Publisher's Synopsis
The subject of this book is the ancient Egyptian offering ritual, in particular the offering of food, and the well-known offering formula. Both topics are closely related. A primary aim of the work is to present as broad a collection of references and data as possible, to establish criteria for its interpretation and to compile similar evidence so that the reader can reach his or her own conclusions. For many examples, there are already numerous, sometimes contradictory statements by other authors, which are quoted as fully as possible. In certain cases, a clear interpretation of a particular form is problematic, so different interpretations are given without deciding between them. However, some specific forms have already been correctly interpreted in recent research, which has not always been taken into account in current scholarly opinion, or has simply been overlooked. Chronological development may also play a role in the interpretation of some forms, since the grammatical interpretation of some ancient religious formulas and standard phrases may well have changed or been re-interpreted over time. The abundance of faulty or ambiguous writings has therefore lead to the manifold and often controversial discussions about the correct reading and interpretation of the so-called offering formula. The aim of this work is, in particular, to demonstrate the variety and wealth of forms of these formulas, as well as the divergent interpretations of them. However, it will hardly end the debate.
