Abstract

The “will of god” and how it intervenes in the lives of the people is a very problematic issue. There is a never-ending debate over predestination and fate versus free will. When does the one end and the other start, if they do co-exist. This debate about fate and free will, is also taking place among Egyptologists concerning ancient Egyptian beliefs. The “will of god” is featured in various ancient Egyptian didactic and literary texts. These texts contain words and phrases, which directly or indirectly express the “will of god”. This thesis will study a selection of words that express the intervention of god in the human’s life, which will be excerpted from these texts. This thesis is limited to those texts contained in profane literature from the Old Kingdom to the end of the New Kingdom. A lexicographical study is conducted, in order to determine the precise meaning of the word and its development during the period under study. The selected words are: rdi, wD, sxr, sSm, SA, rnnt, sSm, msxnt, m-Drt/m-xa/m-a and ir. This thesis then covers two more points. First, it examines whether demons, magic and prayers were thought by Egyptians to alter the will of god. Then, it will assess the impact of the will of god in the formation of Egyptian culture and a comparison is drawn with today’s Egypt and with the monotheistic Holy Books. The study of the texts reveal that the Ancient Egyptians strongly believed in the divine intervention in their daily lives. This belief has been retained in the cultural memory of the Egyptians throughout the ages and across Religions.

Degree Name

MA in Egyptology & Coptology

Graduation Date

6-1-2016

Submission Date

May 2016

First Advisor

Haikal, Fayza

Committee Member 1

El Sabbahy, Lisa

Committee Member 2

Ayad, Mariam

Extent

103 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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