Who Was Seth? What the Lost Texts Say

In Genesis

Genesis describes Seth as a son born to Adam, like him and in his own image. The account of Seth's birth presents him as another child given by God instead of Abel, whom Cain killed. Seth names his son Enosh, and the text says people begin to pray to Yahweh at that time.

Genesis says Seth lives for one hundred and five years before Enosh is born. He has other sons and daughters, and the text gives his total lifespan as nine hundred and twelve years.

In Testament of Adam

In Testament of Adam, Seth receives a warning that a Flood will wash the whole earth. The warning connects the coming Flood with the children of Kâyal, who kills his brother through jealousy. Seth writes down the commandment and seals it with his own seal and those of Adam and Eve.

In The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit

The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit calls Seth imperishable and identifies him as the son of the imperishable human Adamas. Seth asks for descendants, and the passage then describes the coming of Plesithea, a vast power of great light. The text also describes great Seth observing the devil's schemes and assaults against the flawless, never-changing company.

Where Seth appears

What the texts say, in their own words

“Adam lived 130 years, and then had a son who was like him, in his own image, and named him Seth.”

Genesis · Genesis describes Adam becoming the father of a son named Seth. · Read it in The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible

“And Seth wrote down this Commandment, and sealed it with his seal, and with the seal of his father Adam, which he took with him from the Garden, and with the seal of Eve his mother.”

Testament of Adam · Seth records the commandment and seals it with three seals. · Read it in The Complete Books of Enoch

“Eleleth, together with the imperishable great Seth, son of the imperishable human Adamas. Thus the full realm of Seven reached completion, existing in hidden mysteries.”

The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit · The passage names Seth alongside Eleleth as the full realm of Seven reaches completion. · Read it in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

“Such were the matters Adam revealed to Seth his son, and Seth in turn passed them on to his own offspring. Here is the secret understanding Adam handed to Seth.”

The Revelation of Adam · The account describes Seth receiving Adam's revelations and handing them to his offspring. · Read it in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

Questions

Who was Seth?

In Genesis, Seth is Adam's son, born in his likeness and image. In Testament of Adam, he receives a warning about a Flood and writes down a commandment.

Who is Seth's son?

Genesis names Enosh as Seth's son and also mentions other sons and daughters.

What does Seth pass on?

In The Revelation of Adam, Seth passes the matters Adam reveals to him on to his own offspring.

Where is Seth mentioned in the lost texts?

Seth appears in Genesis and Sirach, in The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible; Testament of Adam and Ascension of Isaiah, in The Complete Books of Enoch; The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit, The Revelation of Adam and The Secret Book of John, in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.