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Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth

The Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth is a Hermetic text from Nag Hammadi Codex VI, describing the initiation of Hermes' disciple into the mysteries of the eighth and ninth heavens.|||Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex VI (4th century CE).|||Composed in Greek in the 2nd–3rd century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Describes the initiation of Hermes' disciple into the mysteries of the eighth and ninth heavens, emphasizing the importance of prayer, hymnody, and the ascent of the soul.|||Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.|||Dirkse, P. A., Brashler, J., & Parrott, D. M. " The Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.|||Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_on_the_Eighth_and_Ninth|Background and discussion.;; Nag Hammadi Library — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/discourse.html|Full translation with introduction.|||" Lord, grant us the wisdom that is in the eighth and ninth heavens." — Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth (paraphrase)

Collection: Hermetic Literature Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Composed in Greek in the 2nd–3rd century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex VI (4th century CE).

Why It Matters for Study

Describes the initiation of Hermes' disciple into the mysteries of the eighth and ninth heavens, emphasizing the importance of prayer, hymnody, and the ascent of the soul.

" Lord, grant us the wisdom that is in the eighth and ninth heavens." — Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

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

" Lord, grant us the wisdom that is in the eighth and ninth heavens." — Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth (paraphrase) " Lord, grant us the wisdom that is in the eighth and ninth heavens." — Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth (paraphrase)

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.
Dirkse, P. A., Brashler, J., & Parrott, D. M. " The Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_on_the_Eighth_and_Ninth|Background and discussion.;; Nag Hammadi Library — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/discourse.html|Full translation with introduction.