The Egyptian Book of the Dead

Contents

1. 1The Beginning of the Chapters of Coming forth by Day, of the Words which bring about Resurrection and Glory, and of Coming out of and entering into Amenta. Said upon the Day of Burial of N, the Victorious, who entereth after coming forth. Here is N the Victorious. He saith—24 paragraphs
2. 2Chapter for Coming forth by day and Living after death.2 paragraphs
3. 3Another chapter like it.5 paragraphs
4. 4Another Chapter, for travelling on the road which is above the earth.1 paragraph
5. 5Chapter whereby work may not be imposed [upon a person ] in the Netherworld.1 paragraph
6. 6Chapter whereby the funereal Statuettes may be made to do work for a person in the Netherworld.2 paragraphs
7. 7Chapter of passing through the chine of Apepi which is void.6 paragraphs
8. 8Chapter of opening the Tuat by day.5 paragraphs
9. 9Chapter for opening the Tuat.6 paragraphs
10. 10Chapter for coming forth victoriously.3 paragraphs
11. 11Chapter for coming out against the adversary in the Netherworld.6 paragraphs
12. 12Chapter for entering and for coming forth out of the Netherworld.2 paragraphs
13. 13Chapter for entering after coming out from Amenta.3 paragraphs
14. 14Chapter for removing displeasure from the heart of the god against the deceased person.4 paragraphs
15. 15Chapter 1567 paragraphs
16. 17Chapter whereby one cometh forth by day out of the Netherworld. Let the words be said:76 paragraphs
17. 18Chapter 1828 paragraphs
18. 19Chapter of the Crown of Triumph.6 paragraphs
19. 21Chapter whereby the mouth of a person is given to him in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
20. 22Another Chapter whereby the Mouth of a person is given to him in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
21. 23Chapter whereby the Mouth of a person is opened for him in the Netherworld.5 paragraphs
22. 24Chapter whereby the Words of Power are brought to a Person in the Netherworld.6 paragraphs
23. 25Chapter whereby a person remembereth his name in the Netherworld.2 paragraphs
24. 26Chapter whereby the Heart is given to a person in the Netherworld.8 paragraphs
25. 27Chapter whereby the Heart of a person is not taken from him in the Netherworld.6 paragraphs
26. 28Chapter whereby the Heart of a person is not taken from him in the Netherworld.11 paragraphs
27. 29Chapter whereby the Heart of a person may not be taken from him in the Netherworld.5 paragraphs
28. 30Chapter whereby the Heart of a person is not kept back from him in the Netherworld.14 paragraphs
29. 31Chapter whereby the Crocodiles are repulsed who come to carry off the Words of Power from a person in the Netherworld.4 paragraphs
30. 32Chapter whereby the Crocodiles are repulsed who come to carry off the Words of Power from the glorified in the Netherworld.14 paragraphs
31. 33Chapter whereby all Serpents are kept back.2 paragraphs
32. 34Chapter whereby a person is not devoured by the dweller in the shrine.2 paragraphs
33. 35Chapter whereby the person is not devoured by a Serpent in the Netherworld.5 paragraphs
34. 36Chapter whereby the Āpshait is kept back.1 paragraph
35. 37Chapter whereby the Merta goddesses are kept back.2 paragraphs
36. 38Chapter whereby one liveth by the breath of air in the Netherworld, and keepeth back Merta.5 paragraphs
37. 39Chapter whereby the Serpent Rekrek is repulsed in the Netherworld.24 paragraphs
38. 40Chapter whereby the Eater of the Ass is kept back.18 paragraphs
39. 41Chapter whereby one avoideth the Slaughter which is carried out in the Netherworld.7 paragraphs
40. 42Chapter whereby one hindereth the slaughter which is wrought at Sutenhenen.62 paragraphs
41. 43Chapter whereby the head of a person is not severed from him in the Netherworld.4 paragraphs
42. 44Chapter whereby one dieth not a second time.3 paragraphs
43. 45Chapter whereby one escapeth corruption in the Netherworld.1 paragraph
44. 46Chapter whereby he that is living is not destroyed in the Netherworld.1 paragraph
45. 47Chapter whereby the Seat of a person is not taken from him in the Netherworld.4 paragraphs
46. 48Chapter 481 paragraph
47. 50Chapter whereby one cometh not to the divine Block of Execution.6 paragraphs
48. 51Chapter whereby one goeth not headlong in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
49. 52Chapter whereby one eateth not dirt in the Netherworld.10 paragraphs
50. 53Chapter whereby one is not made to eat dirt or to drink lye.16 paragraphs
51. 54Chapter whereby air is given in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
52. 55Another chapter whereby air is given.2 paragraphs
53. 56Another chapter of breathing.3 paragraphs
54. 57Chapter for breathing air and command of water in the Nether world.5 paragraphs
55. 58Chapter for breathing air and command of water.11 paragraphs
56. 59Chapter for breathing air and command of water.2 paragraphs
57. 60Another Chapter.2 paragraphs
58. 61Another Chapter.1 paragraph
59. 62Chapter whereby water is drank in the Netherworld.10 paragraphs
60. 63Chapter whereby one is not burnt with fire, but drinketh water in the Netherworld.9 paragraphs
61. 64Chapter whereby one cometh forth by day from the Netherworld.44 paragraphs
62. 65Chapter whereby one cometh forth by day and prevaileth over the adversaries.1 paragraph
63. 66Chapter whereby one cometh forth by day.2 paragraphs
64. 67Chapter whereby the doors of the Tuat are opened and one cometh forth by day.2 paragraphs
65. 68Chapter whereby one cometh forth by day.10 paragraphs
66. 69Otherwise said:13 paragraphs
67. 70Another Chapter.2 paragraphs
68. 71Chapter whereby one cometh forth by day.27 paragraphs
69. 72Chapter whereby one cometh forth by day and passeth through the Ammchit.8 paragraphs
70. 74Chapter whereby the legs are set in motion upon earth.3 paragraphs
71. 75Chapter whereby one cometh to Heliopolis and receiveth a seat there.3 paragraphs
72. 76Chapter whereby all forms are assumed which one pleaseth.3 paragraphs
73. 77Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Golden Hawk.6 paragraphs
74. 78Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Sacred Hawk.45 paragraphs
75. 79Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Chief god of the Divine Cycle.10 paragraphs
76. 80Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the god who giveth Light to the Darkness.9 paragraphs
77. 81Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Lotus.2 paragraphs
78. 82Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of Ptah, eateth bread, drinketh beer, and sitteth in the midst of the great gods.7 paragraphs
79. 83Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Bennu bird.5 paragraphs
80. 84Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Hernshaw.12 paragraphs
81. 85Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of a Soul, that one may not come to the dungeon. Imperishable is he who knoweth it.18 paragraphs
82. 86Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Swallow.11 paragraphs
83. 87Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of Se-ta.3 paragraphs
84. 88Chapter whereby one assumeth the form of the Crocodile god [Sebak.3 paragraphs
85. 89Chapter whereby the Soul is united to the dead Body.7 paragraphs
86. 90Chapter whereby Memory is restored to a person.2 paragraphs
87. 91Chapter whereby the Soul is secured from imprisonment in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
88. 92Chapter whereby the Tomb is opened to the Soul and to the Shade of the person, that he may come forth by day and may have mastery of his feet.6 paragraphs
89. 93Chapter whereby one avoideth being conveyed to the East in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
90. 94Chapter whereby one prayeth for a Palette and an Inkstand.3 paragraphs
91. 95Chapter whereby is opened the place wherein Thoth resteth.3 paragraphs
92. 96Chapter whereby is opened [the place] where Thoth [resteth].1 paragraph
93. 97Said at the Bark: Staff of Anubis, may I propitiate those four Glorified ones who follow after the Master of [all] things.4 paragraphs
94. 98Chapter whereby one saileth a ship in the Netherworld.7 paragraphs
95. 99Chapter whereby one Saileth a Ship in the Netherworld.35 paragraphs
96. 100The Book whereby the glorified one is made strong, and is made to embark in the boat of Rā, together with those who are with the god.6 paragraphs
97. 101Chapter of the Safeguards of the Bark of Rā.6 paragraphs
98. 102Chapter whereby one entereth into the Bark of Rā.8 paragraphs
99. 103Chapter whereby one openeth the place where Hathor abideth.1 paragraph
100. 104Chapter whereby one sitteth in the midst of the great gods.1 paragraph
101. 105Chapter whereby one propitiateth the Ka.7 paragraphs
102. 106Chapter whereby a largess is presented at Hat-ka-Ptah.2 paragraphs
103. 108Chapter whereby one knoweth the Powers of the West.15 paragraphs
104. 109Chapter whereby one knoweth the Powers of the East.7 paragraphs
105. 110The Beginning of the Chapters of the Garden of Hotepit, and of the Chapters of coming forth by day; and of entering and coming forth in the Netherworld, and of arriving at the Garden of Aarru, at the Rise in Hotepit and at the Grand Domain, blest with the breezes: that I may take possession there and be in Glory there: that there I may plough and mow: that there I may eat and drink and love: doing whatsoever things are done upon earth.44 paragraphs
106. 112Chapter whereby one knoweth the Powers of Pu. [ ]14 paragraphs
107. 113Chapter whereby one knoweth the Powers of Nechen.11 paragraphs
108. 114Chapter whereby one knoweth the Powers of Hermopolis.7 paragraphs
109. 115Chapter whereby one cometh forth into Heaven, and openeth the Ammehit: and whereby the Powers of Heliopolis are known.10 paragraphs
110. 116Chapter whereby one knoweth the Power of Hermopolis.8 paragraphs
111. 117Chapter whereby one taketh the blissful path at Restau.5 paragraphs
112. 118Chapter whereby one arriveth at Restau.2 paragraphs
113. 119Chapter whereby one entereth or goeth forth from Restau.6 paragraphs
114. 123Chapter whereby one entereth into the Great House.6 paragraphs
115. 124Chapter whereby one cometh to the Divine Circle of Osiris.13 paragraphs
116. 125Chapter 125161 paragraphs
117. 126Chapter 1264 paragraphs
118. 127The Book for invoking the gods of the Bounds, which the person reciteth when he approacheth them, that he may enter and see the Strong one in the Great Abode of the Tuat.6 paragraphs
119. 128Invocation of Osiris.15 paragraphs
120. 130A Book whereby the Soul is made to live for ever, on the day of entering into the Bark of Rā, and to pass the Sheniu of the Tuat. Made on the Birthday of Osiris.28 paragraphs
121. 131Chapter whereby one proceedeth into Heaven by the side of Rā.11 paragraphs
122. 132Chapter whereby a person is enabled to go round, to visit his dwelling in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
123. 133Book whereby the Deceased acquireth Might in the Netherworld in presence of the great Cycle of the gods. [ Said on the first day of the Month ].19 paragraphs
124. 134Chapter whereby the Deceased acquireth might.10 paragraphs
125. 135Another chapter recited when the Moon renews itself on the first day of the month.5 paragraphs
126. 136Chapter whereby one is conveyed in the Bark of Rā.26 paragraphs
127. 137Chapter whereby a Light is kindled for a person.7 paragraphs
128. 138Chapter whereby one is enabled to enter into Abydos.3 paragraphs
129. 140The book read on the last day of Mechir, when the Eye is full on the last day of Mechir.5 paragraphs
130. 141The book said by a man or his father or his son in the festival of the Amenta, and wherewith he acquires might with Rā, and with the gods when he is with them. Said on the day of the new moon, when offerings are made of bread, beer, oxen, geese, and burnt incense to1 paragraph
131. 144The Chapter of the Arrival11 paragraphs
132. 145The knowing of the pylons of the house of Osiris, in the Garden of Aarru.21 paragraphs
133. 147Chapter 14731 paragraphs
134. 148Giving sustenance to the deceased in the Netherworld, and delivering him from all evil things.19 paragraphs
135. 149Chapter 14965 paragraphs
136. 151Chapter 15125 paragraphs
137. 152The Chapter of building a house on earth.6 paragraphs
138. 153The Chapter of coming out of the net.44 paragraphs
139. 154The Chapter of not letting the body decay in the Netherworld.12 paragraphs
140. 155Chapter of the Tat of gold.2 paragraphs
141. 156Chapter of the buckle of carnelian, which is put on the neck of the deceased.3 paragraphs
142. 157Chapter of the vulture of gold, put on the neck of the deceased.5 paragraphs
143. 158The Chapter of the collar of gold, put on the neck of the deceased.2 paragraphs
144. 159The Chapter of the column of green Felspar, put on the neck of the deceased.2 paragraphs
145. 160Giving the column of green Felspar.4 paragraphs
146. 161The Chapter of unfastening the opening in the sky. Thoth does it so that it may be finished when he opens (the sky) with Aten.6 paragraphs
147. 162Chapter of causing a flame to arise under the head of the deceased.10 paragraphs
148. 163Chapters brought from another book, in addition to the “coming forth by day.” Chapter of not letting the body of a man decay in the Netherworld, of rescuing him from the devourers of souls who imprison men in the Tuat, and of not raising his sins on earth against him, but of saving his flesh and his bones from the worms and from every evil-doing god in the Netherworld, so that he may go in and out as he likes, and do everything he desires without restraint.13 paragraphs
149. 164Another Chapter.12 paragraphs
150. 165Chapter of landing and not being obscured, so that the body may prosper in drinking water.29 paragraphs
151. 166Chapter of the Pillow.4 paragraphs
152. 167Chapter of bringing an Eye.1 paragraph
153. 169Chapter of raising the funereal Bed.16 paragraphs
154. 170Chapter of arranging the funereal Bed.18 paragraphs
155. 171Chapter of wrapping up (the deceased) in a pure garment.2 paragraphs
156. 172Beginning of the Chapter of reciting the ceremonies made in the Netherworld.24 paragraphs
157. 173The addresses of Horus to his father when he goes in to see his father, and when he comes out of his great sanctuary to see him Rā Unneferu, the master of Ta-tser, and then they embrace one another; therefore he is glorious in the Netherworld.41 paragraphs
158. 174Chapter of causing the Chu to come out of the great door in the sky.11 paragraphs
159. 175Chapter of not dying a second death in the Netherworld.9 paragraphs
160. 176Chapter of not dying a second time in the Netherworld.3 paragraphs
161. 177Chapter of raising the Chu, of vivifying his soul in the Netherworld.5 paragraphs
162. 178Chapter of raising the body, of giving it eyes, of making it possess ears, of fixing its head, of putting it on its base.20 paragraphs
163. 179Chapter of coming forth when going out of yesterday and coming in the (present) day, being equipped by one’s own hands.8 paragraphs
164. 180Chapter of coming forth by day, of giving praise to Rā in the Amenta, of paying homage to the inhabitants of the Tuat, of opening the way to the mighty soul in the Netherworld, of letting him walk, lengthen his strides, and go in and out in the Netherworld; and take the form of a living soul.20 paragraphs
165. 181Chapter of arriving before the Divine circle of Osiris and before the gods, the guides in the Tuat, before the guards of their halls, the heralds of their gates and the doorkeepers of their pylons in the Amenta, and of taking the form of a living soul and praising Osiris the lord of his circle of gods.13 paragraphs
166. 182Book of vivifying Osiris, of giving air to him whose heart is motionless, through the action of Thoth, who repels the enemies of Osiris who come there in his form... as protector, saviour, defender in the Netherworld.13 paragraphs
167. 183Adoration to Osiris, giving him praise, bowing down before Unneferu, falling on one’s face before the lord of Ta-tsert, and exalting him who is on his sand.15 paragraphs
168. 185Giving praise to Osiris, falling on the earth before the lord of eternity; propitiating the god with what he loves, speaking the truth, the lord of which is not known.2 paragraphs
169. 186Adoration to Hathor, the lady of the West, falling down before Mehurit.1 paragraph

Nearest to the Papers

The passages of this work and the paragraphs of the Papers that are nearest to each other in meaning, as the API compares them.

• BD 42.5-1058%I am the Link, the god within the Tamarisk, who connecteth the Solar orb with Yesterday. ( Four Times. ) I am Râ, whose honours are abiding. I am the Link, the god within the Tamarisk. My course is the course of Râ, and the course of Râ is my course. My hair is that of Nu, My two eyes are those of Hathor,182:1.25In GethsemaneI am the living link between time and eternity.
• BD 101.657%Secured by reason of the writing with gum mixed with colours upon a strip of royal papyrus, put at the throat of the deceased on the day of burial. If these phylacteries are put at his throat, he will rise up as one of the Divine Circle, and be united to the followers of Horus, whilst his Lamp is made firm by Isis in heaven beside Sothis. He followeth Horus who resideth in Sothis. His Shade becometh divine as well as human. Vegetation is made to grow out of his body through the goddess Menkit. He becometh a god for ever, and his limbs are made vigorous in the Netherworld through Thoth, who hath done the like to Osiris, in causing the light to rise out of his dead body; undeviatingly and for times infinite.95:2.5The Melchizedek Teachings in the LevantFor centuries the Egyptians placed their faith in tombs as the safeguard of the body and of consequent pleasurable survival after death. The later evolution of magical practices, while burdensome to life from the cradle to the grave, most effectually delivered them from the religion of the tombs. The priests would inscribe the coffins with charm texts which were believed to be protection against a “man’s having his heart taken away from him in the nether world.” Presently a diverse assortment of these magical texts was collected and preserved as The Book of the Dead. But in the Nile valley magical ritual early became involved with the realms of conscience and character to a degree not often attained by the rituals of those days. And subsequently these ethical and moral ideals, rather than elaborate tombs, were depended upon for salvation.
• BD 173.16-2456%I have made sacrifices for thee of thy cattle and thy victims. I have supplied there in abundance.... I have brought thee.... I have sacrificed for thee.... I have shot for thee antelopes and bulls. I have plucked for thee geese and waterfowl. I have bound thy enemies in their chains. I have fettered thy enemies with their ropes. I have brought thee from Elephantine the fresh water which refreshes thy heart.89:4.9Sin, Sacrifice, and AtonementIt was no empty boast that a certain Egyptian ruler made when he stated that he had sacrificed: 113,433 slaves, 493,386 head of cattle, 88 boats, 2,756 golden images, 331,702 jars of honey and oil, 228,380 jars of wine, 680,714 geese, 6,744,428 loaves of bread, and 5,740,352 sacks of corn. And in order to do this he must needs have sorely taxed his toiling subjects.

This edition

Translator

Peter Le Page Renouf and Édouard Naville

Year

1904

Tradition

Ancient Egyptian

Rights

Public domain in the United States

Source

Read at the source