Ptahhotep not Joseph but Moses

by Damien F. Mackey Ptahhotep was, just like Moses, the Vizier and Chief Judge in ancient Egypt. Revisionists, myself included, have eagerly fastened on to the educated Vizier and sage writer of Maxims, PTAHHOTEP - associated with 110 years of age - as the biblical Joseph. In Papyrus Prisse (col. 19), Ptahhotep refers to his “110 years of life”, which number accords with that reached by Joseph (Genesis 50:26): “So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten”. It became something of a golden number for good life expectancy in ancient Egypt. An inscription on a seated statue of Amenhotep son of Hapu, for instance, states that he had reached the age of 80 (extraordinarily old for an ancient Egyptian) and wished to attain 110 years (the perfect lifespan). The figure of 110, plus seeming uncertainty as to which dynasty Ptahhotep had belonged, with both the Third (Joseph-Imhotep’s dynasty) and the Fifth, being mentioned, gave me the wriggle room, so I thought, to hold fast to my opinion that Ptahhotep was Joseph. For Dr. Ernest L. Martin, firm in his view that Ptahhotep was Joseph, will include the Third Dynasty (“The Writings of Joseph in Egypt”, 1983): https://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d040501.htm “This Egyptian document (Maxims) is often called “The Oldest Book in the World” and was originally written by the vizier in the Fifth (or Third) Dynasty. The Egyptian name of this vizier (i.e., the next in command to Pharaoh) was Ptah-Hotep. This man was, according to Breasted the “Chief of all Works of the King.” He was the busiest man in the kingdom, all-powerful (only the Pharaoh was over him). He was the chief judge and the most popular man in Pharaoh’s government”. Actually, this is not helpful, because Ptahhotep was a Vizier of the Fifth Dynasty king, Djedkare Isesi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptahhotep “Ptahhotep was the city administrator and vizier (first minister) during the reign of King Djedkare Isesi in the Fifth Dynasty”. Chronologically, this immediately disqualifies Ptahhotep from being Joseph-Imhotep. But it does not disqualify Moses, who would attain to Joseph’s 110 years of age, and more (Deuteronomy 34:7): “Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eyesight wasn't impaired and he was still vigorous and strong”. Moreover, Ptahhotep was, like Moses, a Vizier (as we have just read), and also a Judge: https://www.sofiatopia.org/maat/ptahhotep.htm “In his tomb, Ptahhotep describes himself as a priest of Maat. He was also the vizier, the chief of the treasury and the granary, as well as a judge”. “ Cf. Exodus 2:14: ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ Akhethotep Not for the first time have Egyptologists duplicated lists, so that we now have, in the Fifth Dynasty, a vizier, Ptahhotep, and his son, Akhethotep, followed by a second Ptahhotep: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhethetep_(son_of_Ptahhotep) “Akhethetep was the son of Ptahhotep. His father was vizier too …”. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/egypt/saqqara-memphis-dahshur/attractions/tomb-of-akhethotep-ptahhotep/a/poi-sig/1501664/1330429 “Akhethotep and his son Ptahhotep were senior royal officials during the reigns of Djedkare (2414–2375 BC) and Unas at the end of the 5th dynasty”. Surely, this is all one and the same Vizier and Judge, Ptahhotep-Akhethotep! https://www.lonelyplanet.com/egypt/saqqara-memphis-dahshur/attractions/tomb-of-akhethotep-ptahhotep/a/poi-sig/1501664/1330429 “Akhethotep served as vizier, judge and supervisor of pyramid cities and supervisor of priests, though his titles were eventually inherited by Ptahhotep, along with his tomb”. Or, perhaps Akhethotep’s titles were Ptahhotep’s titles. Just like Moses, ‘ruler and judge’, and exactly like Kagemni, “Chief Justice and Vizier”, (Kagemni) being one of my Fourth/Sixth dynasty versions of Moses: Vizier Kagemni another vital link for connecting Egypt’s Fourth and Sixth dynasties (4) Vizier Kagemni another vital link for connecting Egypt's Fourth and Sixth dynasties “Akhethotep was 'Chief Justice and Vizier' …”: https://egyptsitesblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/saqqara-day-three/ Can we restructure Dr. Martin’s comparison between the Maxims or Instructions of Ptahhotep and Joseph with Moses now taking Joseph’s place? He (RIP) wrote: “The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep” This brings us to consider the author of an early Egyptian work called “The Instruction of the Vizier [the Prime Minister] Ptah-Hotep.” The man who wrote this document of proverbial teaching was so close to the Pharaoh that he was considered Pharaoh’s son — from his own body. This does not necessarily mean that the author was the actual son of the Pharaoh. It is a designation which means that both the author (the Prime Minister) and the Pharaoh were one in attitude, authority, and family. …. Could this document be a composition of the patriarch Joseph? There are many parallels between what the document says and historical events in Joseph’s life. Indeed, the similarities are so remarkable, that I have the strong feeling that modern man has found an early Egyptian writing from the hand of Joseph himself. Though it is evident that the copies that have come into our possession are copies of a copy (and not the original), it still reflects what the autograph said; in almost every section it smacks of the attitude and temperament of Joseph as revealed to us in the Bible. Let us now look at some of the remarkable parallels. This Egyptian document is often called “The Oldest Book in the World” and was originally written by the vizier in the Fifth (or Third) [sic] Dynasty. The Egyptian name of this vizier (i.e., the next in command to Pharaoh) was Ptah-Hotep. This man was, according to Breasted the “Chief of all Works of the King.” He was the busiest man in the kingdom, all-powerful (only the Pharaoh was over him). He was the chief judge and the most popular man in Pharaoh’s government. …. The name Ptah-Hotep was a title rather than a proper name, and it was carried by successive viziers of the Memphite and Elephantine governments. The contents of this “Oldest Book” may direct us to Joseph and to the later teachings of Israel. Notice what this Ptah-Hotep (the second in command in Egypt) had to say of his life on earth. How long did he live? The answer is given in the concluding statement in the document: “The keeping of these laws have gained for me upon earth 110 years of life, with the gift of the favor of the King, among the first of those whose works have made them noble, doing the pleasure of the King in an honored position.” • “The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep,” Precept XLIV This man, with the title Ptah-Hotep, was one who did great construction works. Joseph was supposed to have done mighty works — traditionally, even the Great Pyramid was built through the dole of grain during the seven years of low Niles. Mackey’s comment: The Great Pyramid would have been built, instead, during the childhood of Moses: Moses in Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty (4) Moses in Egypt's Fourth Dynasty And remember, Joseph also lived 110 years (Genesis 50:26) just as did this Ptah-Hotep. He resembled Joseph in another way. “If you would be held in esteem in the house wherein you enterest, whether it be that of a ruler, or of a brother, or of a friend, whatever you do enter, beware of approaching the wife, for it is not in any way a good thing to do. It is senseless. Thousands of men have destroyed themselves and gone to their deaths for the sake of the enjoyment of a pleasure which is as fleeting as the twinkling of an eye.” • Precept XVIII Here again we have Joseph! Even though adultery was the common thing in Egypt (thousands of men were doing it), only one uncommon example shines out in its history — that of Joseph. This virtue of Joseph was so strong, that its inclusion into these “Precepts” again may indicate that Joseph had a hand in writing them. Mackey’s comment: Dr. Martin really scored with this one! Now look at the beginning of Precept XLIV. Ptah-Hotep says that if the laws of the master were kept, a person’s father will give him a “double good,” i.e., a double portion. Joseph did in fact receive the birthright and with it the “double good” (double blessing, Deuteronomy 21:15–17). This birthright blessing is repeated in Precept XXXIX. “To hearken [to your father] is worth more than all else, for it produces love, the possession doubly blessed.” • Precept XXXIX Ptah-Hotep Was a Great Man There is much more that is like Joseph in the document of Ptah-Hotep. Notice Precept XXX: “If you have become a great man having once been of no account, and if you have become rich having once been poor, and having become the Governor of the City [this exactly fits Joseph’s experience], take heed that you do not act haughtily because you have attained unto a high rank. Harden not your heart because you have become exalted, for you are only the guardian of the goods which God has given to you. Set not in the background your neighbor who is as you were, but make yourself as if he were your equal.” • Precept XXX Mackey’s comment: Compare Moses’s distaste for the Crown. His famous abdication: Was Moses indeed a King of Egypt - albeit briefly? (4) Was Moses indeed a King of Egypt - albeit briefly? The instruction above almost sounds as if it came from the Bible itself! The parallel to such high ethical teaching could be an indication that Joseph wrote it. There is also, in these Precepts, an emphasis on obedience, especially to one’s father(s). “Let no man make changes in the laws of his father; let the same laws be his own lessons to his children. Surely his children will say to him ‘doing your word works wonders.’” • Precept XLII “Surely a good son is one of the gifts of God, a son doing better than he has been told” • Precept XLIV “When a son hearkens to his father, it is a double joy to both, for when these things are told to him, the son is gentle toward his father. Hearkening to him who has hearkened while this was told him, he engraves on his heart what is approved by his father, and thus the memory of it is preserved in the mouth of the living, who are upon earth.” • Precept XXXIX “When a son receives the word of his father, there is no error in all his plans. So instruct your son that he shall be a teachable man whose wisdom will be pleasant to the great men. Let him direct his mouth according to that which has been told him [by his father]; in the teachableness of a son is seen his wisdom. His conduct is perfect, while error carries away him who will not be taught; in the future, knowledge will uphold him, while the ignorant will be crushed.” • Precept XL Mackey’s comment: Compare Mark 7:10: “For Moses commanded, ‘Respect your father and your mother’, and, ‘If you curse your father or your mother, you are to be put to death’.” The emphasis of Ptah-Hotep is that his own greatness depended upon his attendance to the laws of his fathers. He encouraged all others to do the same. This gave him the reason for recording for posterity these basic laws, and he says that these words of his fathers “shall he born without alteration, eternally upon the earth” (Precept XXXVIII). “To put an obstacle in the way of the laws, is to open the way before violence” • Precept V “The limits of justice are unchangeable; this is a law which everyman receives from his father. • Precept V Some of those teachings are so biblical and right! It could well be a fact that these principles and good teachings came from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and are here recorded by Joseph, the one respecting the teachings of his fathers. Notice this Precept: “The son who receives the word of his father shall live long on account of it.’ • Precept XXXIX Compare this with the Fifth Commandment: “Honor thy father and mother: that the days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.” • Exodus 20:12 Mackey’s comment: Dr Ernest Martin has to go to Exodus (to Moses) to find this Commandment. Could it be that many of the laws that became a part of the Old Covenant which God made with Israel at the Exodus were known long before — in the times of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? We are told that the early patriarchs knew some of God’s laws (Genesis 26:5). Mackey’s comment: Yes, true, but the codified Law was given by Moses. “The "law given by Moses," also known as the Mosaic Law or Torat Moshe, refers to the religious and legal code revealed to Moses by God, primarily found in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Torah)”. https://www.google.com/search?q=law+given+by+moses&sca_esv=edec2e4b4572a4c0&rlz=1C1RXQR_en-gbAU979AU979&ei=kZv1Z5TZNYWX4- The biblical agreements, however, do not stop with this reference. They are throughout the work. “When you are sitting at meat at the house of a person greater than you, ... look at what is before you.” • Precept VII And now, notice Proverbs 23:1. The agreement with the above of Ptah-Hotep is exact. “When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you. • Proverbs 23:1 Professor Howard Osgood, who translated into English these “Precepts of Ptah-Hotep,” has a note to the one precept mentioned above. “This passage is found in the Proverbs of Solomon, chapter 23. The Hebrews knew then, if not the whole of the maxims of Ptah-Hotep, at least several of them which have passed into proverbs.” • Howard Osgood, Records of the Past 8 Why of course. Many of Solomon’s proverbs were those of ancient men. Solomon nowhere claimed to have originated all his proverbs. On the contrary, he clearly states that many of them were “words of the wise men, and their dark sayings” (Proverbs 1:6). Look at another precept of Ptah-Hotep: “If you are a wise man, train a son who will be well pleasing to God.” • Precept XII Compare this with Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” • Proverbs 22:6 Solomon merely recorded many of the proverbs and laws, which were handed down in Israel generation after generation. He, of course, augmented the proverbs but he did not originate them all. In fact, it seems certain that many of them were from Joseph who further recorded for us the teachings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mackey’s comment: Yes, true, but chiefly from the Law of Moses.