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Since all of the unplaced fragments of Codex IX of which there is any knowledge have been published in the Facsimile Edition, the policy followed here is to publish transcriptions of only those larger fragments which contain, on either side, six or more letters or letter traces. Such translations as are possible are indicated in the notes to the respective fragments. The numbering of the fragments is that of the Facsimile Edition, and they are presented here in the order in which they appear there. Both sides of each fragment are transcribed together, vertical fibe…

Bibliography Doresse, Secret Books , pp. 143, 197 Krause and Labib, Labib, Gnostische und hermetische Schriften , p. 8 Berliner Arbeitskreis, Die Bedeutung der Texte von Nag Hammadi pp. 69-70 Pearson, The Figure of Norea pp. 143, 151-152 Pearson (Introduction), Giversen, Pearson (Translation), The Thought of Norea (IX,2) The Nag Hammadi Library , pp. 404-405 Roberge, Noréa , (see p. XXIX). This tractate comprises 27,11—29,5 of the codex, a total of only 52 lines. Since it is marked off from the preceding and following tractates by scribal decorations, the…

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I. Title and Identification The fifth tractate of codex VII is contained on the last nine inscribed pages of the codex (118,10 - 127,27). It remains unclear whether the scribal note or colophon that follows the text (127,28-32) refers to the tractate alone or to the codex as a whole.1 The tractate bears the subscript title The Three Steles of Seth (127,27). This title is firmly fixed by the division of the text into three clearly delineated sections or steles. The beginning of each stele is labeled with the appropriate superscript title: “The First Stele…

This volume is the result of the collaboration of many scholars over a long period of time. Some of the original collaborators are no longer represented in the final list of contributors. Nonetheless, they and others not named have made valuable contributions to the interpretations of the five tractates of Nag Hammadi Codex VII reflected in this edition. Work on this volume began in the late ’60’s, at first under the editorship of Frederik Wisse. My own work on Codex VII as editor began rather late when, due to the pressures of other obligations at his…

Bibliography Doresse, Secret Books , pp. 142, 197 Krause, Labib, Gnostische und hermetische Schriften , pp. 8, 236 Arbeitskreis Berliner, Die Bedeutung der Texte von Nag Hammadi , pp. 67-69 Schenke, Erwägungen zum Rätsel des Hebräerbriefes , p. 436. n. 37 Pearson, The Figure of Melchizedek . Pearson, Anti-Heretical Warnings , pp. 146-150 Koschorke, Die Polemik der Gnostiker , pp. 164-165 Pearson, (Introduction), Giversen, Pearson (Translation), Melchizedek (IX,1) The Nag Hammadi Library , pp. 399-403. This tractate comprises 1,1—27,10 of the codex, approximately 745 li…

. A dot placed under a letter in the transcription indicates that the letter is visually uncertain, even if the context makes the reading certain. Letters having the superlinear stroke are also dotted when the superlinear stroke is lost in a lacuna. Dots on the line outside of brackets in the transcription indicate missing letters that cannot be restored but of which vestiges of ink remain. Three dots on the line in the translation indicate the presence of substantial untranslatable material. [ ] Square brackets indicate a lacuna in the MS where it is believed writing once exi…

Bibliography: Facsimile Edition, pp. xv-xxiii, pl. 81-144. Doresse, Secret Books, pp. 140-141, 145; Krause, “Der koptische Handschriftenfund,” pp. 107-113; Robinson, “Coptic Gnostic Library Today,” p. 400; Krause and Labib, Gnostische und hermetische Schriften, pp. 9-10, pl. 5, 13; Robinson, “Construction,” pp. 172, 174, 176-183, 185-189; Robinson, “Codicology,” pp. 15, 17-18, 27-28; Robinson, “Future,” pp. 26-27, 42-43, 47-49, 53-54, 58-59; Emmel, “Final Report,” pp. 16, 21. Codex X is part of a collection of twelve papyrus codices, plus one tractate from a …

Among the 52 tractates contained in the 13 Coptic codices found near Nag Hammadi in 1945, The Teachings of Silvanus is unique in several respects. First, it is one of the few non-Gnostic texts found in this diverse collection. Second, it contains a passage that was incorporated into a text used in later Christian monastic circles and attributed to St Anthony, the great model of anchoritic monasticism in Egypt (c. 251-356). Third, it is a rare example of early Hellenistic-Christian wisdom literature in which a resp…

This volume is the product of many years of work; yet it is with some trepidation that I submit it herewith to the public. The fragmentary status of the two codices published here has made the work much more difficult and time-consuming than would have been the case had the material been preserved more completely. Hence this first effort cannot claim to be definitive in any way. Others will surely come to the material with new insights, not only to the contents of the tractates but also to readings and reconstructions of the text itself. That, indeed, is my hope. It is also cheerfully acknowle…

Since all of the unplaced fragments of Codex X of which there is any knowledge have been published in the Facsimile Edition, the policy followed here, as in the case of Codex IX, is to publish transcriptions of only those larger fragments which contain, on either side, six or more letters or letter traces. Such translations as are possible are indicated in the notes to the respective fragments. The numbering of the fragments is that of the Facsimile Edition, and they are presented here in the order in which they appear there. Both sides of each fragment are transcribed to…

I. Title and Identification The Paraphrase of Shem 1 is one of the longest and best preserved of the tractates contained in the Nag Hammadi codices. It is the first of the five tractates in Codex VII. Except for the bottom line of pages 32,36-38, and 40, which are partially missing and for which no satisfactory reconstruction was found, the text is in an excellent state of preservation. The tractate is headed by a superscript title marked by decorations which is an abbreviated form of the fuller title in the incipit: “The Paraphrase of Shem which was about the …

Bibliography Doresse, Secret Books , pp. 143, 219-220; Krause and Labib, Gnostische und hermetische Schriften , p. 8; Berliner Arbeitskreis, Die Bedeutung der Texte von Nag Hammadi pp. 70-72; Wisse, The Nag Hammadi Library p. 208; Giversen, Solomon und die Dämonen pp. 16-18, 21; Pearson, Jewish Haggadic Traditions ; Pearson, Anti-Heretical Warnings pp. 150-154; Wisse, Die Sextus-Sprüche pp. 81-83; Koschorke, Die Polemik ; Pearson (Introduction) and Giversen and Pearson (Translation), ‛The Testimony of Truth (IX,3)’ , The Nag Hammadi Library , pp. 406-416; Koschorke, Die Polemik…

1. Abbreviations of Biblical Books and Related Texts a. Old Testament Dan Daniel Jer Jeremiah Deut Deuteronomy Josh Joshua Exod Exodus 2 Kgdms 2 Kingdoms Ezek Ezekiel 3 Kgdms 3 Kingdoms Gen Genesis Num Numbers Isa Isaiah Ps Psalms b. New Testament Col Colossians 1 Pet 1 Peter 1 Cor 1 Corinthians Phil Philippians 2 Cor 2 Corinthians Rev Revelation Eph Ephesians Rom Romans Gal Galatians 1 Thess 1 Thessalonians Heb Hebrews 2 Thess 2 Thessalonians Jas James 1 Tim 1 Timothy Matt Matthew 2 Tim 2 Timothy c. Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and Qumran Texts Act. Jn. Acts of John Act. Pl. Thekl. Acts of Paul a…

I. Introduction The Apocalypse of Peter is exceptionally well-preserved. Its many textual difficulties, however, continue to create problems for translators and interpreters alike. The nature of many of these grammatical and syntactical problems suggest that Apoc. Pet. was translated from the Greek. This third tractate of Codex VII bears no relationship to a Greek work of the same name mentioned by the Fathers and now extant in Ethiopic.1 The editio princeps appeared in 1973,2 the year following the publication of the plates,3 and the Coptic text has recently been printed i…

Bibliography Doresse, Secret Books , p. 197; Berliner Arbeitskreis, Die Bedeutung der Texte von Nag Hammadi , pp. 72-73; Böhlig, Die griechische Schule pp. 16-17; Robinson, The Three Steles of Seth p. 139; Pearson (Introduction and Translation), Marsanes X,1 The Nag Hammadi Library , pp. 417-426; Pearson, The Tractate Marsanes According to the most plausible reconstruction of Codex X, this fragmentary codex contains a single tractate whose title, Marsanes, occurs on the last page at the end of the tractate. The surviving material from Codex X has been assigned a…

Bibliography: Facsimile Edition, pp. vii-xv, pl. 1-78. Doresse, Secret Books, pp. 141-143; Puech, “Découverte,” p. 10; Krause, “Der koptische Handschriftenfund,” pp. 121-124, 128, 130-132; Krause, “Zum koptischen Handschriftenfund,” pp. 109-113; Robinson. “Coptic Gnostic Library Today,” p. 400; Krause and Labib, Gnostische und hermetische Schriften, pp. 7-8, pl. 4,12; Robinson, “Construction,” pp. 172-174, 176-189; Robinson, “Codicology,” pp. 17-18, 26, 28-29; Robinson, “Future,” pp. 26-27, 43, 48-49, 53, 58-59. Codex IX is part of a collection of twelve papyru…

The Second Treatise of the Great Seth ( Treat. Seth) is a Christian gnostic homily in the form of a speech of the ascended Christ to his followers on earth. While the tone of the speech is at times polemical, the author achieves moments of effective poetical expression and remarkable spiritual insight and grace which make reading this difficult work a rewarding experience. Its purpose is to encourage gnostic Christians to rest in their redeemer and maintain unity with one another, while standing firm in …

[German Version] I. Comparative Religion – II. Biblical – III. Church History I. Comparative Religion The terminology and conception of banishment develop primarily in the context of legal language. Commandments and prohibitions require sanctioning, must become authoritative, and are thus connected with magical incantations (Magi). In popular culture, the verbs “to ban” and “to arrest” …

The Cainites are presumed adherents of a Christian gnostic sect named by several of the church fathers. They are associated with “Ophians” or → “Ophites” by Clement of Alexandria ( Stromateis, VIII, 17), Hippolytus ( Refutatio, VIII, 20), and Origen ( Contra Celsum, III, 13), but these authors provide no discussion of the sect's teachings. Tertullian ( De baptismo, 1) refers to a female ‘viper of the Cainite heresy’ trying to subvert Christian baptism. The author of Pseudo-Tertullian's treatise, Adversus omnes haereses, a 3rd-century document possibly based on a lost work by…