Changes

In [[Ancient Egypt|Ancient Egyptian]] [[Egyptian Religion|Religion]], '''ma’at''' is the opposite of isfet, and is various translated as encompassing order, justice, truth and “that which is right”. Ma’at is also personified in the form of the goddess Ma’at, a daughter of [[Ra]].  

In [[Ancient Egypt|Ancient Egyptian]] [[Egyptian Religion|Religion]], '''ma’at''' is the opposite of [[isfet]] (chaos), and is various translated as encompassing order, justice, truth and “that which is right”. Ma’at is also personified in the form of the goddess Ma’at, a daughter of [[Ra]].  

== As a Concept ==

== As a Concept ==

Ma’at was both an unchangeable, fixed part of the created universe, and a fragile element that must be constantly preserved and strengthened constantly by the efforts of the [[Pharaoh]]. The first reflects the divine cosmic order placed upon the cosmos by it’s creator, [[Ra|Ra–Atum]]. As such she is the guiding principle and underlying order of the cosmos.

Ma’at was both an unchangeable, fixed part of the created universe, and a fragile element that must be constantly preserved and strengthened constantly by the efforts of the [[Pharaoh]]. The first reflects the divine cosmic order placed upon the cosmos by its creator, [[Ra–Atum]]. As such she is the guiding principle and underlying order of the [[cosmos]].

The second is the maintenance of this order. As religion and society are one in Egyptian philosophy to separate this into “earthly” and “ritual” realms is incorrect, for there is no such distinction. The Pharaoh was responsible for maintaining ma’at both through the presentation of Ma’at before the gods in the temple, by ensuring correct ritual practices were observed, the gods honoured and temple estates maintained. He also maintained ma’at by ensuring justice, both legally and socially (the former though the judiciary, whose members bore the title “Priest of Ma’at” and possibly wore a small image of the goddess in gold) and ensuring that general law and order was maintained, and Egypt’s enemies subdued. Symbolic and literal representations of these acts and their recounting in literature dominate many Egyptian temples

The second is the maintenance of this order. As religion and society are one in [[Egyptian philosophy]] to separate this into “earthly” and “ritual” realms is incorrect, for there is no such distinction. The Pharaoh was responsible for maintaining ma’at both through the presentation of Ma’at before the gods in the temple, by ensuring correct ritual practices were observed, the gods honored and temple estates maintained. He also maintained ma’at by ensuring justice, both legally and socially (the former though the judiciary, whose members bore the title “Priest of Ma’at” and possibly wore a small image of the goddess in gold) and ensuring that general law and order was maintained, and Egypt’s enemies subdued. Symbolic and literal representations of these acts and their recounting in literature dominate many Egyptian temples

How central these concepts, and these actions by the Pharaoh were to Egyptian culture are hard to over emphasise. The idea of order (ma’at) being threatened by chaos (isfet) is a recurrent fear in Egyptian literature and mythology.  

How central these concepts, and these actions by the Pharaoh were to Egyptian culture are hard to overemphasize. The idea of order (ma’at) being threatened by chaos (isfet) is a recurrent fear in Egyptian literature and mythology.