The dangers of interfering with the dead are highlighted by the story of Setne Khamwas. Based on the historical figure of Khamwas, a high priest of Ptah and the fourth son of Ramses II, the tale was discovered on papyri dating from the third century BC.

Setne Khamwas, a learned scholar, was intrigued to hear about a book of magic that had been written by the god Toth. This book, he was assured, was hidden in the tomb of Prince Neferkaptah in the vast necropolis to the west of Memphis. Setne Khamwas determined at once the book should be his. He found the tomb, and with the help of his brother Inaros, forced it open. There, shining, brightly, was the magic book, but when Setne Khamwas reached to take it, he was confronted by the spirits of the dead prince Neferkaptah, his wife Ihwey, and their son Merib. Setne Khamwas tried to snatch the book from Neferkaptah, who stopped him. "If you want the book," he said, "you will have to play draughts for it." They took out a board and began to play. Setne Khamwas lost three games. After each victory, Neferkaptah hit his opponent over the head and drove him into the ground until, finally, only his head was above the soil. At this point Setne Khamwas sent his brother to fetch his magic amulets, and, by their power, he was able to break free and grab the book. On his return to the outside world, he began to read avidly, ignoring all advice to return to book. Shortly afterwards, however, he saw a beautiful woman waslking past his window and was smitten with desire. He begged her to make love to him. She said she would, but only on condition that he hand all his property over to her and kill his own children. Setne Khamwas agreed, little knowing that the woman was a spirit called Tabubu and that he was under her spell. Setne Khamwas had hardly had time to remove his clothes when Tabubu vanished, and the pharoah entered the room. His embarrassment was relieved only by the news that it had all been a bad dream and his children were still alive. He determined to return the book to Neferkaptah's grave and relinquish owndership of it, The dead prince greeted him with amusement but demanded a favour to atone for the theft. His request was that Setne Khamwas find the bodies of his wife and son and bring them to him. Setne Khamwas unearthed the bodies and returned them to Neferkaptah's tomb, which he then sealed, consigning the dangerous book to eternity.