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Paraphrase of Shem

The Paraphrase of Shem is a Gnostic text presenting a revelation given to Shem, the son of Noah, concerning the nature of the divine and the origin of the world.|||Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex VII.|||Composed in the 3rd century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition. Gnostic in orientation.|||Presents a revelation given to Shem concerning the nature of the divine and the origin of the world. Important for understanding the diversity of Gnostic cosmological speculation.|||Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.|||Wisse, F. " The Paraphrase of Shem." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.|||Wisse, F. " The Paraphrase of Shem." In Nag Hammadi Codex VII. Brill, 1996.|||Paraphrase of Shem — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/parashem.html|Full translation with introduction.;; Early Christian Writings — Paraphrase of Shem|https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/parashem.html|Indexed text and scholarly resources.|||" The paraphrase of Shem concerning the things that are, and the things that shall be." — Paraphrase of Shem (paraphrase)

Collection: Gnostic Literature Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition. Gnostic in orientation.

Date & Provenance

Composed in the 3rd century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex VII.

Why It Matters for Study

Presents a revelation given to Shem concerning the nature of the divine and the origin of the world. Important for understanding the diversity of Gnostic cosmological speculation.

" The paraphrase of Shem concerning the things that are, and the things that shall be." — Paraphrase of Shem (paraphrase)

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

Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.
Wisse, F. " The Paraphrase of Shem." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Wisse, F. " The Paraphrase of Shem." In Nag Hammadi Codex VII. Brill, 1996.