Customer Reviews

Jesus in the House of the Pharaohs: The Essene Revelations on the Historical Jesus

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The theories put forth in this work are indeed unorthodox, yet not to be dismissed because of that. The author believes the old testament scriptures especially to be deliberately misleading for the sake of covering up the theories put forth in this book.

The author certainly did his archaeological and historical homework, but contrary to his statement in the first chapter, he obviously does not believe the old/new testament scriptures to be reliable historical work. While I appreciated the new twist on these events of the bible, I must criticise this work for the inconsistent way the old/new testament scriptures are treated as reference material for Osman's theories.

For some aspects of Osman's theories, scriptures are treated as deliberate cover-ups of the truth, while other times they are treated as supportive of Osman's theories and to be taken at face value. The author's criteria for interpreting the old/new testament passages one way or the other is unclear all the way through the book.

I respect that Osman didn't ignore the scriptural passages that conflict with his theories and made an honest attempt to deal with those inconsistencies one by one. I am only saying that some of the explanations he gives are not convincing, while many of them are very convincing.

One minor note: those looking for a thorough examination of the Essenes, their views on Jesus and the Teacher of Righteousness (as I was), this book deals only briefly with the Essenes and focuses mainly on Jewish and Egytian history.

I wouldn't have read this seeming science fiction style book, if I hadn't read Moses and Akhenaten: The Secret History of Egypt at the Time of the Exodus by the same author before. Claiming that both are the very same person turned out to be convincing. But only after having read the book. Even though in this succeeding book Ahmed Osman goes quickly into that to pick up that line of thought in order to reveal yet more, I would have begged the author's pardon, if I hadn't read that prior book. I did not yet read The Hebrew Pharaohs of Egypt: The Secret Lineage of the Patriarch Joseph, which may help, too, in accepting this book presently reviewed. This sort of revelation simply cannot get squeezed into a pitch. The evidence will have to get presented entirely or not at all for any possibility of believing it.

That said, I find this book rather ambivalent. Sections of it are more convincing than others. The new title is a bit misleading as the majority of the book is NOT about Jesus (even less about the Essene). In 1992, this book was originally published as the more fitting "The House of the Pharaos". (I review the 2004 edition.) Only two sections focus on Jesus, in which the author avers that his mythology is based on first Joshua, then Tut-Ankh-Amun. These are the weakest parts of the book. Far more convincing is the revelation that there were actually TWO King Davids, one of them having lived some 500 years earlier and having done all the warring action described in the Bible, the latter of which remains unsubstantiated as soon as archaeology comes in - but which is very much based on history, as soon as Pharao Tuthmosis III is concerned. Also the re-connection of the rather mythological King Solomon and historic Pharao Amenhotep III is accomplished successfully. The supposed revelations about Jesus are not altogether congenial. If the author's findings should be true, then he fails to present adequate evidence. Leaving out religion for a moment, while accepting history only, I have to admit, this is the best we have to work with currently (according to what I have read so far). But this has more to do with that the Bible cannot get historically confirmed at all than with satisfactory evidence presented here.

The roles the Essene and John the Baptist play in this reasoning are ok, yet the identities (!) of Jesus appear to be rather constructed. When the Bible appears to be inconsistent with history, then that's an error. But when the same applies to the author's theories, then the reason is supposed to be a slip of ancient scribes or even a cover-up, conspiracy theory style. Occasionally, I asked myself: If I wanted to cover up, I wouldn't change a single letter in a name, but the entire name or erase that name or drop the story entirely. On the other hand, the author uses the Bible in a very literal, almost hair-splitting fashion to support his theories, as soon as it gets convenient. I find this overall sort of reasoning a bit lame to convince me. At least, these fishing parts should have been supported by more than cover-up claims, such as at least circumstantial evidence. However, the book is worth reading for the other parts and even for the challenge itself of its weaker moments, smoothing the way for further research.

Other authors contribute additional pieces of the puzzle, Ahmed Osman hasn't picked up yet. He is still writing about Joseph's multi-colored coat and Abraham attempting to sacrifice Isaac for real. Of course, there is a diametric clash between the theory that Jesus was Pharao and that he himself (and not his biological/adopting father) was a carpenter or rather: a construction worker. Variations on the meaning of "Nazarene" exist as well, which is also true for the David and Goliath story. The latter appears to be valid in a complementary way. For the other versions of all of the above read 101 Myths of the Bible, Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (Plus), Let There Be Light: The Seven Keys and probably (not read yet) The Hiram Key: Pharaohs, Freemasonry, and the Discovery of the Secret Scrolls of Jesus, books you will probably appreciate when you like this one in principle. A bit more amazing is the neglect of considering the Egyptian resurrection concept in a phenomenological approach (i.e. in the ancient Egyptian's state of mind instead of our modern one). Orthodox Egyptology blinds it as a funerary rite. However, Ahmed Osman is miles apart from orthodox Egyptology in every other matter. Yet, he is obviously not a fan of mysticism either. Pharao becoming Osiris and resurrecting is an initiation rite, emphasizing the Oneness of all, especially of (very much living) Pharao and God. Considering this would have actually contributed to the author's thesis... Read more about that e.g. in Shamanic Wisdom in the Pyramid Texts: The Mystical Tradition of Ancient Egypt. On the other hand, some of the included evidence means next to nothing, because the resemblances are not exclusive to Jesus and the respective pharao, but rather inflationary. Ostrich feathers were very commonly used as symbols in ancient Egypt, while the title of the Lord venerated by the Essenes doesn't only match Jesus, but about any holy figure there is to be found in the ancient world.

In 1997, this book was blatantly plagiarized in an abridged form by Moustafa Gadalla: Tut-Ankh-Amen: Living Image of the Lord. In contrast, in 1998, Ralph Ellis built upon the original and came to varying identities for Moses and Jesus in Jesus: Last of the Pharoahs. (And Solomon, Falcon of Sheba: The Tombs of King David, King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba Discovered by the same author). You may also be interested in "The Africans Who Wrote the Bible".

I have just recently become a fan of author Osman. While some of his theories are out there, I have been intriged and amazed at both the time and research that he has put into his books. As a student of archeology and anthropolgogy, I am thrilled to finally find an author who will go out of the way and really put to tests his beliefs. I have enjoyed his earlier books, and am looking forward to his new books. T he only problem that I find in reading this authors works, is that he leaves the reader pondering more questions then ever before. I think that he does this puposely to not only encourage his fans to buy more of his books, but also to really expand the readers own ideas and beliefs. Some of Osman's earlier books are hard to find, and after having written the author, I still have not been able to find them yet.

Jesus in the House of the Pharaohs: The Essene Revelations on the Historical Jesus by Ahmed Osman is a great book, I would give more stars if I could! *************

The author looks at issues from multiple angles, also see his other books (The Hebrew Pharaohs of Egypt: The Secret Lineage of the Patriarch Joseph and Moses and Akhenaten). Very interesting!!! So, if all the biblical (historically Jewish) characters in the Bible/Torah are Kametic Pharaohs, including Tut/Jesus, then why should the "Jews" be in Palestine? It was back in 1947 when they claimed eastern Palestine due to the findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls earlier that year, however the "findings" point to Moses as Akhenaton (See The Mystery of the Copper Scroll of Qumran: The Essene Record of the Treasure of Akhenaten), as well as David and Solomon to be Kametic Pharaohs, thus, demonstrating that ALL 3 major religions are not based on actual history, but evangelism. The world, for the most part, knows nothing, the truth, edited by corporations that run America, and a government that acts like they separate religion and state, meanwhile, it was the US and the UK (the Illegal Iraqi war's dynamic duo) that persuaded the UN to allow Israel to happen. Once again, a very interesting book, please also check out Tut-Ankh-Amen: Living Image of the Lord by Moustafa Gadalla (Paperback) and remember to keep an OPEN MIND!

PEACE/AMEN

I was interested in researching this book as I believe that Egypt had an esoteric school at the time of Jesus because it was there that He was nurtured as a child. But the review claims: "Although it is commonly believed that Jesus lived during the first century A.D., there is no concrete evidence to support this fact from the Roman and Jewish historians who would have been his contemporaries." I suggest that the author study the book: "Joshephus The Complete Works" where he will find mention of Jesus by a contemporary Jewish historian.

Given that this research was overlooked by the author, I decided not to purchase the book on the grounds that his research is selective and incomplete.

are you decieved/brainwashed/blinded/scared of the unknown/dont wanna know the truth facts about the bible because your faith will be challengeD and that is your crutch IN LIFE TO sustain life is the christian faith( the standard bible that contradicts itself) well UNWELD YOUR BRAIN AND STOP BEING SO CLOSED MINDED SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH DONT HIDE FROM IT SEEK DONT LIVE ON BLIND FAITH RESEARCH WHAT YOU HOLDing onto AS BEING THE pure TRUTH this book might solve a few things for ya