User:Vorziblix/Great Hymn to Osiris

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

- 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, saying:

Invocation

- 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

- 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 (literally, “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, one with distant throne in the necropolis (literally, “Sacred Land”),
  
  ḏd rn m r(ꜣ) n(j) rm(w)t pꜣ(w)tj n(j) tꜣwj tm ḏf(ꜣ) kꜣw ḫnt psḏt ꜣḫ mnḫ mmj ꜣḫw
  ḏd rn m r(ꜣ) n(j) rm(w)t pꜣ(w)tj n(j) tꜣwj tm ḏf(ꜣ) kꜣw ḫnt psḏt ꜣḫ mnḫ mmj ꜣḫw
  whose name endures (literally, “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

- 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 pt ṯꜣw r fnḏ.f r ḥtp.tw jb.f
  ḫnp.n n.f nnw mw.f ḫnt n.f mḥ(y)t mss pt ṯꜣw r fnḏ.f r ḥtp.tw jb.f
  Nun has presented his waters to him, while the north wind goes southward for him, for whose nose the sky brings forth breath in order that his heart be contented,
  
  rd rnpwt n jb.f mss n.f ꜣḫt ḏf(ꜣ) sḏm n.f ḥrt sbꜣw swn n.f sbꜣw ꜥꜣw
  rd rnpwt n jb.f mss n.f ꜣḫt ḏf(ꜣ) sḏm n.f ḥrt sbꜣw swn 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

- 18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 5–7:
  
  nb hnw m pt rst dwꜣw m pt mḥtt j.ḫmw-sk ẖr st ḥr.f swt.f pw j.ḫmw-wrḏ
  nb hnw m pt rst dwꜣw m pt mḥtt j.ḫmw-sk ẖr st ḥr.f swt.f pw j.ḫmw-wrḏ
  Possessor of acclaim in the southern sky, worshipped in the northern sky, the circumpolar stars are under his care, and the unwearying stars are his residences.
  
  pr n.f ḥtp m wḏ n(j) gbb psḏt ḥr dwꜣ.f
  pr n.f ḥtp m wḏ n(j) gbb psḏt ḥr dwꜣ.f
  As an offering came forth for him at the command of Geb, the Ennead is worshipping him.
  
  jmjw dwꜣt m sn-tꜣ ṯztjw m ksw
  jmjw dwꜣt m sn-tꜣ ṯztjw m ksw
  Those in the afterworld kiss the earth, and those in the desert hills bow down.
  
  ḏrtjw m ṯḥw mꜣ.sn sw ntjw jm ḥr nr n.f
  ḏrtjw m ṯḥw mꜣ.sn sw ntjw jm ḥr nr n.f
  The ancestors are in joy when they see him, and the dead are in awe of him.
  
  tꜣwj dmḏ ḥr rdjt n.f jꜣw m ḫsfw ḥm.f
  tꜣwj dmḏ ḥr rdjt n.f jꜣw m ḫsfw ḥm.f
  The assembled Two Lands (Egypt) are giving him praise at the approach of his majesty.

Nature of kingship

- 18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 7–10:
  
  sꜥḥ ꜣḫ ḫnt sꜥḥw wꜣḥ jꜣwt smn ḥqꜣt sḫm nfr n(j) psḏt jmꜣ ḥr mrr mꜣ n.f rdj snḏ.f m tꜣw nb(w) n mr(w)t dm.sn rn.f r ḥꜣt
  sꜥḥ ꜣḫ ḫnt sꜥḥw wꜣḥ jꜣwt smn ḥqꜣt sḫm nfr n(j) psḏt jmꜣ ḥr mrr mꜣ n.f rdj snḏ.f m tꜣw nb(w) n mr(w)t dm.sn rn.f r ḥꜣt
  Effective dignitary, foremost of dignitaries, enduring of office, established of reign, the fair power of the Ennead, gracious of face, the sight of whom is beloved, the awe of whom is set in all lands in order that they pronounce his name first,
  
  drp n.f nbw nb sḫꜣw m pt m tꜣ
  drp n.f nbw nb sḫꜣw m pt m tꜣ
  the one to whom all make offerings, the possessor of remembrance in the sky and on the earth,
  
  ꜥšꜣ hy m wꜣg jrrw n.f jhhy jn tꜣwj m bw wꜥ
  ꜥšꜣ hy m wꜣg jrrw n.f jhhy jn tꜣwj m bw wꜥ
  numerous of cries of joy at the wag-festival, for whom jubilation is made by the Two Lands (Egypt) as one.
  
  wr tp(j) n(j) snw.f smsw n(j) psḏt smn mꜣꜥt ḫt jdbwj rdj zꜣ ḥr nst (j)t
  wr tp(j) n(j) snw.f smsw n(j) psḏt smn mꜣꜥt ḫt jdbwj rdj zꜣ ḥr nst (j)t
  The great one, first of his brothers, eldest of the Ennead, who established Maat throughout the Two Riverbanks (Egypt), who set the son on the father’s throne,
  
  ḥz n(j) jt.f gbb mrr(w) mwt.f nwt
  ḥz n(j) jt.f gbb mrr(w) mwt.f nwt
  honored of his father Geb, beloved of his mother Nut,
  
  ꜥꜣ pḥtj sḫr.f sbj sḫm ꜥ smꜣ.f ḫft(j).f rdj snḏ.f m ḫrw.f jn ḏrw wꜣw ḏwt mn jb rdwj.f rswt
  ꜥꜣ pḥtj sḫr.f sbj sḫm ꜥ smꜣ.f ḫft(j).f rdj snḏ.f m ḫrw.f jn ḏrw wꜣw ḏwt mn jb rdwj.f rswt
  great of strength when he casts down the rebel, powerful of arm when he slays his adversary, he who set the fear of him in his enemy, who conquered the distant limits of evil, the one firm of heart when he tramples the rebels,

Assumption of kingship

- 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 hr.w 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 hr.w 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 shining forth on the throne of his father like Ra when he rises in the Akhet, he gave light to what was 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

- 18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 13–17:
  
  jr.n snt.f mkt.f sḥr{y}t ḫrww sḥmt zpw šd-ḫrw m ꜣḫw r(ꜣ).s
  jr.n snt.f mkt.f sḥr{y}t ḫrww sḥmt 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(w)-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(w)-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 his location was unknown, who introduced him when his arm grew strong into the hall of Geb.

Horus

- 18th Dynasty, Great Hymn to Osiris, Stela of Amenmose (Louvre C 286), lines 17–20:
  
  psḏt ḥr ršrš jjwj zꜣ wsjr ḥr mn jb mꜣꜥ-ḫrw zꜣ ꜣst jwꜥw wsjr
  psḏt ḥr ršrš jjwj zꜣ wsjr ḥr mn jb mꜣꜥ-ḫrw zꜣ ꜣst jwꜥw wsjr
  The Ennead was rejoicing: Welcome, son of Osiris, Horus, firm of heart and true of voice, son of Isis and heir of Osiris!
  
  sḥww n.f ḏꜣḏꜣt mꜣꜥt psḏt nb-r-ḏr ḏs.f nbw-mꜣꜥt zmꜣyw jm.s mkḥꜣyw jsft snḏmw m wsḫt nt gbb r rdjt jꜣwt n nb.s (n)syt n mꜣꜥt.s n.f
  sḥww n.f ḏꜣḏꜣt mꜣꜥt psḏt nb-r-ḏr ḏs.f nbw-mꜣꜥt zmꜣyw jm.s mkḥꜣyw jsft snḏmw m wsḫt nt gbb r rdjt jꜣwt n nb.s (n)syt n mꜣꜥt.s n.f
  The Tribunal of Maat was convened for him: the Ennead, the Lord of All himself, and the possessors of righteousness who were united in it, who scorn wrongdoing, sitting in the hall of Geb to give the office to its owner and the kingship to the one to whom it justly belonged.
  
  gm.n.tw ḥr ḫrw.f mꜣꜥ.w rdjw n.f jꜣwt nt (j)t.f
  gm.n.tw ḥr ḫrw.f mꜣꜥ.w rdjw n.f jꜣwt nt (j)t.f
  Horus was found justified; the office of his father was given to him.
  
  pr.n.f mḏḥ.w m wḏ n(j) gbb šzp.n.f ḥqꜣt jdbwj wrrt mn.tj m tp.f
  pr.n.f mḏḥ.w m wḏ n(j) gbb šzp.n.f ḥqꜣt jdbwj wrrt mn.tj m tp.f
  He came forth wreathed at the command of Geb, having received the rulership of the Two Riverbanks (Egypt), the White Crown fixed upon his head.
  
  jp n.f tꜣ r ẖrt.f pt tꜣ ẖr st ḥr.f
  jp n.f tꜣ r ẖrt.f pt tꜣ ẖr st ḥr.f
  The land was accounted as his possession, and the sky and the land were under his care.
  
  swḏ n.f rm(w)t rḫyt pꜥt ḥnmmt tꜣ-mrj ḥꜣ(w)-nbw(t)
  swḏ n.f rm(w)t rḫyt pꜥt ḥnmmt tꜣ-mrj ḥꜣ(w)-nbw(t)
  Humankind was bequeathed to him, the commoners and patricians, the sunfolk of the Beloved Land (Egypt) and the Aegean islanders.
  
  šnwt n(j) jṯn ẖr sḫrw.f mḥ(y)t jtr(w) nwy ḫt n(j) ꜥnḫ rnp(w)t nbt
  šnwt n(j) jṯn ẖr sḫrw.f mḥ(y)t jtr(w) nwy ḫt n(j) ꜥnḫ rnp(w)t nbt
  What the sun disk encircles is under his directions, the north wind, the river, and water, grain and all fresh plants.

Rejoicing of the world

- 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 gives all his plants, the provisions of the field, bringing forth satiety and giving 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 pleasantness:
  
  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
  jmꜣt.f pẖr.n.s jbw
  His kindliness, it has encircled (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

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

- 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, it has taken its seat, and magnificence is established according to 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 mꜣꜥt n nb.s rdjw sꜣ r jsft
  smn 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

- 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 (literally, “what he said”).

References

Erman, Adolf; trans. Blackman, Aylward (1927) The Literature Of The Ancient Egyptians. London: Methuen & Co., Ltd., pages 140–145
Moret, Alexandre (1931) “La légende d’Osiris à l’époque thébaine d’après l’hymne à Osiris du Louvre [avec 3 planches]” in Bulletin de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale, volume 30, pages 725–750 and plates I–III.
Lichtheim, Miriam (1976) Ancient Egyptian Literature, volume II: The New Kingdom. University of California Press, pages 81–86.
Foster, John L. (1995) Hymns, Prayers, and Songs: An Anthology of Ancient Egyptian Lyric Poetry, pages 48–52
Assmann, Jan (1999) Ägyptische Hymnen und Gebete, pages 477–482.