Melchizedek

NHC IX, 1

The following translation has been committed to the public domain and may be freely copied and used, changed or unchanged, for any purpose. It is based on the Coptic text of Nag Hammadi Codex IX, 1. The Nag Hammadi texts were written in the fourth century, subsequently buried, and then rediscovered in 1945. This ancient work in some sense equates Jesus with Melchizedek, the Biblical king of Salem and priest of the Most High. The text contains Melchizedek’s earthly appearance (as Jesus), his visions, and his priestly liturgy.

This translation from the Coptic is by Samuel Zinner and was edited by Mark M. Mattison with the generous support of Other Gospels.

Symbols

 [ ] Gap in the text (known as a “lacuna”)
 ( ) Editorial insertion to clarify the text
< > Editorial correction of a scribal error
[1] Page number of the Coptic codex (hyperlinked)

 [1] Melchiz[edek]

The Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Jesus Christ, the Son [of God . . .] from [. . .] the aeons, so that he could [travel through] all of the aeons, and [peer] into each of the aeons, the nature of each aeon, concerning what [type] it is, and that he could clothe himself with sonship and goodness as with a garment. O brother, [. . .] their end [. . .].

His Life, Death, and Resurrection

And he will [reveal to them] the truth [. . .] proverbs [. . .]. [2] [. . . at] first in parables [and enigmas . . .].

[. . . when he] declares these, Death will be distressed and grow angry, not only him, but also his [companion] archons who govern the world, and the principalities and powers, the goddesses and the gods, with the [arch]angels, even the [. . .] every [. . .] world ruler [. . .] about him and about [. . .] and [. . .] they will [. . .] concealed [mysteries . . .].

[3] [. . . scandal] from [. . .] the All. They will [. . . on account of] this, while the [righteous will] rush to bury him. [They will] call him “the Evil One” and “the [impure] violator of the Law,” but he [will rise from the] dead [on] the [third] day [. . .] [4] [. . .] and [. . .] them [. . .] the holy disciples.

The Revelation of the Savior

And the Savior will [disclose] to them [the word] that imparts life to the [All]. And those in [heaven], those on the earth, and those under the earth spoke the word [. . .] [5] [. . . which] will come to pass by his name. <What is more>, they will say concerning him:

 “He was not born,” even though he was (in fact) born;
“he does not eat,” even though (in fact) he does eat;
“he does not drink,” even though (in fact) he does drink;
“he is uncircumcised,” even though he was (in fact) circumcised;
“he lacks true flesh,” even though he (in fact) came in flesh;
“he did not suffer death,” <even though> he did (in fact) experience suffering;
“he did not rise from among the dead,” <even though> he did (in fact) rise from among the dead. 

All the [tribes, however], and all [the peoples] will speak [the truth], those who obtain the completed hope and the [gifts of] life from [you], O holy high priest [Melchize]d[ek].

Gamaliel Invokes Divine Beings through Jesus Christ

I [am Gamal]iel. I have come to [rescue] the assembly of the [children] of Seth, because they number more than [thousands of] thousands [and ten thousands] of ten thousands [of aeons, forever and ever. Amen].

O nature of [all aeons, A]BA[BA AI]AIAI ABABA,
O S[elf-Generat]ed God of [. . .],
O action [of all natures, Mother] of the aeons, [B]arb[elo],
O firstborn of [the aeons], [6] Aithops Doxomedon Dom[edon],
O owner of lives, Jesus Christ,
O head leaders, lights, powers, Harmozel, Oroiael, Dav[eithe], Elel[eth],
and you, radiant deathless aeon, Pigeradamas,
and you, the kind God of the righteous worlds, Mirocheirothetou,
I invoke you all by means of Jesus Christ, Son of God.

He is the one I preach, given that [he] who exists in truth [among those who in truth] exist has [visited him . . .].

The High Priest, Sacrifices, and Baptism

[. . . those who] exist not, Abel Bar[uch, so that] you [as a gift could be given] the understanding [of the] truth, (which is) that he comes [from the] nation of the high priest who is [over] thousands [of thousands] and [ten thousands] of ten thousands of the aeons. The hostile [spirits] are [unaware] of him, as well as of their own (impending) destruction. But that is not all: I have come to [reveal] the truth to you [. . .] among [the brethren]. He made himself part [of the] live [sacrifice], together with your progeny. He [offered the sacrifice for the] All, [because cattle] are not [what] you will offer up [for sins] [7] of unfaithfulness, [and for] what is ignorant, and (for) all the sinful [acts] that they [commit], because those do [not] arrive to [the Father of the All . . . the faith . . .].

[. . . world . . .] world [. . .] to be [baptized . . . in the] waters [. . .], because the [8] waters [above . . .]. [. . .] whoever is baptized [. . .], however, [baptize yourself] in the waters [below . . .] while he is coming to [. . .] mighty [. . . baptism] as they [. . .] on [. . .] by [. . .] of the [. . .]. Pray for [the progeny of the] [9] archons and of [all] the angels, including [the] seed <that> emanated [from the Father] of the All [. . .]. [. . .] the whole seed from the [. . .].

The Real Adam and Eve

[There] from the [seed were] generated [gods and angels] and humans [and demons]. Each [nature], those in [heaven, and] those on the earth, and [those] under [the earth. . .] the nature of the women [. . .] among those dwelling in the [. . .] were fettered with [several . . .].

[This, however], is [neither] the real Adam, [10] nor the real Eve, [because when they ate] of the tree [of knowledge], they treaded on [the cherubim] and on the seraphim [bearing the flaming sword]. The ruler of the world and [his archons set off to meet with the bride] of Adam [who dwelt with him], and they were [polluted by her]. When, [however], they had generated progeny from the archons with [their worldly entities, the ones] who belong to [. . .].

[. . . light . . .] and the females with the [males, the ones who] dwell with [him . . . concealed] from all natures. [Even the ones] who from him will obtain the [ . . . will reject] the archons, [11] because [they] have become deserving [. . . deathless] and [mighty . . .] and [mighty . . .and] mighty [. . . human] progeny [. . . disciples . . . likeness]. And [. . .] from the [light . . .] holy [. . .], because [from the] beginning [. . .] a seed [. . .].

[12] [. . .] I, however, will remain silent [. . .], because we [are the brethren who have] descended from the living [generations. Revelations] will be [disclosed to] you [by] the [elect progeny] of Adam, [that is, Abe]l, Enoch, N[oah . . .], [. . .]chi [. . .] you, Melchized[ek, priest] of God, [the Most High, . . .] the ones who have [become deserving . . .] women [. . .].

The Final Battle and the Destruction of Death

[13] These two chosen ones will not be generated, not [at] any time, nor [in] any place. Whenever they might be generated [by] their foes, by their friends, by outsiders, and their own relations, by the [wicked] and the righteous, [every] hostile nature, regardless of being seen or unseen, will [rise up] together with those who dwell in heaven, those [on] the earth, and those under the earth.

They will wage [war . . .] every one, because [they exist], regardless of being in the [. . . holy], even [. . .] are a multitude [. . .] with a [. . .] them [. . .]. These, however, with the [. . .] every [one] will [. . .] these will [. . .] by each blow, [even in] [14] sicknesses. These will be punished by being imprisoned in other forms.

The Savior, however, will remove the other ones, and they will conquer everything, [not] by their mouths and speech, but by the actions they will perform. [He will] destroy Death.

The Commissioning of Melchizedek

[As I have done], reveal to others also [these matters], which I was directed to reveal to you, but [what] is secret, reveal it to none, except when [it is revealed] to you to do so.

And [I], Mel[chizedek], I arose [immediately], and I began to [glorify] God, [the Most High . . .] that I might rejoice [. . .] while he is [moving . . .] alive [. . . I said], I [. . .] and I [. . . as a sacrifice. And I] will never stop, not [now and not ever], O Father of the [All, because] you have shown mercy to me, and [15] [you have sent] the angel of light, [Gamaliel], from your [aeons, so that he would] reveal to me [. . .].

When he arrived, he [caused] me [to be lifted up] from ignorance, and from the fructifying process of death to life, because I possess a name, I being [Melch]izedek, the priest of [God], the Most High. I [know] that I am [the image of] the authentic high priest of God, the Most High, even [. . .] the world, because it is [not] a small [matter that] God [. . .] as he [. . .] and [. . . the angels] who [abide on the] earth [. . .] is the sacrifice of [. . .], the one whom Death deceived. When he [died], he fettered them [with] the natures that mislead [them]. Yet he brought forward [16] sacrifices [. . .] of the animals [. . .].

I have delivered them over to Death [. . .], and the angels and the [. . .] demons [. . .] living sacrifices [. . .]. I have offered myself as a sacrifice to you, together with those who belong to me (and) to you as well, O God, Father of the All, together with those you love, who originated from you, who are holy and [living]. And <in accord> with the [perfect] laws, I shall utter my name, [now] and forever, when I receive baptism among the living and holy [names], even in the [waters]. Amen.

Melchizedek Praises Divine Beings

[Holy], holy, holy are you, O [Father of the] truly existent ones, [together with those who] do [not] exist, Ab[el Bar]u[ch], for[ever] and ever. Amen.
Holy, holy, holy [are you, who exist before Zaraz]az, [forever and] ever. Amen.
Holy, holy, [holy are you, Mother of the] aeons, Ba[r]belo, forever and ever. Amen.
[Holy], holy, holy are you, [first]born of the aeons, [Doxo]medon…] [17] […forever] and ever. Amen.
[Holy, holy], holy are you, [Akra]man, [for ever and ever]. Amen.
[Holy, holy], holy are you, [commanding leader, light in the first] aeon, [Harmozel, forever] and ever. [Amen].
[Holy], holy, [holy are you], leader, light [of the aeons], Oriael, for [ever and ever]. Amen.
Holy, [holy, holy are you], leader [of the aeons, man of light, Daveithe], forever [and ever]. Amen.
Holy, [holy, holy are you], commanding [leader, Eleleth . . .] aeons [. . . commanding leader, Pigerada]man, [forever and ever]. Amen.
[Holy], holy, [holy] are you, good [God of] [18] the [righteous] worlds, [great] Meirochei[rothetou, for]ever and ever. [Amen].
[Holy], holy, holy are you, commanding [leader of the All], Jesus Christ, [forever and ever]. Amen.

Confess Him

[. . . prophecy] and [. . .]. Blessed is [whoever makes confession, but whoever will not confess] him [. . .] now [. . .] will come to pass for [him . . .] fear and [. . .] fear and [. . .] distress [. . .] encompassing [him . . .] in the place where [there is] a great darkness [. . .] and several [. . .] appear [. . .] there [. . . appear . . .].

Divine Messengers

[19] [. . .] and [. . .] they were clothed with [. . .] every [. . .] there [. . .] and [. . .] like [. . .] those [. . .] woes. They [allowed me to hear] their words [. . .], and they spoke to me: “[Greetings, Mel]chiz[ed]ek, [Priest] of God, [the Most High].” They spoke as though [. . .their] mouths [. . .] in the All [. . .] and [. . .].

[. . . he] misled [. . .] he [. . .], [20] even his [sacrifices and his] worship ceremonies, [and his . . .] faithfulness and his prayers. They [sacrificed animals], they [. . .] those who belong to [him . . .] beginning [. . .].

[As for me], however, [they spoke to me, saying: “Be not] troubled, because [this priesthood] you fulfil, [and which is] from [. . . with the deceptive] schemes [of] Satan [. . .] they [. . .] his doctrines [. . .] because your [thoughts . . .] of this age [. . .].”

[. . .] exist [in . . .] mis[lead . . .]. [21] [. . .] and some [. . .] and [. . .] he handed them over to [. . .] and [. . .] and you [. . .] [22] [. . .] cast [him . . .] so that you [. . .] now [. . .] by him [. . .] beneath [. . .].

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[24] [. . .] because [what] is above [. . .].

The Death and Resurrection of Christ

[25] [. . .] me. And [. . .] you hit me [with the reed]. You cast me [. . .] fall. And [you crucified me] beginning at the third hour [of the Sabbath] Eve until [the ninth hour].

And after [these events, I rose] from among the dead [. . .] emerged from [. . .] to me [. . .] my eyes [beheld . . . they] found none [. . .] me [. . .].

Conclusion

[26] [. . . they] greeted [me . . .]. They said to me: “Be [strong, O Melchiz]edek, great [high priest] of God, [the Most High, because your foes the] archons [waged] war against you. You have [won the victory over them, and] they prevailed not over [you. You have] endured and [annihilated] your foes [. . .]. [You] will find repose in no [place but in the one that is] living and holy [. . .] lift up himself [. . .] flesh [. . .].”

[27] [. . . with] the sacrifices, acting on what is good, fasting with fasts.

Disclose these revelations to no one who dwells in the flesh, it <being> a non-fleshly reality, unless a revelation is given to you to do so.

When the brethren of the generations of life had spoken these things, they were taken up to the realms beyond every heaven. Amen.