Ma’at
Ma’at was the personification of the fundamental order of the universe, without which all of creation would perish. The primary duty of the pharaoh was to uphold this order by maintaining the law and administering justice. To reflect this, many pharaohs took the title “Beloved of Ma’at,” emphasizing their focus on justice and truth.
At any event in which something would be judged, Ma’at was said to be present, and her name would be invoked so that the judge involved would rule correctly and impartially. In the underworld, the heart of the deceased was weighed by Anubis against Ma’at’s feather. If the heart was heavy with wicked deeds, it would outweigh the feather, and the soul would be fed to Ammit. But if the scales were balanced, indicating that the deceased was a just and honorable person in life, he would be welcomed by Osiris into the Blessed Land. Ma’at’s presence in all worlds was universal, and all the gods deferred to her.
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Upcoming Tours
We would love to walk with you in the Holy Land. Here are upcoming opportunities:
Jun 18 — Jul 02, 2022 Out of Egypt, Into a Good LandLed by George DeJong |
Jul 03 — Jul 17, 2022 Egypt Nile River Cruise & Jordan Walking TourLed by George DeJong |
Fall 2022 Through the RoofLed by George DeJong |