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Sefer Ha-Razim

Sefer Ha-Razim (Book of Secrets) is a Jewish magical text that dates to around the turn of the 4th century CE. According to the text's preface, it was given to Noah by the angel Raziel and passed down to Solomon.|||Reconstructed from Cairo Geniza fragments by Mordecai Margalioth (1966). A new scholarly edition with Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic fragments was prepared by Bill Rebiger and Peter Schäfer (2009).|||Dated to the early 4th or late 3rd century CE. This date is almost universally accepted.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||A sourcebook for Jewish magic, calling upon angels rather than God to perform supernatural feats. One of the most important texts of ancient Jewish magic.|||Morgan, M. A. Sepher Ha-Razim: The Book of Mysteries. SBL, 1983.|||Rebiger, B. & Schäfer, P. Sefer ha-Razim I und II. Mohr Siebeck, 2009.|||Margalioth, M. Sepher Ha-Razim. Jerusalem, 1966.|||Sepher Ha-Razim — SBL Press|https://cart.sbl-site.org/books/140376P|Morgan's translation.;; Sefer HaRazim — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sefer_HaRazim|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" This is the book of the secrets, which was given to Noah by the angel Raziel." — Sefer Ha-Razim, Preface

Collection: Jewish Mysticism (Hekhalot) Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Dated to the early 4th or late 3rd century CE. This date is almost universally accepted.

Language & Manuscripts

Reconstructed from Cairo Geniza fragments by Mordecai Margalioth (1966). A new scholarly edition with Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic fragments was prepared by Bill Rebiger and Peter Schäfer (2009).

Why It Matters for Study

A sourcebook for Jewish magic, calling upon angels rather than God to perform supernatural feats. One of the most important texts of ancient Jewish magic.

" This is the book of the secrets, which was given to Noah by the angel Raziel." — Sefer Ha-Razim, Preface

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

Morgan, M. A. Sepher Ha-Razim: The Book of Mysteries. SBL, 1983.
Rebiger, B. & Schäfer, P. Sefer ha-Razim I und II. Mohr Siebeck, 2009.
Margalioth, M. Sepher Ha-Razim. Jerusalem, 1966.