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Testament of Abraham

A Jewish work, probably of Egyptian origin, generally dated to the latter part of the 1st century CE. Describes the death and assumption of Abraham.|||The Greek text of both recensions was published by M. R. James in 1892. The longer recension is attested by a great number of Greek manuscripts and supported by a Rumanian version. The best Paris ms. of the longer version was written in 1315.|||Generally dated to the latter part of the 1st century CE. Egyptian origin. Probably composed in Koine Greek by someone living in Roman Egypt.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Describes the death and assumption of Abraham. Contains visions of the judgment, the fate of the righteous and the wicked, and the mercy of God.|||Box, G. H. The Testament of Abraham. SPCK, 1927.|||Sanders, E. P. " Testament of Abraham." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.|||Testament of Abraham — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/testamentabraham.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Testament of Abraham — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Abraham|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And Abraham said: I have seen the judgment, and I have seen the mercy of God." — Testament of Abraham 12:1

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Generally dated to the latter part of the 1st century CE. Egyptian origin. Probably composed in Koine Greek by someone living in Roman Egypt.

Language & Manuscripts

The Greek text of both recensions was published by M. R. James in 1892. The longer recension is attested by a great number of Greek manuscripts and supported by a Rumanian version. The best Paris ms. of the longer version was written in 1315.

Why It Matters for Study

Describes the death and assumption of Abraham. Contains visions of the judgment, the fate of the righteous and the wicked, and the mercy of God.

" And Abraham said: I have seen the judgment, and I have seen the mercy of God." — Testament of Abraham 12:1

Read the Text & External Resources

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

  • " And Abraham said: I have seen the judgment, and I have seen the mercy of God." — Testament of Abraham 12:1 " And Abraham said: I have seen the judgment, and I have seen the mercy of God." — Testament of Abraham 12:1

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 Testament of Abraham. SPCK, 1927.
Sanders, E. P. " Testament of Abraham." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.
Testament of Abraham — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/testamentabraham.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Testament of Abraham — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Abraham|Background and scholarly discussion.