Who Is Norea? What the Lost Texts Say

In The Nature of the Rulers

The Nature of the Rulers names Norea as a child born to Eve, who describes her as a help for many generations of humankind.

When the rulers approach Norea to lead her astray, she confronts them and calls them rulers of darkness. She appeals to the God of the Universe for protection, and a later passage says the rulers have drawn away from her.

In The Thought of Norea

The Thought of Norea presents Norea as its speaker and portrays her as someone who knows her origin. She refuses to submit to the powers, challenges their right to rule, and appeals to a higher reality beyond them. The passage describing her appeal says that those she addresses listen and welcome her into the dwelling that remains hers for all time.

Where Norea appears

What the texts say, in their own words

“Conceiving yet again, Eve bore Norea. Eve said, “He has granted me a virgin as a help for many generations of humankind.””

The Nature of the Rulers · At Norea's birth, Eve describes her as a help for generations of humankind. · Read it in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

“Then Norea came to Noah, wishing to board the vessel, and when he refused to let her, she breathed upon the vessel and set it ablaze.”

The Nature of the Rulers · Read it in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

“But Norea turned in the power of God and cried aloud to the holy one, the God of the Universe, “Stand by me against these rulers of wickedness and save me out of their hands—at once!””

The Nature of the Rulers · During her confrontation with the rulers, Norea calls upon God to protect her. · Read it in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

“It is to these that Norea [makes her appeal]. They listened and welcomed her into the dwelling that is hers for all time.”

The Thought of Norea · Norea's appeal receives a response of welcome into her lasting dwelling. · Read it in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

Questions

Who is Norea?

Norea is Eve's daughter in The Nature of the Rulers, where Eve describes her as a help for many generations. In The Thought of Norea, she is the speaker who refuses the powers' claims and challenges their rule.

What happens when Norea meets Noah?

Noah refuses Norea entry to the vessel, and she sets it ablaze by breathing upon it.

How does Norea respond to the rulers?

Norea confronts the rulers and appeals to the God of the Universe to save her from their hands. The Thought of Norea also describes her refusal to submit and her challenge to the powers' right to rule.

Where is Norea mentioned in the lost texts?

Norea appears in The Nature of the Rulers and The Thought of Norea, in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.