Evidences that support the Book of Abraham

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Question: What evidence does the Book of Abraham demonstrate to support its own antiquity?

The stories and worldviews we find in the translated text of our Book of Abraham coincide nicely with what we find from ancient Abrahamic lore

The stories and worldviews we find in the translated text of our Book of Abraham coincide nicely with what we find from ancient Abrahamic lore. Joseph Smith demonstrated extensive knowledge of these areas, which he then integrated into a theologically rich whole. He could only have received this information through revelation, since there were no resources available to him on many of these traditions. Following is a listing of the traditions along with some of the Abrahamic lore that supports the tradition

Abraham's fathers worshipped idols (Abraham 1:5-6)

Abel and the Other Pieces, p. Abel and Other Pieces, p. 287 Abü al-Fida' 2, pp. 433—34

Al—Kisä’i 68—72, p. 388 

Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 4:2, p. 352 Al-Nisa‘bu‘ri 14:13; 16:4, pp. 400, 402 Al—Rabghu‘zi 28, p. 440 Al-_Tabar1' 220; 252—70:41, pp. 334, 343 Al-T‘arafi 1, 53—55, pp. 370, 374—75 Anonymous Christian Chronicle 10, pp. 228—29 Armenian Paraphrase of Genesis: after Genesis 11:30, version A, pp. 284—85 Bar Hebraeus 2, p. 274 Book of[usher 9:6, 19; 11:45—46, pp. 138, 139, 142 Book ofthe Bee 23, p. 272 Book ofthe Cave ofTreasures 23a.1, pp. 189—90 Book ofthe Rolls 118b, pp. 207—8 Catena Severi 1, p. 241 Conflict ofAdam and Eve III, 24:1—7, pp. 220—21 Damascus Document, p. 30 Epiphanius, Panarion 1.1: Anac. 1.3.1; Proem 2.3.4, pp. 197, 198

Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers 12:61—62, p. 72

.L‘U 5378 7° Traditions about the Early Lfie ofAbraham Ibn al-Tayyib 7:1—2, p. 253 ' Ibn Kathir 11, p. 455

Ishäq ibn Bishr 161B:3, p. 312 John Chrysostom, p. 193 

Jubilees 11:4, 7, 16, pp. 14, 15 Judith 5:7, p. 4 Kebra Nagast 1, p. 277 Mahbu’b of Menbidj (Agapius) 2, pp. 247—48

Michael Glycas 1, p. 265 

Michael the Syrian 2.3.3, 2.5, p. 262 Midrush Rubbuh Numbers 2:12, p. 107 Qiqel and Yahya 2, pp. 488—89 Qu1°an 21:53; 26:70—76, pp. 293, 295 Symeon Logothetes 2, pp. 250—51 Syrzu'c Commentary on Genesis 7, p. 243 Targum Neofiti 1 Genesis 20:13, p. 69

See also Pirqe de Rabbi Eliezer 26, pp. 45—46

Idols were made of wood and stone (Abraham 1:11)

Anonymous Christian Chrom‘cle 10, pp. 228—29 Apocalypse ofAbraham 1:2; 25:1, pp. 52, 59 Book ofJasher 9:6—8, 19; 11:32, 42—45, 47, pp. 138—39, 141, 142 Book of the Cave of Treasures 23a.2, p. 190 Book of the Rolls 119a, p. 208 Chronicles ofJerahmeel 34:10, p. 132 Conflict ofAdam and Eve III, 24:1, p. 220 Epiphanius, Panarion 1.1: Anac. 1.3.3; Proem 2.3.5, pp. 197, 198 Hecataeus, p. 3 Kebru Nugust 12—13, pp. 277—78 Qiqel and Yahya 2, pp. 488—89

Terah, Abraham’s father, worshiped idols (Abraham 1:16—17, 27)

Abu‘ al—Fidä 2, pp. 433-—34 Al-Bukhäri 569, pp. 327—28 Al-Kisa'ü' 9, 41, pp. 382, 385 Al—Nisa‘bu‘ri 14:1; 15:2—3, pp. 397, 400—401 Al-Rabghu’zi 12, 17, 20, pp. 437—39 Al-Tabari 224—25; 252-70:11, 18, 41; 346—47:1,pp. 334, 336—38, 343, 349 Al-T_arafi 27—29, p. 372 Al-Tha‘labi 2:3, p. 361

Al-Ya‘qu’bi 2, p. 330
Apocalypse of Abraham 1:1; 25:1; 26:1, pp. 52, 59, 60 

Augustm'e, City of God 16.12, pp. 200—201 Book ofIasher 9:7; 11:20-22, 29, 32—33, 42—48, 53, pp. 138, 140—42 Cutenu Severi 5, p. 241 Chronicles ofJerahmeel 33:1, 5, pp. 129, 130 Conflict of Adam and Eve III, 24:9; IV, 1:2, pp. 221, 222 Epiphanius, Panarion 1.1: Anac. 1.3.3; Proem 2.3.5, pp. 197, 198

Falasha Story 3, p. 486 

George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 George Syncellus 1, 5, pp. 224, 225

Ibn al—Athir 6, pp. 423—24 

Ibn Isha‘q 7, p. 305

Ibn Kathir 13, 16, pp. 455—56 

Isha'q ibn Bishr 165B27—8, p. 318 Jacob of Edessa 4, p. 212 John Malalas, p. 206 Jubilees 11:16, p. 15

Ka‘b al-Ahba‘r 10, p. 300
Mz'drush Rubbuh 

Genesis 38:13, p. 91; Numbers 19:1; 29:33, p. 111

Pesiktu Rubbuti 33:3a—b, pp. 80—81 

Qur’an 6:74; 19:42; 26:86; 60:4, pp. 292, 293, 295, 296 Revelation ofMoses, p. 180 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 14, p. 168 Symeon Logothetes 2, pp. 250—51 Tunnu debe Eliyahu 2, 5, pp. 74—75 Turgum Neofiti 1 Deuteronomy 6:4, p. 70 Zohar: Genesis 78b, pp. 157—58

Terah, after repenting, returned to his idols (Abraham 2:5)

Abü al-Fida' 2, pp. 433—34 Al—Kisä’i 72, p. 388 Al-T‘aban‘ 252—70241; 325—2621, pp. 343, 349 Apocalypse of Abraham 26:3, p. 60 Book of Jasher 12:68, p. 149 Chronicles of Jerahmeel 35:1, p. 133 Ibn al-Tayyib 7:6, pp. 254-55 Qur'an 60:4, p. 296 Tanna debe Eliyahu 8, pg. Zohar: Genesis 77b, 78b, pp. 155-56, 157-58

Abraham connected to Egyptian Idols (Abraham 1:6-7, 13,17,20,29; 2:13; 3:20; Facisimle 1, figures 4-9)

Bar Hebraeus 4, pp. 274-75 Kebra Nagast 82, pp. 279-80 Michael Glycas 1, p. 265

Children were sacrificed (Abraham 1:7-8, 10-11)

Al-Baida‘wi 2:4, 8, p. 428 Al-Biru’ni 2, p. 369 Al-Kisa"1' 32, 41, 43, 98, pp. 384, 385, 386, 390 Al-Maqdisi 48, p. 355 Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 3:1, pp. 351—52 Al-Nisa'bu'ri 14:2, p. 397 Al-Rabghu‘zi 11, p. 436 Al-Tabari 204-521; 206, pp. 332—33 Al-Tha‘labi 1:2—3, pp. 358—59 Anonymous Christian Chronicle 10, pp. 228—29

Apocalypse of Abraham 2522—3, p. 60 

Bakhayla Mikä’eAl (Zo‘srrn‘a‘s) 16b.2, p. 282 Book of [usher 8:34, p. 138 Book ofthe Cave of Treasures 23b.2‚ pp. 190—91 Book ofthe Rolls 120a, pp. 208-9 Conflict of Adam and Eve III, 24:15—17; 25:1, 8, pp. 221—22 Falasha Story 3, p. 486 Ibn al-Athir 3, p. 422 Ibn Ishäq 3, p. 304 Isha'q ibn Bishr 1628:6; 163A:6‚' 166A:1; 166B210—11; 167A:8—9, pp. 313, 314, 319, 320, 321 Kebra Nagast 12, p. 277 Petrus Comestor, pp. 267-68

Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 188, p. 41 

Pseudo-Philo 4:16, p. 21 Other Musllm' Traditions: ProphetAbraham 3, pp. 459—60 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 3, 5, p. 165

Those who would not worship idols were killed (Abraham 1:11)

Al-Kisa"1' 85—87, 98, pp. 389, 390 Alcuin, Interrogationes et responsiones in Genesim 152, p. 217 Anonymous Christian Chronicle 6, 27, pp. 228, 230—31 Asatir 5:27, p. 469 Bede, Commentarium in Pentateuchem, p. 214 Bede (7.), Quaestiones super Genesim, pp. 214—15

Commentarium in Genesim, p. 205 

Expositio super septem vz’siones, commentm'g on Rev. 6:4, p. 218 Falasha Story 4, pp. 486—87 Freculphus Lexoviensis, pp. 234—35 Jerome, Quaestiones Hebraicrze in Genesim 11:28, pp. 194—96 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 44:7, p. 98 Other Mushm' Traditions: Prophet Abraham 7, p. 461 Rabanus Maurus, Commentaria in Genesim, pp. 232—33 Rupertus Tuitensrs‘, Commentarium in Ioannem 4, pp. 257—58

Abraham was brought to be killed or sacri-ficed because he would not worship idols (Abraham 1:7, 12, 15; Facsimle 1, figure 3)

Abu' al-Fida' 2, pp. 433-44 Al-Baida‘wi 4:8, p. 431 Al-Bukha‘n’ 579, p. 329 Al-Kisä’i 135, p. 393

Al-Maqdisi 53-54, pp. 355—56 

Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 4:2, p. 352; News 1, p. 353 Al-Nisäbu'ri 18:2; 19:2, pp. 404, 405—6 Al-Rabghuz‘i 31—43, 47, pp. 441—44, 445-46 Al-Tabari 252—70:4, 27—37; 316-17:1—2; 318—2421—2; 346—47zl—2, pp. 335, 340—42, 345, 346, 349—50 Al-Tarafi 88—93, pp. 377—78 Al-Tha‘labi 2:10, 12, pp. 364—65, 366 Al-Ya‘qübi 3, p. 331 Al-Zamakhshari 2:578, pp. 412—13 Alcum', Interrogationes et responsiones in Genesim 152, p. 217 Angelomus Luxoviensis, Commentarium in Genesim, pp. 239—40 Anonymous Christian Chronicle 6, p. 228

Asatz'r 5:27, p. 469 

Augustine, City of God 16.15; Quaestiones in Heptateuchum, pp. 202—3, 204 Babylonian Talmud ‘Erubin 53a, pp. 119—20; Pesahz'm 118a, p. 120; Sunhedrz'n 93a, pp. 121—22; A‘bodah Zarah 3a, p. 122

Book of [usher 12:6, 23, pp. 144, 145 

Bede, Hexaemeron 3—4, pp. 213—14 Bede (.7), Quaestiones super Genesz'm, 214—15 Catena Severi 8, p. 242 Chronicles of Ierahmeel 33:4—5; 34:12, pp. 130, 132

Commentarium in Genesim, p. 205 

De computo, p. 226 Expositio super septem vz'siones, commenting on Rev. 1:13, p. 218 Falasha Story 4, pp. 486—87 Freculphus Lexoviensis, pp. 234—35 Glossa ordz'naria, p. 236 Herveus Burgidolensis, p. 260 Hugh of St. Victor, p. 259

Ibn al-Athir 10, p. 425
Ibn al-Jawzi 2, pp. 419—20

Ibn Isha‘q 13, p. 307 Ibn Kathir 26, p. 457

Ioannes Zonaras, p. 261 

Isha‘q ibn Bishr 168A:17; 1683:5—6, p. 323 Jacob of Edessa 8, p. 212 Jerome, Quaestiones Hebraicae in Genesim, commentm'g on Genesis 11:28; 12:4, pp. 194—96 Judith 8:27, p. 5 Ka‘b al-Ahba‘r 11, p. 300 Mz'drash Rabbah Genesis 34:9; 38:13; 39:3; 42:3, 7; 44:4, 7; 48:1, pp. 90, 91, 92, 96, 97, 98, 100; Exodus 44:5; 49:2, p. 104;

Leviticus 11:7; 36:4, pp. 105, 106—7; 

Numbers 2:12; 12:8, pp. 107, 110; Deuteronomy 9:4, p. 112; Ruth Proem 7:1, p. 112; Ecclesiastes 4:81, p. 114; Esther Proem 11; 6:2, pp. 114, 115;

Song of Songs 1:13.1; 225.1; 326.2; 3:11.1; 8:8.2, pp. 115, 116—17, 118 

Nicophorus Gregoras, p. 276

Other Mushm' Traditions: Yusuf, p. 463
Pesikta Rabbati 33:4a, p. 81 Petrus Comestor, pp. 267—68
Pseudo-Philo 6:16, p. 24 

Qiqel and Yahya 11, p. 489 Qur’an 21:68; 37:97, pp. 294, 296 Rabanus Maurus, pp. 232—33 Rashi, regardm'g Genesis 11:28, p. 125

Ra'wandi 3, 8, 10, pp. 415, 416, 417
Rupertus Tuitensis, Commentarium in Ioamzem 4, pp. 257—58 

Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 25, 29, pp. 172, 173

Study (Midrash) ofAbraham Our Father 3, p. 179 

Tanna debe Eliyahu 1—3, 6, pp. 74—75, 76 Targum Ionatlzrm Genesis 11:28; 14:1; 16:5, pp. 66, 67 Targum Rishon of Esther 5:14, p. 71 Zohar: Genesis 77b, pp. 155—56; Leviticus 57a, pp. 162—63

Terah was behind the attempt to kill Abraham (Abraham 1:7, 30)

Al-Nisa'bu‘ri 15:4, p. 401

Book of Iasher 11:51, p. 143

Falasha Story 3, p. 486 lsha‘q ibn Bishr 163828, p. 315 Qur’an 19:46; 26:86; 60:4, pp. 293, 295, 296 Rashi, regardm'g Genesis 11:28, p. 125 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 8, pp. 166—67

Abraham was fastened or bound (Abraham 1:15; Facsimile 1, figure 2)

Al-Baida‘wi 4:4, 7, pp. 430, 431 Al-Nisa'bu‘ri 18:2; 19:2, pp. 404, 405—6 Al-Rabghu‘zi 33—34, p. 442 Al-T_araf1' 109, p. 379 Al-Tha‘labi 2:10—11, pp. 364—66 Al-Zamakhshari 2:578, pp. 412—13 Book of [usher 12:23, p. 145 Chronicles of Ierahmeel 33:4, p. 130 Ibn Kathir 25, p. 457 Isha‘q ibn Bishr 168A:14; 168B26, pp. 322, 323 Philo the Epic Poet, p. 6

Ra'wandi 10, p. 417 

Story _ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 29, p. 173 Study (Mz'drnsh) of Abraham OurFather 3, p. 179

Tamza debe Eliyahu 4, p. 75

When his life was in danger, Abraham prayed (Abraham 1:15)

Al-Baidäwi 4:7, p. 431

Al-Kisä’i 138, p. 393 

Al-T_abari 252—70:31, p. 341

Al—Tarafi 90—93, pp. 377—78 

Al—Tha‘labi 2:10—11, pp. 364—66 Ibn al-Jawzi 2, pp. 419—20

Ibn Kathir 26, p. 457 

Philo the Epic Poet, p. 6 Ra‘wand1‘4—5, pp. 415—16 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 11, 29, pp. 167, 173 Contrast al—Rabghu‘zi 39, pp. 443—44

An angel came to rescue Abraham (Abraham 1:15; 2:13; Facsimile 1, figure 1)

AI-Baidäwi 4:8, 11, pp. 431—32 Al-Kisa"i 52, 88, 138—39, 142, pp. 387, 389, 393, 394 Index A: Thematic 0 541 Al-Rabghu‘zi 35, 38, 42, pp. 443, 444 Al-Tabari 252—7031, 33—34, pp. 341-42 Al-Tarafi 93—96, p. 378 Al-Tha‘labi 2:10, pp. 364—65 Al-Zamakhshari 2:578, pp. 412—13 Babylonian Talmud Pesahim 118a, p. 120 Chronicles of Iorahmecl 34:13; 35:3, pp. 133, 134 Falasha Story 4, pp. 486—87

Ibn al—Athir 10—11, pp. 425—26 

Ibn al-Iawzi 2, pp. 419—20 Ibn Isha’q 13—14, pp. 307—8 Ibn Kathir 27—30, p. 457 Isha’q ibn Bishr 168B23—4, 8, 11, p. 323 Ka‘b al-Ahbär 13, p. 301 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 44:13, p 99; Exodus 18:5, p. 103; Song of Songs 1:12.1; 3:11.1, pp. 116-17 Other Mushm' Traditions: Prophet Abraham 6, p. 461 Ra‘wandi 4, 6, pp. 415, 416 Story of Abraham . . . with Nimrod 32, p. 174 Study (Mz'drash) ofAbraham Our Father 4, p. 179

God rescued Abraham from death (Abraham 1: 16; 3:20)

Al-Kisa"i 139—41, p. 393 Al—Maqdisi 53—54, pp. 355—56 Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 4:2, p. 352;

News 1, p. 353
Al-Nisa‘bu‘ri 18:3, p. 404 

Al-Rabghu'zi 49, p. 446 Al-T,araf1' 112, p. 379 Al-Ya‘qu'bi 3, p. 331 Alcum’, Interrogationes et responsz'ones in Genesim, p. 217 Angelomus Luxoviensis, Commentarium in Genesim on Genesis 12:4, pp. 239—40

Asatir 5:27, p. 469 

Babylonian Talmud Pesohim 118a, p. 120

Bede, Hexaemeron 3, 4, pp. 213-14 

Bede (7.), Quaestiones super Genesim, pp. 214—15 Book of [asher 12:24, 38, pp. 145, 146 Chronicles of Ierahmeel 33:6; 34:13, pp. 130, 133 Commentarium in Genesim, p. 205 Ethiopic Story of loseph, p. 281 Asatir 5:16; 6:11, 24, pp. 467, 472, 473—74 (continued) Bar Hebraeus 1, 7, pp. 274, 275 Freculphus Lexoviensis, pp. 234—35 Book oflas/1er 11:33—36, p. 141 Glossa ordiuarla', p. 236 Book of the Bee 23, 30, pp. 272, 273 Isha‘q ibn Bishr 1688:6—7, p. 323 Jerome, Commentarium in Isaiam; Quaestiones Hebraicae in Genesim on Genesis 11:28; 12:4; Vulgate Ezra, pp. 194—96 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 63:2, p. 102; Exodus15:12; 18:5; 23:4, p. 103; Numbers 12:8, p. 110; Deuteronomy 2:27, p. 111; Song of Songs 3:11.1, p. 117 Pesikta Rabbati 33:4a, p. 81 Phflo the Epic Poet, p. 6

Pirqe de Rabbi Eliezer 26, pp. 45-46
Pseudo-Philo 6:9; 23:5; 32:1, pp. 22, 24—25 

Rabanus Maurus, pp. 232—33 Ra‘Wandi 4, 8, pp. 415, 416 Rupertus Tujtensis, Commentarium in ]oannem 4, pp. 257—58 Story ofAbraham 8, p. 177 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 11, 32, p. 167, 174 Study (Midrash) ofAbraham Our Father 4, p. 179 Targum Jonathan Genesis 15:7, p. 67 Targum Neofiti 1 Genesis 15:7, p. 69 Book of the Cave of Treasures 23b.1; 24a.1, pp. 190, 191

Book of the Rolls 119b, 120a, pp. 208—9 Catena Severi 6—7, p. 242 

Chronicles ofJerahmeel 34:9, 11, p. 132 Conflict ofAdam and Eve III, 24:8; 25:2, p. 221

Falasha Story 3, p. 486 

George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 George Syncellus 3, 5, pp. 224, 225

Ibn al-Athir 3, 6, pp. 422, 423—24 

Ibn Isha‘q 2, 7, pp. 304, 305

Ibn Kathir 17, 19, p. 456 

Isha‘q ibn Bishr 165B:11,' 166A:13—14, 17, pp. 318, 319 Jacob of Edessa 6—7, p. 212 John Malalas, p. 206 Jubilees 12:12, p. 17

Kebra Nagast 13, pp. 277—78 

Michael the Syrian 2.3.4, 2.6.6, 3.1.1, pp. 262, 263 Other Mushm' Traditions: Prophet Abraham 5, pp. 460—61 Philaster of Brescia, p. 199

The altar (furnace) and the idols were destroyed (Abraham 1:20)

Pseudo-Philo 6:18, p. 24 Qur’an 21:57—58, p. 294 Rashi, regardm'g Genesis 11:28, p. 125 Al-Birüni 2, p. 369 Räwandi 10, p. 417 Al-Kisa"1‘ 41, 129, pp. 385, 392 Study (Midrash) of Abraham Our Father 1, p. 178 Al-Mas‘u‘di, News 1, p. 353 Story of Abraham 5, p. 176 Al-Nisa‘bu'ri 17:2, p. 402 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 23, p. 171 Al—Rabghüzi 6, 22, 43, 66, pp. 436, 439—40, 450 Symeon Logothetes 2, pp. 250—51 Al-T_abar1‘ 252—7026, 19—20; 318—2426, 9, pp. 335—36, 338—39, 347—48

The priest (or leader) was smitten and died Abraham 1:20, 29

Al-T_araf1‘ 60, 70, pp. 375, 376 Al-Tha‘labi 2:3, 6, pp. 361, 362—63 Al-Kisa‘h‘ 42, 159, pp. 385, 395 Al-Ya‘qu'bi 3, p. 331 Al-Mas‘u'di, News 1, p. 353 Al-Zamakhshari 2:576, p. 412 Al-Nisa‘bu‘ri 19:2, pp. 405—6 Anonymous Christian Chrom'cle 8, 23, Al-Rabghu‘zi 60, p. 448 pp. 228, 230 Al-Tabari 252—7029; 318-2422, pp. 340, 342 Apocalypse ofAbraham 8:6, p. 57 Al-„Tarafi 99, p. 378 Bar Hebraeus 1, 7, pp. 274, 275 Catena Severi 6—7, p. 242 George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38

George Syncellus 3, 5, pp. 224, 225

Jacob of Edessa 6—7, p. 212

Iubilees 12:14; 22:22, pp. 17, 20

Michael the Syrian 2.3.4, 2.6.6, pp. 262, 263 Other Mushm' Traditions: ProphetAbraham 5, 9, pp. 473—74 Pseudo-Philo 6:9, 17 pp. 22, 24 Qur’an 37:98, p. 296 Ra'wandi 6, p. 416 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 28, p. 173 Symeon Logothetes 2, pp. 250-51

Abraham was heir to the priesthood of his fathers (Abraham 1:2-3, 18)

Ibn al-Tayyib 7:6, pp. 254—55 Midrash Rabbah Leviticus 25:6, p. 105; Numbers 4:8, p. 109

Mishnah Aboth 5:2, p. 62

Abraham held the priesthood (Abraham 1:2; 2:9, 11; Facsimile 2, figure 3; Facsimile 3, figure 1)

Al-Nisa'bu'ri 18:4, p. 404 Babylonian Talmud Nedarz'm 32b, pp. 120—21

Georgius Cedrenus 1, pp. 269—70 

Kebra Nagast 105, p. 280 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 46:5; 55:6, pp. 100, 101; Leviticus 25:6, p. 105; Numbers 4:8; 10:1, p. 109; Song of Songs 5215.1, p. 117

Pesz‘kta Rabbati 40:6a, p. 81
Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 98, p. 41

Abraham was linked to Noah (Abraham 1:19; Facsimile 2, figure 3)

Al-Kisa"1' 46, p. 386 Al-,Tabari 252—70z6, pp. 335—36 Augustin'e, City of God 16.12, p. 200

Book of Iasher 9:5—6, 10—11, 19; 12:61, pp. 138, 139, 148 

Book of the Bee 30, p. 273

Ibn al-Tayyib 7:3, p. 253

Iubilees 21:10, p. 19 Qur’an 37:83, p. 296

===Believes are the seed of Abraham and are blessed through him (Abraham 2:10-11) Armenian Paraphrase of Genesis: after Genesis 11:30, versions A and B, pp. 284-85 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 14:6, pp. 89—90 Qur’an 14:36, p. 293

Abraham sought God earnestly (Abraham 2:12)

Al-Kisa‘fi' 51, pp. 386—87

Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 4:1, p. 352 

Al-Rabghu'zi 16, p. 438 Al-T_abari 252—7028—10, p. 336 Al-Tha‘labi 2:10, pp. 364—65 Apocalypse of Abraham 7:12; 8:3, pp. 56, 57 Armenian Paraphrase of Genesis: after Genesis 11:30, versions A and B, pp. 284—85 Augustine, City of God 10.32, p. 200 Book ofIasher 11:14, p. 140 Clementine Recognitions 33, p. 186 Falasha Story 2, pp. 485—86 George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 Gregory of Nyssa, pp. 187—88 Ibn Isha‘q 5—6, pp. 304—5 [ubilees 11:17, p. 15 Kebra Nagast 14, pp. 278—79 Medieval Testament ofNaphtali 10:2, p. 128 Michael the Syrian 2.6.2, p. 263 Other Muslim Traditions: Prophet Abraham 5, pp. 460—61 Pcsikta Rabbati 3323a, p. 80 Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 68, p. 39 Pirqe dc Rabbi Eliewr 26, pp. 45—46 Zohar: Genesis 76b, 86a, pp. 155, 160—61

Abraham made converts in Haran (Abraham 2:15)

’Abot de Rabbi Nathan 12, version A, pp. 63—64, Abu‘ al-Fida' 3, p. 434 AI-Kisa"1' 85, 121, 160, pp. 389, 391—92, 395 Al—Nisa‘bu‘ri 22:1, p. 410 Al-Rabghuz‘i 30, 61, 68—69, pp. 441, 449, 451—52 Al-Iabari 252—70:41, p. 343 Al-Tha‘labi 3:1, p. 367 Book of lasher 12:41—43; 13:2, 10, 21, 24, pp. 147, 149, 150, 151 Chronicles of [erahmeel 34:13, p. 133 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 39:14, 16; 48:2; 84:4, pp. 93—94, 100, 102; Numbers 14:11, p. 110; Esther 6:2, p. 115; Song of Songs 1.33, p. 115 Other Mushm' Traditions: Prophet Abraham 11, p. 463 Pesikta Rabbati 43:6, p. 83 Qur’an 14:36, p. 293 Rashi, regardm'g Genesis 12:5, p. 126 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 33, p. 174 Study (Midrash) ofAbraham Our Father 5, p. 179 Targum lonathan Genesis 12:5, p. 66 Targum Neofitz' 1 Genesis 12:5, p. 69 Targum anelos Genesis 12:5, p. 73 Zohar: Genesis 78b, 79a—b, 86b, 88b, pp. 157—58, 161; Exodus 129a, 147b, p. 162 Compare Sefer Yetzirah Gra-Ari 6:7, pp. 86—87

Abraham possessed the Urim and Thummim, by means of which he received revelation from God (Abraham 3:1,4)

Babylonian Talmud Baba Bathra 16b, p. 123 Bahir 190, 192, pp. 50—51 Compare George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38

====Abraham was knowledgable about astronomy, which he learned from ancient records and from God (Abraham 1:31, 3:1-18; Facsimile 2 and 3)

4 Ezra 3:14, p. 61 AI—Baidäwi 2:2, 13—14, 18, 20—21, pp. 427, 429—30 Al—Kisa"1‘ 51, pp. 386-87 Al—Maqdisi 53—54, pp. 355—56 Al-Nisa‘bu‘ri 1419—10, p. 399 Al-Rabghu’zi 4, 16, pp. 436, 438 A1—T_abari 252—7028—9, 16—17; 316—1721—5, pp. 336, 338, 345 A1—T.araf1‘ 31—32, 42—43, 52, pp. 373, 374 Al-Tha‘labi 2:1-2, pp. 360—61 Al-Ya‘qu'bi 1, p. 330 Alcuin, Epistola 83, p. 216 Anonymous Christian Chronicle 7, p. 228 Apocalypse of Abraham 19:3—9, p. 57 Armenian Paraphrase of Genesis: after Genesis 11:30, versions A and B, pp. 284—85 Babylonian Talmud Shabbath 156a—b, p. 119; Yoma 28b, p. 120 Book ofIasher 9:17—18, p. 139 Book of the Cave of Treasures 25a.1, p. 192 Book of the Rolls 122a, pp. 209—10 Chronicles of[erahmeel 35:4, p. 134 Clementine Recognitions 32, pp. 185—86 De computo, p. 226 Eupolemus 3—4, p. 8 Falasha Story 2, pp. 485—86 Fimu'cus Matemus, Mathesis 4 Proem 5; 4.17.2, 5; 4.18.1; 8.35—84.14, pp. 478-84 George Hamartolos, pp. 237—38 George Syncellus 4, pp. 225 Gregory of Nyssa, pp. 187—88 Ibn al—Athir 4—5, pp. 422—23 Ibn a1~]awzi 1, pp. 418—19 Ibn Isha‘q 4—5, 7, pp. 304—5 lsha'q ibn Bishr 164A:13, 17; 164821—4, p. 316 Josephus, Antiquities of the Iews 1.7.1—2; 1.8.2, pp. 47-48, 49 luliilees 11:8; 12:17, pp. 15, 17 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 44:12; 48:6; 53:4, pp. 99, 100, 101; Exodus 38:6, p. 104; Numbers 2:12, 14, pp. 107—8 Orphica 27—29, pp. 12—13 Other Muslim Traditions: Turkish 5, p. 459 Pesikta Rabbati 11:4a; 43:1, pp. 78, 82 Philo of Alexandria, De Mutatione Nominum 67, 72, p. 36; De Sonmiis 53—54, p. 37; Quaestiones et Solutiones in Genesin 3.42—43, pp. 42—43 Pseudo-Philo 18:5, p. 24 Qiqel and Yahya 1, 7, pp. 488, 489 Qur’an 6:75, p. 292 Räwandi 2, p. 415 Sefer Yetzirah Gra-Ari 6:7; Short 6:4; Long 6:8, pp. 86—87 Sibylline Oracles 3218—28, p. 11 Symeon Logothetes 1—2, pp. 249—50 Vettius Valens, Anthologiae 2.29.1-6, pp. 476—77 Zohar: Genesis 80a, 86a, pp. 158, 160—61 Contrast Zohar: Numbers 148a, p. 163

Abraham taught astronomy to the Egyptians (Abraham Facsimile 3)

Anonymous Work, p. 10 Artapanus, p. 7 Eupolemus 8, p. 8—9 George Syncellus 5, pp. 225 Index A: Thematic 0 545 Ioannes Zonaras, p. 261 Josephus, Antiquities ofthe Jews 1.8.2, p. 49 Zohar: Genesis 83a, p. 160 Contrast Chronicles of lerahmeel 35:4, p. 134; Mahbu‘b of Menbidj (Agapius) 4, p. 248

Earth has four quarters (Abraham Fac-simile 2, figure 6)

Book oflasher 8:2, 10; 12:9, pp. 135, 136, 144 Chronicles ofIerahmeel 34:1, pp. 130—31 Story ofAbraham 1, p. 175 Zohar: Genesis 78a, pp. 156-57

Abraham knew about the creation (Abraham 1:31; 4-5)

Al—Nisäbu’ri 14:10, p. 399 A1-T_araf1' 53—54, pp. 374—75 Al-Tha‘labi 2:1, pp. 360—61 Apocalypse ofAbraham 7:10—11; 19:9; 21:1—6, pp. 56, 57, 58 Chronicles ofIerahmeel 34:3, p. 131 Clementine Recognitions 33, p. 186 Ibn Isha‘q 4, p. 304 Ioannes Zonaras, p. 261

lubilees 12:19, p. 17

====There was advance planning for the creation (Abraham 4:31-55; Moses 3:4-5) Apocalypse ofAbraham 22:2, p. 59

The elements of the earth obeyed God (Abraham 4:9-12, 18, 21, 24-25, 31)

Apocalypse ofAbraham 19:9, p. 57

Abraham saw the premortal spirits (Abraham 3:21-24)

Al-Kisä’i 28, p. 384 A1-T.abar1‘ 216, p. 333 Al-T,araf1‘ 32, p. 373 Apocalypse ofAbraham 19:6—7; 21:7—22:5, pp. 57, 58—59

Book ofIasher 12:38, p. 146 

Clementine Recognitions 33, p. 186 Firmicus Maternus, Mathesis 4.18.1, p. 479 Medieval Testament of Naphtali 9:5, p. 127 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 14:6, pp. 89—90; Ecclesiastes 3:112, p. 113 Philo of Alexandria, De Cherubim 4, p. 35 Scfer Yetzirah Long 6:8; Saadia 8:5, pp. 87—88 Symeon Logothetes 2, pp. 250-51 Vettius Valens, Anthologla‘e 2.29.1—6, pp. 476—77

The Lord instructed Abraham to say that Sarah was his sister (Abraham 2:22—25)

Bakhayla M1k“a"él (Zo‘srm‘a‘s) 17b.1, p. 283 Genesis Apocryphon XIX, 14-21, pp. 26—27 Isha‘q ibn Bishr 169B:17—170A:1, p. 325 Zohar: Genesis 81b, 82a, p. 159 Contrast Zohar: Genesis 82a, p. 159; see al-Tarafi 115, pp. 379—80

Abraham possessed records from the fathers (Abraham 1:28, 31)

Al—Mas‘u’di, Meadows 4:5, p. 353; News 2,p. 353 Al-T_abari 350, p: 350 Al-Tha‘labi 1:2, p. 358 Book of Noah, versions B and C, p. 124 Eupolemus 8, pp. 8—9 Genesis Apocryphon XIX, 25, p. 27 Ibn al-T,ayyib 7:3, p. 253 jubilees 11:16; 12:27; 21:10, pp. 15, 18, 19 Midmsh Rabbah 39:10, p. 93 Zohar: Genesis 55b, p. 154

Abraham left a record of his own Abraham 1:31)

Babylonian Talmud A‘bodah Zarah 14b, 25a, pp. 122, 123 Firmicus Maternus, Mathesis 4 Proem 5; 4.17.5; 4.18.1; 8.3.5, pp. 478, 479 Iubilees 39:6, p. 20 Qur’an 87:19—20, p. 297 Sefer Yetzirah Gra-Ari 6:7; Short 6:4; Long 6:8, pp. 86—87 Vettius Valens, Anthologiae 2.28.3, p. 476

The founding of Egypt (Abraham 1:21-27)

Al-Kisä’i 59—60, p. 387 Al-Mas‘u‘di, Meadows 3:1, pp. 351—52 Al-Rabghu’zi 9, p. 436 Al—T_abar1' 215; 216; 252—7025, 42, pp. 333, 335, 343 Al-Tha‘labi 1:1; 3:1, pp. 357—58, 367 Anonymous Christian Chronicle 16, p. 229 Armenian Question, p. 286 Artapanus, p. 7 Book ofthe Cave of Treasures 22b2, p. 189 Book of the Rolls 118b, pp. 207—8 Conflict ofAdam und Eve III, 23:4—8, pp. 219—20 Genesis Apocryphon XIX, 13, p. 26 Ibn al-T_ayyib 6:2, p. 253 Mahbüb of Menbidj (Agapius) 3, p. 248 Other Muslim Traditions: Turkish 1, p. 458 Targum Ionathan Genesis 1621, 5, p. 67 Zohar: Genesis 73a, pp. 154—55 Contrast Abu' al—Fida‘ 3, p. 433; al-T‚abari 325—26:1, p. 349

Pharoah was a descendant of Ham but also of Canaan (Abraham 1:21-22, 24-25, 27)

Al-Baida’wi 2:1, p. 427 Al-Tarafi 4, 35, pp. 371, 373 Al-Tha‘labi 1:1, pp. 357—58 Eupolemus 9, p. 9 Jubilees 22:20-21, p. 20 Peskita Rabbati 21:22, p. 80 Story ofAbraham . . . with Nimrod 7, p. 166

The first pharaoh, a good man, was blessed by Noah (Abraham 1:26)

Ibn al-Tayyib 6:1-2, pp. 252-53 Other Muslim Traditions: Turkish 1-2, pp. 458-59

Abraham was allowed to sit on a king's throne (Abraham Facsimile 3, figure 1)

Al-Kisa'i 170, p. 396 Al-Rabhguzi 64-65, 69, pp. 449-50, 451-52 Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 108b, p. 122 Book of Jasher 15:22, p. 153 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 42:5, 55:6, pp. 97,101; Deuteronomy 2:33, p. 112; Ecclesiastes 4:14.1, p. 114 Tanna debe Eliyahu 8-9, p. 76

There was a famine in Abraham's homeland (Abraham 1:29-30; 2:1, 5)

Al-Kisa"1‘ 120, p. 391 Al-Rabghu'zi 29, 44, pp. 441, 445 Anonymous Christian Chronicle 26, p. 230 Bar Hebraeus 6, p. 275 Catena Severi 2, p. 241 Jacob of Edessa 2, p. 211

Iubilees 11:11—13, p. 15 

Michael the Syrian 2.6.2, p. 263 Midrash Rabbah Genesis 25:3; 40:3; 64:2, pp. 90, 94, 102 Other Musllm' Traditions: Turkish 4, p. 459 Philo of Alexandria, De Abrahamo 91, p. 40

Abraham prayed that God would end the famine in Chaldea (Abraham 2:17)

Al-Kisa"1' 121, pp. 391—92 Al-Rabghu‘zi 44, p. 445 Catena Severi 3—4, p. 241 Jacob of Edessa 3, pp. 211—12 Iubilees 11:18—24, pp. 15—16

Haran died in the famine (Abraham 2:1)

Al-Rabghu’zi 21, 47, pp. 439, 445—46

Abraham was sixty-two years of age when he left Haran, not seventy five as Genesis says (Abraham 2:14)

Al-Mas‘u‘di, News 2, p. 353 Babylonian Talmud A‘bodalz Zarah 9a, p. 122 Genesis Commentary: 4QcommGen A, p. 31 Georgius Cedrenus 3, p. 270 Pesikta Rabbati 42:3a, pp. 81—82 Sa‘id ibn Batriq (Eutychius) 3, p. 246 Contrast Isha‘q ibn Bishr 169A216, p. 324

Abraham became like God (Doctrine and Covenants 132: 29, 37, 49)

Armenian Paraphrase of Genesis: after Genesis 11:30, version A, pp. 284—85 Midmsh Rabbah Genesis 43:7; 44:4, pp. 97—98; Numbers 14:2, p. 110; Song of Songs 1:3.3, pp. 115-16

Gospel Topics on LDS.org, "Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham"

Gospel Topics on LDS.org, (8 July 2014)

The book of Abraham is consistent with various details found in nonbiblical stories about Abraham that circulated in the ancient world around the time the papyri were likely created. In the book of Abraham, God teaches Abraham about the sun, the moon, and the stars. “I show these things unto thee before ye go into Egypt,” the Lord says, “that ye may declare all these words.” Ancient texts repeatedly refer to Abraham instructing the Egyptians in knowledge of the heavens. For example, Eupolemus, who lived under Egyptian rule in the second century B.C.E., wrote that Abraham taught astronomy and other sciences to the Egyptian priests. A third-century papyrus from an Egyptian temple library connects Abraham with an illustration similar to facsimile 1 in the book of Abraham.44 A later Egyptian text, discovered in the 20th century, tells how the Pharaoh tried to sacrifice Abraham, only to be foiled when Abraham was delivered by an angel. Later, according to this text, Abraham taught members of the Pharaoh’s court through astronomy.45 All these details are found in the book of Abraham.

Other details in the book of Abraham are found in ancient traditions located across the Near East. These include Terah, Abraham’s father, being an idolator; a famine striking Abraham’s homeland; Abraham’s familiarity with Egyptian idols; and Abraham’s being 62 years old when he left Haran, not 75 as the biblical account states. Some of these extrabiblical elements were available in apocryphal books or biblical commentaries in Joseph Smith’s lifetime, but others were confined to nonbiblical traditions inaccessible or unknown to 19th-century Americans.

Kerry Muhlestein and John Gee, "An Egyptian Context for the Sacrifice of Abraham"

Kerry Muhlestein and John Gee,  Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture, (2010)

The existence of human sacrifice in ancient Egypt has been variously debated and denied. While Egyptologists generally admit that the practice existed in the formative periods of Egyptian society, opinions among Egyptologists for later time periods range from claiming that "there is no certain evidence for the practice of human sacrifice . . . from the Old Kingdom onwards" to asserting that there is "indisputable evidence for the practice of human sacrifice in classical ancient Egypt." However difficult it may be for modern societies to accept that a practice we detest, such as human sacrifice, occurred in past civilizations we admire, further research and discoveries necessitate a reassessment of the possibility of this practice within Egyptian culture. While there is not a universally accepted definition of human sacrifice, for the purposes of this paper we will define human sacrifice as the slaying of a person in a ritual context.

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Of interest in this publication is the citation of Dr. Robert Ritner (the most vocal critic of the Book of Abraham) in support of human sacrifice in ancient Egypt.