The Journey through the Netherworld and the Death of the Sun God: A Novel Reading of Exodus 7–15 in Light of the Book of Gates

Exodus 7:8–15:21 contains a sequence of conflicts between YHWH and Pharaoh that can be divided into three parts: the Snake Confrontation, Ten Plagues Egypt, Parting Reed Sea. A careful reading entire narrative in conjunction with New Kingdom Egyptian funerary text—the Book Gates (BG)—reveals both works share number similarities terms themes, terminologies, structure. However, significant differences also occur at some crucial junctures as respective stories unfold. These findings suggest Israelite author (or group authors) might have made use tradition related to BG—with polemical changes—as one his sources framing 7–15 narrative, order juxtapose YHWH’s miracles progression Pharaoh’s impending death. In this regard, read parody already well-established myth concerning sun god’s journey through Netherworld. According parodic reading, is deity par excellence who stands above pantheon controls Egypt.