The Gnostic Bible by Willis Barnstone

Author:Willis Barnstone [Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications

1. Hans-Gebhard Bethge in Layton, Nag Hammadi Codex II, 2–7, 2.12.

2. On the Origin of the World is preserved in Nag Hammadi library, Codex II, 5 pp. 97, 24 to 127, 17. A portion of the text is also preserved in the Oeyen fragments (British Library Oriental Manuscript 4927[1]) and in a fragment of Nag Hammadi library, Codex XIII. On the Origin of the World has been translated by Hans-Gebhard Bethge and Orval S. Wintermute (Robinson, Nag Hammadi Library in English, 1st ed., 161–79), and by Hans-Gebhard Bethge, Bentley Layton, and the Societas Coptica Hierosolymitana (Robinson, Nag Hammadi Library in English, rev. ed., 170–89); revised by Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer.

3. In other words, something existed before the primordial chaos (see Genesis 1:1–2). That is the infinite one, the source of all.

4. The infinite one recalls the One (monad) in the Secret Book of John and other gnostic texts.

5. Wisdom, also known as Sophia Zoe, wisdom life, the daughter of Pistis Sophia.

6. Faith, also known as Pistis Sophia, faith wisdom, the mother of Sophia Zoe.

7. The wish is most likely that of Sophia, the likeness that appeared.

8. A similar veil is mentioned in the Gospel of Philip, and limit (horos) functions as a cosmic boundary in Valentinian thought in general. The concept of the region of the middle, between the immortal and mortal realms, is also common in gnostic texts.

9. The infinite is all light, and outside is shadow, darkness.

10. This account resembles features of the story of the fall of Sophia and the birth of the demiurge in other gnostic accounts.

11. Or “her powers.”

12. This is the inopportune birth of the creator of the world, Yaldabaoth.

13. On the names of the creator, see the Secret Book of John and the Reality of the Rulers (with the notes) in this volume.

14. In Hebrew the name Ariel is commonly taken to mean “lion of god.”

15. Here and throughout the text are parallels to the opening chapters of Genesis, as well as to the Reality of the Rulers. Only a few will be noted.

16. A form of the ineffable divine name Yahweh. In Greek Yao is spelled Iao, hence the baby-talk “Eee.”

17. A name that resembles the Hebrew for god, El or Elohim.

18. Pronoia.

19. The name Sambathas resembles the Hebrew Shabbat or Sabbath.

20. This is the realm of seven, the hebdomad, the astronomical realm of the planets.

21. Sabaoth resembles the Hebrew for “hosts,” as in “lord of hosts.”

22. A text with this name is known from the Greek magical papyri.

23. This text recalls the Thought of Norea, Nag Hammadi library, Codex IX, 2. Also note the discussion of Norea in the Reality of the Rulers.

24. Greek archigenitor, here and throughout.

25. Or emend to “knew not.”

26. The underworld, the realm of the dead, hell.

27. This is the lower Sophia, one of the seven offspring of Yaldabaoth (see above).

28. Isaiah 45:5–6, 21; 46:9.

29. Samael also figures prominently in the Secret Book of John and the Reality of the Rulers.

30. The immortal human recalls the first human, or Geradamas (heavenly Adam), in the Secret Book of John and elsewhere.

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