Library

Codex VIII

Nag Hammadi Codex VIII contains two tractates: Zostrianos and the Letter of Peter to Philip.|||Papyrus codex, 4th century CE. In the Coptic Museum, Cairo.|||Copied in the 4th century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition. Sethian Gnostic in orientation.|||Contains Zostrianos and the Letter of Peter to Philip.|||Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.|||Sieber, J. H., ed. Nag Hammadi Codex VIII. Brill, 1991.|||Turner, J. D. Sethian Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition. Peeters, 2001.|||Nag Hammadi Library — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html|Complete texts and introductions.;; Early Christian Writings — Nag Hammadi|https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/naghammadi.html|Indexed texts and scholarly resources.|||" I saw the aeons and the powers and the glories that are in them." — Zostrianos (NHC VIII,1)

Collection: Nag Hammadi Library Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition. Sethian Gnostic in orientation.

Date & Provenance

Copied in the 4th century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Papyrus codex, 4th century CE. In the Coptic Museum, Cairo.

Why It Matters for Study

Contains Zostrianos and the Letter of Peter to Philip.

" I saw the aeons and the powers and the glories that are in them." — Zostrianos (NHC VIII,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

Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.
Sieber, J. H., ed. Nag Hammadi Codex VIII. Brill, 1991.
Turner, J. D. Sethian Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition. Peeters, 2001.