The statue in Cairo of Djedhor son of Djedhor is well-known for the 'magic texts' that cover almost all the available surfaces of the statue; as a sample, the section about a cat stung by a scorpion is translated at C. However there is also a long biographical text, inscribed on the large base of the statue, and this is translated here (A). The paragraph which enables the statue to be dated with some accuracy is inscribed at the front of the statue (B); it is probable that the statue was created quite early in the reign of Philip Arrhidaeus, when the Egyptians were not familiar with the name and titles of the new king. Much of the same information was inscribed on the base of another statue of Djedhor, which is now in Chicago (D).
The translation of the Cairo inscriptions is adapted from the French translation by E. Jelinkova-Reymond, "Les inscriptions de la statue guérisseuse de Djed-her-le-sauveur" ( archive.org );and the translation of the Chicago inscriptions is taken from E.J. Sherman, "Djedḥor the Saviour: Statue Base OI 10589".
[A] Cairo, Egyptian Museum, JE 46341 [ TM 58328 ]
Revered by his local god, the one whose achievements earn rewards from the Falcon who resides in Iat-Mat, the one who is in charge of the affairs of the embalming room, the one who organises burials in the necropolis in the north of the Athribite nome, the one who takes care of the living hawks who reside in this land, the one who accomplishes pious works on behalf of the Falcon in each place where his ka wishes.
The one whose words are listened to by the great so that they act according to all his words. The one who protects the weak against the powerful, the one who eliminates his accident when he appears, the one who guides the whole crowd, the one who revives the hungry in his nome, the one whose word is refreshing when he delivers speeches to the crowd. The mouth of each person pours out emotion when they hear his words and when they admire his fairness.
Now it is his aim to destroy wickedness and not tire of looking for things useful for his god. Great is the love of him which all people have, so that they cry out when they see him as if he were their god. Excellent in character, perfect in advice, pleasant to everyone, one whose excellence in ideas is known to the Two Lands, chief guardian of Hor-Khenty-[Khety], chief overseer of the Falcon with respect to all his goods and all the offerings coming from the whole land, priest of Isis of the village of the 'Fortress of the Syrian' in the [Athribite] nome, Djedhor-the-Saviour, son of Tasheritentaihet. He said :
O my master, Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome, greatest of the gods, 10 [Lord of truth] from which he lives, the one who guides the hearts of gods and mortals! You have guided my heart so that I will fulfil the will of the Falcon who resides in the Iat-Mat [since] I have been attached to the service of the Falcon who resides in the Iat-Mat for many years. You found my soul righteous because there was no falsehood in my heart. You entrusted to me that I should protect all the goods of the Falcon who resides in the Iat-Mat as well as all the offerings received from the whole land and which were dedicated on behalf of this domain, comprising: money, gold, cereals, fabrics, cattle of all kinds and all other things supplied as a contribution on behalf of the domain of the Falcon. I put them in the 'Treasury' of the Hawk, complete without removing anything. I put them in the best place to be able to do all the useful work in the domain of the Falcon, following what you have set in my heart, O Lord of the gods!
I had the wabet-sanctuary constructed in honour of the Falcon, south of the temple of Iat-Mat, which is 68 cubits in length and 64 cubits in width, executed in perfect work and excellent in every way. A large hall was inside. There were six chapels on the two sides. Their door-frames were carved in beautiful white limestone. Their doors were made of real pine. Their hinges and latches were in Asian metal. A large porch built over the front door of this wabet-sanctuary had eight columns. A pine throne (?) was placed on half of the roof, engraved with the great name of His Majesty.
20 The rites of embalming divine flesh were performed in the embalming room of this temple. It was the officiants 'over the secrets' {ḥry-sšt} who came at the time of their mummification. They were mummified so that they could rest in the cemetery in the north of the Athribite nome in the 'Chapel' of the necropolis. Then, we built a courtyard pavement in beautiful white limestone, which went from the entrance of this temple to the main door in the wall that surrounds this wabet-sanctuary. We built also a great wall around the temple of Iat-Mat as well as around the wabet-sanctuary, executed in perfect work and excellent in every way.
I found many soldiers' residences inside this enclosure. I compensated their owners with money. They were reimbursed in land, which was located to the east of the temple of Iat-Mat. They rebuilt their houses there. In this way, it was more beautiful than before. I had the buildings demolished and I took them away to the river in the south of the Athribite nome. I arranged the purchase of three thousand divine cubits of land at the top of this river. I added this land to the sacred territory of the Athribite nome. They were transformed into two orchards on both sides of the dromos of the wabet-sanctuary and were planted with sycamores, perseas, all kinds of shrubs, herbs and all beautiful things, so that offerings of flowers and fruits from them may be presented to the gods who reside in the wabet-sanctuary. I had the wabet-sanctuary purified after we demolished the buildings which were inside, because vices of slavery were in there. 30 They were cleansed and purified eternally, forever.
I had a large stone well dug to the south-east of the wabet-sanctuary. Its depth went down to the water of Nûn, to bring its libations to the gods who reside in the wabet-sanctuary. I had a garden created south-east of the wabet-sanctuary, which was planted with sycamores, perseas and all kinds of pleasant scent bushes, to offer the daily offerings to the gods who dwell in the wabet-sanctuary. I had bushes of all kinds planted which were arranged around the wabet-sanctuary, while watering each bush inside the enclosure which surrounds the wabet-sanctuary by means of the water from this well. I also had a purification basin made inside this sanctuary, to make purifications by means of it. It was the officiants 'over the secrets' {ḥry-sšt} who came to purify it.
I had the mummification of the Falcon carried out with all kinds of mineral oils and all the secret things according to what is written. I ensured that we dressed the mummies with this as well as with the beautiful pure bandages. 40 How beautiful it was, more than what was done before when they mummified the Falcon with dry resin, warm wine, shedeh-wine and ointment. Then afterwards, many non-mummified falcons were found in the temple of Iat-Mat, inside the 'Chamber of Seventy'. I brought them into the embalming room. I carried out their mummification using this oil as well as excellent bandages and whatever else is in the embalming room. I brought them into the funeral chapel of the necropolis.
Chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor-the-Saviour, son of Djedhor, and his mother Tasheritentaihet.
His eldest son Hor, 50 son of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, the chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, and his mother Tayhesi.
His son Horpabik son of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, the chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, and his mother Tayhesi.
His son Djedḥorpaisw, son of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, the chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, and his mother Tayhesi.
His son [Irty]ḥorraw, son [of the chief doorkeeper of Hor]-Khenty-Khety, the chief overseer [of the Falcon], 60 Djedhor, and his mother Tayhesi.
His son Djedhorpabik son of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, the chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, and his mother Tayhesi.
Their mother Tayhesi 70 daughter of Padinetjerû and her mother Taynoferher, justified, living eternally forever with the Lord of the gods.
Adoration of the god four times by Djedhor-the-Saviour, son of his mother Tasheritentaihet.
Chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor-the-Saviour son of Tasheritentaihet, he said:
O my master, Khenty-Khety, Lord of Athribis, greatest of the gods. I caused the Falcon to be mummified with mineral oil in accordance with what is written. I allowed the mummies to be brought into the funeral Chapel of the necropolis in the north of the Athribite nome every month. It was the doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety who washed them and wrapped them in the bandages.
I cultivated fields of wheat and vineyards and contributed all that came from them, in its entirety, for the benefit of the Treasury of the Falcon. I had beer made, the only beer that is known in all the regions around the Athribite nome. It is the doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety who monitors the beer and contributes it in its entirety for the benefit of the Treasury of the Falcon. I had pitchers of wine made by all the vineyards around the Athribite nome as well as measures of wheat coming from the district of Athribis, with pitchers of wheat beer that is known throughout the territory of this district. It is the doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety 80 who monitors them to contribute them in their entirety for the benefit of the Treasury and the granary of the Falcon.
I have created the elite of people who work for the Falcon and who are responsible for the work in the fields on behalf of the treasury of the Falcon. I gathered together the cattle of all kinds which were used for the work in the fields on behalf of the Falcon's treasury, these in their entirety. It was I who counted them on behalf of the Falcon's treasury, along with their young. No one else has counted them. It was I too who brought the animals out to do all the work for the Falcon with them. Nothing like what I have done in your domain has been done by people living before.
The reward you have given me because of what I have done in your domain. You have established my house, along with my children. You have made me great in the city, and revered in the nome. I am your favourite.
{ The list of Djedhor's children is continued from above. }
Doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, 90 son of Djedhor and his mother Tasheritentaihet, justified.
His son Djedhor-pleh, son of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, 100 Djedhor, and his mother Tayhesi, justified.
His son Djedhorpaisherw, son of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, and his mother Tayhesi, justified.
His daughter Tasheritentaihet, daughter of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, and her mother Tayhesi, justified.
His daughter Khût, daughter of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, 110 Djedhor, and her mother Tayhesi, justified.
His daughter Tasheritentayisw, daughter of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon, Djedhor, and her mother Tayhesi, justified.
Their mother Tayhesi, justified, daughter of Padinetjerû and her mother Taynoferher.
120 Their names remain in your house eternally forever, alongside the Lord of the Gods.
Adoration of the god four times by Djedhor-the-Saviour son of his mother Tasheritentaihet.
O every priest, every scribe, every scholar who sees this 'Saviour'! Recite his writings, know his magic formulas! Keep his writings, protect his magic formulas! Say the funeral offering that the king gives in a thousand good and pure things for the ka of this 'Saviour' who made his name in Hor-the-Saviour. I pronounced my name in his beautiful name, namely Djedhor-the-Saviour, so that my beautiful name was enduring in the Athribite nome because I did good to all the inhabitants of the Athribite nome (?), as well as to any man passing along the road, to deliver them from the venom of all male and female snakes and all reptiles. I did the same thing 130 for everyone who is in the funeral chapel of the necropolis, to revive the dead and to deliver them from any stinging snake. Worship the god in my beautiful name in the presence of the Lord of the gods, every day, because of what I had done to revive you! Let your mouths not tire of saying what is good! Let no bad thing issue from your hands!
The reward the Lord of Gods has given me because of this. He has made me great in my city, revered in my nome. I am a favourite of Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome, greatest of the gods, eternally forever.
Revered by the gods who reside in Iat-Mat, the one who guides the [inhabitants] of his city, the one who prepares the way to revive the dead, and to deliver them from the venom of all snakes, male and female, of all scorpions and all venomous reptiles, the one who prepares the way to revive those who are in the necropolis, and to protect them against the venom of any reptile who stings, by reciting the magic formulas, the one who will take power over the necropolis, the one who accomplishes what his local god loves. Perfect in character, excellent in advice, the one who organises [all] the affairs [in] their right place, the one who loves justice, and hates telling lies. 140 No adversary can approach him in his nome because his ideas come from his god, who guides his heart to perform everything that his ka wishes and to satisfy the heart of the Lord of the gods by every kind of pious activity.
The one who takes care of the living falcons who reside in this land, the one who is in charge of the affairs of the embalming room, the one who performs burials in the necropolis in the north of the Athribite nome, chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, chief overseer of the Falcon with regard to all his possessions, Djedhor-the-Saviour, son of Tasheritentaihet. He said :
O my master, Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome, greatest of the gods, the one who guides the hearts of gods and mortals. You guided my heart so that I would do what was pleasing to you in your domain. Every day I accomplished there what your ka desired, because you had put it in my soul.
The reward that you have granted me because of what I had done in your domain. You have established my house, along with my children. They have not been found at fault in the presence of the Lord of the gods. You made me great in my city and revered in my nome. I am the favourite of Hor-Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome, greatest of the gods. I have not been found at fault in the presence of the Lord of the gods, eternally forever.
I was rewarded for what I had done in Iat-Mat 150 as well as for everything I had done in the funerary chapel of the necropolis. I undertook this in order to do what the Falcon loves in all places where his ka wishes, eternally forever.
Djedhor-the-Saviour, son of Djedhor and his mother Tasheritentaihet, justified.
[It is I who put] the inscriptions on this 'Saviour' and on the 'Saviour' which is in the necropolis.
[Revered amongst the gods who reside in Iat-Mat, rewarded amongst the gods who dwell in [the Athribite nome], the one who prepares the way to revive the dead, to give air to the blocked nose, to revive the suffocated by the gesture of his arms as well as by all the process of 'taming-the-scorpion'.
It is the priest of W?dty Waḥibrē', son of Dûn-sp-nfr and his mother Kha-s-Bastet, justified. He said :
O my master, 160 Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome, greatest of the gods, Lord of truth from which he lives every day, the one who guides the hearts of gods and mortals, so that they live by the gesture of his arms. I put the inscriptions on this statue in accordance with what is written in the 'sacred books of Re' and in the code containing all the procedures of 'tame-the-scorpion' to revive all people and all animals by means of them and to protect them against the venom of all male and female snakes, of all reptiles, by doing what the heart of the Lord of the gods loves. I knew the beloved of Khenty-Khety, the one who revived people. I also had these inscriptions engraved on the 'Saviour' which is in the necropolis. I have not been found at fault before the Lord of gods and all [mortals] because I had the inscriptions engraved on them. It is an excellent man who made them by his arms.
The reward you have given me. You have established my [house] along with my children. You have made me great in my city and revered in my nome. I am the favourite of 'He who has a beautiful face', of the 'bull' of the Athribite nome, the one who punishes the rebellious in his city, 170 eternally forever. My name will not perish on earth.
Priest of W?dty Waḥibrē', son of Dûn-sep-nefer and his mother Khas-Bastet. It is I who put the inscriptions on this 'Saviour' as well as on the 'Saviour' which is in the necropolis.
[B] Long live the revered one alongside the gods who reside in Iat-Mat, the one who guides his heart to fulfil the desires of his god, the one who takes care of the living falcons who reside in this land, Djedhor-the-Saviour, son of Tasheritentaihet.
130 Long live the revered one alongside the gods who reside in the necropolis in the north of the Athribite nome, the one who makes offerings (?) to the Falcon, the one who strives to make them hidden from men of distant countries (?), Djedhor-the-Saviour, son of Tasheritentaihet.
Long live the good god, Lord of the Two Lands {Setep-n-Re'-Mery-Amon}, son of Re Philippos, living eternally, loved by Hor-Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome.
Long live the good god, Lord of the Two Lands {Setep-n-Re'-Mery-Amon}, son of Re Philippos, living eternally, loved by Hor-khety-khety, Lord of the Athribite nome.
Djedhor-the-Saviour.
[C] Chapter to conjure for the Cat. To recite.
O Re! Come to your daughter! The scorpion has stung her on a lonely path. Her moan has risen up to him on high. Come to your daughter! The poison has entered her body and circulated in her flesh. She put her mouth down. Look, the poison entered her body. So come with your power, with your strength, with your terror. Look, it is hidden from you. Now, it has entered the whole body of this suffering cat.
Do not be afraid, my glorious daughter! Here I am behind you with the sign of life. It is I who have removed the poison which is in the whole body of this cat!
This cat - your head is the head of Lord of the Two Lands, who punishes the people and all the rebels. The fear of him is in all countries and among all living people forever.
This cat - your eyes are the two eyes of the Divine Eye, which lights up the Two Lands on the path of darkness.
This cat - your nose is the nose of Thoth, thrice great, Lord of Khnûmû, the Earth, the Sun which gives breath to everyone.
170 This cat - your ear is the ear of the Lord of the Universe, who listens to the prayers that all people address him, and who makes judgment throughout the whole earth.
This cat - your mouth is the mouth of Atûm, Lord of life and of offerings. He has presented the offerings. He has diverted the poison for this cat.
This cat - your neck is the neck of Nehebkau, overseer of the Great Palace, who revives people with the gesture of his arms.
This cat - your chest is the chest of Thoth, Lord of truth. He has given you breath. He has given air to the guts of this cat.
This cat - your heart is the heart of Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome, greatest of the gods; the one who restores hearts to their places has restored your heart to its place. Your heart is under his protection.
This cat - your paw is the paw of the great Ennead of the gods and the little Ennead of the gods, who protect your paws from the poison of all biting snakes.
This cat - your stomach is the stomach of Osiris, Lord of Bûsiris, so that the poison no longer has its power in the stomach of this cat.
This cat - your thighs are the thighs of Montû , Lord of Thebes. He has kept your thighs upright. He has taken down the poison for this cat.
This cat - your toes are the toes of Khonsu of Thebes, Neferhotep, the one who travels throughout the Two Lands every day. He has expelled the poison that was in the whole body of this cat.
This cat - your legs are the legs of Amun, the great, Lord of Thebes. He has kept your legs upright on the ground. He has removed the awful poison which was in all the limbs of this cat.
This cat - your arms are the arms of Horus Avenger-of-his-father Osiris before Seth. He has removed the awful poison of all male and female snakes, of all the scorpions, and what was in all the limbs of this cat.
This cat - your paws are the paws of Isis and Nephthys, who travel thoughout the Two Lands. They have diverted down the poison for this cat.
This cat - your rump is the rump of Mehet-Weret.
This cat - none of your limbs are deprived of their god . . . Each of them is [under protection (?)]. Protection of your body has been established from head to toe!
They have removed and made harmless the poison of all male and female snakes, all scorpions, all reptiles and what was in all the limbs of this suffering cat. They have removed and made harmless the poison of all male and female snakes, all scorpions and all reptiles and what was in all the limbs of this suffering man, 180 just as in the limbs of this cat. It is Re who has recited this.
[D] Chicago, Oriental Institute Museum, OI 10589
Honoured before Osiris, Lord of Iat Mat; praised before the gods who are in the necropolis on the north of the Athribite nome; happy-hearted; of fine character; excellent of counsels; amiable to his brethren; one who delighted the heart of everyone; who carried out rituals for those in his city in order to save them from the poison of every male and female viper and every kind of snake ; who provided sustenance for those in the necropolis in order to make live those who were dead as a result and to save them from the poison of all snakes which bite; whose hands reached all men in making them live and rejoice at the sight of him, even as at the sight of their god; all of whose words were heeded by the high officials that they might act according to all his words; who did not weary searching out benefactions for his god; the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety and chief guardian of the Falcon with all his goods, Djedhor, son of Djedhor and his mother Tasheritentaihet. He says:
O my Lord, Khenty-Khety, Lord of the Athribite nome, chief of the gods, Lord of Truth on which he lives daily, who guides the hearts of gods and men. You guided my heart to take care of the Falcon in Iat Mat while I was in the service of the Falcon for many years. You found my heart upright, there being no dissimulation in my breast Before all other men you placed me when I served in your house and cared for all the goods of the Falcon in his house. It was according to your command, Lord of the Gods, that I caused all goods to accrue to the Falcon in his house. It was with all his goods and all that I had acquired that I performed every work for the Falcon, and I made provisions for the living falcons who were in this land.
Honoured before the gods in the Athribite necropolis, chief guardian of the Falcon and all his goods, Djedhor son of Tasheritentaihet.
His daughter Tasheritentaihet, daughter of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, Djedhor, and her mother Tayhesi.
His daughter, Khut, daughter of the chief guardian of the Falcon, Djedhor, and her mother Tayhesi.
His daughter, Tasheritentayisw, daughter of Djedhor, and her mother Tayhesi.
Their mother, Tayhesi, daughter of Padi-netjeru and her mother Taynoferher.
His daughter, Bastetiyw, daughter of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, Djedhor, and her mother Tayhor.
Her mother, Tayhor, daughter of the chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, and her mother Renpetnofret.
I was in charge of those who were in the embalming house. I prepared their burials in the necropolis on the north of the Athribite nome, hidden there from foreigners. I had the embalming house of the Falcon built, it being 80 cubits in length and 64 cubits in width. I had a great girdle-wall built encircling the temple of Iat Mat and the temple of the embalming house. In order to pour libations from it to the gods who are in the embalming house, I had a well constructed in stone whose depth was as far as Nun. In order to make offering therefrom daily to the gods who are in the embalming house, I had a garden made to the west of the embalming house, planted with every kind of sweet-smelling tree. I caused mrḥt-oil to be prepared with which the embalming of the Falcon is done, complete in its every mystery according to what is written. Many falcons had been found in the 'Chamber of Seventy' which had not even been embalmed. I caused them to be embalmed with this mrḥt-oil. Then I caused them to rest in the Athribite necropolis.
How much greater is that which I did than that which those who are in this necropolis did, which was put in writing on this statue in order to save every one thereby, from the poison of every male and female viper and all snakes! It is all this that I have done in the house of the Falcon. The like thereof had not ever been done by any man who came before.
The reward which the Lord of the Gods made for me, for that which I accomplished in his house.You made for me a long life in happiness. You caused my house to endure in the possession of my children, no fault of mine being found before the Lord of the Gods for ever and ever. You allowed me to become old in my city, to be honoured in my nome in the favour of the gods who are in Iat Mat.
{ The first part of the list of Djedhor's children, as above: }
Honoured before Osiris, Lord of Iat Mat, chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, Djedhor, son of Tasheritentaihet.
His eldest son, Hori, son of Djedhor and his mother Tayhesi.
His son, Horpabik, son of Djedhor and his mother Tayhesi.
His son, Djedhorpaisw, son of Djedhor and his mother Tayhesi.
His son, Irtyḥorraw, son of Djedhor and his mother Tayhesi.
His son, Djedhorpabik, son of Djedhor and his mother Tayhesi.
His son, Djedhorpanebkahet, son of Djedhor and his mother Tayhesi.
His son, Djedhorpaisherw, son of Djedhor and his mother Tayhesi.
A boon which the king gives to the gods who are in the necropolis on the north of the Arthribite nome, that they may give invocation offerings of bread and beer, cattle and fowl, wine and milk, incense and libations, mrḥt-oil, linen and alabaster, every good, pure and sweet thing on which the gods live, for the ka of the chief guardian of the Falcon Djedhor, son of Djedhor and his mother Tasheritentaihet, justified.
A boon which the king gives to Osiris, Lord of Iat Mat, and the gods and goddesses that they may give invocation offerings, libations, mrḥt-oil, linen and alabaster and every good, pure and sweet thing on which the gods live, for the ka of chief doorkeeper of Hor-Khenty-Khety, Djedhor, son of Djedhor and his mother Tasheritentaibet, justified.
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