The Hypostasis of the Archons
Home > Gnostics > The Hypostasis of the Archons The Hypostasis of the Archons At a Glance Treatise Genre: (5/5) ***** Reliability of Dating: (5/5) ***** Length of Text: Greek Original Language: Ancient Translations: Modern Translations: Estimated Range of Dating: 200-300 A.D. Chronological List of Early Christian Writings Discuss this text on the Early Writings forum. Text The Hypostasis of the Archons Offsite Links Translated by Anne McGuire French Translation Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia: Hypostasis of the Archons Nag Hammadi Codex II: The Hypostasis of the Archons The facsimile edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices The Nag Hammadi Library in English The Nature of the Archons: A Study in the Soteriology of a Gnostic Treatise The Figure of Norea in Gnostic Literature The Hypostasis of the Archons and the Thought of Norea Paraphrase: "The Archons Are Real!" Books Bentley Layton, The Gnostic Scriptures: A New Translation With Annotations and Introductions (Doubleday 1987) Marvin Meyer, ed., The Nag Hammadi Scriptures (HarperOne 2009) Birger A.
Pearson, Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions And Literature (Fortress Press 2007) Recommended Books for the Study of Early Christian Writings Information on the Hypostasis of the Archons In the revised edition of The Nag Hammadi Library in English, published as The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, the "Hypostasis of the Archons" received the less intimidating title "The Nature of the Rulers." Others have suggested "The Reality of the Rulers." However, the title "Hypostasis of the Archons" continues to be preferred as a way to refer to the text in English. Marvin Meyer writes, "The Nature of the Rulers is a Gnostic treatise classified by scholars as representing Sethian thought, which the author claims is being sent to an undisclosed recipient in order to clarify who the archons, or world rulers, are and how the struggle with the archons is to be carried out.
In its present form, the Nature of the Rulers is a Christian text, but most of the material in the text is reflective of Jewish thought, with the typical Hellenistic flourish. The author of the text, whose identity, like that of the recipient, is unknown, says that he or she is sending the text in response to certain questions that have been raised: 'I have sent you this writing because you have asked about the real nature of the authorities' (86,26-27). Preserved as the fourth tractate in Nag Hammadi Codex II (86,20-97,23), the Nature of the Rulers is copied just before On the Origin of the World, another Gnostic text to which the Nature of the Rulers stands in some relation." (The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, p.
187) Birger A. Pearson writes, "The tractate consists of two main parts, preceded by a brief introduction. The introduction sets forth the subject matter of the tractate, the real nature (Greek hupostasis) of the authorities or archons, and the great apostle (Paul) is quoted in that connection (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 6:12). The first main part consists of a commentary on Genesis (86,27-93,13), reflecting considerable material in common with Ap. John. The commentary begins with the vain claim of the Creator, Samael ('blind god'), followed by a brief mention of the creation of the world (86,27-87,11) and an extensive treatment of the creation of Adam and Eve (87,11-89,17). The authorities try to rape the spiritual Eve, but she turns into a tree and leaves only a shadowy reflection of herself for them to defile (89,17-31)." (Ancient Gnosticism, p.
76) Bentley Layton writes, "The Reality of the Rulers ('Hypostasis of the Archons') recounts the gnostic myth from the creation of Ialdabaoth down to Noah and the flood and concludes with a prediction of the final advent of the savior, the destruction of demonic powers, and the victory of the gnostics. In the first half of the work the story line intertwines with the wording of Genesis in the Septuagint Greek version, tacitly calling attention to discrepancies between the myth and canonical scripture. Of special importance is an unusual account of the rebellion of Sabaoth against his satanic father Ialdabaoth and his eventual installment as lord of the seventh heaven, i.e. as the god of Israel (?).