Table of Contents
Introduction
The Apocalypse of Adam is an apocalyptic and revelatory work preserved as the fifth and final tractate of Nag Hammadi Codex V. The surviving Coptic version is understood to derive from an earlier composition, commonly thought to have circulated in Greek, although the precise circumstances and stages of its composition remain debated. The work is generally assigned to the early centuries of the Common Era, with a date in the first or second century CE forming part of the scholarly discussion concerning its origins.
The text takes the form of a revelation delivered by Adam to his son Seth. Adam recounts an alternative understanding of humanity’s primordial condition: he and Eve once possessed knowledge of the eternal God and participated in a state of glory, but this knowledge was subsequently lost when they came under the authority of the creator and his subordinate powers.
Seth is entrusted with knowledge intended to survive among his descendants. The discourse then develops into an extensive prophecy involving cosmic catastrophes, persecution, the activity of hostile rulers, and the eventual manifestation of an Illuminator associated with saving knowledge.
The Apocalypse of Adam is consequently often studied within the context of Sethian and Gnostic traditions, while also preserving motifs that invite comparison with earlier Jewish and apocalyptic literature. Its distinctive character lies in its reinterpretation of Genesis: true deliverance is associated not merely with obedience to the cosmic ruler but with the recovery of knowledge concerning the transcendent and eternal God.
Structure
The work may be outlined according to several major narrative and revelatory movements:
1. Adam’s revelation to Seth
The aged Adam summons Seth and entrusts him with a revelation intended to be preserved among his descendants.
2. The primordial condition of Adam and Eve
Adam recalls an earlier state of glory and knowledge in which he and Eve possessed awareness of the eternal God.
3. The loss of knowledge
Humanity falls under the authority of the creator and his powers. Adam describes the resulting condition as one marked by fear, subjection, and spiritual darkness.
4. The transmission of revelation through Seth
Seth becomes the recipient and guardian of Adam’s hidden knowledge, which is to continue through his spiritual lineage.
5. Judgment through water
The Flood tradition is reinterpreted within the wider conflict between the ruling powers and the generation that preserves divine knowledge.
6. Judgment through fire
A further destructive intervention threatens the spiritual generation and develops the apocalyptic dimension of the narrative.
7. The coming of the Illuminator
A salvific figure known as the Illuminator appears, provoking conflict and bewilderment among the powers and kingdoms of the world.
8. The testimonies concerning the Illuminator
A remarkable sequence presents different kingdoms offering competing explanations for the origin of the Illuminator, set against the higher revelation known by the elect.
9. The triumph of imperishable knowledge
The conclusion affirms the destiny of those who know the eternal God and preserve the words of truth. Adam’s revelation to Seth is presented as hidden knowledge transmitted to a holy lineage.
Historical Context
The Apocalypse of Adam belongs to the complex religious environment of the first centuries of the Common Era, in which Jewish, apocalyptic, and Gnostic traditions developed and interacted in different forms. The work is generally dated to the first or second century CE, although its precise date remains debated. The text preserves themes associated with Seth, the transmission of secret knowledge, and the contrast between the world ruled by cosmic powers and the higher reality of the transcendent GOD. The surviving version comes from the Nag Hammadi Library and is preserved in Sahidic Coptic, probably translated from an earlier Greek original.
Ful Text Interlinear
Apocalypse of Adam — Chapter I
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 64,1–67,14
Editorial note: the manuscript does not contain a chapter numbering system. The present section corresponds to the first narrative unit of the work. Lacunae in the codex are indicated by […] and are not supplemented with conjectural reconstructions not preserved in the manuscript.
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64,1 | ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲕⲁⲗⲯⲓⲥ ⲛⲁⲇⲁⲙ | tapokalpsis n-Adam | The Apocalypse of Adam. |
| 64,2–6 | ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲕⲁⲗⲩⲯⲓⲥ ⲉⲧⲁⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲧⲁⲙⲉ ⲡⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲥⲏⲑ̅ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ϩⲛ ⲧⲙⲉϩⲯ ⲛⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ· ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲛⲁϣⲁϫⲉ ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲥⲏⲑ̅ | tapokalypsis eta-Adam tame pef-shēre Sēth eros hn t-meh-psašf n-rompe; ef-jō mmos je: sōtm e-na-shaje, pa-shēre Sēth. | The revelation that Adam taught to his son Seth in the seven-hundredth year, saying: “Listen to my words, my son Seth.” |
| 64,6–8 | ⲟⲧⲁⲛ ⲛⲧⲁⲣⲉϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲉⲓ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲙⲛ ⲉⲩϩⲁ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ | hotan ntaref-tamioei nči p-noute ebol hm p-kah mn Euha tek-maau | When GOD created me from the earth together with Eve, your mother, |
| 64,9–12 | ⲛⲉⲓⲙⲟⲟϣⲉ ⲛⲙⲙⲁⲥ ⲡⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ· ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲉⲱⲛ ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ | nei-mooshe nmmas pe hn ou-eoou etas-nau erof; ebol hm pi-eōn entan-shōpe ebol nhētf. | I walked with her in a glory that she had beheld, coming from the Aeon from which we had emerged. |
| 64,12–14 | ⲁⲥⲧⲁⲙⲟⲓ ⲉⲩϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲓϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ | as-tamoi e-ou-shaje nte ou-gnōsis nte p-noute pi-sha eneh. | She communicated to me a word of knowledge concerning the eternal GOD. |
| 64,14–19 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ· ⲛⲉⲛϫⲟⲥⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲧⲛⲙⲙⲁϥ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲛ | auō nen-eine pe n-n-noč n-aggelos n-sha eneh; nen-jose gar pe e-p-noute etaf-tamion mn ni-čom et-nmmaf, nē ete nen-sooun mmoou an. | And we were like the great eternal angels, for we were higher than the god who had created us and than the powers that were with him, those whom we did not know. |
| 64,20–23 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁϥⲧⲱϣ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲣⲝⲱⲛ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲱⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲃⲱⲗⲕ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲉⲱⲛ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ | tote af-tōsh nan nči p-noute, p-arkhōn nte n-eōn mn ni-čom, hn ou-bōlk; tote an-shōpe e-eōn snau. | Then the god, the archon of the Aeons and the powers, divided us in wrath; and then we became two Aeons. |
| 64,24–28 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲕⲁⲁⲛ ⲛⲥⲱϥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲓⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲉⲩϩⲁ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲓϥⲉ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲛ | auō af-kaan nsōf nči pi-eoou et-hm pen-hēt, anok mn tek-maau Euha, mn t-gnōsis n-shorp ete nes-nife nhētn. | And the glory that was in our hearts departed from me and from your mother Eve, together with the primordial knowledge that breathed within us. |
| 64,29–65,5 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲡⲱⲧ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ [.ⲉⲛⲟϭ . ⲛ.ⲙⲛⲉⲛⲟ .. ⲉⲁ. ⲡⲉⲧⲁⲥϣ] ⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲓⲁⲓⲱⲛ ⲁⲛ ⲉⲧⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲉⲩϩⲁ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲁⲥⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ϩⲉⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲛⲉⲱⲛ | auō af-pōt ebol mmon; af-bōk ehoun shōpe ebol hm pei-aiōn an etan-shōpe ebol nhētf, anok mn Euha tek-maau; alla as-bōk ehoun e-t-spora nte hen-noč n-neōn. | And it fled away from us and entered [… lacuna in the manuscript …]. It did not come from this Aeon from which I and Eve, your mother, had emerged; rather, it entered into the seed of the great Aeons. |
| 65,6–9 | ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ϩⲱ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲁⲉⲓⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ ⲙⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲙⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲏ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ | etbe pai hō anok aei-moute erok m-p-ran m-p-rōme etm-mau, ete t-spora te n-t-noč n-genea, ē ebol nhētf. | For this reason I myself called you by the name of that man, who is the seed of the great generation, or from whom it proceeds. |
| 65,9–14 | ⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲓϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲥⲟⲩⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲙⲟⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲉⲩϩⲁ ⲛϭⲓ ⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲙⲉ | mn-nsa ni-hoou etm-mau as-oue ebol mmoi, anok mn tek-maau Euha, nči t-gnōsis n-sha eneh nte p-noute nte t-me. | After those days, the eternal knowledge of the GOD of truth departed from me and from your mother Eve. |
| 65,14–16 | ϫⲓⲛ ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲛϫⲓ ⲥⲃⲱ ⲉϩⲉⲛϩⲃⲏⲩⲉ ⲉⲩⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧ ϩⲱⲥ ϩⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ | jin p-ouoeish etm-mau an-ji sbō e-hen-hbēue eu-moout, hōs hen-rōme. | From that time onward we learned dead works, as human beings do. |
| 65,17–21 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲛⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲛ· ⲛⲛⲉⲛⲟ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲛϣⲙⲙⲟ ⲛⲛⲉϥϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲛϣⲙϣⲉ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧϩⲙϩⲁⲗ | tote an-souōn p-noute etaf-tamion; nneno gar an pe n-shmmo n-nef-čom; auō an-shmshe mmof hn ou-hote mn ou-mnt-hmhal. | Then we came to know the god who had created us, for we were not strangers to his powers; and we served him in fear and slavery. |
| 65,22–25 | ⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲛⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲃⲏ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ· ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲉⲓⲛⲕⲟⲧ ϩⲙ ⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ | mn-nsa nai de an-shōpe ene n-nebē hm pen-hēt; anok de nei-nkot hm p-meeue nte pa-hēt. | After these things our hearts became darkened. As for me, I slept within the thought of my heart. |
| 65,26–66,1 | ⲛⲉⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲉϣⲟⲙⲉⲧ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲙⲡⲁⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲓϭⲙϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲡⲉⲩⲉⲓⲛⲉ· ⲉⲡⲓⲇⲏ ⲛⲉϩⲉⲛⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁⲛ ⲛⲉ ϩⲛ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲙⲙⲟⲛ· ⲛⲉⲩⲟⲩⲟⲧⲃ ⲉ [.ⲉⲟⲟⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ [.ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉ [ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲓ ϫⲉ | nei-nau gar pe e-shomet n-rōme m-pa-mto ebol, nē ete mpi-čmčom e-souōn peu-eine; epidē ne-hen-ebol an ne hn ni-čom nte p-noute etaf-tamio mmon; neu-ouotb e eu-jō mmos nai je: | For I saw before me three men whose appearance I was unable to recognize, because they did not come from the powers of the god who had created us. They were superior [… part of the text is lost …], and they said to me: |
| 66,1–8 | ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛⲅ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲇⲁⲙ̅ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲛⲕⲟⲧ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲙⲟⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲡⲓⲉⲱⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲙⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲡⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲓⲱⲛϩ ⲡⲱϩ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ· ⲡⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲕ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲉⲩϩⲁ̅ ⲧⲉⲕⲥⲩⲛⲍⲩⲅⲟⲥ | tōoung mmau, Adam, ebol hm pi-nkot nte p-mou; auō sōtm etbe pi-eōn mn t-spora m-pi-rōme etm-mau, pē eta-pi-ōnh pōh sharof, pē etaf-ei ebol nhētk, auō ebol hn Euha tek-synzygos. | “Arise, Adam, from the sleep of death, and hear concerning the Aeon and the seed of that man to whom life has come, the one who came forth from you and from Eve, your companion.” |
| 66,9–14 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲛⲉⲓϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲩⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲁϩⲣⲁⲓ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲛϥⲓ ⲁϩⲟⲙ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲉⲩϩⲁ̅ ϩⲣⲁⲓ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ | tote nteri-sōtm e-nei-shaje ntootou n-ni-noč n-rōme etm-mau, nē ete neu-aheratou n-nahrai; tote an-fi ahom, anok mn Euha, hrai hm pen-hēt. | When I heard these words from the great men who stood before me, Eve and I sighed in the depths of our hearts. |
| 66,14–23 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲛ ⲁϥⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲙⲡⲉⲛⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲛ ϫⲉ· ⲁⲇⲁⲙ̅ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛϥⲓ ⲁϩⲟⲙ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲧⲛϩⲏⲧ· ϩⲓⲉ ⲛⲧⲉⲧⲛⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲉ ⲧⲏⲩⲧⲛ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲓⲛⲓϥⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ ⲛⲟⲩⲡⲛⲁ̅ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϩ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉⲩⲯⲩⲝⲏ ⲉⲥⲟⲛϩ | auō a-p-joeis, p-noute etaf-tamion, af-aheratf m-pen-mto ebol; pejaf nan je: Adam, etbe ou netetn-fi ahom hm petn-hēt? hie ntetn-sooun an je anok pe p-noute etaf-tamie tēutn; auō ai-nife ehoun erōtn n-ou-pna nte p-ōnh ehrai e-ou-psychē es-onh? | And the Lord, the god who had created us, stood before us and said: “Adam, why do you sigh in your hearts? Do you not know that I am the god who created you, and that I breathed into you a spirit of life, into a living soul?” |
| 66,24–25 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲩⲕⲁⲕⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲓϫⲛ ⲛⲉⲛⲃⲁⲗ | tote au-kake shōpe hijn nen-bal. | Then darkness came over our eyes. |
| 66,25–67,2 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲛ ⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲛⲛⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲙⲛ ⲉⲩϩⲁ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉ. ⲃⲁ [.ⲕⲥ ⲁⲛ. [.ⲉⲕⲉ.. [.ⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉ ⲧ[.ϩⲙ ⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲁϣ.ⲓ | tote a-p-noute etaf-tamion af-tamio n-nou-shēre ebol nhētf mn Euha tek-maau hm p-meeue nte […]. | Then the god who had created us brought forth a son from himself and from Eve, your mother [… extensive lacuna …] in the thought […]. |
| 67,3–4 | ⲁⲓⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲟⲩⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲉⲥϩⲟⲗϭ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ | ai-souōn ou-epithymia es-holč nte tek-maau. | I came to know a pleasant desire for your mother. |
| 67,5–9 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲥⲧⲁⲕⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲧⲁⲕⲙⲏ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲛϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲥⲣⲇⲓⲱⲕⲉ ⲛⲥⲱⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧϭⲱⲃ | tote as-tako ebol nhētn nči t-akmē nte pen-sooun n-sha eneh; auō as-r-diōke nsōn nči ou-mnt-čōb. | Then the power of our eternal knowledge was destroyed within us, and weakness pursued us. |
| 67,10–14 | ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲁⲩⲣ ⲕⲟⲩⲉⲓ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲱⲛϩ· ⲁⲓⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲁ ⲧⲉⲭⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲙⲟⲩ | etbe pai au-r kouei nči ne-hoou nte pen-ōnh; ai-eime gar je ai-shōpe ha t-exousia nte p-mou. | For this reason the days of our life became few; for I understood that I had come under the authority of death. |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section II
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 67,14–73,12
Noah (Deucalion), the Flood, and the Other Generation
Editorial note: this section continues directly from the preceding account. Adam now reveals to Seth the events that the three heavenly men had disclosed to him. The passage contains several material lacunae, especially at the lower margins of the manuscript. These are marked with […] and are not silently reconstructed.
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67,14–27 | ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲙⲟⲩ· ⲧⲛⲟⲩ ϭⲉ ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲥⲏⲑ̅ ⲧⲛⲁϭⲱⲗⲡ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲩϭⲟⲗⲡⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙⲡⲁⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ϫⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲧⲣⲁϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲛⲓⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲓⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲥⲉⲙⲟⲩⲛⲅ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ | nte p-mou. Tnou če, pa-shēre Sēth, tna-čōlp nak ebol n-nai etau-čolpou nai ebol, je ni-rōme etm-mau, nē etai-nau eroou n-shorp m-pa-mto ebol; je mn-nsa tra-jōk ebol n-ni-ouoeish nte tei-genea, auō nse-moung nči ni-rompe nte t-genea, tote… | Now then, my son Seth, I shall reveal to you the things that were revealed to me by those men whom I first saw standing before me. After I have completed the times of this generation, and the years belonging to the generation have reached their fulfillment, then […] |
| 67,28–69,1 |
[… text lost at the bottom of page 67 …]
[… beginning of page 69 missing …] |
[… an extended portion of the prophecy is not preserved …] | |
| 69,2–18 | ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲟⲩⲟⲧⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛϭⲓ ϩⲉⲛⲙⲟⲩⲓⲉⲩⲉ ⲛϩⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ· ϫⲉ ⲉϥⲉⲧⲁⲕⲟ ⲛⲥⲁⲣⲁⲭ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ· ϫⲉ ⲉϥⲉⲧⲁⲕⲉ ⲥⲁⲣⲁⲭ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉⲥⲕⲱⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲱⲟⲩ· ϩⲓ ⲛⲓⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲧⲃ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲓⲱⲛϩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲡⲁⲉⲓ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲙⲛ ⲉⲩϩⲁ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ· ⲛⲉⲩⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛϣⲙⲙⲟ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲡⲉ | sena-ouotnou ebol gar nči hen-mouieue n-hōou nte p-noute p-pantokratōr, je efe-tako n-sarax nim nte p-noute p-pantokratōr; je efe-take sarax nim ebol hm p-kah ebol hitn nē ete-s-kōte nsōou, hi ni-ebol hn t-spora nte ni-rōme, nē etaf-ouōtb ehrai eroou nči pi-ōnh nte t-gnōsis, paei etaf-ei ebol nhēt mn Euha tek-maau; neue gar n-shmmo mmof pe. | For torrents of rain belonging to Almighty GOD will be poured forth, so that all flesh may be destroyed. Almighty GOD will destroy all flesh from the earth because of the things after which it pursues, together with those belonging to the seed of the men over whom the life of knowledge has prevailed — the knowledge that came forth from me and from Eve, your mother — for they were strangers to him. |
| 69,19–70,6 | ⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲥⲉⲛⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ϩⲉⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ϩⲛ ϩⲉⲛⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲉⲩϫⲟⲥⲉ· ⲉⲩⲛⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲉϥϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲉⲡⲛⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϩ [… several lines missing …] ⲧⲉ […] ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϫⲓⲛ ⲧⲡⲉ ϣⲁ ⲡⲕⲁϩ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ϥⲛⲁϣⲱϫⲡ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲓⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲥⲁⲣⲁⲭ ϩⲓ ⲛⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ | mn-nsa nai sen-nēou nči hen-noč n-aggelos hn hen-kloole eu-jose; eu-na-ji n-ni-rōme etm-mau ehoun e-p-topos etef-shoop nhētf nči pe-pna nte p-ōnh … shōpe jin t-pe sha p-kah; tote fna-shōjp nči pi-mēēshe tērf nte t-sarax hi ni-moou. | After these things, great angels will come upon lofty clouds. They will take those men into the place where the Spirit of Life dwells. [… several lines are lost …] Something will take place from heaven to earth, and then the whole multitude of flesh will be left upon the waters. |
| 70,7–16 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲙⲧⲟⲛ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲡⲉϥϭⲱⲛⲧ· ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲛⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲉϥϭⲟⲙ ⲉϫⲛ ⲛⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲛⲁⲧ ϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲛⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲩϩⲓⲟⲙⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲕⲓⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ· ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲧⲃⲛⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧ ⲙⲉⲧⲉ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ· ⲙⲛ ⲛϩⲁⲗⲁⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ· ⲁϥⲕⲁⲁⲩ ϩⲓϫⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ | tote p-noute na-mton mmof ebol m-pef-čōnt; auō fne-nouje n-tef-čom ejn ni-moou; auō fna-ti čom n-nef-shēre mn neu-hiome ebol hn t-kibōtos, mn ni-tbnooue etaf-ti mete ejōou, mn n-halate nte t-pe etaf-moute eroou; af-kaau hijm p-kah. | Then GOD will rest from his wrath, and he will cast his power upon the waters. He will give strength to his sons and to their wives in the ark, together with the animals over which he had given instruction and the birds of heaven that he had called. He had placed them upon the earth. |
| 70,17–71,8 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲛⲛⲱϩⲉ· ⲡⲏ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲇⲉⲩⲕⲁⲗⲓⲱⲛ̅· ϫⲉ ⲉⲓⲥ ϩⲏⲏⲧⲉ ⲁⲓⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ ϩⲛ ⲧⲕⲓⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲕϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲩϩⲓⲟⲙⲉ· ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲩⲧⲃⲛⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲛϩⲁⲗⲁⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲡⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲕⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ· ⲁⲕⲕⲁⲁⲩ ϩⲓϫⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ [… bottom of page 70 missing …] ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲧⲛⲁⲧ ⲙⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲕϣⲏⲣⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ· ⲕⲛⲁⲣ ⲣⲣⲟ ⲉϫⲱϥ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲕϣⲏⲣⲉ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲙⲛ ⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲛⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲕ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲁⲛ ⲙⲡⲁⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲕⲉⲉⲟⲟⲩ | auō p-noute na-joos n-Nōhe, pē ete ni-genea na-moute erof je Deukaliōn: je eis hēēte ai-areh erok hn t-kibōtos mn tek-shime mn nek-shēre mn neu-hiome, mn neu-tbnooue mn n-halate nte t-pe nē etak-moute eroou; ak-kaau hijm p-kah etbe pai tna-ti m-p-kah nak, ntok mn nek-shēre, hn ou-mnt-rro; kna-r rro ejōf ntok mn nek-shēre; auō mmn spora n-nēou ebol nhētk nte ni-rōme ete nse-na-aheratou an m-pa-mto ebol hn ke-eoou. | And GOD will say to Noah, whom the generations will call Deucalion: “Behold, I have preserved you in the ark, together with your wife, your sons and their wives, their animals, and the birds of heaven that you called and placed upon the earth. […] Therefore I will give the earth to you and to your sons as a kingdom. You and your sons will rule over it. And no seed of men shall come forth from you that will stand before me in another glory.” |
| 71,9–20 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲑⲉ ⲛⲧⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ· ⲥⲉⲛⲛⲏⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲛⲟϫⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲛⲉⲱⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ· ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲉⲙⲧⲟ ⲛⲛⲱϩⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲛⲛⲱϩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲟⲩ ⲁⲕⲣ ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓϫⲟⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲕ· ⲁⲕⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲛⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ϫⲉ ⲉⲕⲉⲧ ⲥⲱϣ ⲛⲧⲁϭⲟⲙ | tote sena-shōpe n-the n-t-kloole nte pi-noč n-ouoein; sen-nēou nči n-rōme etm-mau, nē etau-nojou ebol hn t-gnōsis nte ni-noč n-neōn mn ni-aggelos; sena-aheratou m-pemto n-Nōhe mn ni-eōn; auō p-noute na-joos n-Nōhe je etbe ou ak-r sabol n-pentai-joof nak? ak-tamio n-genea je eke-ti sōsh n-ta-čom? | Then they will become like a cloud of the Great Light. Those men who were brought forth from the knowledge of the great Aeons and of the angels will come, and they will stand before Noah and the Aeons. And GOD will say to Noah: “Why have you departed from what I commanded you? Have you created another generation in order to bring contempt upon my power?” |
| 71,21–72,15 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ϥⲛⲁϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲱϩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲧⲛⲁⲣ ⲙⲛⲧⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲙⲧⲟ ⲙⲡⲉⲕϫⲛⲁϩ· ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲁⲧⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧ ⲁⲛ· ⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲛ ⲛⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲁⲛ [… bottom of page 71 missing …] […] ⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ· ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲛⲁ […] ⲛⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛϥⲛⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲉⲩⲕⲁϩ ⲉⲧⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲛϥⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲛⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁ ⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲛⲥⲉϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲥⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϣⲉ ⲛⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲣⲥⲓⲁ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ϩⲉⲛⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ· ⲛⲛⲉⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲃⲟⲧⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲩϩⲏⲧ· ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ | tote fna-joos nči Nōhe je: tna-r mntre m-pemto m-pek-jnah, je nta-t-genea nte ni-rōme shōpe ebol hitooot an, oute ebol hitn na-shēre an. … t-gnōsis, auō fna … n-n-rōme etm-mau, nf-ntou ehoun e-peu-kah et-mpsha, nf-kōt nau n-nou-ma n-shōpe ef-ouaab; auō sena-moute eroou hm pi-ran etm-mau; nse-shōpe mmau n-soou n-she n-rompe hn ou-sooun nte t-aftharsia; auō sena-shōpe nmmau nči hen-aggelos nte pi-noč n-ouoein; nne-laau n-hōb n-bote shōpe hm peu-hēt; ebol e-t-gnōsis ouaas nte p-noute. | Then Noah will say: “I shall testify before the power of your arm that the generation of these men came forth neither through me nor through my sons.” [… part of Noah's declaration and the following transition is lost …] […] knowledge. And he will […] those men and bring them into the land that is worthy of them. He will build for them a holy dwelling place. They will be called by that name, and they will remain there for six hundred years in the knowledge of imperishability. Angels of the Great Light will dwell with them. No defiled thing will arise within their hearts, but only the knowledge of GOD. |
| 72,15–27 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲱϩⲉ ⲛⲁⲡⲉϣ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲩ ⲛⲛⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲉ· ⲝⲁⲙ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲓⲁϥⲉⲑ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲥⲏⲙ̅· ϥⲛⲁϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲩ ϫⲉ· ⲛⲁϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲛⲁϣⲁϫⲉ· ⲉⲓⲥ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲁⲓⲡⲟϣϥ ⲉϫⲛ ⲧⲏⲩⲧⲛ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϣⲙϣⲏⲧϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧϩⲙϩⲁⲗ ⲛⲛϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲱⲛϩ· ⲙⲡⲣⲧⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲣ ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲡϩⲟ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ· ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲧⲛ [… bottom of page 72 missing …] | tote Nōhe na-pesh p-kah tērf ehrau n-nef-shēre: Kham, mn Iapheth, mn Sēm. fna-joos nau je: na-shēre, sōtm e-na-shaje; eis p-kah ai-poshf ejn tēutn; alla shmshetf hn ou-hote mn ou-mnt-hmhal n-n-hoou tērou nte petn-ōnh; mpr-tre petn-sperma r sabol m-p-ho m-p-noute p-pantokratōr; anok mn petn … | Then Noah will divide the whole earth among his sons: Ham, Japheth, and Shem. He will say to them: “My sons, listen to my words. Behold, I have divided the earth among you. But serve him in fear and in obedience throughout all the days of your life. Do not allow your seed to turn away from the presence of Almighty GOD. I and your […]” |
| 73,1–12 | […] ϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛⲛⲱϩⲉ ϫⲉ· ⲡⲁϭⲣⲟϭ ⲛⲁⲣ ⲁⲛⲁϥ ⲙⲡⲉⲕⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲡⲉⲙⲧⲟ ⲛⲧⲉⲕϩⲟⲙ· ⲁⲣⲓⲥϥⲣⲁⲅⲓⲍⲉ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲕϭⲓϫ ⲉⲧϫⲟⲟⲣ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲁϩ ⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ· ϫⲉ ⲡⲓϭⲣⲟϭ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁⲣⲁⲕⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⲁⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲙϣⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲃⲃⲓⲟ ϫⲱϥ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲩⲉⲓⲙⲉ | […] shēre n-Nōhe je: pa-čroč na-r anaf m-pek-mto ebol, auō m-pemto n-tek-hom; ari-sphragize mmof hn tek-čij et-joor hn ou-hote mn ou-ah-sahne; je pi-čroč tērf etaf-ei ebol nhēt nse-na-raktou n-sabol mmok an mn p-noute pi-pantokratōr; alla sena-shmshe hn ou-thbbio jōf mn ou-hote nte peu-eime. | […] the son of Noah will say: “May my seed be pleasing before your presence and before your power. Seal it with your mighty hand, in reverence and according to your command, so that all the seed that has come forth from me may not turn away from you and from Almighty GOD. Rather, they shall serve in humility before him and in the reverence that comes from their knowledge.” |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section III
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 73,13–76,7
The Four Hundred Thousand, Sakla, and the Judgment by Fire
Editorial note: this section describes the arrival of four hundred thousand men from the seed of Ham and Japheth into the land inhabited by those who came forth from the great eternal knowledge. It is followed by the accusation brought before Sakla, the judgment through fire, sulfur, and bitumen, and finally the deliverance of the men through Abrasax, Sablo, and Gamaliel. Material lacunae in the manuscript are indicated by […].
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73,13–24 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲉϩⲉⲛⲕⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲝⲁⲙ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲓⲁϥⲉⲑ̅· ⲉⲩⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲛϭⲓ ϥⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϣⲉ ⲛϣⲟ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ· ⲛⲥⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲕⲉⲕⲁϩ ⲛⲥⲉϭⲟⲉⲓⲗⲉ ⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ· ϫⲉ ⲑⲁⲉⲓⲃⲉⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲩϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲁⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩϭⲟⲉⲓⲗⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲑⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲟϥ· | tote ere-hen-kooue ebol hm p-sperma nte Kham mn Iapheth; eue-bōk nči ftoou n-she n-sho n-rōme; nse-bōk ehoun e-ke-kah, nse-čoeile e-n-rōme etm-mau, nē etau-shōpe ebol hn t-noč n-gnōsis n-sha eneh; je t-haeibes nte teu-čom na-areh e-nen-tau-čoeile eroou ebol n-hōb nim et-hoou mn epithymia nim et-soof. | Then others, coming from the seed of Ham and Japheth, will come: four hundred thousand men. They will enter another land and dwell with those men who had come forth from the great eternal knowledge. The shadow of their power will protect those who dwell with them from every evil thing and from every impure desire. |
| 73,25–74,2 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛⲝⲁⲙ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲓⲁϥⲉⲑ̅ ⲛⲁⲣ ⲙⲛⲧⲥⲛⲟⲟⲩⲥ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲉⲩⲕⲉⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛⲁⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲧⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ⲛⲕⲉⲗⲁⲟⲥ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲟϫⲛⲉ ⲛϭⲓ [.ⲱ. . ⲛⲉⲱⲛ ϩⲁ ⲛⲉ [ⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲛⲉⲱⲛ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲣⲥⲓⲁ· | tote p-sperma n-Kham mn Iapheth na-r mnt-snoous m-mnt-rro; auō peu-ke-sperma na-bōk ehoun e-t-mnt-rro n-ke-laos. tote sena-shojne nči nte n-noč n-neōn nte t-aftharsia. | Then the seed of Ham and Japheth will form twelve kingdoms, and another part of their seed will enter the kingdom of another people. Then […] will take counsel […] concerning the great Aeons of incorruptibility. |
| 74,3–7 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲃⲱⲕ ϩⲁ ⲥⲁⲕⲗⲁ̅ ⲡⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ· ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲩⲣⲕⲁⲧⲏⲅⲟⲣⲓ ⲛⲛⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ· | auō sena-bōk ha Sakla peu-noute; sena-bōk ehoun e-ni-čom eu-r-katēgori n-ni-noč n-rōme, nē et-shoop hm peu-eoou. | And they will go to Sakla, their GOD. They will go before the powers, accusing the great men who dwell in their glory. |
| 74,7–17 | ⲥⲉⲛⲁϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲁⲕⲗⲁ̅ ϫⲉ· ⲟⲩ ⲧⲉ ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲛⲉⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲉⲕⲙⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲩϥⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲝⲁⲙ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲓⲁϥⲉⲑ̅· ⲉⲩⲛⲁⲣ ϥⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϣⲉ ⲛϣⲟ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ· ⲁⲩϫⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲕⲉⲉⲱⲛ ⲡⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲩⲕⲧⲟ ⲙⲡⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲕϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲕϭⲓϫ· | sena-joos n-Sakla je: ou te t-čom n-nei-rōme etau-aheratou m-pek-mto ebol? nai etau-fitou ebol hm pi-sperma nte Kham mn Iapheth, eu-na-r ftoou n-she n-sho n-rōme. au-jitou ehoun e-ke-eōn, pē etau-shōpe ebol nhētf; auō au-kto m-pe-eoou tērf nte tek-čom mn t-mnt-rro nte tek-čij. | They will say to Sakla: “What is the power of these men who have stood before your presence? They have been taken from the seed of Ham and Japheth, and they will number four hundred thousand men. They have been received into another Aeon, the one from which they had come, and they have overturned all the glory of your power and the dominion of your hand. |
| 74,17–26 | ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲉⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲱϩⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲕⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲧⲏⲣϥ· ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ϩⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲉⲕⲁⲙⲁϩⲧⲉ ⲣ ⲣⲣⲟ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ· ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲣⲙ ⲛϭⲁⲉⲓⲗⲉ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ· ⲉⲙⲡⲟⲩⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲧⲉϩⲛⲁⲕ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲁⲩⲡⲱⲱⲛⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲕⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ ⲧⲏⲣϥ· | je a-pe-sperma nte Nōhe ebol hm pef-shēre af-eire m-pek-ouōsh tērf; mn ni-čom tērou hn ni-eōn eta-pek-amahte r rro ehrai ejōou; mn ni-rōme etm-mau mn nē ete n-rm n-čaeile hm peu-eoou; empou-eire m-pet-ehnak, alla au-pōōne m-pek-mēēshe tērf. | For the seed of Noah, through his sons, has fulfilled all your will, and so have all the powers in the Aeons over which your dominion reigns. But those men, together with those who dwell with them in their glory, have not fulfilled your will. Instead, they have turned your entire multitude away from you.” |
| 74,26–75,8 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ ϥⲛⲁⲧ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲙϣⲉ ⲙⲙⲟϥ [.ⲗⲧ ⲛⲥⲁ ⲧⲃ.ⲩⲥ ⲛⲕ ⲥⲉⲛⲛⲏⲩ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲡⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲟⲩϫⲱϩⲙ· ⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁϫⲱϩⲙ ⲁⲛ ϩⲛ ⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲛⲓⲙ· ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲁⲧⲉⲩⲯⲩⲝⲏ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲁⲛ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲓϫ ⲉⲥϫⲁϩⲙ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲟⲩⲁϩ ⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ· | tote p-noute nte ni-eōn fna-ti nau ebol hn nē et-shmshe mmof sen-nēou ejm p-kah etm-mau; pē etou-na-shōpe nhētf nči ni-noč n-rōme; nē ete mpou-jōhm, oute nse-na-jōhm an hn epithymia nim; je nta-teu-psychē shōpe an hn ou-čij es-jahm, alla as-shōpe ebol hn ou-noč n-ouah-sahne nte ou-aggelos n-sha eneh. | Then the GOD of the Aeons will give them some of those who serve him […]. They will come upon that land in which the great men dwell, those who have not been defiled and who will not be defiled by any desire. For their soul did not come into being through a defiled hand, but through the great command of an eternal angel. |
| 75,9–16 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϫⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲕⲱϩⲧ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲏⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲁⲙⲣⲏϩⲉ ⲉϫⲛ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉⲣⲉⲟⲩⲕⲱϩⲧ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲗⲟⲥⲧⲛ ⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲛⲥⲉⲣ ⲕⲁⲕⲉ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲃⲁⲗ ⲛⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϥⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ· ⲛⲥⲉⲧⲙⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ ϩⲛ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· | tote sena-nouje n-ou-kōht mn ou-thēn mn ou-amrēhe ejn ni-rōme etm-mau; auō ere-ou-kōht mn ou-hlostn ei ejn ni-eōn etm-mau; nse-r kake nči n-bal n-ni-čom nte ni-fōstēr; nse-tm-nau ebol mmoou nči ni-eōn hn ne-hoou etm-mau. | Then fire, sulfur, and bitumen will be cast upon those men. Fire and a blinding mist will come upon those Aeons. The eyes of the powers of the luminaries will be darkened, and the Aeons will not be able to see them in those days. |
| 75,17–28 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲥⲉⲛⲛⲏⲩ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲛϭⲓ ϩⲉⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ· ⲛⲥⲉⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ϩⲉⲛⲕⲉⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲛⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲛⲉⲱⲛ· ⲥⲉⲛⲛⲏⲩ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲛϭⲓ ⲁⲃⲣⲁⲥⲁⲭ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲥⲁⲃⲗⲱ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲅⲁⲙⲁⲗⲓⲏⲗ̅· ⲛⲥⲉⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲛⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲕⲱϩⲧ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲓϭⲱⲛⲧ· ⲛⲥⲉϫⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲥⲁⲧⲡⲉ ⲛⲛⲓⲁⲓⲱⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲁⲣⲝⲏ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ· | auō sen-nēou ehrai nči hen-noč n-kloole n-ouoein; nse-ei ehrai ejōou nči hen-ke-kloole n-ouoein ebol hn ni-noč n-neōn; sen-nēou ehrai nči Abrasax mn Sablo mn Gamaliēl; nse-eine n-ni-rōme etm-mau ebol hm pi-kōht mn pi-čōnt; nse-jitou nsa-t-pe n-ni-aiōn mn ni-arkhē nte ni-čom. | And great clouds of light will descend. Other clouds of light will come down upon them from the great Aeons. Abrasax, Sablo, and Gamaliel will descend and bring those men out of the fire and the wrath. They will take them above the Aeons and the principalities of the powers. |
| 75,28–76,7 | ⲛⲥⲉϫⲓⲧⲟⲩ· ⲉⲃⲟⲗ [.ⲟⲩ ⲛⲱⲛϩ ⲁ [ⲛⲥⲉϫⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲛⲉⲱⲛ· ⲡⲁ.[.ⲙⲁ ⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲙⲃⲁ[.]ⲣ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ· ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲩⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲛⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ϫⲉ ϩⲉⲛϣⲙⲙⲟ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲛ ⲛⲉ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲉⲩⲣ ϩⲱⲃ ϩⲛ ⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲛⲁⲧⲧⲁⲕⲟ· | nse-jitou ebol n-shōpe nte ni-noč […] mmau mn ni-aggelos et-ouaab mn ni-eōn; sena-shōpe nči ni-rōme eu-eine n-ni-aggelos etm-mau; je hen-shmmo mmoou an ne, alla eu-r hōb hn t-spora n-at-tako. | And they will carry them away [… part of the text is lost …] into the dwelling place of the great […], together with the holy angels and the Aeons. Those men will become like those angels, for they are not strangers to them; indeed, they labor within the incorruptible seed. |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section IV
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 76,8–77,26
The Illuminator of Knowledge and the Wrath of the Powers
Editorial note: this section introduces, for the third time, the Illuminator of Knowledge. His manifestation is associated with the preservation of a remnant from the seed of Noah, Ham, and Japheth, and with the deliverance of souls from the authority of death. The powers are unable to comprehend him and turn their wrath against the man upon whom the Holy Spirit has come. Material lacunae in the manuscript are indicated by […] and are not silently reconstructed.
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76,8–17 | ⲡⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲟⲛ ϥⲛⲁⲥⲓⲛⲉ ⲙⲡⲙⲉϩ- ϣⲟⲙⲉⲧ ⲛⲥⲟⲡ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲓϥⲱⲥ- ⲧⲏⲣ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲛⲉⲟⲟⲩ· ϩⲓⲛⲁ ϫⲉ ⲉϥⲉϣⲱϫⲡ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲱϩⲉ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲝⲁⲙ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲓⲁϥⲉⲑ̅ ϫⲉ ⲉϥⲉϣⲱϫⲡ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛϩⲉⲛϣⲏⲛ ⲛⲣⲉϥⲧ ⲟⲩⲧⲁϩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ϥⲛⲁⲥⲱ- ⲧⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲩⲯⲩⲝⲏ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉϩⲟ- ⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲙⲟⲩ· | palin on fna-sine m-p-meh-shomet n-sop nči pi-fōstēr nte t-gnōsis hn ou-noč n-ne-oou; hina je efe-shōjp ebol hm pi-sperma nte Nōhe mn ni-shēre nte Kham mn Iapheth, je efe-shōjp naf n-hen-shēn n-ref-ti outah; auō fna-sōte n-neu-psychē ebol hm pe-hoou m-p-mou. | Once again, for the third time, the Illuminator of Knowledge will pass by in great glory, so that he may preserve something from the seed of Noah and from the sons of Ham and Japheth, preserving for himself fruit-bearing trees. And he will redeem their souls from the day of death. |
| 76,17–27 | ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲗⲁⲥⲙⲁ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩ ⲉⲧⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧ· ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲱ- ⲡⲉ ϩⲁ ⲧⲉⲭⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ ⲙⲡⲙⲟⲩ· ⲛⲏ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲩϩⲏⲧ ⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁⲧⲁⲕⲟ ⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲡⲛⲁ̅ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲓⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛⲧⲁⲩϫⲓ ⲛⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ ⲛⲟⲩ [..] ⲛⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ· | je pi-plasma tērf etaf-shōpe ebol hm pi-kah et-moout sena-shōpe ha t-exousia m-p-mou; nē de et-meeue e-t-gnōsis nte pi-sha eneh p-noute hm peu-hēt nse-na-tako an, je mpou-ji p-na ebol hn tei-mnt-rro n-ouōt, alla ntau-ji ntootf n-ou […] n-aggelos n-sha eneh. | For the whole creation that came forth from the dead earth will be under the authority of death. But those who reflect in their hearts upon the knowledge of the eternal GOD will not perish. For they did not receive spirit from this kingdom alone, but they received it from an […] eternal angel. |
| 76,28–77,3 |
[… ⲙϥⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ …]
[… ⲛⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲉϫⲛ …] [… ⲓⲍⲉ ⲙⲙⲟ …] […] ⲛⲥⲏⲑ̅· ⲛϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛϩⲉⲛ- ⲙⲁⲉⲓⲛ ⲙⲛ ϩⲉⲛϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ϫⲉ ⲉϥⲉⲧ ⲥⲱϣ ⲛⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲩⲁⲣⲝⲱⲛ· |
[… fōstēr …] [… nēou ejn …] [… lacuna …] […] n-Sēth; nf-eire n-hen-maein mn hen-shpēre je efe-ti sōsh n-ni-čom mn peu-arkhōn. | [… the manuscript is severely damaged here. The surviving text refers to the Illuminator coming upon […] that is dead […] of Seth …] And he will perform signs and wonders in order to bring contempt upon the powers and their ruler. |
| 77,4–9 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ϥⲛⲁϣⲧⲟⲣⲧⲣ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ· ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ· ⲁϣ ⲧⲉ ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧϫⲟⲥⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲛ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ϥⲛⲁⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛϭⲱⲛⲧ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· | tote fna-shtortṛ nči p-noute nte ni-čom, ef-jō mmos je: ash te t-čom nte pi-rōme et-jose eron? tote fna-tounos ou-noč n-čōnt ejm pi-rōme etm-mau. | Then the GOD of the powers will be disturbed, saying: “What is the power of this man who is higher than we are?” Then he will raise up a great wrath against that man. |
| 77,10–18 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉϥⲉⲟⲩⲱⲧⲃ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲓⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲛ ϩⲉⲛⲏⲉⲓ ⲉⲩⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲥⲟⲧⲡⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲁⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ϩⲛ ⲛⲉⲩⲃⲁⲗ· ⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁⲛⲁⲩ ⲁⲛ ⲉⲡⲓⲕⲉϥⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲣⲕⲟⲗⲁⲍⲉ ⲛⲧⲥⲁⲣⲁⲭ ⲙⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲓⲡⲛⲁ̅ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲱϥ· | auō efe-ouōtb nči pi-eoou nf-shōpe hn hen-ēei eu-ouaab, nē etaf-sotpou naf; auō nse-na-nau erof an nči ni-čom hn neu-bal, oute nse-na-nau an e-pi-ke-fōstēr; tote sena-r-kolaze n-t-sarax m-pi-rōme eta-pi-pna et-ouaab ei ejōf. | And the glory will withdraw and dwell in holy houses that it has chosen for itself. The powers will not see it with their eyes, nor will they see the Illuminator. Then they will punish the flesh of the man upon whom the Holy Spirit has come. |
| 77,19–26 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲣⲝⲣⲁⲥⲑⲁⲓ ⲙⲡⲓⲣⲁⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲡⲗⲁⲛⲏ· ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ· ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲧⲱⲛ· ⲏ ⲛⲧⲁⲩⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲧⲱⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓϣⲁϫⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲛⲟⲩϫ· ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲟⲩϭⲛⲧⲟⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ· | tote sena-arkhrasthai m-pi-ran nči ni-aggelos mn ni-genea tērou nte ni-čom hn ou-planē, eu-jō mmos je: as-shōpe ebol tōn? ē ntau-ei ebol tōn nči ni-shaje m-mnt-nouj? nai ete mpou-čntou nči ni-čom tērou. | Then the angels and all the generations of the powers will invoke the name in error, saying: “Where did this come from? And from where did these words of deception come, which none of the powers have been able to discover?” |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section V
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 77,27–82,19
The Thirteen Kingdoms and the Origins of the Illuminator
Editorial note: after the appearance of the Illuminator of Knowledge, the thirteen kingdoms present thirteen different traditions concerning his origin. Each kingdom attempts to explain his coming according to its own account. Material lacunae in the manuscript are indicated by […] and are not supplemented with uncertain reconstructions.
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77,27–78,5 | ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ· ⲧϩⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ [… lacuna …] ⲉⲧⲡⲉ ⲛϭⲓ ⲟⲩⲡⲛⲁ̅ […] ϩⲛ ⲙⲡⲏⲩⲉ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲡⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲏ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲧϭⲟⲙ· ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲛ ⲕⲟⲩⲛⲧⲥ ⲛⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-houeite oun m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je af-shōpe ebol hn […] e-t-pe nči ou-pna […] hn m-pēue; af-ji pe-eoou m-pē etm-mau mn t-čom; af-ei ejn kounts n-tef-maau; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The first kingdom says of him that he came into being from […]. A spirit […] to heaven; he was nourished in the heavens. He received the glory of the one who was there and the power. He came to the womb of his mother, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 78,6–17 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲥⲛⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲃⲏⲏⲧϥ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲙⲡⲣⲟϥⲏⲧⲏⲥ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲛϭⲓ ⲟⲩϩⲁⲗⲏⲧ ⲁϥϥⲓ ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲁⲩϫⲡⲟϥ· ⲁϥϫⲓⲧϥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲩⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲉϥϫⲟⲥⲉ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲩⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓϩⲁⲗⲏⲧ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲡⲉ· ⲁⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ· ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛⲅ· ⲁⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲧⲓ ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϫⲣⲟ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-snte de m-mnt-rro jō mmos etbēētf je af-shōpe ebol hn ou-noč m-prophētēs; auō af-ei nči ou-halēt, af-fi pi-alou etau-jpof; af-jitf ehoun e-ou-toou ef-jose; auō au-sanoushf ebol hm pi-halēt nte t-pe; au-aggelos ei ebol mmau, pejaf naf je: tōoung, a-p-noute ti eoou nak; af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-jro; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The second kingdom says of him that he came into being from a great prophet. A bird came, took the child who had been born, and carried him to a high mountain. There the child was nourished by the bird of heaven. An angel appeared in that place and said to him: “Arise! GOD has granted you glory.” He received glory and strength, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 78,18–26 | ⲧⲙⲉϩϣⲟⲙⲧⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲏⲧⲣⲁ ⲙⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ· ⲁⲩⲛⲟϫϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩϫⲓⲧϥ ⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲛⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ· ⲁϥⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-shomte m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je af-shōpe ebol hn ou-mētra m-parthenos; au-nojf ebol hn tef-polis, ntof mn tef-maau; au-jitf e-ou-ma n-erēmos; af-sanoushf mmau; af-ei, af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The third kingdom says of him that he came into being from the womb of a virgin. He and his mother were driven out of their city and taken to a desert place. There he was nourished. Then he came, received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 78,27–79,18 | ⲧⲙⲉϩϥⲧⲟⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ [… testo danneggiato …] ⲥⲟⲗⲟⲙⲱⲛ ⲕⲱⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲱⲥ ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲙⲛ ϥⲏⲣⲥⲁⲗⲱ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲥⲁⲩⲏⲗ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉϥⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲓⲁ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲧⲁⲟⲩⲟⲟⲩ· ⲁⲥⲟⲗⲟⲙⲱⲛ ϩⲱⲱϥ ⲧⲁⲩⲟ ⲛⲧⲉϥⲥⲧⲣⲁⲧⲓⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ ⲉⲕⲱⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲁ ⲧⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲡⲟⲩϭⲙ ⲧⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲱⲥ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲧⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲧⲁⲁⲥ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩⲛⲧⲥ· ⲁϥϫⲓⲧⲥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲥⲟⲗⲟⲙⲱⲛ· ⲁⲥⲉⲣ ⲃⲁⲕⲉ ⲛϭⲓ ⲧⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ· ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲉ ⲙⲡⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁⲥⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϣⲱⲗϩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ· ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲉⲧⲁⲩϫⲡⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲥ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-ftoe m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je af-shōpe ebol hn ou-parthenos […] Solomon kōte nsōs, ntof mn Phērsalō mn Sauēl mn nef-stratia etau-taouoou; a-Solomon hōōf taouo n-tef-stratia nte ni-daimōn e-kōte nsa t-parthenos; auō mpou-čm tē etou-kōte nsōs; alla t-parthenos etau-taas nau ntos pentau-nts; af-jits nči Solomon; as-er bake nči t-parthenos; as-mise m-pi-alou m-p-ma etm-mau; as-sanoushf hn ou-shōlh nte t-erēmos; nterou-sanoushf af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom ebol hn t-spora etau-jpof ebol nhēts; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The fourth kingdom says of him that he came into being from a virgin […]. Solomon searched for her together with Phersalo, Sauel, and the armies that had been sent. Solomon also sent his army of demons to search for the virgin. They did not find the one they were seeking, but they found the virgin who had been delivered to them. They brought her away, and Solomon took her. The virgin became pregnant and gave birth to the child in that place. She nourished him at the edge of the desert. When he had been raised, he received glory and power from the seed from which he had been begotten, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 79,19–27 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲧ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲗⲧⲗⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲡⲉ· ⲁⲩⲥⲁⲧϥ ⲉⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ· ⲁⲡⲛⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲟⲡϥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ· ⲁϥϫⲡⲟϥ· ⲁϥⲟⲗϥ ⲉⲧⲡⲉ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-ti de m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je af-shōpe ebol hn ou-tltle nte t-pe; au-satf e-thalassa; a-p-noun shopf erof, af-jpof, af-olf e-t-pe; af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The fifth kingdom says of him that he came into being from a drop from heaven. It was cast into the sea. The Abyss received him, begot him, and raised him up to heaven. He received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 79,28–80,9 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲥⲟ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ [… testo danneggiato …] ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉⲡⲓⲉⲱⲛ̅ ⲉⲧⲥⲁϩⲣⲁⲓ ϫⲉ ⲉϥⲉⲧⲟⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛϩⲉⲛϩⲣⲏⲣⲉ· ⲁⲥⲱⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲛⲛⲓϩⲣⲉⲣⲉ· ⲁⲥⲙⲉⲥⲧϥ ⲙⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁⲛⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲛⲑⲉⲱⲛⲟⲥ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-so de m-mnt-rro jō mmos je […] ehrai e-pi-eōn et-sa-hrai je efe-tooute n-hen-hrēre; as-ōō ebol hn t-epithymia n-ni-hrere; as-mestf m-p-topos etm-mau; an-aggelos sanoushf nte pi-antheōnos; af-ji n-ou-eoou m-p-ma etm-mau mn ou-čom; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The sixth kingdom says that […] descended into the lower Aeon in order to gather flowers. She conceived through the desire for the flowers and gave birth to him in that place. The angels of the garden of flowers nourished him. There he received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 80,10–20 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲥⲁϣϥⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲧⲗⲧⲗⲉ ⲡⲉ· ⲁⲥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲡⲉ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ· ⲁⲩϫⲓⲧϥ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉϩⲉⲛⲃⲏⲃ ⲛϭⲓ ϩⲉⲛⲇⲣⲁⲕⲱⲛ· ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲁⲗⲟⲩ· ⲁⲩⲡⲛⲁ̅ ⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲱϥ· ⲁϥϫⲓⲧϥ ⲉⲡϫⲓⲥⲉ ⲉⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲁⲧⲧⲗⲧⲗⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-sashfe de m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je ou-tltle pe; as-ei ebol hn t-pe ejm p-kah; au-jitf ehrai e-hen-bēb nči hen-drakōn; af-shōpe n-ou-alou; au-pna ei ejōf, af-jitf e-p-jise e-p-ma eta-t-tltle shōpe ebol mmau; af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom m-p-ma etm-mau; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The seventh kingdom says of him that he was a drop. It descended from heaven upon the earth. Dragons carried it into caves, and he became a child. A spirit came upon him and took him upward to the place from which the drop had come. There he received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 80,21–29 | ⲧⲙⲉϩϣⲙⲟⲩⲛⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲩⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ· ⲁⲥⲕⲱⲧⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲡⲉⲧⲣⲁ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ· ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲥ· ⲁⲩⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲛ ⲧⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-shmoune de m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je au-kloole ei ejm p-kah; as-kōte n-ou-petra ehoun; af-shōpe ebol nhēts; au-sanoushf nči ni-aggelos nē et-hijn t-kloole; af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom m-p-ma etm-mau; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The eighth kingdom says of him that a cloud came upon the earth and enclosed a rock. He came into being from that rock. The angels who were above the cloud nourished him. There he received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 81,1–14 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲯⲓⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲯⲓⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲣⲓⲇⲱⲛ ⲁⲟⲩⲉⲓ ⲡⲱⲣϫ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ⲁⲥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲉϥϫⲟⲥⲉ· ⲁⲥⲣ ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲉⲥϩⲙⲟⲟⲥ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲣⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲉⲓ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲥ ϫⲉ ⲉⲥⲉϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛϩⲟⲟⲩⲧⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ· ⲁⲥϫⲱⲕ ⲛⲧⲉⲥⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ⲁⲥⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ· ⲁⲩϫⲡⲟϥ· ⲁⲩⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲛ ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-psite de m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je ebol hn t-psite m-Peridōn a-ouei pōrj ebol; as-ei ejn ou-toou ef-jose; as-r ouoeish es-hmoos mmau; hōste ns-r-epithymei eros ouaas je ese-shōpe n-hoout-shime; as-jōk n-tes-epithymia ebol; as-ō ebol hn tes-epithymia; au-jpof; au-sanoushf nči ni-aggelos nē et-hijn t-epithymia; auō af-ji n-ou-eoou m-p-ma etm-mau mn ou-čom; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The ninth kingdom says of him that one of the nine Muses separated herself from the others and departed. She came to a high mountain and remained there for a time. She desired only herself, so that she might become male and female. She fulfilled her own desire and conceived through it. He was born. The angels appointed over desire nourished him. There he received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 81,15–23 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲙⲏⲧⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲉϥⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲉⲣⲉ ⲟⲩϭⲏⲡⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ· ⲁϥϫⲡⲟ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲉϥϭⲓϫ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲛⲟⲩϫⲉ ⲉϫⲛ ⲧⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲧⲗⲧⲗⲉ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲩϫⲡⲟϥ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-mēte m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je a-pef-noute mere ou-čēpe nte t-epithymia; af-jpo mmof ehrai e-tef-čij; auō af-nouje ejn t-kloole ehoue erof ebol hn t-tltle; auō au-jpof; af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom m-p-ma etm-mau; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The tenth kingdom says of him that his GOD loved a cloud of desire. He begot him with his own hand and cast the drop upon the cloud that was near him. Thus he was born. There he received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 81,24–82,4 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲙⲛⲧⲟⲩⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲓⲱⲧ ⲣⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓ ⲉⲧⲉϥϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲧⲥ· ⲁⲥⲱⲱ ϩⲱⲱⲥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲥⲉⲓⲱⲧ· ⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϫⲉ [… testo danneggiato …] ⲛⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓ ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ· ⲁⲡⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-mnt-oue de m-mnt-rro jō mmos je a-piōt r-epithymi e-tef-sheere ouaats; as-ō hōōs ebol hm pes-eiōt; as-nouje […] n-bol hi t-erēmos; a-p-aggelos sanoushf m-p-ma etm-mau; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The eleventh kingdom says of him that the father desired his own daughter. She herself conceived from her father. She cast […] out into the desert. There an angel nourished him, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 82,5–10 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲙⲛⲧⲥⲛⲟⲟⲩⲥ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ϥⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ· ⲁⲩⲥⲁⲛⲟⲩϣϥ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | t-meh-mnt-snoous m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je af-shōpe ebol hm fōstēr snau; au-sanoushf mmau; af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou. | The twelfth kingdom says of him that he came into being from two Illuminators. There they nourished him. He received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water. |
| 82,11–19 | ⲧⲙⲉϩⲙⲛⲧϣⲟⲙⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲣⲣⲟ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ϭⲓⲛⲙⲓⲥⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲩⲁⲣⲝⲱⲛ ⲟⲩⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲱϣ ⲙⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲉⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ· ⲁϥϫⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧϩⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ· ϩⲓⲛⲁ ϫⲉ ⲉⲩⲉⲧⲱⲧ ⲛⲧⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲓϭⲟⲙ· | t-meh-mnt-shomte de m-mnt-rro jō mmos erof je čin-mise nim nte peu-arkhōn ou-logos pe; auō af-ji n-ou-tōsh m-p-ma etm-mau nči pei-logos; af-ji n-ou-eoou mn ou-čom; auō n-t-he af-ei ejm pi-moou; hina je eue-tōt n-t-epithymia nte nei-čom. | The thirteenth kingdom says of him that every birth proceeding from their ruler is a Logos. And this Logos received a command in that place. He received glory and power, and in this way he came to the water, so that the desire of these powers might be fulfilled. |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section VI
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 82,20–83,4
The Generation without a King and the True Origin of the Great Illuminator
Editorial note: after the thirteen kingdoms have offered their competing explanations concerning the origin of the Illuminator, the Generation without a King gives a fundamentally different account. According to this generation, GOD chose the Illuminator from all the Aeons and caused the knowledge of the undefiled truth to dwell within him. The Great Illuminator comes from a foreign air belonging to a Great Aeon and causes the chosen generation to shine throughout the entire Aeon.
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82,20–25 | ⲧⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲛⲁⲧⲣ ⲣⲣⲟ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲥ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ· ⲁϥⲧⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲧϫⲱϩⲙ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲙⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ· | t-genea de n-n-at-r rro ehrai ejōs jō mmos je: a-p-noute sōtp mmof ebol hn ni-eōn tērou; af-tre ou-gnōsis nte pi-at-jōhm nte t-me shōpe nhētf. | But the Generation over which there is no king says: “GOD chose him from all the Aeons, and caused the knowledge of the Undefiled One of Truth to come to dwell within him.” |
| 82,25–28 | ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ· ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲁⲏⲣ ⲛϣⲙⲙⲟ· ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲛⲉⲱⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲙϥⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ· | pejaf je: af-ei ebol hn ou-aēr n-shmmo; ebol hn ou-noč n-neōn nči pi-noč m-fōstēr. | It says: “The Great Illuminator came forth from a foreign air, from a Great Aeon.” |
| 82,28–83,4 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲧⲣⲉ ⲧⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲣ ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲥⲟⲧⲡⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ· ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲣ ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲉⲱⲛ ⲧⲏⲣϥ· | auō af-tre t-genea nte ni-rōme etm-mau r ouoein; nē etaf-sotpou naf; hōste nse-r ouoein ejm pi-eōn tērf. | And he caused the generation of those men whom he had chosen for himself to shine, so that they might give light throughout the entire Aeon. |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section VII
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 83,4–84,3
The Victory of the Knowledge of Truth and the Confession of the Peoples
Editorial note: after the revelation of the true origin of the Great Illuminator, the text describes the conflict between the seed associated with his name and the opposing Power. A cloud of darkness descends upon them, while the peoples proclaim as blessed those who have known GOD through the knowledge of Truth. The conclusion of the section preserves a short damaged passage, indicated by […].
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83,4–8 | ⲉⲱⲛ ⲧⲏⲣϥ· ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲛⲁⲧ ⲟⲩⲃⲉ ⲧϭⲟⲙ· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲛⲁϫⲓ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ϩⲓϫⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲟⲩⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲗⲟⲟⲗⲉ ⲛⲕⲁⲕⲉ ⲛⲛⲏⲩ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ· | eōn tērf. tote t-spora na-ti oube t-čom; nē et-na-ji m-pef-ran hijm pi-moou auō n-tootou tērou; auō oun ou-kloole n-kake n-nēou ejōou. | Then the seed will fight against the Power: those who will receive his name upon the water and through all of them. And a cloud of darkness will come upon them. |
| 83,9–14 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲥⲙⲏ ⲛϭⲓ ⲛⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ· ⲛⲁⲓⲁⲧⲥ ⲛⲧⲯⲩⲝⲏ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ· ϫⲉ ⲁⲩⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲙⲉ· | tote sena-ōsh ebol hn ou-noč n-smē nči ni-laos eu-jō mmos je: naiat-s n-t-psychē nte ni-rōme etm-mau; je au-souōn p-noute hn ou-gnōsis nte t-me. | Then the peoples will cry out with a great voice, saying: “Blessed is the soul of those men, for they have known GOD through a knowledge of Truth. |
| 83,14–23 | ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲱⲛϩ ϣⲁ ⲛⲉⲱⲛ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲱⲛ· ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲧⲁⲕⲟ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲩⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ· ⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲟⲩϫⲉⲕ ⲛⲓϩⲃⲏⲩⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲁⲩⲁϩⲉⲣⲁⲧⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲙⲧⲟ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ· ⲛⲑⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲱϩⲧ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲥⲛⲟϥ· | sena-ōnh sha n-eōn nte n-eōn; je mpou-tako hn teu-epithymia mn ni-aggelos; oute mpou-jek ni-hbēue nte ni-čom ebol; alla au-aheratou m-pef-mto hn ou-gnōsis nte p-noute; n-the n-ou-ouoein eaf-ei ebol hn ou-kōht mn ou-snof. | They will live for the Aeons of the Aeons, because they were not corrupted by their desire together with the angels, nor did they bring to completion the works of the Powers. Instead, they stood before him in the knowledge of GOD, like a light that came forth from fire and blood. |
| 83,23–28 | ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲇⲉ ⲁⲛⲣ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧⲁⲧϩⲏⲧ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ· ⲁⲛϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ϩⲛ ⲧⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲛϩⲃⲏⲩⲉ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ· ⲁⲛⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲙⲉ· | anon de an-r hōb nim hn ou-mnt-at-hēt nte ni-čom; an-shoushou mmon hn t-parabasis nte nen-hbēue tērou; an-ōsh oube p-noute nte t-me. | But we have performed every work in the foolishness of the Powers. We gloried in the transgression of all our deeds. We cried out against the GOD of Truth, |
| 83,29–84,3 | ϫⲉ ⲛⲉϥϩⲃⲏⲩⲉ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ [… testo danneggiato …] ⲟⲩϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲡⲉ· ⲛⲉⲓ ϩⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲡⲛⲁ̅· ⲁⲛⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲧⲛⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲝⲏ ⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩ· | je nef-hbēue tērou [… lacuna …] ou-sha eneh pe; nei ha nen-pna; an-eime gar tnou je nen-psychē na-mou hn ou-mou. | for all his works [… part of the text is lost …] are eternal. They stand against our spirits. For now we have understood that our souls will die in death.” |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section VIII
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 84,4–85,18
The Living Water and the Words of Incorruptibility and Truth
Editorial note: a heavenly voice now addresses the figures associated with the holy baptism and the Living Water: Micheu, Michar, and Mnesinous. The passage rebukes lawless speech, defiled works, and the corruption of the Water of Life through submission to the Powers. It then contrasts these deeds with the men whose fruit does not wither and whose unwritten words belong to the GOD of the Aeons. A damaged passage at the end of page 84 is indicated by […].
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84,4–14 | ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲩⲥⲙⲏ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲙⲓⲝⲉⲩ̅ ⲙⲛ- ⲙⲓⲝⲁⲣ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲙⲛⲏⲥⲓⲛⲟⲩⲥ̅· ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲛ ⲡⲓϫⲱⲕⲙ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ ϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩ- ⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ ϩⲛ ϩⲉⲛⲥⲙⲏ ⲛⲁⲛⲟ- ⲙⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ ϩⲉⲛⲗⲁⲥ ⲉⲙⲛ ⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ ⲧⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ϩⲉⲛⲯⲩⲝⲏ ⲉⲩⲙⲉϩ ⲛⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲙⲛ ϩⲉⲛϩⲃⲏⲩⲉ ⲉⲩⲥⲟⲟϥ· | tote au-smē shōpe sharoou, es-jō mmos je: Mikheu mn Mikhar mn Mnēsinous, nē et-hijn pi-jōkm et-ouaab mn pi-moou et-onh; je etbe ou netetn-ōsh oube p-noute et-onh hn hen-smē n-anomos, mn hen-las e-mn nomos te etootou, mn hen-psychē eu-meh n-snof mn hen-hbēue eu-soof? | Then a voice came to them, saying: “Micheu, Michar, and Mnesinous, you who are over the holy baptism and the Living Water, why did you cry out against the living GOD with lawless voices, with tongues upon which there is no law, with souls filled with blood, and with defiled deeds? |
| 84,14–23 | ⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛⲙⲉϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ϩⲉⲛϩⲃⲏⲩⲉ ⲉⲛⲁ ⲧⲙⲉ ⲁⲛ ⲛⲉ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛⲉⲧⲛϩⲓⲟⲟⲩⲉ ⲙⲉϩ ⲛ- ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲧⲉⲗⲏⲗ· ⲉⲁⲧⲉ- ⲧⲛϫⲉϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϩ ⲁⲧⲉⲧⲛⲥⲱⲕ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲧ ⲧⲏⲩⲧⲛ ⲉⲧⲟⲟ- ⲧⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛⲉϣⲙϣⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ· | etetn-meh ebol hn hen-hbēue ena t-me an ne; alla netn-hiooue meh n-ounof mn p-telēl; eatetn-jehm pi-moou nte p-ōnh; atetn-sōk mmof ehoun e-p-ouōsh nte ni-čom, nē etau-ti tēutn etootou je etetne-shmshe mmoou. | You are filled with works that do not belong to Truth, while your ways are filled with gladness and rejoicing. You have defiled the Water of Life, and you have drawn it into the will of the Powers, those into whose hands you were given so that you might serve them. |
| 84,23–28 | ⲁⲩⲱ ⲙⲡⲉⲡⲉ- ⲧⲛⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲙⲡⲁ ⲛⲓ- ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉⲧⲛⲡⲱⲧ ⲛⲥⲱⲟⲩ ⲡⲟⲩⲥ. ..ⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲉ .ⲉⲡⲓⲑⲩⲙⲓⲁ.. ϩⲉ | auō mpe-petn-meeue eine m-pa ni-rōme etm-mau an, nē etetn-pōt nsōou [… epithymia …] | And your thought is not like that of those men whom you persecute, [… the remainder of the sentence is damaged; the surviving letters contain a reference to desire …] |
| 85,1–6 | ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲡⲉⲩⲟⲩⲧⲁϩ ⲗⲱⲱⲙ· ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲩⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ⲛⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲛⲉⲱⲛ· ϫⲉ ⲛⲓϣⲁϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲱⲛ ⲙⲡⲟⲩϩⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲉ- ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲥϩⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲁⲛ· | mare-peu-outah lōōm; alla sena-shōpe eu-sooun mmoou sha ni-noč n-neōn; je ni-shaje etau-areh eroou nte p-noute nte n-eōn mpou-hitou e-p-jōōme, oute nse-shēout an. | [… the beginning of the statement is affected by the preceding lacuna …] Their fruit does not wither. Rather, they will be known as far as the Great Aeons, because the words they have preserved from the GOD of the Aeons were not placed in a book, nor were they written down. |
| 85,7–11 | ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϩⲉⲛⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲥⲉⲛⲁⲙⲙⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲛ ⲛ- ϭⲓ ⲛⲅⲉⲛⲉⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ· ⲥⲉ- ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉϫⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲉϥ- ϫⲟⲥⲉ ϩⲓϫⲛ ⲟⲩⲡⲉⲧⲣⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲙⲉ· | alla hen-aggelikos et-na-ntou, nai ete nse-na-mme eroou an nči n-genea tērou n-n-rōme; sena-shōpe gar ejn ou-toou ef-jose, hijn ou-petra nte t-me. | But angelic beings will bring them, beings whom all the generations of humanity will not know. For they will be upon a high mountain, upon a Rock of Truth. |
| 85,12–18 | ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲧ ⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲣⲥⲓⲁ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲙⲛⲧⲙⲉ ⲛⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩ- ⲥⲟϥⲓⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲥⲃⲱ ⲛⲧⲉ ϩⲉⲛⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ϫⲉ ϥⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲛϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ· | etbe pai sena-ti ran eroou je ni-shaje nte t-aftharsia mn t-mnt-me, n-nē et-sooun m-p-noute n-sha eneh hn ou-sophia nte ou-gnōsis mn ou-sbō nte hen-aggelos sha eneh, je f-sooun n-hōb nim. | For this reason they will be called “The Words of Incorruptibility and Truth,” belonging to those who know the eternal GOD in the Wisdom of Knowledge and in the teaching of eternal angels, for he knows all things. |
Apocalypse of Adam — Section IX
Nag Hammadi Codex V,5 — 85,19–85,32
The Secret Knowledge of Adam, the Holy Baptism, and the Living Water
Editorial note: these lines constitute the formal conclusion of the Apocalypse of Adam. The revelation transmitted by Adam to Seth is described as secret knowledge and is entrusted, through Seth, to his seed. The text associates it with the holy baptism, eternal knowledge, the incorruptible Illuminators, and the holy seed. The names Jesseus, Mazareus, and Jessedekeus appear immediately before the final colophon. The reading is partially reconstructed in the manuscript.
| Reference | Sahidic Coptic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85,19–22 | ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲡⲟⲕⲁⲗⲩⲯⲓⲥ ⲉⲧⲁ- ⲁⲇⲁⲙ̅ ϭⲁⲗⲡⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲥⲏⲑ̅ ⲡⲉϥ- ϣⲏⲣⲉ· ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲡⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲧⲁⲙⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ· | nai ne ni-apokalypsis eta-Adam čalpou ebol n-Sēth pef-shēre; auō a-pef-shēre tame tef-spora eroou. | These are the revelations that Adam revealed to Seth, his son; and his son made them known to his own seed. |
| 85,22–24 | ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲅⲛⲱ- ⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲛⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲩϥⲟⲛ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲁⲇⲁⲙ̅ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲁⲥ ⲛⲥⲏⲑ̅· | tai te t-gnōsis n-n-apokryphon nte Adam, etaf-taas n-Sēth. | This is the knowledge of the secret things of Adam, which he entrusted to Seth. |
| 85,24–27 | ⲉⲧⲉ ⲡⲓϫⲱ- ⲕⲙ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲟ- ⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲧⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ | ete pi-jōkm et-ouaab pe n-nē et-sooun n-t-gnōsis n-eneh ebol hitootou n-ni-logogenēs. | It is the holy baptism of those who know the eternal knowledge, through those who are begotten from the Logos. |
| 85,27–29 | ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓϥⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ ⲛⲁⲧⲧⲁⲕⲟ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩ- ⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲥⲡⲟⲣⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ· | mn ni-fōstēr n-at-tako, nē etau-ei ebol hn t-spora et-ouaab. | and through the incorruptible Illuminators, those who came forth from the holy seed: |
| 85,30–31 | ⲓⲉⲥⲥⲉⲩⲥ̅ ⲙⲁⲍⲁⲣⲉⲩⲥ̅ ⲓⲉⲥⲥⲉⲇⲉⲕⲉⲩⲥ̅ [ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ] | Iesseus, Mazareus, Iessedekeus, | Jesseus, Mazareus, Jessedekeus, . |
| 85,32 | ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲕⲁⲗⲩⲯⲓⲥ ⲛⲁⲇⲁⲙ | t-apokalypsis n-Adam | The Apocalypse of Adam. |
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- The Gnostic Society Library – The Apocalypse of Adam, translated by George W. MacRae. The page provides the complete English text of the tractate from the Nag Hammadi Library and identifies it as part of the Coptic Gnostic Library tradition.
