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An Egyptian Context for the Sacrifice of Abraham

TitleAn Egyptian Context for the Sacrifice of Abraham
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsMuhlestein, Kerry M., and John Gee
JournalJournal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture
Volume20
Issue2
Pagination70-77
KeywordsAbraham (Prophet); Book of Abraham; Context; Egypt; Egyptian; Pearl of Great Price; Ritual; Sacrifice
Abstract

The plausibility of the attempted offering of Abraham by a priest of pharaoh and the existence of human sacrifice in ancient Egypt have been questioned and debated. This paper presents strong evidence that ritual slaying did exist among ancient Egyptians, with a particular focus on its existence in the Middle Kingdom. It details three individual evidences of human sacrifice found in ancient Egypt. Four different aspects of the attempted offering of Abraham are compared to these Egyptian evidences to illustrate how the story of Abraham fits with the picture of ritual slaying in Middle Kingdom Egypt.

URLhttps://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol20/iss2/6