[German Version]

Until the discovery of the Nag Hammadi codices, this work, preserved only in Coptic, was unknown. It probably originated in the first half of the 3rd century in Alexandria or the territory of Palestine (Samaria?) or western Syria. Its original language was Greek. It is a non-Christian text associated with Sethianism, a liturgical formulary for ecstatic ascent to the vision of God. At its center are three hymnic passages invoking the three supreme deities while also identifying with the patriarch and redeemer Seth. At its beginnin…