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The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 33 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge

Chapter 4 (part 30)

It shall be recited on the ninth day of the festival. Vignette: The deceased making offerings before a god. Chapter CXLIV. The Chapter of going in. Vignette: Seven pylons. Chapter CXLV A . [Without title.] This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter CXLV B . [The Chapter] of coming forth to the hidden pylons. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter CXLVI. [The Chapter of] knowing the pylons in the house of Osiris in the Field of Aaru. Vignette: A series of pylons guarded each by a god. Chapter CXLVII. [A Chapter] to be recited by the deceased when he cometh to the first hall of Amentet. {p. xliii} Theban version: list of chapters. Vignette: A series of doors, each guarded by a god. Chapter CXLVIII. [The Chapter] of nourishing the khu in the underworld, and of removing him from every evil thing. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter CXLIX. [Without title.] Vignette: The divisions of the other world. Chapter CL. [Without title.] Vignette: Certain divisions of the other world. Chapter CLI. [Without title.] Vignette: Scene of the mummy chamber. Chapter CLI A . [Chapter] of the hands of Anpu, the dweller in the sepulchral chamber, being upon the lord of life ( i.e. , the mummy). Vignette: Anubis standing by the bier of the deceased. Chapter CLI B . The Chapter of the chief of hidden things. Vignette: A human head. Chapter CLII. The Chapter of building a house in the earth. Vignette: The deceased standing by the foundations of his house. Chapter CLIII A . The Chapter of coming forth from the net. Vignette: A net being drawn by a number of men. CLIII B . The Chapter of coming forth from the fishing net. Vignette: Three apes drawing a fishing net. Chapter CLIV. The Chapter of not allowing the body of a man to decay in the tomb. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter CLV. The Chapter of a Tet of gold to be placed on the neck of the khu . Vignette: A Tet. Chapter CLVI. The Chapter of a buckle of amethyst to be placed on the neck of the khu. Vignette: A Buckle. Chapter CLVII*. The Chapter of a vulture of gold to be placed on the neck of the khu . Vignette: A vulture. Chapter CLVIII.* The Chapter of a collar of gold to be placed on the neck of the khu . Vignette: A collar. {p. xliv} Theban version: list of chapters. Chapter CLIX.* The Chapter of a sceptre of mother-of-emerald to be placed on the neck of the khu . Vignette: A sceptre. Chapter CLX. [The Chapter] of placing a plaque of mother-of-emerald. Vignette: A plaque. Chapter CLXI. The Chapter of the opening of the doors of heaven by Thoth, etc. Vignette: Thoth opening four doors. Chapter CLXII.* The Chapter of causing heat to exist under the head of the khu . Vignette: A cow. Chapter CLXIII.* The Chapter of not allowing the body of a man to decay in the underworld. Vignette: Two utchats , and a serpent on legs. Chapter CLXIV.* Another Chapter. Vignette: A three-headed goddess, winged, standing between two pigmies.
Themes
Theurgypraxis

Iamblichean ritual practice that engages the gods directly through consecrated material symbols and actions, on the premise that divine power descends into properly prepared matter — distinct from philosophical contemplation alone.

The chapters function as ritual spells intended to compel divine action, such as Thoth opening the doors of heaven.

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Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

[auto] The vignettes describe gods with human characteristics such as hands (Anpu) and actions like guarding doors or receiving offerings.

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Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

[auto] The passage is a table of contents for the Book of the Dead, explicitly listing chapters and vignettes designed to guide the deceased through the afterlife.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

[auto] The gods are depicted as active agents who guard pylons, dwell in chambers, and interact with the deceased.

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Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

[auto] The text describes the deceased moving through halls and pylons guarded by gods, indicating a guided passage through afterlife realms.

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Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

[auto] The chapters involve recitation and 'knowing' specific pylons and halls, implying the use of divine formulas or names for ontological power.

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Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

[auto] The progression through pylons, halls, and towards the Field of Aaru represents a staged journey upward or forward through levels of being.

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