What is the Egyptian Book of the Dead?

Answer

The Egyptian Book of the Dead bears one of the most misleading names in archaeology. Popular culture favors entertainment and oversimplification. Consequently, the Book of the Dead is commonly perceived as “the ancient Egyptian Bible” or a book of sorcery, among other things. This label was applied to a magical grimoire in The Mummy film series and likely influenced the creation of the Necronomicon as initially featured in the horror tales of H. P. Lovecraft. None of these comparisons hold historical accuracy.

The reality concerning the Egyptian Book of the Dead is less enigmatic but significantly more valuable for comprehending ancient Egyptian religious beliefs. These compiled writings were meant as a manual for navigating the afterlife. Each “Book of the Dead” was tailored for a specific individual, reflecting their life and status. None of the “spells” held any significance in the realm of the living. There existed no fixed set of contents, and the primary purpose of each copy was to be interred with the deceased. According to Egyptian beliefs, this act would enable the departed to carry the text into the afterlife.

It is important to acknowledge that the term Book of the Dead is an extremely loose translation. A more literal title for these writings would be something like “Chapters for Coming Forth by Day.” An Egyptologist coined the term “Book of the Dead” when releasing translations in the 1840s. These translations were based on papyri discovered in Egyptian tombs, many of which contained some variation of these “spells.”

The “spells” in the Book of the Dead were deemed beneficial solely in the afterlife. The purpose of the writings was to lead the deceased to paradise. The instructions included methods to evade specific dangers, passwords to use when encountering certain spirits, and the correct procedures for overcoming obstacles. Some of the directions were relatively ordinary, some straightforward, while others were incredibly intricate.

Accurate and detailed. None of them were intended as magic incantations for the living to use.

The contents of the Book of the Dead varied significantly from person to person. There was no obligatory set of inclusions or anything similar to the canon of the Bible. In reality, each Book of the Dead was individually crafted for that individual. Individuals with different social positions, lifestyles, and professions might have books containing very distinct material. In some instances, professional scribes compiled Books of the Dead with empty spaces to be completed later with the name of a customer.

Despite these broad differences, there was a “standard” version of the Book of the Dead utilized from around 1600 BC until the era of Christ. The only resemblance between these writings and the Bible is that both are compilations of separate texts. The Egyptian Book of the Dead was not a primary religious source or authority in Egyptian religion.

Among the more renowned contents of a typical book of the dead are descriptions of how souls might aspire to enter paradise. One particularly famous passage, known as “Spell 125,” delineates a complex process of answering questions, while naming and describing deities and spirits. This must be executed accurately to reach the stage where one’s heart is weighed on a balance—this determines if the deceased is deserving of paradise. This elaborate ritual involves naming some 42 judges, each associated with a distinct sin or virtue.

The “true” status of the Egyptian Book of the Dead is not particularly thrilling. Esoteric books brimming with magical spells serve as good props in action movies. Scrolls of papyrus interred in tombs, designed as Google Maps for the Egyptian afterlife, are not nearly as entertaining. Nevertheless, the reality about these writings does offer insight into the religious convictions of the Egyptian people.