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Apocalypse of Abraham

A pseudepigraphon extant only in a 14th-century Old Church Slavonic manuscript. Describes Abraham's vision of the heavens and the future of Israel.|||Survives only in Old Church Slavonic manuscripts (6 complete, plus fragments). Probably translated from Greek, dependent on a Hebrew or Aramaic original.|||Probably composed in Palestine between 70 and 100–150 CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Abraham's vision of the heavens. Describes the fall of the Watchers, the destruction of the Temple, and the future restoration of Israel.|||Box, G. H. The Apocalypse of Abraham. Oxford, 1919.|||Rubinkiewicz, R. " Apocalypse of Abraham." In OTP 1:681–705.|||Kulik, A. " Apocalypse of Abraham." In Outside the Bible. Jewish Publication Society, 2013.|||Apocalypse of Abraham — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/apocalypseabraham.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Apocalypse of Abraham — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Abraham|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And I saw the heavens opened, and I saw the angels, and the powers, and the glory of God." — Apocalypse of Abraham 15:1

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Probably composed in Palestine between 70 and 100–150 CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Survives only in Old Church Slavonic manuscripts (6 complete, plus fragments). Probably translated from Greek, dependent on a Hebrew or Aramaic original.

Why It Matters for Study

Abraham's vision of the heavens. Describes the fall of the Watchers, the destruction of the Temple, and the future restoration of Israel.

" And I saw the heavens opened, and I saw the angels, and the powers, and the glory of God." — Apocalypse of Abraham 15:1

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Box, G. H. The Apocalypse of Abraham. Oxford, 1919.
Rubinkiewicz, R. " Apocalypse of Abraham." In OTP 1:681–705.
Kulik, A. " Apocalypse of Abraham." In Outside the Bible. Jewish Publication Society, 2013.