On the Origin of the World (Nag Hammadi)
Encyclopedia
On the Origin of the World is a Gnostic work dealing with creation and end times
. It was found amongst the texts in the Nag Hammadi library
, in Codex II
and Codex XIII
, immediately following the Reality of the Rulers
, with many parallels between the two texts In particular, it rethinks the entire story of Genesis, and positions Yaldabaoth (the Demiurge) as the creator of the world, fulfilling the role of God in Genesis. Furthermore, the Serpent
in the Garden of Eden
is depicted as a hero sent by Sophia to guide mankind towards enlightenment.
End times
The end time, end times, or end of days is a time period described in the eschatological writings in the three Abrahamic religions and in doomsday scenarios in various other non-Abrahamic religions...
. It was found amongst the texts in the Nag Hammadi library
Nag Hammadi library
The Nag Hammadi library is a collection of early Christian Gnostic texts discovered near the Upper Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi in 1945. That year, twelve leather-bound papyrus codices buried in a sealed jar were found by a local peasant named Mohammed Ali Samman...
, in Codex II
Nag Hammadi Codex II
Nag Hammadi Codex II is a papyrus codex with a collection of early Christian Gnostic texts in Coptic . The manuscript has survived in nearly perfect condition. The codex is dated to the 4th century...
and Codex XIII
Nag Hammadi Codex XIII
Nag Hammadi Codex XIII is a papyrus codex with a collection of early Christian Gnostic texts in Coptic . The manuscript is dated to the 4th century.- Description :...
, immediately following the Reality of the Rulers
Hypostasis of the Archons
The Hypostasis of the Archons or The Reality of the Rulers is an exegesis on the Book of Genesis 1-6 and expresses Gnostic mythology of the creations of the cosmos and humanity.- Text's Origin and Content :...
, with many parallels between the two texts In particular, it rethinks the entire story of Genesis, and positions Yaldabaoth (the Demiurge) as the creator of the world, fulfilling the role of God in Genesis. Furthermore, the Serpent
Serpent (Bible)
Serpent is the term used to translate a variety of words in the Hebrew bible, the most common being , , the generic word for "snake"....
in the Garden of Eden
Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden is in the Bible's Book of Genesis as being the place where the first man, Adam, and his wife, Eve, lived after they were created by God. Literally, the Bible speaks about a garden in Eden...
is depicted as a hero sent by Sophia to guide mankind towards enlightenment.