26
LITURGY OF FUNERAL OFFERINGS
the ministrant recited over it a short formula which contained words similar in sound to the name of the offering, in fact he played on the words, or punned. By means of these formulae the offerings were consecrated, and then they "came forth" on the table of offerings, or on the altar of the god, who was supposed to give a portion of them to the dead. As this "coming forth" only took place after the words had been uttered by the ministrant, the offerings became known as pert kheru, or "things which come forth at
the voice."
On the other hand pert kheru, or pert er kheru, may have another meaning, as we see from a passage in the Biography of Paḥeri (l. 42). This official addresses those who live upon earth, and declares that they shall hand on their exalted positions and dignities to their children, provided that they say on his behalf, "Suten ṭā ḥetep!" according to the things which are written in the Books, and "Pert er kheru," according to the saying of the men of olden time, "like unto the perrt (i.e., the things which come forth) from the mouth of the god."
From this we see at once that the words suten ṭā
