The original stela.

This is an edition of the 18th Dynasty Egyptian Great Hymn to Osiris, as found on the Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286). The hieroglyphic text follows photographs of the original stela, with reference to its transcription in Moret 1931 where helpful. Transliteration and translation are my own, but with occasional consultation of Erman 1927, Lichtheim 1976, Foster 1995, and Assmann 1999 where interpretation was difficult or ambiguous. Since this translation is made for use in Wiktionary quotations, it errs more on the side of being literal than literary.

The line breaks here are made for convenience, but comments of numbers in the wiki markup of the hieroglyphic text indicate the original line numbering. The section headings are also modern and made for convenience.

Preface [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), line 1:



















dwꜣ wsjr jn jmj-r mnmnt [n(t) jmn jmn-]ms nbt-pr nfrt-jrj ḏd.f

dwꜣ wsjr jn jmj-r mnmnt [n(t) jmn jmn-]ms nbt-pr nfrt-jrj ḏd.f Worship of Osiris by the overseer of the cattle [of Amon, Amen]mose, and the mistress of the house Nefertari. He says:

Invocation [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), line 1:

























j.nḏ ḥr.k wsjr nb nḥḥ nswt nṯr(w) ꜥšꜣ rnw ḏsr ḫprw štꜣ jrw m rw-prw

j.nḏ ḥr.k wsjr nb nḥḥ nswt nṯr(w) ꜥšꜣ rnw ḏsr ḫprw štꜣ jrw m rw-prw Hail to you, Osiris, lord of eternity, king of gods, numerous of names, sacred of developments, secret of rites in temples!

Cult centres [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 1–4:

























špss kꜣ pw ḫnt(j) ḏdw wr ẖrt m ḫm nb hnw m ꜥnḏtj ḫnt(j) ḏf(ꜣ) m jwnw

špss kꜣ pw ḫnt(j) ḏdw wr ẖrt m ḫm nb hnw m ꜥnḏtj ḫnt(j) ḏf(ꜣ) m jwnw He is noble of ka , this foremost one of Busiris, great of possessions in Letopolis, possessor of acclaim in (the nome of) Anedjti, foremost of provisions in Heliopolis,

























nb sḫꜣw m mꜣꜥtj bꜣ štꜣ nb qrrt ḏsr m jnb-ḥḏ bꜣ rꜥ ḏt.f ḏs.f

nb sḫꜣw m mꜣꜥtj bꜣ štꜣ nb qrrt ḏsr m jnb-ḥḏ bꜣ rꜥ ḏt.f ḏs.f possessor of remembrance in the Two Truths (Hall of Judgement), the secret ba , lord of the cavern, sacred in Memphis, the ba of Ra, his very body (lit. his body/self of himself),





























ḥtp(.w) m nn-nswt mnḫ hnw m nꜥrt ḫpr.t(j) r sṯ(z)t bꜣ.f

ḥtp(.w) m nn-nswt mnḫ hnw m nꜥrt ḫpr.t(j) r sṯ(z)t bꜣ.f who rests in Heracleopolis, splendid of acclaim in the naret-tree that came into being to raise up his ba























nb ḥwt-ꜥꜣt m ḫmnw ꜥꜣ nrw m šꜣs-ḥtp nb nḥḥ ḫnt(j) ꜣbḏw ḥr st.f m tꜣ-ḏsr

nb ḥwt-ꜥꜣt m ḫmnw ꜥꜣ nrw m šꜣs-ḥtp nb nḥḥ ḫnt(j) ꜣbḏw ḥr st.f m tꜣ-ḏsr lord of the great enclosure in Hermopolis, great of terror in Shashotep, lord of eternity and foremost one of Abydos, distant on his throne in the necropolis (lit. Sacred Land),











































ḏd rn m r(ꜣ) n(j) rmṯw pꜣ(w)tj n(j) tꜣwj tm ḏf(ꜣ) kꜣw ḫnt psḏt ꜣḫ mnḫ mmj ꜣḫw

ḏd rn m r(ꜣ) n(j) rmṯw pꜣ(w)tj n(j) tꜣwj tm ḏf(ꜣ) kꜣw ḫnt psḏt ꜣḫ mnḫ mmj ꜣḫw whose name endures (lit. enduring of name) in the mouth of people, primaeval one of the Two Lands (Egypt), complete of food and sustenance at the head of the Ennead, potent akh among the akhs

Provision of water, air, and food [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 4–5:

































ḫnp.n n.f nnw mw.f ḫnt n.f mḥ(y)t mss(w) pt ṯꜣw r fnḏ.f r ḥtp.tw jb.f

ḫnp.n n.f nnw mw.f ḫnt n.f mḥ(y)t mss(w) pt ṯꜣw r fnḏ.f r ḥtp.tw jb.f Nun has presented his waters to him, and the north wind goes southward for him, for whose nose the sky brings forth breath in order that his heart be contented,

















































rd(w) rnpwt n jb.f mss(w) n.f ꜣḫt ḏf(ꜣ) sḏm(w) n.f ḥrt sbꜣw swn(w) n.f sbꜣw ꜥꜣw

rd(w) rnpwt n jb.f mss(w) n.f ꜣḫt ḏf(ꜣ) sḏm(w) n.f ḥrt sbꜣw swn(w) n.f sbꜣw ꜥꜣw for whose wish (lit. heart) the fresh plants grow, for whom the field brings forth food, to whom the sky and the stars listen, for whom the great gates open.

Acclamation by the skies and the earth [ edit ]

Nature of kingship [ edit ]

Assumption of kingship [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 10–13:













































jwꜥw gbb (n)syt tꜣwj mꜣ.f ꜣḫw.f swḏ.n.f n.f sšm tꜣw n mꜥr n(j) zpw jr.n.f

jwꜥw gbb (n)syt tꜣwj mꜣ.f ꜣḫw.f swḏ.n.f n.f sšm tꜣw n mꜥr n(j) zpw jr.n.f the heir of Geb in the kingship of the Two Lands (Egypt), whose prowess he (Geb) saw, to whom he has bequeathed the guidance of the lands because of the success of the deeds he has done.



































































tꜣ pn m-ꜥ.f mw.f ṯꜣw.f sm(w).f mnmnt.f nbt pꜣyt nbt ḫnnt nbt ḏdfwt.f ꜥwt.f ḫꜣst smꜣꜥ.w n zꜣ nwt tꜣwj hrw ḥr.s

tꜣ pn m-ꜥ.f mw.f ṯꜣw.f sm(w).f mnmnt.f nbt pꜣyt nbt ḫnnt nbt ḏdfwt.f ꜥwt.f ḫꜣst smꜣꜥ.w n zꜣ nwt tꜣwj hrw ḥr.s This land is in his hand — its water and its wind, its plants and all its cattle, all that flies and all that lands, its creeping creatures and its quadrupeds of the desert, were given to the son of Nut, and the Two Lands (Egypt) are pleased with it.













































ḫꜥ ḥr nst nt (j)t.f mj rꜥ wbn.f m ꜣḫt rdj.f šsp n ḥr(j) kkw sḥḏ.n.f šw m šwtj.fj bꜥḥ.n.f tꜣwj mj jṯn m tp-dwꜣyt

ḫꜥ ḥr nst nt (j)t.f mj rꜥ wbn.f m ꜣḫt rdj.f šsp n ḥr(j) kkw sḥḏ.n.f šw m šwtj.fj bꜥḥ.n.f tꜣwj mj jṯn m tp-dwꜣyt One appearing on the throne of his father like Ra when he rises in the Akhet , he gave light to what is covered by darkness, having brightened the air with his two plumes, having flooded the Two Lands (Egypt) like the sun disk at the break of dawn.















wrrt.f dm.n.s ḥrt snsn.n.s sbꜣw

wrrt.f dm.n.s ḥrt snsn.n.s sbꜣw His White Crown, it has pierced the sky, it has fraternized with the stars.

























sšmw n(j) nṯr nb mnḫ wḏ-mdw ḥzy n(j) psḏt ꜥꜣt mrr psḏt nḏst

sšmw n(j) nṯr nb mnḫ wḏ-mdw ḥzy n(j) psḏt ꜥꜣt mrr psḏt nḏst Leader of every god, effective of command, one praised by the Great Ennead, beloved of the Lesser Ennead.

Isis [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 13–17:































jr.n snt.f mkt.f sḥryt ḫrww sḥm(y)t zpw šd-ḫrw m ꜣḫw r(ꜣ).s

jr.n snt.f mkt.f sḥryt ḫrww sḥm(y)t zpw šd-ḫrw m ꜣḫw r(ꜣ).s His sister has served as his protector, she who drove off the enemies, who put an end to the deeds of the Disturber (Set) by the magical prowess of her mouth,















jqrt ns nj wh.n mdw.s mnḫt wḏ-mdw

jqrt ns nj wh.n mdw.s mnḫt wḏ-mdw the one excellent of tongue whose speech cannot fail, effective of command,

































ꜣst ꜣḫt nḏt sn.s ḥḥt sw jwtt b(ꜣ)gg.s pẖrt tꜣ pn m ḥꜣyt nj ḫn.n.s nj gm.tw.s sw

ꜣst ꜣḫt nḏt sn.s ḥḥt sw jwtt b(ꜣ)gg.s pẖrt tꜣ pn m ḥꜣyt nj ḫn.n.s nj gm.tw.s sw capable Isis who saved her brother, who sought him without wearying, who circled this land in mourning, not alighting so long as he was not found,

























jrt šwt m šwwt.s sḫprt ṯꜣw m ḏnḥwj.s jrt hnw mjnt sn.s

jrt šwt m šwwt.s sḫprt ṯꜣw m ḏnḥwj.s jrt hnw mjnt sn.s who made shade with her feathers, who brought about breath with her wings, who made acclamation, a mooring-post for her brother,

























































sṯzt nnw n(j) wrd jb ḫnpt mw.f jrt jwꜥw šdt nḫn m wꜥꜥw nj rḫ bw.f jm bst sw ꜥ.f nḫtw m ẖnw wsḫt gbb

sṯzt nnw n(j) wrd jb ḫnpt mw.f jrt jwꜥw šdt nḫn m wꜥꜥw nj rḫ bw.f jm bst sw ꜥ.f nḫt.w m ẖnw wsḫt gbb who raised the limpness of the weary-hearted, who took in his water (semen), who made an heir, who suckled the child in solitude where he could not be found, who introduced him when his arm grew strong into the hall of Geb.

Horus [ edit ]

Rejoicing of the world [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 20–21:





























nprj dj.f sm(w).f nb ḏf(ꜣ) n(j) ꜣḫt bs.f ssꜣw dj.f sw m tꜣw nb(w)

nprj dj.f sm(w).f nb ḏf(ꜣ) n(j) ꜣḫt bs.f ssꜣw dj.f sw m tꜣw nb(w) Nepri, he gives all his plants, the provisions of the field; he brings forth satiety, he gives it to all lands.

















bw-nb ḫntš(.w) jbw nḏm(.w) ḥꜣtjw ẖr ršwt

bw-nb ḫntš(.w) jbw nḏm(.w) ḥꜣtjw ẖr ršwt Everybody is glad, minds are sweet, hearts are in joy.











ḥr-nb ṯḥ.w jw bw-nb ḥr dwꜣ nfrw.f

ḥr-nb ṯḥ.w jw bw-nb ḥr dwꜣ nfrw.f Everyone exults, as everybody is worshipping his goodness:









bnrwj mr(w)t.f ḫr.n

bnrwj mr(w)t.f ḫr.n How sweet is the love of him among us!











jꜣmt.f pẖr.n.s jbw

jꜣmt.f pẖr.n.s jbw His kindliness, it has turned (all) hearts!











wr mr(w)t.f m ẖt nbt

wr mr(w)t.f m ẖt nbt The love of him is great in every body!

Justice of Horus against Set [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 21–22:



















mꜣꜥ.n.sn n zꜣ ꜣst ḫft(j).f ḫr n qn.f

mꜣꜥ.n.sn n zꜣ ꜣst ḫft(j).f ḫr n qn.f To the son of Isis they have delivered his adversary, fallen through his (own) violence.























jr(w) ḏwt r šd-ḫrw wd qn zp.f spr(.w) r.f

jr(w) ḏwt r šd-ḫrw wd qn zp.f spr(.w) r.f Evil has been done to the Disturber (Set), he who committed violence; his misdeed has caught up with him.















zꜣ ꜣst nḏ{t}.n.f jt.f sḏsrw smnḫw rn.f

zꜣ ꜣst nḏ{t}.n.f jt.f sḏsrw smnḫw rn.f The son of Isis, he has avenged his father; his name has been hallowed and made splendid.

Kingship of Horus [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 22–24:

















šfyt ḥtp.n.s st.s fꜣw mn(.w) r hpw.f

šfyt ḥtp.n.s st.s fꜣw mn(.w) r hpw.f Dignity has taken its seat, and magnificence is established by his laws.













wꜣt zš.tj mṯnw wn(.w)

wꜣt zš.tj mṯnw wn(.w) The road is traversable, the paths are open.



shrwj jdbwj

shrwj jdbwj How content are the Two Riverbanks (Egypt)!

















jwyt zb(.w) sjw(w) rw.w tꜣ m ḥtpw ẖr nb.f

jwyt zb(.w) sjw(w) rw.w tꜣ m ḥtpw ẖr nb.f Wrongdoing has gone, the Slanderer has departed, and the land is in peace under its lord.















smn(w) mꜣꜥt n nb.s rdjw sꜣ r jsft

smn(w) mꜣꜥt n nb.s rdjw sꜣ r jsft Righteousness has been established for its possessor, and the back is turned on wrong.

Good tidings to Osiris [ edit ]

18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 24–25:



nḏm jb.k wnn-nfr

nḏm jb.k wnn-nfr Be glad-hearted, Wenennefer!























zꜣ ꜣst šzp.n.f wrrt smꜣꜥw n.f jꜣwt nt (j)t.f m ẖnw wsḫt gbb

zꜣ ꜣst šzp.n.f wrrt smꜣꜥw n.f jꜣwt nt (j)t.f m ẖnw wsḫt gbb The son of Isis, he has received the White Crown; the office of his father has been assigned to him in the hall of Geb.















rꜥ ḏd.f ḏḥwtj zẖꜣ.f ḏꜣḏꜣt hr.tj

rꜥ ḏd.f ḏḥwtj zẖꜣ.f ḏꜣḏꜣt hr.tj Ra spoke; Thoth wrote; the Tribunal is satisfied.

















wḏ.n n.k jt.k gbb jr.n.tw ḫft ḏdt.n.f

wḏ.n n.k jt.k gbb jr.n.tw ḫft ḏdt.n.f Your father Geb has decreed in your favor, and it has been done according to his word.

References [ edit ]