{"product_id":"loa-paraphrase-of-shem","title":"The Paraphrase of Shem","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if creation begins with Light, Darkness, and a Spirit caught between them?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Paraphrase of Shem presents a vision given to Shem, the son of Noah. A heavenly revealer named Derdekeas lifts his mind beyond his body and explains the roots of existence. In this Sethian Gnostic account, Light, Darkness, and Spirit stand at the beginning, and their encounter shapes a world where light becomes trapped.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDerdekeas describes dark waters stirring, the womb of Nature, and his repeated descents to rescue the Spirit. Alongside this cosmic drama, the text sharply rejects water baptism as defilement rather than cleansing. Dense with symbols and damaged in places, this ancient work asks readers to enter a vision of creation and spiritual release unlike the account in Genesis.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eInside this book\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShem beyond the senses\u003c\/strong\u003e – Enter the opening vision, where Shem describes his mind being lifted from his body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree roots of existence\u003c\/strong\u003e – Explore how the text places Light, Darkness, and Spirit at the beginning of everything.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark waters and Nature\u003c\/strong\u003e – Follow the unsettling images through which the text describes the birth of worldly powers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe revealer returns\u003c\/strong\u003e – Trace Derdekeas through repeated descents into lower regions to free the lost Spirit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA challenge to baptism\u003c\/strong\u003e – Encounter a religious argument that casts water as defiling rather than cleansing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect for readers of early Christian history, Gnostic thought, and ancient myth who welcome strange imagery and a demanding, symbolic text.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpen the first page now and follow Shem into a vision of light, darkness, and release.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Library of Alexandria Press","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":58111236079964,"sku":"LOA-230-EB","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":58111236112732,"sku":"LOA-230-AU","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":58113801879900,"sku":"LOA-230-PB","price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":58113801912668,"sku":"LOA-230-HC","price":13.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1027\/9442\/8764\/files\/loa-forbidden-00230-en.png?v=1792190388","url":"https:\/\/libraryofalexandria.com\/de\/products\/loa-paraphrase-of-shem","provider":"The Library of Alexandria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}