Mythical Origins of all Religions

Introduction

Religious and mythological stories often share common themes across different cultures and time periods. One striking example is the similarity between the Egyptian myth of Osiris and Set, the biblical story of Cain and Abel, and the Quranic account of Qabil and Habil. These narratives depict sibling rivalry, jealousy, and divine judgment, raising the possibility that later Abrahamic texts may have been influenced by earlier Egyptian religious traditions. This report explores these connections and examines how the *Egyptian Book of the Dead* may have shaped biblical and Quranic narratives.

The Conflict of Atum’s Descendants: Osiris and Set

In Egyptian mythology, Atum was the creator god who produced the first divine beings, leading to the birth of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky). Their children were Osiris, Isis, Set (Seth), and Nephthys.

Osiris became the ruler of Egypt and was beloved by his people, but his brother Set grew jealous. In a deceptive act, Set trapped Osiris inside a coffin and cast it into the Nile, killing him. Later, Set found Osiris' body, dismembered it, and scattered the pieces. Osiris’ wife, Isis, recovered most of the remains and, with the help of Anubis, temporarily revived him, allowing him to become the ruler of the underworld. Osiris’ son Horus eventually avenged his father by defeating Set in a divine battle.

The Biblical Story of Cain and Abel

In the Book of Genesis, Cain and Abel are the first sons of Adam and Eve. Both make offerings to God, but only Abel’s sacrifice is accepted. Out of jealousy, Cain kills his brother. As punishment, God marks Cain and sends him into exile.

This story mirrors the Egyptian myth in several ways: jealousy between brothers, the murder of the righteous sibling, and the eventual divine judgment of the murderer.

The Quranic Story of Qabil and Habil

The Quran recounts a similar story in *Surah Al-Ma'idah* (5:27-31). Two sons of Adam offer sacrifices to God, but only one is accepted. The rejected brother (Qabil) kills the accepted one (Habil) out of envy. The Quran adds a detail absent from the Bible: a raven shows Qabil how to bury his brother, introducing an early lesson in human burial rites.

This version aligns with both the biblical Cain and Abel story and the Egyptian conflict of Osiris and Set, suggesting a common ancient theme of sibling rivalry and divine judgment.

Possible Connections to the Egyptian Book of the Dead

Egyptian mythology predates both the Bible and the Quran by centuries, leading some scholars to speculate that elements of the *Book of the Dead* influenced later religious texts. Key similarities include:

• **Fratricide** – Set kills Osiris, Cain kills Abel, and Qabil kills Habil.

• **Jealousy and Divine Judgment** – The murderer in each case faces divine consequences.

• **The Afterlife and Judgment** – Osiris judges souls in the afterlife, similar to the concept of divine judgment in Christianity and Islam.

The Name Similarity: Set (Seth) and Seth

A linguistic connection exists between the Egyptian deity Set (Seth) and the biblical Seth, the third son of Adam. Though their roles differ—Set represents chaos, whereas Seth continues Adam’s righteous lineage—the name similarity suggests possible cultural or linguistic influence.

Influence of Egyptian Religion on Abrahamic Traditions

Beyond specific stories, Egyptian religious thought may have shaped Abrahamic traditions in other ways:

• **The Afterlife** – The *Book of the Dead* describes a detailed judgment process for souls, reminiscent of later Christian and Islamic beliefs in heaven, hell, and divine reckoning.

• **Moses and Egypt** – The biblical story of Moses is deeply tied to Egypt. Some theories suggest Egyptian religious concepts influenced early Israelite monotheism.

• **Akhenaten’s Monotheism** – Pharaoh Akhenaten (14th century BCE) introduced a form of monotheism centered around the sun god Aten, which some speculate may have influenced later Jewish and Islamic monotheism.

Conclusion

The similarities between Egyptian mythology, the Bible, and the Quran suggest that early religious traditions borrowed and evolved from one another. While direct borrowing from the *Book of the Dead* cannot be proven, the recurring themes of sibling rivalry, divine judgment, and the afterlife point to a shared mythological heritage. Understanding these connections helps illuminate the complex development of religious thought over time.