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Audiobook edition · 1 h 17 minPaperback · 6 × 9 in · 44 pagesHardcover · 6 × 9 in · 44 pagesAbout this book
What if creation begins with Light, Darkness, and a Spirit caught between them?
The 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.
Derdekeas 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.
What you’ll discover
- Shem beyond the senses Enter the opening vision, where Shem describes his mind being lifted from his body.
- Three roots of existence Explore how the text places Light, Darkness, and Spirit at the beginning of everything.
- Dark waters and Nature Follow the unsettling images through which the text describes the birth of worldly powers.
- The revealer returns Trace Derdekeas through repeated descents into lower regions to free the lost Spirit.
- A challenge to baptism Encounter a religious argument that casts water as defiling rather than cleansing.
Who will love it
Readers drawn to ancient creation myths, heavenly visions, early Christianity and its neighbours will love this book. It also suits anyone fascinated by Nag Hammadi imagery of light, darkness and the soul.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Shem is lifted up to receive a revelation
- Before the world, there were three roots
- The Darkness stirs and Nature takes shape
- Derdekeas puts on garment after garment
- The redeemer takes the beast's shape to free the light
- Flood, tower and Sodom shelter Shem's race
- Baptism in water is named a false bondage
- Evil times pass and Nature dissolves at last
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The Paraphrase of Shem
by Attributed to early Gnostic writers · 250
Shem's mind leaves his body and rises to hear Derdekeas explain three roots, a dark womb and a flood.
Medium levelUnder 2 hours to readfrançais
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In short
What if your own mind could slip out of your body as in sleep and rise to the top of the world? That is where The Paraphrase of Shem begins.
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Listen freeOr hold it in print: paperback, hardcover or large print, at costFrom the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Shem is lifted up to receive a revelation
The book opens with Shem speaking in the first person. His thought snatches him away from his race and carries him to the top of the world. He sees no earthly form, only light, and his thought separates from the body of darkness as if in sleep.
A voice addresses him. It says he comes from an unmixed power and is the first being upon the earth. His root has fallen into forgetfulness, so the voice will tell him the truth about the great powers that existed before the speaker appeared. The speaker is Derdekeas, whose teaching is framed by Shem's account of receiving and bearing witness to the revelation.
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Shem's mind leaves his body and rises to hear Derdekeas explain three roots, a dark womb and a flood.
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Details
- First published
- 250
- Language
- français
- Listening time
- 1 h 17 min
- Level
- Medium level
- Paperback
- 44 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Hardcover
- 44 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Large print paperback
- 68 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Large print hardcover
- 68 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Delivery and returns
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Cite this edition
The Paraphrase of Shem. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-paraphrase-of-shem.
The paraphrase of Shem. (2026). Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-paraphrase-of-shem (Original work published ca. 250)
The Paraphrase of Shem. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-paraphrase-of-shem.
@book{anonymous2026paraphrase,
title = {The Paraphrase of Shem},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/loa-paraphrase-of-shem},
note = {First published ca. 250}
}
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What is The Paraphrase of Shem about?
It tells of Shem, son of Noah, whose mind rises to the top of the world and hears Derdekeas describe three roots, Light, Darkness and Spirit, the making of the world, and how the trapped light is freed.
Who is Derdekeas in the Paraphrase of Shem?
Derdekeas is the divine revealer, called the son of the incorruptible, infinite Light. He descends through clouds in a series of garments, takes even the shape of a beast, and teaches Shem so that the light of the Spirit can return home.
Where was The Paraphrase of Shem found and when was it written?
It was found in 1945 near Nag Hammadi in Egypt, in Codex VII. The copy is in Coptic from about the fourth century. Scholars think the lost Greek original comes from the early centuries of the Common Era.
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