Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition.
Date & Provenance
Probably composed in the 1st or 2nd century CE. Jewish Gnostic in origin.
Language & Manuscripts
Survives in Coptic in Codex V of the Nag Hammadi library, discovered in 1945 near Nag Hammadi, Egypt.
Why It Matters for Study
Secret revelations given by Adam to his son Seth. Describes the origin of the soul, the fall, and the hope of salvation. Contains the "13 Kingdoms" section.
" And Adam said to Seth: My son, listen to my words, for I will reveal to you the things which I saw and heard." — Apocalypse of Adam 1:1
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Apocalypse of Adam — Gnostic Society Full translation with introduction.
- Apocalypse of Adam — Wikipedia Background and scholarly discussion.
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
Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.
MacRae, G. W. " The Apocalypse of Adam." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Hedrick, C. W. The Apocalypse of Adam: A Literary and Source Analysis. Scholars Press, 1980.