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The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 225 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge

Chapter 38 (part 5)

'Thou (40) knowest us, pass thou by us.' 'Thou shalt not tread upon me,' saith the floor of the hall, I unless thou tell my name.' 'I am silent, I am pure.' 'I know not (41) [the names of] thy two feet with which thou wouldst walk upon me; tell them unto me.' '. . . . . before Amsu' is the name of my right foot, 'Grief of Nephthys' is the name Of (42) my left foot. 'Tread thou upon me, for thou knowest me.' 'I will not question thee,' saith the warder of the door of the hall, unless thou tell my name.' 'Discerner of hearts, (43) searcher of reins' is thy name. I will question thee now. Who is the god that liveth in his hour? Say thou.' The teller of the two lands. 'Who then is the teller (44) of the two lands?' It is Thoth. 'Come then,' saith Thoth, 'come hither (?).' And I come forward to the test. 'What, now, is thy condition?' I am pure from (45) all evil, I am shielded from the baleful acts of those who live in their days, and I am not among them. 'I have tried thee. (46) Who is he that goeth down into the fire, the walls whereof are [crowned] with uræi, and whose paths are in the lake [of fire]?' He who passeth through it (47) is Osiris. 'Advance thou, in very truth thou hast been tested. Thy bread is in the utchat , thine ale is in the utchat , and meals of the tomb are brought forth unto thee upon earth from the utchat . This hath been decreed for thee.'" PLATE XXXII. (continued). Vignette: The god Nu. Text: (1) The hair of Osiris Ani, triumphant, is the hair of Nu. Vignette: Ra, hawk-headed, and wearing a disk. Text: (2) The face of Osiris, the scribe Ani, is the face of Ra. Vignette: The goddess Hathor, wearing disk and horns. Text: (3) The eyes of Osiris Ani, triumphant, are the eyes of Hathor. Vignette: The god Ap-uat and standard. Text: (4) The ears of Osiris Ani, triumphant, are the ears of Ap-uat. Vignette: The god Anpu, jackal-headed. Text: (5) The lips of Osiris Ani, triumphant, are the lips of Anpu. Vignette: The scorpion Serqet, holding the shen , and ankh . Text: (6) The teeth of Osiris Ani, triumphant, are the teeth of Serqet. Vignette: The goddess Isis. Text: (7) The neck of Osiris Ani, triumphant, is the neck of Isis. Vignette: The ram-headed god, with uræus between the horns. Text: (8) The hands of Osiris Ani, triumphant, are the hands of the Ram, the lord of Tattu. Vignette: The god Uatchit, serpent-headed. Text: (9) The shoulder of Osiris Ani, triumphant, is the shoulder of Uatchit. Vignette: The goddess Mert, with outstretched hands, standing upon the emblem of gold, and having on her head a cluster of plants. Text: (10) The throat of Osiris Ani, triumphant, is the. blood of Mert.
Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

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

[auto] Gods are described with human features like faces and the ability to converse.

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Asha Cosmic Ordercosmology

Truth as the fundamental structure of reality.

[auto] Right and truth are invoked as the fundamental structure justifying the soul's acceptance.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

[auto] There is a clear opposition between the forces of right/truth and angels of destruction.

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Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

[auto] The text serves as a guide for the soul to navigate specific locations and gates in the afterlife.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

[auto] A secret name or formula is required to pass the gates of 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] Deities are depicted as active agents who speak, question, and grant permission.

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Maat Cosmic Ordercosmology

The Egyptian principle of truth, balance, and right order underlying both the cosmos and human conduct; the parallel to Zoroastrian asha and Greek dike.

[auto] The principle of Ma'at (right and truth) is central to the purification, judgment, and successful passage described.

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Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

[auto] The soul is depicted traveling through defined realms where gods question and permit passage.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

[auto] The passage centrally focuses on declarations of physical and moral cleansing in pools of truth.

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Sacred Namestheology

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

[auto] Divine and personal names are presented as essential formulas for identification and safe passage.

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Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

[auto] The soul must correctly identify its true name to be recognized by the gods.

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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 deceased moves through stages of the afterlife to reach divine approval and rest.

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Related passages · 6 parallels
gnosticism|Pistis Sophia|Document FIRST‘
The truth also is the power which (is) in Elisabet, namely Iohannes, this who came, he preached of the way of the truth, namely thee: who preached before thee. And again the mercy with the truth which met one another, are thou my Lord who…”
Both passages involve a mystical journey or transformation where the individual (Ani in Passage A and Jesus in Passage B) undergoes a series of tests or revelations that affirm their divine connection or identity. Both texts use divine names and attributes to signify the union with the divine.
gnosticism|Pistis Sophia|Document SECOND“
This is the answer of the words after which ye seek. Now therefore also, Andreas, yet art thou being in unbelief and with ignorance? But whenever ye should come out of the body and go unto the Height, and arrive at the Place of the Rulers…”
Both passages describe a journey through a divine or mystical realm where the protagonist encounters various divine beings and is ultimately vindicated or glorified. They share themes of purification, divine recognition, and the ultimate attainment of a higher spiritual state.
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter LXII
LXII. Judgement of the Kings and the Mighty: Blessedness of the Righteous . CHAPTER LXII. 1. And thus the Lord commanded the kings and the mighty and the exalted, and those who dwell on the earth, and said: 'Open your eyes and lift up your…”
Both passages describe a divine judgment scene where the righteous are vindicated and the unrighteous are punished. They share themes of divine recognition, the purity of the righteous, and the ultimate triumph of the divine order.
jewish_mysticism|The Greater Holy Assembly (Idra Rabba Qadisha)|Idra Rabba, Chapter 1 (part 2)
1 12. "For it is written, Deut. xxxiii. 29: 'Blessed art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee?' Also it is written, Exod. xv. 11: 'Who is like unto thee among the gods, O Tetragrammaton?'" 2 13. He called Rabbi Eleazer, his son, and…”
Both passages involve a journey through a mystical realm where the protagonist must pass through gates or challenges by knowing sacred names or phrases. They also emphasize purity and righteousness as key to navigating these spiritual trials.
mesopotamian|Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation|1d
rejoice and be glad; The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot. ... rejoice and be glad; The neck of Tiamat shalt thou swiftly trample under foot. 0 my son, who knoweth all wisdom, Pacify Tiamat with thy pure incantation.…”
Both passages describe a mystical journey or trial involving divine beings and the use of sacred names or incantations. They share themes of purification, divine identity, and the overcoming of challenges through knowledge and ritual.
mesopotamian|Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation|1g
When the gods, his fathers, beheld the fulfillment of his word, They rejoiced, and they did homage unto him, saying, " Marduk is king!" They bestowed upon him the scepter, and the throne, and the ring, They give him an invincible weapony wh…”
Both passages describe a divine figure who must confront and overcome a chaotic force, using specific rituals, weapons, and divine names. They share themes of purification, divine authority, and the use of sacred knowledge to navigate and triumph over adversity.