The Nag Hammadi Library
Quick Summary
The Nag Hammadi library is a collection of ancient Gnostic texts discovered near Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945. Gnosticism is a complex religious movement characterized by a dualistic worldview, distinguishing between a transcendent, supreme God and an inferior creator, the Demiurge, who fashioned the material world. Gnostic beliefs often include the idea of a special spiritual elite destined for salvation through gnosis, or knowledge, which awakens their divine identity. These texts, primarily Coptic translations from the 2nd or 3rd century, offer insights into early Christian diversity and philosophical traditions, though consensus on a precise definition of Gnosticism remains elusive.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
gnosticismApocryphon of JohnThe Nag Hammadi collection contains Coptic translations of more than four dozen writings that are diverse in type and content, including “secret sayings” of Jesus, non-Christian works belonging to the Egyptian Hermetic tradition, theological treatises, and lengthy mythological stories. Many of the works also contain doctrines…
Read MoreThe Nag Hammadi collection contains Coptic translations of more than four dozen writings that are diverse in type and content, including “secret sayings” of Jesus, non-Christian works belonging to the Egyptian Hermetic tradition, theological treatises, and lengthy mythological stories. Many of the works also contain doctrines…
Read More- gnosticismApocryphon of John
Several Nag Hammadi texts include myths that are similar to those of the Apocryphon of John. The tradition has sometimes been labeled “Sethian” because of the prominent role of the figure of Seth in several of those works. The origins of the Sethian mythology remain uncertain,…
Read MoreSeveral Nag Hammadi texts include myths that are similar to those of the Apocryphon of John. The tradition has sometimes been labeled “Sethian” because of the prominent role of the figure of Seth in several of those works. The origins of the Sethian mythology remain uncertain,…
Read More - gnosticismDiversity of gnostic myths
Two writings in the Nag Hammadi library, the Nature of the Archons and On the Origin of the World, contain a figure named Sabaoth, one of the sons of Ialdabaoth, who is reminiscent of Justin’s Elohim. When Sabaoth realizes that there is a higher realm, he undergoes a kind…
Read MoreTwo writings in the Nag Hammadi library, the Nature of the Archons and On the Origin of the World, contain a figure named Sabaoth, one of the sons of Ialdabaoth, who is reminiscent of Justin’s Elohim. When Sabaoth realizes that there is a higher realm, he undergoes a kind…
Read More - gnosticismDiversity of gnostic myths
…sources, such as those from Nag Hammadi, also called into question several conventional generalizations about gnosticism. In the area of ethics, for example, there is little evidence to support the belief that gnostics were either extreme ascetics or libertines. Many gnostic traditions are ascetic, but others seem to assume the…
Read More…sources, such as those from Nag Hammadi, also called into question several conventional generalizations about gnosticism. In the area of ethics, for example, there is little evidence to support the belief that gnostics were either extreme ascetics or libertines. Many gnostic traditions are ascetic, but others seem to assume the…
Read More