Pharaoh (Book of Abraham)

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In the Latter Day Saint scripture the Book of Abraham, Pharaoh is the proper name of the first king of Egypt.[1] According to the story, all Egyptians descended from him.[2] He was the eldest son of Egyptus, who was the daughter of Ham and Egyptus. Pharaoh was a descendant of the Canaanites,[2] a race of people who according to Latter Day Saint theology had been cursed with black skin.[3] Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) have taught that he inherited the curse of Cain through his grandmother, Egyptus, so that the devil might have representation upon the earth.[4]

Anachronism

Main article: Criticism of the Book of Abraham § Anachronisms

The use of the name Pharaoh is considered anachronistic during Abraham's time by virtually all scholars, including LDS Scholars.[5] Most LDS Scholars who adhere to the historicity of the Book of Abraham point to a Jewish redactor who replaced original words with wording that would have been more understandable to his day.[6]

Notes

  1. ^ Abraham 1:20–31: Pharaoh, King of Egypt, The Pearl of Great Price: Teacher Manual, (2000), 39–40
  2. ^ a b Abraham 1:22
  3. ^ Moses 7:8
  4. ^ Harris, Matthew L.; Bringhurst, Newell G. (2015). The Mormon Church and Blacks: A Documentary History. Chicago: University of Illinois Press. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-252-08121-7.
  5. ^ Egyptology and the Book of Abraham
  6. ^ Barney, Kevin (2006). "The Facsimiles and Semitic Adaptation of Existing Sources". In Gee, John; Hauglid, Brian M (eds.). Astronomy, Papyrus, and Covenant. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University. ISBN 9780934893763.