him for his failings.
Man is clay and straw,
The god is his builder.
He tears down, he builds up daily,
He makes a thousand poor by his will,
He makes a thousand men into chiefs,
When he is in his hour of life.
Happy is he who reaches the West,
When he is safe in the hand of the god.
40
1024.
41
42
1064.
1065.
1066.
1067.
1068.
Enuma Elish ("When above") The great Babylonian Creation Epic.
Selections.xxvii
1069.
1070.
1071.
1072.
1073.
1074.
1075.
1076.
1077.
1078.
1079.
1080.
1081.
1082.
1083.
1084.
1085.
1086.
1087.
1088.
1089.
1090.
1091.
1092.
1093.
1094.
1095.
1096.
1097.
1098.
1099.
1100.
1101.
1102.
1103.
1104.
Tablet I
When skies above were not yet named
Nor earth below pronounced by name,
Apsu, the first one, their begetter
And maker Tiamat, who bore them all,
Had mixed their waters together,
But had not formed pastures, nor discovered
reed-beds;
When yet no gods were manifest,
Nor names pronounced, nor destinies decreed,
Then gods were born within them.
Lahmu (and) Lahamu emerged,
their names were pronounced.
As soon as they matured, were fully formed,
Anshar (and) Kishar were born, surpassing them.
They passed the days at length, they added to the
years.
Anu their first-born son rivalled his forefathers:
Anshar made his son Anu like himself,
And Anu begot Nudimmud in his likeness.
He, Nudimmud, was superior to his forefathers:
Profound of understanding, he was wise, was very
strong at arms.
Mightier by far than Anshar his father's begetter,
He had no rival among the gods his peers.
The gods of that generation would meet together
And disturb Tiamat, and their clamor reverberated.
They stirred up Tiamat's belly,
They were annoying her by playing inside
Anduruna.
Apsu could not quell their noise
And Tiamat became mute before them;
However grievous their behavior to her,
However bad their ways, she would indulge them.
Finally Apsu, begetter of the great gods,
Called out and addressed his vizier Mummu,
`O Mummu, vizier who pleases me!
43
1105.
1106.
1107.
1108.
1109.
1110.
1111.
1112.
1113.
1114.
1115.
1116.
1117.
1118.
1119.
1120.
1121.
1122.
1123.
1124.
1125.
1126.
1127.
1128.
1129.
1130.
1131.
1132.
1133.
1134.
1135.
1136.
1137.
1138.
1139.
1140.
1141.
1142.
1143.
1144.
1145.
1146.
1147.
1148.
1149.
1150.
44
1151.
1152.
1153.
1154.
1155.
1156.
1157.
1158.
1159.
1160.
1161.
1162.
1163.
1164.
1165.
1166.
1167.
1168.
1169.
1170.
1171.
1172.
1173.
1174.
1175.
1176.
1177.
1178.
1179.
1180.
1181.
1182.
1183.
1184.
1185.
1186.
1187.
1188.
1189.
1190.
1191.
himself.
He held Apsu down and slew him;
Tied up Mummu and laid him across him.
He set up his dwelling on top of Apsu,
And grasped Mummu, held him by a nose-rope.
When he had overcome and slain his enemies,
Ea set up his triumphal cry over his foes.
Then he rested very quietly inside his private
quarters
And named them Apsu and assigned chapels,
Founded his own residence there,
And Ea and Damkina his lover dwelt in splendor.
In the chamber of destinies, the hall of designs,
Bel, cleverest of the clever, sage of the gods, was
begotten.
And inside Apsu, Marduk was created;
Inside pure Apsu, Marduk was born.
Ea his father created him,
Damkina his mother bore him.
He suckled the teats of goddesses;
The nurse who reared him filled him with
awesomeness.
Proud was his form, piercing his stare,
Mature his emergence, he was powerful from the
start.
Anu his father's begetter beheld him,
And rejoiced, beamed; his heart was filled with joy.
He made him so perfect that his godhead was
doubled.
Elevated far above them, he was superior in every
way.
His limbs were ingeniously made beyond
comprehension,
Impossible to understand, too difficult to perceive.
Four were his eyes, four were his ears;
When his lips moved, fire blazed forth.
The four ears were enormous
And likewise the eyes; they perceived everything.
Highest among the gods, his form was outstanding.
His limbs were very long, his height (?)
outstanding.
1192.
1193.
1194.
1195.
45
1196.
1197.
1198.
1199.
1200.
1201.
1202.
1203.
1204.
1205.
1206.
1207.
1208.
1209.
1210.
1211.
1212.
1213.
1214.
1215.
1216.
1217.
1218.
1219.
1220.
1221.
1222.
1223.
1224.
1225.
1226.
1227.
1228.
1229.
1230.
1231.
1232.
1233.
1234.
1235.
1236.
1237.
1238.
1239.
1240.
1241.
46
1242.
1243.
1244.
1245.
1246.
1247.
1248.
1249.
1250.
1251.
1252.
1253.
1254.
1255.
1256.
1257.
1258.
1259.
1260.
1261.
1262.
1263.
1264.
1265.
1266.
1267.
1268.
1269.
1270.
1271.
1272.
1273.
1274.
1275.
1276.
1277.
1278.
1279.
1280.
1281.
1282.
1283.
1284.
(Catchline)
47
1285.
1286.
1287.
1288.
1289.
1290.
1291.
1292.
TABLET II
1293.
1294.
1295.
1296.
1297.
1298.
1299.
1300.
1301.
1302.
1303.
1304.
1305.
1306.
1307.
1308.
1309.
1310.
1311.
1312.
1313.
1314.
1315.
1316.
1317.
1318.
1319.
1320.
1321.
1322.
1323.
1324.
1325.
1326.
48
1327.
1328.
1329.
1330.
1331.
1332.
1333.
1334.
1335.
1336.
1337.
1338.
1339.
1340.
1341.
1342.
1343.
1344.
1345.
1346.
1347.
1348.
1349.
1350.
1351.
1352.
1353.
1354.
1355.
1356.
1357.
1358.
1359.
1360.
1361.
1362.
1363.
1364.
1365.
1366.
1367.
1368.
1369.
1370.
1371.
1372.
49
1373.
1374.
1375.
1376.
1377.
1378.
1379.
1380.
1381.
1382.
1383.
1384.
1385.
...
She laid (?) the...of her hand on top of me.'
Anshar was speechless, and stared at the ground;
He gnashed his teeth (?) and shook his head (in
despair) at Ea.
Now, the Igigi assembled, all the Anukki.
They sat silently (for a while), tight-lipped.
b.
1386.
1387.
1388.
1389.
1390.
1391.
1392.
1393.
1394.
1395.
1396.
1397.
1398.
1399.
1400.
1401.
1402.
1403.
1404.
1405.
1406.
1407.
1408.
1409.
1410.
1411.
1412.
50
1413.
(Anshar replied)
1414.
1415.
1416.
1417.
1418.
1419.
(Marduk answered)
1420.
1421.
1422.
1423.
1424.
1425.
1426.
(Anshar replied)
1427.
1428.
1429.
1430.
1431.
1432.
1433.
1434.
1435.
1436.
1437.
1438.
1439.
1440.
1441.
1442.
1443.
1444.
1445.
1446.
1447.
1448.
1449.
1450.
51
1451.
1452.
1453.
1454.
1455.
1456.
1457.
1458.
1459.
1460.
1461.
1462.
1463.
1464.
1465.
1466.
1467.
1468.
1469.
1470.
1471.
1472.
1473.
1474.
1475.
1476.
1477.
1478.
1479.
1480.
1481.
1482.
1483.
1484.
1485.
1486.
1487.
1488.
1489.
1490.
1491.
1492.
1493.
1494.
52
1495.
1496.
1497.
1498.
1499.
1500.
1501.
1502.
1503.
1504.
1505.
1506.
1507.
1508.
1509.
1510.
1511.
1512.
1513.
1514.
1515.
1516.
1517.
1518.
1519.
1520.
1521.
1522.
1523.
1524.
1525.
1526.
1527.
1528.
1529.
1530.
1531.
1532.
1533.
1534.
1535.
1536.
1537.
1538.
1539.
1540.
53
1541.
1542.
1543.
1544.
1545.
1546.
1547.
1548.
1549.
1550.
1551.
1552.
1553.
1554.
1555.
1556.
1557.
1558.
1559.
1560.
1561.
1562.
1563.
1564.
1565.
1566.
1567.
1568.
1569.
1570.
1571.
1572.
1573.
1574.
1575.
1576.
1577.
1578.
1579.
1580.
1581.
1582.
1583.
1584.
1585.
TABLET IV
...
When Tiamat heard this,
She went wild, she lost her temper.
Tiamat screamed aloud in a passion,
Her lower parts shook together from the depths.
She recited the incantation and kept casting her
spell.
Meanwhile the gods of battle were sharpening their
weapons.
Face to face they came, Tiamat and Marduk, sage of
the gods.
They engaged in combat, they closed for battle.
The Lord spread his net and made it encircle her,
To her face he dispatched the imhullu-wind, which
had been behind:
Tiamat opened her mouth to swallow it,
And he forced in the imhullu-wind so that she could
not close her lips.
Fierce winds distended her belly;
Her insides were constipated and she stretched her
mouth wide.
He shot an arrow which pierced her belly,
Split her down the middle and slit her heart,
Vanquished her and extinguished her life.
54
1586.
1587.
1588.
1589.
1590.
1591.
1592.
1593.
1594.
1595.
1596.
1597.
1598.
1599.
1600.
1601.
1602.
1603.
1604.
1605.
1606.
1607.
1608.
1609.
1610.
1611.
1612.
1613.
1614.
1615.
1616.
1617.
1618.
1619.
1620.
1621.
1622.
1623.
1624.
1625.
1626.
1627.
1628.
1629.
1630.
1631.
55
1632.
1633.
1634.
1635.
1636.
1637.
1638.
1639.
1640.
1641.
1642.
1643.
1644.
1645.
1646.
1647.
1648.
1649.
1650.
1651.
1652.
1653.
1654.
1655.
1656.
1657.
1658.
1659.
1660.
1661.
1662.
1663.
1664.
1665.
1666.
1667.
1668.
1669.
1670.
1671.
1672.
TABLET VI
1673.
56
1674.
1675.
1676.
1677.
1678.
1679.
1680.
1681.
1682.
1683.
1684.
1685.
1686.
1687.
1688.
1689.
1690.
1691.
1692.
1693.
1694.
1695.
1696.
1697.
1698.
1699.
1700.
1701.
1702.
1703.
1704.
1705.
1706.
1707.
1708.
1709.
1710.
1711.
1712.
1713.
1714.
1715.
1716.
1717.
1718.
1719.
57
1720.
1721.
1722.
1723.
1724.
1725.
1726.
1727.
1728.
1729.
1730.
1731.
1732.
1733.
1734.
1735.
1736.
1737.
1738.
1739.
1740.
1741.
1742.
1743.
1744.
1745.
1746.
1747.
1748.
1749.
1750.
1751.
1752.
1753.
1754.
1755.
1756.
1757.
1758.
1759.
1760.
1761.
1762.
1763.
1764.
1765.
58
1766.
1767.
1768.
1769.
1770.
1771.
1772.
1773.
1774.
1775.
1776.
1777.
1778.
1779.
1780.
1781.
1782.
1783.
1784.
1785.
1786.
1787.
1788.
1789.
1790.
1791.
1792.
1793.
1794.
1795.
1796.
1797.
1798.
1799.
1800.
1801.
1802.
1803.
1804.
1805.
1806.
1807.
1808.
1809.
1810.
TABLET VII
59
1811.
In the continuation, Marduk receives a series of divine names, each signifying
and conveying a special power.
1812.
1813.
1814.
1815.
1816.
1817.
1818.
1819.
1820.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836.
1837.
1838.
1839.
2
Tablet A
1840.
[Ea creates Adapa, a pious, wise man]
1841.
[Adapa's] command was indeed...like the command of Ea.
1842.
Wide understanding [the god Ea] had perfected for him to disclose the designs of
the land.
1843.
He gave him wisdom, but did not give him eternal life.
1844.
In those days, in those years, Ea, the sage from Eridu,
1845.
created [Adapa] as the model of men.
1846.
The sage [Ea]--his command no one can weaken-1847.
The capable, the most wise among the Anunnaki is he;
1848.
[Created Adapa] the blameless, the clean of hands,
1849.
the anointing priest, the observer of rites. ..,
1850.
who provides bread and water for Eridu daily,
60
1851.
1852.
1853.
1854.
1855.
1856.
1857.
1858.
1859.
1860.
1861.
1862.
1863.
1864.
1865.
1866.
[Adapa goes fishing, runs into a storm, and curses the South Wind]
At the holy quay, the Quay of the New Moon, he boarded the sailboat;
Then a wind blew and his boat drifted;
(20)
With the oar he steers his boat ...
The south wind blew and sank him,
Tablet B
sending him down to the home of the fish:
"O South Wind [Adapa says],
I will break your wing!"
As soon as he said this with his mouth,
The wing of the South Wind was broken.
For seven days the South Wind did not blow upon the land.
1867.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
[Adapa's "father" Ea gives him advice on how to approach Anu and how to behave
in the gods' presence]
1877.
At those words, Ea he who knows about matters of Heaven,
1878.
took hold of Adapa,
1879.
made him mess up his hair, put on mourning garb,
1880.
and gave him this advice:
1881.
"Adapa, you are going before Anu, the king;
1882.
The road to heaven you wilt take.
1883.
When you have gone up to heaven
1884.
and reached Anu's gate,
1885.
Tammuz and Gizzida will be standing at Anu's gate. (20)
1886.
When they see you, they will ask:
1887.
`Man, For whom are you looking like this?
1888.
Adapa, for whom are you dressed in mourning garb?'
1889.
[You are to reply:]
1890.
`Two gods have disappeared from our land;
1891.
That's why I look like this.'
1892.
`Who are the two gods who have disappeared from the land?'
61
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910.
1911.
1912.
1913.
1914.
1915.
1916.
1917.
1918.
1919.
1920.
1921.
1922.
When Adapa drew near to Anu, the king,
1923.
and Anu saw him, he called:
1924.
"Look here, Adapa, why did you break the South Wind's wing?"
1925.
Adapa answered Anu:
1926.
"My lord, I was catching fish
1927.
for my master's household, in the midst of the sea
(50). The sea was like a
mirror,
1928.
but the South Wind began blowing and sank me,
1929.
sending me down to the home of the fish.
1930.
In my heart's rage,
1931.
I cursed the South Wind."
1932.
62
1933.
Tammuz and Gizzida, standing at his side,
1934.
spoke a good word to Anu,
1935.
quieting his heart (?) ...
1936.
"Why did Ea disclose the secrets [lit., "heart"]
1937.
of heaven and earth to a mere man,
1938.
rendering him distinguished and making a name for him?
1939.
But now, what shall we do about him?
1940.
Bring him the bread of life and let him eat it."
(60)
1941.
When they brought him the bread of life, he did not eat it.
1942.
When they brought him the water of life, he did not drink it. When they brought
him a garment, he put it on.
1943.
When they brought him oil, he anointed himself.
1944.
1945.
1946.
1947.
1948.
1949.
1950.
1951.
"Take him away" [Anu replied], "and send him back to his earth."
(remainder destroyed)
1952.
Hyms about and to INANNA (Ishtar). How do they envisage the character of this
goddess?
1953.
1954.
1955.
1956.
1957.
1958.
1959.
1960.
1961.
1962.
1963.
1964.
1965.
1966.
Inanna as the Power in Rain and Thunderxxx
1967.
This is a selection from one of the hymns of Enheduanna, the first named author
in history. She was the daughter of Sargon of Akkad and priestess of the god Nanna of
Ur.
63
1968.
1969.
1970.
1971.
1972.
1973.
1974.
1975.
Destroyer of mountains,
you gave wings to the storm!
beloved one of Enlil,
you came flying into the country,
attended to the instructions of An.
my lady, at your roar, you made the countries bow low.
...
With the charging storm you charge,
with the howling storm you howl,
with Ishkur you roar,
with all evil winds you rage.
1976.
1977.
1978.
1979.
1980.
1981.
1982.
1983.
1984.
1985.
1986.
1987.
1988.
1989.
1990.
1991.
1992.
The living creatures and the numerous people of Sumer kneel before her.
Those chosen by the old women prepare great platters of food and drink for her.
The Lady refreshes herself in the land.
There is great joy in Sumer.
The young man makes love with his beloved.
1993.
1994.
1995.
1996.
1997.
1998.
1999.
2000.
2001.
64
2002.
2003.
2004.
2005.
2006.
2007.
2008.
2009.
2010.
2011.
2012.
2013.
2014.
2015.
2016.
2017.
2018.
2019.
2020.
2021.
2022.
2023.
2024.
2025.
2026.
2027.
2028.
2029.
2030.
2031.
2032.
2033.
2034.
2035.
2036.
2037.
2038.
2039.
2040.
2041.
2042.
2043.
65
2044.
2045.
2046.
2047.
2048.
2049.
2050.
2051.
2052.
2053.
2054.
2055.
2056.
Godess/priestess welcomes her bridegroom:
2057.
How luxuriant he is, he is the greenery of the garden, refreshed by the dew of
heaven!
2058.
You are mine, O orchard which gives shade to the pickers, the joy of your mother,
2059.
my corn, full of charms in your furrows, the greenery of the garden, refreshed by the
dew of heaven,
2060.
my choice pomegranate tree, framed in foliage, the greenery of the garden, refreshed
by the dew of heaven!
2061.
honey man, honey man, he spreads his sweetness over me..
2062.
you that are mine, the navel, since you are completely sweet, the joy of your mother,
2063.
when you give pleasure to my private parts, and the arm is brought down over ...
2064.
the greenery of the garden, refreshed by the dew of heaven.
2065.
2066.
2067.
2068.
2069.
2070.
2071.
2072.
2073.
2074.
2075.
2076.
2077.
2078.
2079.
66
2080.
2081.
2082.
2083.
2084.
2085.
2086.
2087.
2088.
2089.
2090.
2091.
2092.
2093.
2094.
2095.
2096.
2097.
2098.
2099.
2100.
2101.
2102.
2103.
2104.
2105.
2106.
2107.
2108.
2109.
2110.
2111.
2112.
2113.
2114.
2115.
2116.
2117.
2118.
2119.
2120.
2121.
2122.
67
2123.
2124.
2125.
2126.
2127.
2128.
2129.
2130.
2131.
2132.
2133.
2134.
2135.
2136.
2137.
"Enter, my lady, thus are the rules of the Mistress of the Nether World."
When he brought her through the fifth gate,
He stripped and took away the girdle of birthstones on her
hips.
"Why, O gatekeeper, did you take the girdle of birthstones on my hips?"
"Enter, my lady, thus are the rules of the Mistress of the Nether
World."
When he brought her through the sixth gate,
He stripped and took away the clasps around
her hands and feet.
"Why, O gatekeeper, did you take the clasps around my hands and feet?"
"Enter, my lady, thus are the rules of the Mistress of the Nether
World."
When he brought her through the seventh gate,
(60)
He stripped and took away the breechcloth on her body.
"Why, O gatekeeper, did you take the breechcloth on my body?"
"Enter, my lady, thus are the rules of the Mistress of the Nether
World."
2138.
2139.
2140.
2141.
2142.
2143.
2144.
2145.
2146.
2147.
2148.
2149.
2150.
2151.
2152.
2153.
2154.
2155.
2156.
2157.
2158.
2159.
2160.
2161.
2162.
2163.
2164.
2165.
68
2166.
2167.
In the (town) the man does not impregnates not the young woman.
The man lies in his own chamber, the maiden lies on her side,
2168.
2169.
2170.
2171.
2172.
2173.
2174.
2175.
2176.
2177.
2178.
2179.
2180.
2181.
2182.
2183.
2184.
2185.
2186.
2187.
2188.
2189.
2190.
2191.
2192.
2193.
2194.
2195.
2196.
2197.
2198.
2199.
2200.
2201.
2202.
2203.
2204.
2205.
2206.
2207.
69
2208.
2209.
2210.
2211.
2212.
2213.
2214.
[An addition to Ereshkigal's instructions, apparently from another source; out of
place here:]
2215.
"If she does not give you her ransom price, bring her back.
2216.
As for Tammuz, the lover of her youth,
2217.
wash him with pure water, anoint him with sweet oil;
2218.
clothe him with a red garment,
2219.
let him play on a flute of lapis.
2220.
let courtesans turn his mood."
2221.
2222.
2223.
2224.
2225.
2226.
2227.
2228.
2229.
2230.
2231.
2232.
2233.
2234.
LAW
From the Code of Hammurapixxxiv
2235.
2236.
2237.
2238.
2239.
2240.
2241.
2242.
2243.
2244.
2245.
2246.
2247.
2248.
70
2249.
2250.
2251.
2252.
2253.
2254.
2255.
2256.
2257.
2258.
2259.
If a citizen (free citizen or "gentleman"--awelum) accused another citizen and
brought a charge of murder against him, but has not proved it, his accuser shall be put to
death (-1).
2260.
If a citizen accuses another of sorcery, but has no proofs, the accused man shall to to
the river and plunge into it. If the river bears him away, the accuser shall take possession
of his house. If the river shows him to be innocent and he comes out safe, the accuser shall
be slain, and the other shall take his house. (-2).
2261.
If a citizen came forward with false testimony in a case, and has not proved the
word which he spoke, if that case was a case involving life, that citizien sahll be put to
death (-3).
2262.
If a citizen has helped either a male slave of the state or a female slave of the state or
a male slave of a mushkenum or a female slave of a mushkenum to escape through the
city-gate, he shall be put to death (-15).
2263.
If a citizen's wife decides to leave "in order to engage in business, thus neglecting
her house and humiliating her husband," the husband may divorce her without settlement.
He may marry another woman, "with the former wife living in her husband's house like a
maidservant." (-141)
2264.
If a woman so hated her husband that she has declared, "you may not have me (as
wife any more)," her record shall be investigated at her city council, and if she was careful
and was not at fault, even though her husband has been going out and disparaging her
greatly, that woman, without incurring any blame at all, may take her dowry and go off to
her father's house (-142).
2265.
If she was not careful, however, but was a gadabout, thus neglecting her house
(and) humiliating her husband, they shall throw that woman into the water (-143).
2266.
If a patrician put out another's eye, his eye shall be put out. If he break another's
bone, his bone shall be broken. If he put out the eye or break the bone of a plebeian, he
71
shall pay a talent of silver (''196-8).
2267.
If a surgeon has operated on a patrician with a bronze knife, and has killed him...his
hands shall be cut off. ('218)
2268.
If a builder has constructed a house for anyone and has not made his work solid, so
that a wall falls down, the builder shall repair the wall at his own cost. ('233)
2269.
If a patrician accuses another of sorcery, but has no proofs, the accused man shall to
the river and plunge into it. If the river bears him away, the accuser shall take possession
of his house. If the river shows him to be innocent and he comes out safe, the accuser shall
be slain, and the other shall take his house. ('2).
2270.
2271.
2272.
2273.
2274.
2275.
2276.
72
2277.
2278.
2279.
2280.
2281.
2282.
2283.
2284.
Archaeological Periods:
Early Bronze
3100-2100
Middle Bronze
2100-1500
Late Bronze
1500-1200
Iron I
1200-900
Iron II
900-586
Iron III
586-332
2285.
2286.
2287.
2288.
2289.
2290.
2291.
2292.
2293.
2294.
2295.
2296.
2297.
2298.
2299.
INSCRIPTIONS
2300.
2301.
2302.
2303.
2304.
2305.
2306.
73
(3) "Whatever he requests from a man, may it be
favored ... let YHWH give him according to
his wish."
(4) An inscription on plaster mentions a
theophany (appearance of God) on the day
of war.:
2307. "When God shines forth the mountains melt ... Baal on the day of w[ar], for the name
of God on the day of w[ar]."
B. (compare Deut 33:2; Micah 1:3-4; Judg 5:4-5; Hab 3)
2308.
Other inscriptions mentioning Yahweh
2309. Salutations in Letters: (Arad and Lachish): The 11 salutations known to us are all
Yahwistic: "I bless you by Yahweh", "May Yahweh seek your welfare." etc.
2310. ORIGINS OF YAHWISM.xxxv
2311. Some Bible texts seem to remember how Yahweh first came from the desert to make
himself known to Israel.
2312.
Theophany from Desert; Psalm 68:2
2313. Let God arise, his enemies be scattered;
2314. his adversaries shall flee before him.
2315. God marches before his people in the wilderness while Sinai trembles before him;
myriads of warriors come with him from Sinai with the holy ones (v. 18)
2316. God's chariots are myriads upon myriads,
2317. thousands upon thousands;
2318. Yahweh is among them, Sinai in holiness.
2319.
The Midianite Connection Numbers 10:29-32.
2320. (29) Moses said to Hobab son of Reul the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are
setting out for the place of which Yahweh has said, "I will give it to you. "
2321. Come with us and we will be generous with you; for Yahweh has promised to be
generous to Israel." (30) I will not go," he replied to him, "but will return to my native
land." (31) He said, "Please do not leave us, inasmuch as you know where we should
camp in the wilderness and can be our guide. (32) So if you come with us, we will extend
to you the same bounty that Yahweh grants us."
2322.
2323.
2324.
2325.
2326.
2327.
2328.
74
2329.
2330.
2331.
2332.
2333.
2334.
2335.
2336.
2337.
2338.
2339.
2340.
The Queen of Heaven; Jeremiah 44
2341. (15) Thereupon they answered Jeremiah--all the men who knew that their wives made
offerings to other gods; all the women present, a large gathering; and all the people who
lived in Pathros in the land of Egypt: (16) `We will not listen to you in the matter about
which you spoke to us in the name of Yahweh. (17) On the contrary, we will do everything
which we have vowed--to make offerings to the Queen of Heaven and to pour libations to
her, as we used to do, we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the towns of
Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty to eat, we were well-off, and
suffered no misfortune. (18) But ever since we stopped making offerings to the Queen of
Heaven and pouring libations to her, we have lacked everything, and we have been
consumed by the sword and by famine. (19) And when we make offerings to the Queen of
Heaven and pour libations to her, is it without our husbands' approval that we have made
cakes in her likeness (?) and poured libations to her?'
2342. (Jeremiah says:) "You and your wives have confirmed by deed what you spoke in
words: `We will fulfill the vows which we made, to burn incense to the Queen of Heaven
and to pour libations to her.' So fulfill your vows; perform your vows! Jer 44:25.
2343.
Statements of monolatry and monotheism. Where does the Bible proclaim strict
monotheism, the belief that there exists only one god?
b.
2344. or:
2345. alternative translations: ... (2) Yahweh is our God, Yahweh alone. (3) Yahweh our
God is one Lord.
2346.
2347.
2348.
2349.
75
2350. c. The First Commandment.
2351. I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of
bondage. You shall have no other gods before me [or: "beside me"?]. You shall not make
yourself a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in the heavens above, or on the
earth below, or in the waters under the earth. (5) You shall not bow down to them or serve
them. For I Yahweh your God am a jealous God, visiting the guilt of the fathers upon the
children, upon the third and fourth generations of them who reject me, but showing
kindness to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
2352. d. Isaiah 45:5-7.
2353. (This is from Deutero-Isaiah, whose words are preserved in Isa 40-55. DeuteroIsaiah preached around 537, just before Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon and
allowed the Jews to return to Palestine. In the following passage Yahweh addresses
Cyrus:.
2354.
2355.
2356.
2357.
2358.
2359.
2360.
2361.
2362.
2363.
The KAVOD, God's "Glory" or "Substance". What Yahweh "looks like"?
2364. Exod 33:18-23:
2365. 18 [Moses] said, "O, let me behold your Kavod!" 19 And He answered, "I will make
all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim before you the name Yahweh, and I
will show grace to whom I will, and I will show compassion to whom I will. [JPS: and the
grace that I grant and the compassion that I show]. But," He said, "you cannot see my
face, for man may not see Me and live." And Yahweh said, "See, there is a place near Me.
Station yourself on the rock 22 and, as My Kavod passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the
rock and shield you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away
and you will see my back, but My Face may not be seen."
2366.
CREATION TEXTS
2367. Creation as BATTLE ("theomachy"). There are traces of a myth of Yahweh fighting
sea monsters, Leviathan, Tannin, and Rahab. Compare them with the theomachies [wars
of the gods] in Babylon and Ugarit. How does theomachy function in creation? What
view of the world does it reflect? Note how the events of the primeval battle become part
of the End Time.
2368.
2369.
76
2370.
2371.
2372.
2373.
2374.
2375.
2376.
2377.
2378.
2379.
2380.
2381.
2382.
2383.
2384.
2385.
2386.
2387.
2388.
2389.
2390.
2391.
2392.
2393.
2394.
2395.
2396.
2397.
2398.
2399.
2400.
2401.
77
2402.
2403.
2404.
2405.
2406.
2407.
2408.
2409.
2410.
2411.
2412.
2413.
2414.
2415.
2416.
2417.
2418.
2419.
2420.
2421.
2422.
2423.
2424.
2425.
CREATION AS CRAFT; Genesis 2:4b-24
2426. When Yahweh God [traditional transl.: "Lord God"] made earth and heaven--when no
shrub of the field was yet on earth and no grasses of the field had yet sprouted, because
Yahweh God had not sent rain upon the earth and there was no man to till the soil, but a
flow would well up from the ground and water the whole surface of the earth--Yahweh
God formed man from the dust of the earth. He blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and
man became a living being.
2427. Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed there the man whom he
had formed. And from the ground Yahweh God caused to grow every tree that was
pleasing to the sight and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden,
and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
2428. [God made a river from the garden, with four branches]...
2429. Yahweh God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden, to till it and tend it.
And Yahweh God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you are free
to eat; but as for the tree of knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat of it; for as
soon as you eat of it, you shall die."
2430. Yahweh God said, "It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for
him." ... And Yahweh God fashioned the rib that He had taken from the man into a
woman; and He brought her to the man. Then the man said,
78
XXIII. "This one at last
XXIV. Is bone of my bones
XXV. And flesh of my flesh.
XXVI. This one shall be called Woman,
XXVII. For from man was she taken."
2431. Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they become
one flesh.
2432.
CREATION BY WORD. Genesis 1:1-2:4a Note the emphasis on orderly
procedure. Key words are highlighted. What are the components of each act of creation?
What are the implications such a procedure for the world?
2433. When God began to create the heaven and the earth--the earth being unformed and
void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God ["the spirit of
God"] sweeping over the water--God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
2434. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and
there was morning, a first day.
2435. God said, "Let there be an expanse [firmament, partition] in the midst of the water,
that it may separate water from water." God made the expanse, and it separated the
water which was below the expanse from the water which was above the expanse. And it
was so. God called the expanse Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, a
second day.
2436. God said, "Let the water below the sky be gathered into one area, that the dry land
may appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering of waters he
called Seas. And God saw that this was good. And God said, "Let the earth sprout
vegetation: seed-bearing plants, fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the
seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: seed-bearing fruit of every
kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that this was
good. And there was evening and there was morning, a third day.
2437. .....
2438. 2:1. The heaven and the earth were finished, and all their array. On the seventh day
God finished the work which He had been doing, and He ceased [Heb. shabat, related to
the word for "Sabbath"] on the seventh day from all the work which He had done. And
God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it God ceased from all the
work of creation which He had done. Such is the story of heaven and earth when they
were created.
2439. VISIONS OF THE FUTURE. What is the "history of the future". What kind of a
world is envisioned? What is the motivation for such a vision?
2440.
2441.
2442.
79
2443.
2444.
2445.
2446.
2447.
2448.
2449.
2450.
2451.
2452.
2453.
2454.
2455.
2456.
2457.
2458.
2459.
2460.
2461.
2462.
2463.
2464.
2465.
2466.
2467.
2468.
2469.
2470.
2471.
2472.
2473.
2474.
2475.
2476.
2477.
2478.
2479.
2480.
2481.
2482.
2483.
2484.
2485.
2486.
80
2487.
2488.
2489.
2490.
2491.
2492.
2493.
2494.
2495.
2496.
2497.
2498.
2499.
2500.
2501.
2502.
2503.
2504.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE; Isaiah 19:23-24
2505. In that day, there shall be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians shall join
with the Egyptians and Egyptians with the Assyrians, and then the Egyptians together with
the Assyrians shall serve [Yahweh]. In that day, Israel shall be a third partner with Egypt
and Assyria as a blessing on earth, for Yahweh of Hosts will bless them, saying: "Blessed
be My people Egypt, My handiwork Assyria, and My people Israel."
2506. DEATH AND REVIVAL. What did the Israelites believe happens after death? How
does this compare with the beliefs of other cultures?
2507. Cult of the dead. We know about this from frequent condemnations of mortuary
practices.
2508.
81
2513.
2514.
2515.
2516.
2526. b. Daniel 12:1-3. Dated 168-166 BCE, during the persecutions of Antiochus IV
Epiphanes
2527. At that time, the great prince [angel], Michael, who stands beside the sons of your
people, will appear. It will be a time of trouble, the like of which has never been since the
nation came into being. At that time your people will be rescued, all who are found
inscribed in the book. Many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to
eternal life, others to reproaches, to everlasting abhorrence. And the knowledgeable will
be radiant like the bright expanse of sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness
will be like the stars forever and ever."
2528. ETHICS
2529. Several of the Bible readings, including the Ten Commandments and, above all, the
prophetic speeches, reflect the Israelite (or an Israelite) view of ethics. What are its
motivations? components? ideals?
2530.
PROPHETIC ETHICS. Jer 22:1-5
2531. Thus says Yahweh [to Jeremiah]: Go down to the palace of the king of Judah, where
you shall utter this word. Say: Hear the word of Yahweh: O king of Judah, you who sit on
the throne of David, and your courtiers and your subjects who enter these gates! Thus
says Yahweh: (3) Do what is just and right; rescue from the defrauder him who is robbed;
do not wrong the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow; commit no lawless act, and do
not shed the blood of the innocent in this place. For if you fulfill this command, then
through the gates of this palace shall enter kings of David's line who sit upon his throne,
riding horse-drawn chariots, with their courtiers and their subjects. But if you do not heed
these commands, I swear by Myself--declares Yahweh--that this palace shall become a
ruin.
2532.
NOTES
2533.
NOTES
. Selected and adapted from E. Hornung, Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt. Cornell Univ.: Ithaca, NY 1982. 274-84.
. M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature (= AEL) (Berkeley: Univ. of California), 1973/1976
iii
. AEL 2.148-62, passim.
iv
. AEL 2.96-99
v
. Magical spells mostly selected from B. Brier, Ancient Egyptian Magic, Wm. Morrow, NY 1980, pp. 285, 288-90.
vi
. J. P. Allen, Genesis in Egypt (New Haven: Yale, 1988) 31
vii
. T. G. Allen, Book of the Dead ("BD") (Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1974, 26viii
.Berlin Ritual of Amon (pBerlin 3055) 16,3f.)
ix
.ibid.
x
.R.O. Faulkner, The Pap. Bremner Rhind 60,6; 70,9.
xi
. J.P. Allen, Genesis in Egypt (New Haven; Yale Egyptological Seminar, 1988), 11.
xii
. J. Allen, Genesis, 13.
xiii
. Allen, op. cit., 13f.
xiv
.' A from AEL I 131-132. '' B-E from R. Faulkner, The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (Warminster: Aris and Phillips,
1978) III, 167f.. AEL I, 54f.
xv
. AEL I, 106.
xvi
. AEL I, 47
xvii
. AEL I, 36-38.
xviii
. AEL I, 58, selection
xix
. R. O. Faulkner, Mm. Mis. 66, 43.
xx
. AEL II, 123
xxi
. AEL II, 124-32, selections.
xxii
. AEL I, 100-101
xxiii
. Faulkner, op. cit. 169f.
xxiv
. Faulkner, Coffin Texts, III, 132.
xxv
. AEL I 171-82, selections.
xxvi
AEL II 148-62, passim.
xxvii
. S. Dalley, Myths from Mesopotamia (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 1989) 233-49; 253-56; 260-64; 273-74.
xxviii
. Selected from J. Pritchard, Ancient Near Eastern Text (Princeton, NJ 1955), 101f.
xxix
. Th. Jacobsen, Treasures of Darkness (New Haven, CT: Yale Univ., 1978) (= TOD) 137f.
xxx
. TOD 136
xxxi
. D. Wolkstein & S.N. Kramer, Inanna (NY: Harper & Row, 1983), 101.
xxxii
. Ibid. 103.
xxxiii
. Wolkstein-Kramer, Inanna, 46f.
xxxiv
. J. B. Pritchard, Ancient Near Eastern Texts (Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press, 1955) 164-174, selections.
xxxv
. The Bible quotations are mostly from The Holy Scriptures (Philadelphia: Jewish
Publication Soc.) 1962-82.
ii