KYP T-236

KYPRIANOS DATABASE OF ANCIENT RITUAL TEXTS

KYPRIANOS T236

Manuscript:	M9
Sigla:	P. Mich. Inv. 593
Text no. Position of the text within the manuscript.	1
Coptic Scriptorium:
Date:	401 – 700

Text position:	p. 1 l. 1-p. 5 l. 19
Type of text:	Invocation (magical, formulary)

Original title:
Original title (translated):
Conventional title:	Invocation of God by Seth and instructions for its use

Language:	Egyptian (Coptic)
Dialect:	Sahidic (non-standard)
Script:	Coptic
Image:	https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?id=S-APIS-X-2601%5D593_1R.TIF

Text:

Translation:

p. 1 (→)

1. (m1) ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲡ̅ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟ-
2. ⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲟ ⲛ︦-
3. ⲁⲩⲉⲓⲛ ⲛ̅ⲕⲱϩⲧ ⲡⲉⲧ·ⲟ ⲛ︦ⲟⲩⲉⲟⲉⲓ̈ⲛ
4. ϩⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲧϩⲏⲡ ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ
5. . ⲛ̅ϫⲡⲟ ⲛ̅ⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲙ̅ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ
6. ⲉ⧹ⲓ̈⧸ⲙⲏⲧⲓ̈ ⲛ̅ⲧⲟϥ ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲁϥ ⲧⲉϩ⧹ⲓ̈⧸ⲏ ⲧⲏⲣ̅ⲥ̅
7. ⲛ̅ⲧⲉ ⲧⲙ̅ⲛ⧹ⲧ⧸ⲥⲁⲃⲉ ‘ⲡⲉⲓ̈ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲁϥ
8. ϩⲛ̅ ⲛⲁⲓⲱⲛ ⲙ̅ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲡⲁⲓ̈ ⲁⲧϩⲉⲧϩⲱⲧ̅ϥ̅
9. ⲉⲣⲉⲛ̅ⲇⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓⲥ ⲧⲏ̅ⲣⲟⲩ ⲕⲱⲧⲉ ⲉ-
10. ⲣⲟϥ ⲉⲣⲉⲡⲟⲩⲁ ⲡⲟⲩⲁ ⲧⲏⲣϣ̅ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲉϥ-
11. ϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉϥⲗⲉⲓ̈ⲧⲟⲩ⧹ⲣ⧸ⲕⲓⲁ ⸗ ⲁⲣⲓⲣⲉ
12. ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲛ̅ϩⲱⲃⲓ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛ̅ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲓ̈ⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅
13. ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉϯⲛⲁϩⲓ̈ⲧⲟⲟⲧ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ
14. ⲡⲉⲓ̈ⲥⲁϣϥ ⲛ̅ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲉⲡⲟⲩⲁ
15. ⲡⲟⲩⲁ ⲧⲏϣ ⲉϫⲙ̅ ⲡⲉϥϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲡⲉϥ-
16. ϣⲙϣⲉ ⲁⲣⲓⲣⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲥⲏⲑ

p. 2 (↓)

1. ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̅ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲩⲉⲓ̈ⲧⲉ ⲛ̅ϭⲱⲗⲡ ⸗
2. ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓ̈ⲧⲛ̅ ⲛⲁⲡⲗⲁⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲧⲏⲏⲃⲉ
3. ⲙⲓ̈ⲭⲁⲏⲗ ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓ̈ⲏⲗ ⲣⲁⲫⲁⲏⲗ ⲟⲩⲣⲓⲏⲗ
4. ⲥⲁⲣⲁⲫⲟⲩⲏⲗ ⲥⲟⲩⲣⲓ̈ⲏⲗ ⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛ-
5. ⲕⲉⲣⲉϥϣⲙϣⲉ ⲁⲙⲟⲏⲗ ⸗ ⲁⲛⲁⲑⲁⲏⲗ
6. ⲁⲛⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ ⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ ⲫⲣⲓ̈ⲏⲗ ⲑⲣⲓⲏⲗ
7. ⲁⲣⲓ̈ⲏⲗ ⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏⲗ ⸗ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲩⲕⲉⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓ̈ⲁ
8. ⲙⲱⲥⲩⲗ ⸗ ⲱⲥⲩⲗ ⸗ ⲫⲁⲏⲗ ⲓ̈ⲱⲏⲗ ⲁⲣⲫⲁ⧹ⲏⲗ⧸⸗
9. ⲧⲣⲉⲙⲁ̈ⲏⲗ ⸗ ⲛⲉⲓ̈ⲛⲟⲕ ⸗ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛ⸗-
10. ⲇⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓⲥ ⲉⲧⲙ̅ⲡ⧹ⲉ⧸ⲙ̅ⲧⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̅-
11. ⲡⲉⲓ̈ⲁϩⲟⲣⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓ̈ⲛ ⲛ̅-
12. ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲙ̅ ⲡϫⲓ̈ⲥⲉ ‘ⲛⲁ ⲧⲉⲩ⧹ϣⲏ⧸
13. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⸗ ⲛⲁ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ‘ⲡⲟⲩⲁ ‘ⲡⲟⲩⲁ ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲩ-
14. ⲧⲟϣϥ̅ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ̈ ⲉϫⲙ̅ ⲡⲉϥϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅
15. ⲧⲉⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓ̈ⲥ ⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅ ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ ⲧⲉⲛⲉ-
16. ⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ ⸗ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲱⲧⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲕⲣⲉϥϣⲙϣⲉ

p. 3 (→)

1. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧ̅ⲛ̅
2. ⲛⲉⲧϩⲓ̈ϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⧹ⲛⲓ̈⧸ⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̅ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗ⧹ⲟⲥ⧸
3. ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ ϩⲛ̅ ⲧⲉⲩϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩ-
4. ⲣ̅ ϣⲟⲣⲡ̅ vacat ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲩⲉ ⲣⲓⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ
5. ϫⲉ ⲛ̅ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲱϣ ⲛ̅ⲟⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ
6. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲥⲏϩ ⲙ̅ⲙ̅ⲛⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓⲟⲥ
7. ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲥⲡⲉ ⲛ̅ⲧⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲩⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅ ⲛ̅-
8. ⲥⲁ ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̅ⲧⲉⲓ̈ⲉⲩ-
9. ⲭⲏ ⲉⲓ̈ⲣⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̅ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ
10. ϩⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲧⲃⲃⲟ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩϩⲁⲅⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̅ϩⲱⲃ
11. ⲁⲛⲟϭ ⲡⲉ ⲥⲏⲑ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̅ⲁⲇⲁⲙ
12. ⲁⲓϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲓ̈ ⲛ̅ϩⲙⲉ ⲛ̅ϩⲟⲟⲩ
13. ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲧⲉⲥϭⲟⲙ ⲟⲩⲱⲛ̅ϩ̅ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
14. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉⲥⲙ̅ⲛⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ
15. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲉⲥⲁϯ-
16. ⲧⲟⲟⲧ ϩ̅ⲛ︦ ϩⲱⲃ̣ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉϯⲛⲁϩⲓ ⲧ-
17. ⲟⲟⲟⲧ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲣⲓ̣ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲥ̅ⲧ̅ⲥ̅

p. 4 (↓)

ⲁ
1. (m2) ⲉⲕⲧ̅ⲃ̅ⲃⲏⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉⲕⲥⲧⲱⲧ︦ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ
2. ⲥⲏⲑ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̅ⲛⲁⲇⲁⲙ̅ ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲩⲕⲱⲗ̅ⲡ̅
3. ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̅ⲛⲓⲁⲣⲉⲧⲏ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲓⲙⲉⲥⲧⲩ-
4. ⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ’ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲛ̅ⲛⲉⲓ̈-
>
5. ⲧⲩⲭⲛⲉ ⲉⲧⲧⲁ̣ⲓ̈ⲏⲩ ⲡⲁⲣⲁ ⲛ̅ⲕⲉⲉⲩ-
6. ⲭⲏ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲛⲉⲓ̈ⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲧϩⲏⲡ’ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩ-
7. ⲁⲧⲃⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲓ̈ ⲁⲛⲟϭ ⲅⲁⲣ̅ 〚ⲥ̣〛ⲧⲉⲧ ϩ͞ⲛ ⲛⲉⲥ-
8. ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲙ̅ⲏ̅ⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ︦ ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ
9. ϩⲁⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲙⲏⲧⲓ ⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲩⲕⲁⲛⲉⲩ
10. ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ, ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ︦ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲥ-
11. ⲁⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥⲓⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲉⲥϭⲟⲙ︦
12. ⲧⲁⲓ̈ ⲅⲁⲣ ϣⲁⲧⲣⲉⲟⲩⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲟⲩⲱϩ︦
13. ϩⲓϫⲱϥ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲙⲛ̅ⲧⲥⲁⲃⲉ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲟ︦
14. ⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ︦ ⲉⲕⲛⲁⲧⲁⲟⲩⲁⲥ ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲁ-
15. ϣ͞ϥ ⲛ̅ⲥⲟⲡ︦ ⲉϫⲛ︦ ⲟⲩⲉⲃⲓⲱ̅ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩ-
16. ⲕⲗⲉⲕⲏⲣⲓⲍⲱⲛ ϣⲁⲥⲣ̅ ⲟⲩⲉⲙⲛⲏ-
17. ⲙⲱⲛ ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲧⲕ̅ ϣ̣ⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲓⲛⲉ
18. ⲙ̅ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ · ϫⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ

p. 5 (→)

ⲁ
1. ⲛ̅ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲟⲩϩⲉ ⲛ̅ⲃ[ⲏϭ ⲛ̅]ⲅ̣ⲧⲏⲅⲁ-
2. ⲛⲓⲍⲏ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲅⲟ[ⲩⲁⲙⲥ] ⲉϫ͞ⲙ ⲡⲉ-
3. ⲃⲓⲱ︦ ⲉⲕϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ ⲙ̅ⲙ̣ⲟⲕ︦ ⲛ̅ϩⲙⲉ
4. ⲛ̅ϩⲟⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲡⲉⲥⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲟⲩⲱⲛ
5. ⲉⲣⲟⲕ︦ ϩ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲧⲃ̅ⲃⲟ̅ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩϩⲁⲅⲛⲓⲁ
6. ⲛ̅ϩⲙⲉ ⲛ̅ϩⲟⲟⲩ · ϩⲁⲑⲏ ⲉⲙⲡⲁⲧⲕ̅-
7. ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧⲕ︦ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲉⲛⲉⲕϩⲟⲓ̈ⲧⲉ
8. ⲣⲁϩⲉ · ⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲑⲉ ⲛ̅ⲁⲙⲛ̣̅ⲧ̅ⲁ-
9. ⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ · ⲥⲧⲁⲓ̈ⲏⲩ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ
10. ⲉⲣⲉⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̅ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ ϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛ̅ϩⲏ-
11. ⲧⲥ̅ · ϣⲁⲥⲃⲱⲗ ⲛ̅ϭⲱⲛⲧ̅ ⲅⲁⲣ︦ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
12. ⲛ̣̅ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ︦ ϩⲓ ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ϣⲁⲥ-
13. [ⲧ]ⲁ̣[ⲗ]ϭ̣ⲟ̣ ⲛ̣̅[ⲗⲱⲕ]ⲥ ⲛⲛ̣ⲉⲑⲏⲣⲓⲱⲛ
14. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛ̅ϫ̣[ⲁⲧⲃⲉ ⲙ]ⲡ̣ⲣⲕ̣ⲁ̣ⲧⲁⲫⲣⲟⲛⲓ ⲙ̅-
15 ⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲛⲉⲓ̈ⲛⲟ̣ϭ [ⲛ]ⲟ̣ⲛ̣ⲟ̣ⲙ̣ⲁ̣[ⲥⲓⲁ]
16. ϩⲉⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲅ̣ⲁⲣ̣ [ⲛⲉ ⲛ]ⲉⲥⲉ̣ⲝ̣ⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ
17. ϣⲁⲥⲧⲣⲉϩⲱ̣[ⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲃ]ⲱⲗ︦ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
18. ϣⲁⲥⲧⲟⲩϫⲟⲕ̣ [ⲉⲛⲉⲧ]ⲙ̣ⲟⲥⲧⲉ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲛⲉ-
19. ⲡⲓⲃⲟⲩⲗⲏ ⲛⲓⲙ [following text]

[p.1, 1] O Lord God, Lord [2] Almighty, you whose body is [3] like fire, who shines [4] among the hidden things, whose name no man [5] born of flesh knows, [6] except you yourself; the whole way [7] of wisdom, the one who alone comes [8] from the aeons of light; the one who is unfathomable, [9] whom all the powers surround, [10] each one appointed over his [11] task and his service; do [12] for me every work of this prayer and [13] every practice that I will undertake!

[14] O seven angels, each one [15] appointed over your task and your [16] service, act for me! I am Seth, [p. 2, 1] the son of Adam, the first creation [2] of the uncreated fingers! Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, [4] Saraphouēl, Suriel, Anaēl, and the [5] servants, also, Amoēl, Anathaēl, [6] Ananaēl, Anaēl, Phriēl, Thriēl, [7] Ariēl, Israel, and also their authorities, [8] Mōsul, Ōsul, Phaēl, Iōēl, Aphraēl, [9] Tremaēl; all these great [10] powers that are in the presence of [11] this invisible light, O [12] angels on high, those of the night [13] and those of the day, each [14] appointed over your task and [15] the practice, obey our authority [16] that is over you!

All your servants [p. 3, 1] who are called by [2] those above them and the great archangels [3] who are mighty in their power, they whose [4] names were first spoken, that is, [5] the angels who read every name [6] that is written in Hebrew, [7] the language of heaven, that they might obey [8] everyone who will make this prayer; do for him every work that he will do [10] in purity and in a chaste work!

[11] I am Seth, the son of Adam; [12] I have purified myself for forty days [13] until its [i.e., the prayer’s] power was revealed [14] and the power and its Hebrew ⟨words⟩ [15] and all its goals, that it might [16] help me in every work that I will [17] undertake – perform it [i.e., the ritual of the prayer] [p. 4, l. 1] while you are pure and trembling.

I am [2] Seth the son of Adam, to whom they were revealed, [3] the virtues and the mysteries [4] and its goals and the power of these [5] crafts that are honoured above other prayers, [6] because of these names which are hidden and that which is greater than this ⟨prayer⟩. For I am convinced of its [8] works.

No man may bear [9] it [i.e., the prayer] unless he purifies ⟨himself⟩ [10] thoroughly ⟨and⟩ is fully accomplished in all its [11] names and its powers, [12] for this causes a spirit to dwell [13] upon him and wisdom greater [14] than any man. You should recite it seven [15] times over some honey and some [16] liquorice. It makes you [17] mindful forever, and it bears [18] your mind and spirit.

Take for yourself [p. 5, 1] a falcon egg [and] fry [2] it and [eat it] with the [3] honey, having remained pure for forty [4] days, so that its [i.e., the prayer’s] mind opens [5] to you, in purity and chastity [6] for forty days. First, before you [7] undertake it, while your clothes are [8] clean, conceive it as an [9] important matter, for it is greatly honoured, [10] having great favour within [11] it. For it undoes the wrath [12] of every man and woman; it [13] heals the bites of beasts [14] and venomous creatures. Do not disrespect [15] it because of these great names, [16] for [its (i.e., the prayer’s)] authorities are great. [17] It undoes [every] work, [18] it saves you [from those that] hate and from [19] every plot ⟨against you⟩.

Tableau:
Tracing by:

Apparatus:

Worrell provides a synoptic edition of this manuscript and KYP M15, noting variation between the manuscripts in his apparatus. Here we note all divergences from Worrell’s synoptic edition, except where he has already noted the divergence as occurring in this manuscript in his apparatus. Worrell never indicates deletions, and so these discrepancies are generally not indicated here.

p. 1

1-2. ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ i.e. Greek παντοκράτωρ
2. ⲥⲱⲙⲁ i.e. Greek σῶμα
3. ⲛ̅ⲕⲱϩⲧ ⲡⲉⲧ·ⲟ ⲛ︦ⲟⲩⲉⲟⲉⲓ̈ⲛ : translate “of fire which is light ” Mirecki 1994a & 1999 ⲛ︦ⲟⲩⲉⲟⲉⲓ̈ⲛ ⲟ corrected from ⲓ̈ by overwriting i.e. Sahidic ⲛ̅-ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ : translate “fire; who is light in the hidden” Worrell
4. ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ : ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉ ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ Worrell
4-5. ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ . ⲛ̅ϫⲡⲟ ⲛ̅ⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲙ̅ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ : translate “the one who is born of flesh does not know your name” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
5. ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲙ̅ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ : ⲥⲟⲩⲛ̅ ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ Worrell | ⲥⲁⲣⲝ i.e. Greek σάρξ
6. ⲉ⧹ⲓ̈⧸ⲙⲏⲧⲓ̈ i.e. Greek εἰ μή τι
7. ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲁϥ : Worrell omits
8. ⲁⲓⲱⲛ i.e. Greek αἰών | ⲙ̅ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ second o corrected from ⲉ by overwriting | ⲡⲁⲓ̈ i.e. Sahidic ⲡⲉⲓ-
9. ⲇⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓⲥ i.e. Greek δύναμις
10. ⲧⲏⲣϣ i.e. Sahidic ⲧⲏϣ cf. ⲧⲏϣ in P. Mich. inv. 599 vo l. 5 (KYP T673) : ⲧⲏϣ Worrell
11. ⲧⲉϥⲗⲉⲓ̈ⲧⲟⲩ⧹ⲣ⧸ⲕⲓⲁ i.e. Greek λειτουργία : ⲡⲉϥⲗⲉⲓ̈ⲧⲟⲩⲣⲕⲓⲁ Worrell
11-12. ⲁⲣⲓⲣⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲛ̅ϩⲱⲃⲓ ⲛⲓⲙ : translate “grant for me everything” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
12. ϩⲱⲃⲓ : ϩⲱⲃ Worrell | ⲉⲩⲭⲏ i.e. Greek εὐχή
13. ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ i.e. Greek πρᾶξις
14. ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἄγγελος
15. ⲡⲉϥϩⲱⲃ : translate “his work” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999
16. ⲡⲉϥϣⲙϣⲉ : translate “his service” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999

p. 2

2. ϭⲱⲗⲡ : translate “revelation” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999 |ⲁⲡⲗⲁⲥⲧⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἄπλαστος | ⲛ̅ⲧⲏⲏⲃⲉ : translate “hands” Worrell
4. ⲥⲟⲩⲣⲓ̈ⲏⲗ ⲓ̈ corrected from ⲟ̣ by overwriting
6. ⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ : Worrell omits
7. ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓ̈ⲁ ⲟ corrected from ⲉ̣ by overwriting i.e. Greek ἐξουσία
8. ⲓ̈ⲱⲏⲗ ⲓ̈ corrected from unclear letter by overwriting
9. ⲛⲉⲓ̈ⲛⲟⲕ i.e. S ⲛⲉⲓ-ⲛⲟϭ cf. ⲛ︦ⲉⲓⲛ︦ⲟϭ in 599 vo l. 15 (KYP T673) : ⲛⲉⲓⲛⲟϭ Worrell | ⲛ⸗ : ⲛⲉ Worrell
10. ⲇⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓⲥ i.e. Greek δύναμις
11. ⲁϩⲟⲣⲁⲧⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἀόρατος
12. ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἄγγελος
14. ⲧⲟϣϥ̅ ⲟ perhaps corrected from ⲏ̣ by washing and rewriting (cf. p. 1 l. 15 ⲧⲏϣ) | ⲡⲉϥϩⲱⲃ : translate “his work” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999
15. ⲧⲉⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓ̈ⲥ i.e. Greek πρᾶξις cf. ⲧⲉϥ⟦ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ⟧ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ in P. Mich. inv. 599 vo l. 18 (KYP T673) : ⲧⲉϥⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ Worrell
15-16. ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ ⲩ corrected from unclear letter by washing and rewriting i.e. Greek ἐξουσία | ⲛⲉⲕⲣⲉϥϣⲙϣⲉ : translate “his ministrants” Mirecki 1994a & 1999 : translate “the ministrants” Worrell

p. 3

1. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲩ corrected from ⲟ by overwriting | ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲟ corrected from ⲉ by overwriting ?
2. ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗ⧹ⲟⲥ⧸ i.e. Greek ἀρχάγγελος
3. ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ : ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲁⲩ Worrell | ⲧⲉⲩϭⲟⲙ : translate “your power” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
3-4. ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩⲣ̅ ϣⲟⲣⲡ̅ vacat ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲩⲉ ⲣⲓⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ : translate “those whose names were first announced to them” Worrell : translate “you whose names were first given to you” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
4. ϣⲟⲣⲡ̅ smudge on upper part of ⲡ, probably not a correction
5. ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἄγγελος | ⲟⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ὀνομασία
6. ϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓⲟⲥ i.e. Greek Ἑβραῖος
8-9. ⲉⲩⲭⲏ i.e. Greek εὐχή
9. ⲉⲓ̈ⲣⲉ l. ⲉⲉⲓⲣⲉ | ⲉϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ corrected from incomplete ⲁ by overwriting?
10. Ϩⲁⲅⲛⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ἁγνεία : ϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲓⲁ Worrell
11. ⲁⲛⲟϭ i.e. Sahidic ⲁⲛⲟⲕ : ⲁⲛⲟⲕ Worrell | ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲇ corrected from ⲧ by overwriting
12. ϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ i.e. Greek ἁγνεύω
14. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉⲥⲙ̅ⲛⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ i.e. Greek Ἑβραῖος cf. ⲛ̅ⲧⲉ⟦..⟧ⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ in P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 1 (KYP T673) : ⲛ̅ⲧⲉⲥⲙ̅ⲛⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ Worrell
15. ϫⲱⲕ : translate “executions” Worrell : translate “manipulations” Mirecki 1994a & 1999 | ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ : ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲛ Worrell
16. Ink traces at the beginning of the line
16-17. ⲧⲟⲟⲟⲧ i.e. Sahidic ⲧⲟⲟⲧ⸗⊘ : ⲧⲟⲟⲧ Worrell
17. ⲟⲟⲟⲧ ink dot after the first ⲟ | ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲥ̅ⲧ̅ⲥ̅ i.e. Sahidic ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲧ⸗ⲥ : ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲧⲥ︦ Worrell

p. 4

2. ⲛ̅ⲛⲁⲇⲁⲙ̅ i.e. Sahidic ⲛ̅-ⲁⲇⲁⲙ : ⲛ̅ⲁⲇⲁⲙ Worrell | ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲩⲕⲱⲗ̅ⲡ̅ i.e. Sahidic ⲉⲛⲧ-ⲁ⸗ⲩ-ϭⲱⲗⲡ̅ cf. ⲛⲧⲁⲩϭⲱⲗⲡ in P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 4 (KYP T673) : ⲛ︦ⲧⲁⲩϭⲱⲗ︦ⲡ︦ Worrell
3. ⲁⲣⲉⲧⲏ i.e. Greek ἀρετή
3-4. ⲙⲉⲥⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ i.e. Greek μυστήριον
5. ⲧⲩⲭⲛⲉ i.e. Greek τέχνη | ⲡⲁⲣⲁ i.e. Greek παρά
5-6. ⲉⲩⲭⲏ i.e. Greek εὐχή | ⲛ̅ⲕⲉⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ : translate “the spells; concerning” Worrell : translate “the other prayers that are concerned with” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
6-7. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲧⲃⲉ : translate “and all the rest” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
7. ⲁⲛⲟϭ i.e. Sahidic ⲁⲛⲟⲕ : ⲁⲛⲟⲕ Worrell | ⲅⲁⲣ̅ i.e. Greek γάρ | 〚ⲥ̣〛ⲧⲉⲧ ⲥ deleted by washing off cf. ⲧⲉⲧ in P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 7 (KYP T673) : ⲧⲉⲧ Worrell
8. ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ i.e. Greek πρᾶξις | ⲙ̅ⲏ︦ⲣⲉ i.e. Sahidic ⲙⲉⲣⲉ- : ⲙⲉⲣⲉ Worrell
8-10. ⲙ̅ⲏ̅ⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ︦ ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲙⲏⲧⲓ ⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲩⲕⲁⲛⲉⲩ ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ : translate “not every man can bear it; save only those that are sufficiently pure” Worrell : translate “not every man can perform it except (one) who is sufficiently pure” Mirecki 1994a : translate “no person can perform it except (one) who is sufficiently pure” Mirecki 1999
9. ⲉⲙⲏⲧⲓ i.e. Greek εἰ μή τι | ⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲩⲕⲁⲛⲉⲩ l. ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ cf. ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲩⲉ in P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 8 (KYP T673) i.e. Greek ἁγνεύειν
10. ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ i.e. Greek καλῶς
11. ⲁⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ὀνομασία : ⲁⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ Worrell
12. ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ϣⲁⲧⲣⲉ- i.e. Sahidic ϣⲁ⸗(ⲥ)-ⲧⲣⲉ- | ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ i.e. Greek πνεῦμα
14. ⲉⲕⲛⲁⲧⲁⲟⲩⲁⲥ i.e. Sahidic ⲉ⸗ⲕ-ⲛⲁ-ⲧⲁⲟⲩⲟ⸗ⲥ : ⲉⲕⲛⲁⲧⲁⲩⲁⲥ Worrell
14-15. ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲁϣ͞ϥ ⲥ corrected from unclear letter by overwriting
16. ⲕⲗⲉⲕⲏⲣⲓⲍⲱⲛ ⲛ corrected from ϣ̣ ? i.e. Greek γλυκύρριζον : translate “liquorice root” Worrell & Mirecki 1994a & 1999
16-17. ⲉⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ i.e. Greek μνήμων
16-18. ϣⲁⲥⲣ̅ ⲟⲩⲉⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲧⲕ̅ ϣ̣ⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲓⲛⲉ ⲙ̅ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ : translate “it establishes a reminder within you forever and ever, in your mind and your spirit” Worrell : translate “it sets a reminder within you, for ever and ever, in your mind and spirit.” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
17. ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲓⲛⲉ ⲥ̣ corrected from ⲁ̣ by overwriting cf. ⲛ̣︦ⲥ̣ⲉⲓⲛⲉ in P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 13 (KYP T673) : ⲛ̅ⲉⲓⲛⲉ Worrell
18.ⲙ͞ⲛ ⲙ corrected from ⲥ | ⲛⲟⲩⲥ i.e. Greek νοῦς | ⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ l. ⲡⲛ(ⲉⲩⲙ)ⲁ i.e. Greek πνεῦμα

p. 5

1-2. For the reconstruction, cf. P. Mich. inv. 599 ro ll. 14-15 (KYP T673) (ⲛⲃⲏϭ ⲛ︦ⲅ︦ⲧⲏⲅⲁⲛⲓ̈ⲍⲉ ⲙ︦ⲙ︦ⲟⲥ ⲛ︦ⲅⲟⲩ̈ⲁⲙⲥ) | ⲧⲏⲅⲁⲛⲓⲍⲏ i.e. Greek τηγανίζειν : ⲧⲏⲅⲁⲛⲓⲍⲉ Worrell
2. ⲉϫⲙ̅ : translate “over” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999
3. ϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ i.e. Greek ἁγνεύειν
4. ⲛⲟⲩⲥ i.e. Greek νοῦς | ⲟⲩⲱⲛ cf. ⲟⲩ̈ⲱⲛ︦ϩ in P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 16 (KYP T673) : translate “appears” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999
5. ϩⲁⲅⲛⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ἁγνεία
8. ⲛ̅ⲑⲉ : ⲛ︦ⲑⲏ Worrell
8-9. ⲛ̅ⲁⲙⲛ̣̅ⲧ̅ⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ i.e. Sahidic ⲛ̅-ⲟⲩ-ⲙⲛ̅ⲧ-ⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ ? i.e. Greek ἀπόκρισις : translate “apokrisis” Worrell : translate “response” or “request” Mirecki 1994 : translate “request” Mirecki 1999
9. ⲥⲧⲁⲓ̈ⲏⲩ : ⲉⲥⲧⲁⲓ̈ⲏⲩ Worrell | ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ
9-11. ⲥⲧⲁⲓ̈ⲏⲩ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲉⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛ̅ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ ϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲧⲥ̅ : translate “for it is very honorable; A great virtue residing in it” Worrell : translate “for it is highly honorable (and) a great grace is in it” Mirecki 1994a & 1999
10. ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ i.e. Greek χάρις
11. ⲛ̅ϭⲱⲛⲧ̅ i.e. ⲙ̅-ⲡ-ϭⲱⲛⲧ ?? | ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ
12. ⲛ̣̅ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ︦ ϩⲓ ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ : translate “every married man” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999
13. ⲑⲏⲣⲓⲱⲛ i.e. Greek θηρίον
13–19. For the reconstruction, cf. P. Mich. inv. 599 ro ll. 21-25 (KYP T673)
14. ⲛ̅ϫ̣[ⲁⲧⲃⲉ : ⲛ︦ϫⲁⲧϥⲉ Worrell | ⲕ̣ⲁ̣ⲧⲁⲫⲣⲟⲛⲓ i.e. Greek καταφρονεῖν : translate “do not despise it” Worrell, Mirecki 1994a & 1999
15. ⲟ̣ⲛ̣ⲟ̣ⲙ̣ⲁ̣[ⲥⲓⲁ] i.e. Greek ὀνομασία
16. ⲅ̣ⲁⲣ̣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ⲛ]ⲉⲥⲉ̣ⲝ̣ⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ἐξουσία : ⲛⲉⲥⲝ︦ⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ Worrel
18-19. ⲉⲡⲓⲃⲟⲩⲗⲏ i.e. Greek ἐπιβουλή : translate “curse” Mirecki 1994a & 1999

Notes:

Parallel text: P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 1 – vo l. 24 (KYP M15, KYP T673).

p. 1
There is a large spot of ink on the upper part of the first page. It may be a trace of a numeral, as in other pages (e.g., p. 4-5), although here it does not closely resemble a numeral and is probably rather an ink smudge.
2-3. ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲟ ⲛ̄ⲁⲩⲉⲓⲛ ⲛ̅ⲕⲱϩⲧ For descriptions of God as fiery, cf. Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:4 and PCM I 28, p. 4 ll. 8-14: “the fire of your divinity, Lord God, and who fills his bowl with desire and lust and fills his wings with fire from that river of fire that burns with ‹the› power of your divinity” (KYP M148).
4. ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ There seems to be a raised dot between ⲙⲉⲣⲉ and ⲣⲱⲙⲉ, but it may be just a loose dot of ink.
5. The initial dot is perhaps an unfinished and deleted letter, or simply a spot of ink.
6. Here the text uses the third person masculine singular (“he”), but since it is used in a direct address, we translate, here and throughout, as “you”, where appropriate; cf. Shisha-Halevy (1989) 52-53; PCM I p. 65.
9. ⲧⲏ̅ⲣⲟⲩ The stroke above the ⲏ may be a mistake, as strokes are not used by this hand above vowels elsewhere. The scribe of KYP M15 sometimes has strokes above vowels, but the corresponding ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ in P. Mich. inv. 599 vo l. 5 (KYP T673) does not have a stroke above the ⲏ.

p. 2
1. ϭⲱⲗⲡ usually means “to uncover, open, reveal” (Crum CD 812a), but a second homophonous verb has the sense of “to create” (Crum CD 812b), used in the Bohairic to refer to God’s creation of Adam (Genesis 2.8; see Lagarde 1867, 4), translating the Greek πλάσσω (cf. the note to l. 2 below). This second meaning seems more appropriate in context, even if it is only recorded by Crum in the Bohairic dialect.
2. ⲛⲁⲡⲗⲁⲥⲧⲟⲥ The word ἄπλαστος (“unformed”) usually has the sense “formless” or “simple” (see LSJ s.v.), but here it seems to have the sense “uncreated”, like ἀποίητος. The verb πλάσσω (“to mould”), from which ἄπλαστος is formed, is often used to describe the manner in which God created mankind (see BDAG s.v.). Compare the Kerygma Petri fr. 2a, which describes God as the one who is “uncreated, who made everything by the word of his power” (ἀποίητος, ὃς τὰ πάντα ἐποίησεν; 320).
11. ⲡⲉⲓ̈ⲁϩⲟⲣⲁⲧⲟⲥ There is an ink dot after the first ⲁ. It resembles the ⸗ used as punctuation by this scribe, which often appears to have been added later.

p. 3
5. ⲟⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ Here and elsewhere, this word is probably a reference to magical names, perhaps to the long list of voces magicae included at the end of the manuscript (KYP T897); cf. KYP M24 (KYP T620) ro ll.14-15 and vo l. 12, where ⲣⲁⲛ and ⲁⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ both refer to the names of the celestial beings invoked.
6-7. ⲙ̅ⲛⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲥⲡⲉ ⲛ̅ⲧⲡⲉ On Hebrew as a heavenly language, and that of sacred revelations, see Jubilees 12:25-27, where Hebrew is described as “the tongue of creation”, taught to Abraham by an angel, and the language in which the “books of his fathers” were written. A Coptic fragment of the Book of Jubilees (P.CtYBR inv. 4995a; Crislip 2003) preserves the passage about Abraham receiving the compositions (ϫⲡⲟ) of his ancestors, “written in Hebrew” (ⲉⲩⲥⲏϩ ⲙ︦ⲙⲛ︦ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲉⲟⲥ). The Apocryphon of James (NHC I.2), a secret book revealed to James and Peter by God, is also said to be written “in the Hebrew letters” (ϩⲉⲛⲥϩⲉⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲛ︦ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓⲟⲓⲥ). The prayer referred to in the present text, revealed to Seth, is likewise supposedly in Hebrew (cf. p. 3 l. 14). The Hebrew words of this prayer might be the long series of voces magicae preserved at the end of the codex (KYP T897); cf. the opening of the Prayer of Judas Cyriacus in PCM I 11 (KYP M171, KYP T 911) and T. Varie 13 (KYP M107, KYP T653), where the Hebrew words of the prayer are voces magicae.
10. ϩⲛ̅ ⲟⲩⲧⲃⲃⲟ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲟⲩϩⲁⲅⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̅ϩⲱⲃ We understand this to refer both to the practitioner and the work; the practitioner must be pure (ⲧⲃⲃⲟ), and chaste (ϩⲁⲅⲛⲓⲁ), with the result that the work will be too.
14. ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉⲥⲙ̅ⲛⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ “the power and its Hebrew ⟨words⟩” P. Mich. inv. 599 vo l.1 (KYP M15; KYP T673) has ⲧϭⲟⲙ {ⲛⲧⲉⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧ︦} ⲛ︦ⲧⲉ⟦..⟧ⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ “the power of its Hebrew ⟨words⟩”, which seems to be the correct reading.
15. ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ “its goals” (also p. 4 l. 4) We cautiously propose to interpret the plural “its ends” as indicating the purposes of the ritual, i.e., goals or objectives. While this sense is not directly attested in dictionaries, it can be compared to the Greek τέλος, which, like ϫⲱⲕ, can mean “a state of completion” or “end”, but also “goal” or “purpose” (cf. LSJ s.v.). We understand these goals as all the different ways the prayer could be used, which were revealed to Seth together with the prayer itself, and are recorded in this manuscript following this text as a collection of ritual prescriptions. Alternatively, perhaps understand “perfections”, in the sense of the ways in which the prayer is perfect, but the reason for the plural would then be less apparent.
l. 17 ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ϩⲱⲃ Literally “do work”, but in the context of magical texts, Crum translates as “bewitch” (CD 654b). Crum also lists ἐργάζεσται as a Greek equivalent (CD 654a), which can carry a ritual connotation (cf. LSJ s.v. ἐργάζομαι, sense II.2b).

p.4

1-2. ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲥⲏⲑ This reference to Seth, the third the son of Adam and Eve, alludes to the tradition of antediluvian teachings that Adam received and then transmitted to Seth. It is not necessarily related to Sethian Gnosticism (although the concept appears prominently in some Sethian Gnostic works such as the Apocalypse of Adam, NHC V.5), but derives from broader apocryphal traditions (e.g., Apocalypse of Moses/Life of Adam and Eve, cc0029); cf. Pearson 1990, Mirecki 1994a: p. 442, n. 41. For other Coptic magical texts referring to the biblical Seth, see P. MMA 34.1.226 (KYP M506, KYP T389; cf. Zellmann-Rohrer 2017), P. Vindob. K 8302 (KYP M364, KYP T512), Berlin P. 10587 (KYP M510, KYP T325). The general concept of “mysteries” which are revealed or transmitted appears in many other magical texts; see, e.g., GEMF 58/PGM V 108-11: “I am Moses your prophet to whom you handed down your mysteries” (ἐγώ εἰμι Μουσης ὁ προφήτης σου, ᾧ παρέδωκας τὰ μυστήριά σου), and cf. the discussion in Betz 1982.
4. At l. 5, there seems to be a paragraphos diple added in the left margin, but it may again be an accidental trace of ink.
7. ⲁⲛⲟϭ ⲅⲁⲣ̅〚ⲥ̣〛ⲧⲉⲧ The scribe perhaps anticipated writing ⲁⲛⲟϭ ⲥⲏⲑ, as is found on p. 3 l. 11 and p. 4 ll. 1-2.
9. ⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲩⲕⲁⲛⲉⲩ We would expect here a pronominal subject (ⲉ⸗ϥ/ⲩ-), but the scribe has perhaps made a copying error. The other copy of this text in P. Mich. inv. 599 vo l. 8 (KYP M15; KYP T673) corrects the text to ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲩⲉ “those who will purify themselves”.
16–17. ⲣ︦ ⲟⲩⲉⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ ⲛ̅ϩⲏⲧⲕ̅ “it makes you mindful” Worrell (1930) and Mirecki (1994a) translate ⲟⲩⲉⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ as “a reminder”. Mirecki (1994b: p. 214) interprets ⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ as “the memorable human experience of a revelation of the divine hypostatic νοῦς” through the recitation of the prayer (see below the note to p. 5 l. 4 on ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲡⲉⲥⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲟⲩⲱⲛ). The Greek μνήμων means “mindful” or “having a good memory” (LSJ s.v. μνήμων). We interpret this passage as the act of reciting the prayer repeatedly, which places the person doing it in a state of “mindfulness”.
17. ϣ̣ⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲓⲛⲉ The meaning of ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲓⲛⲉ here is unclear. Worrell’s synoptic edition reads ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ︦ⲉⲛⲉϩ “forever and ever”, ignoring ⲛⲥ(ⲉ)ⲓⲛⲉ, which is found in both manuscripts. Mirecki (1994a) does not translate it. ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲓⲛⲉ must describe an additional result of the repeated recitation of the prayer, affecting “your mind and spirit” (l. 18). Considering the interpretation of μνήμων as “mindful”, ⲛ̅ⲥ̣ⲓⲛⲉ may refer to the prayer’s power to “support” the mind and spirit, or “bring” them to an altered, perhaps focused (?) state.

p. 5

2-3. ⲛ̅ⲅⲟ[ⲩⲁⲙⲥ] ⲉϫ͞ⲙ ⲡⲉⲃⲓⲱ︦ For ⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲉϫⲛ̅ with the sense of “eat with”, compare Job 6.6. ⲙⲏ ϣⲁⲩⲟⲩⲉⲙ ⲟⲉⲓⲕ ⲉϫⲛ ϩⲙⲟⲩ ⲏ̅ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲛ (“is bread eaten with salt or not?”).
4. ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲡⲉⲥⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲟⲩⲱⲛ P. Mich. inv. 599 ro l. 16 (KYP M15; KYP T673) has “appears” (ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ) rather than “opens”. We follow Mirecki (1994b: p. 212-215) in understanding the antecedent for “its mind” (νοῦς) to be the prayer. This nous must then refer to a divine hypostasis who appears (or opens) to the human nous (p. 4 l. 18), enlightened through the prayer. This conceptualisation of the nous as a divine hypostasis (the “divine mind” or “divine intellect”) is common in Manichaean, Hermetic, and Gnostic literature (cf. Mirecki 1994b). In these traditions, the nous can refer both to the divine mind and the human mind, and thus represents the point of contact between the divine and human. A similar idea of a divine hypostatic nous “hidden in the Father” is found in PCM I 12 (KYP M283; second page ll. 6-7).
8-9. ⲁⲙⲛ̅ⲧ̅ⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ The sense of ⲁⲙⲛ̅ⲧ̅ⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ here is difficult; from the syntactic context, the initial ⲁ would seem to be a form of the indefinite article ⲟⲩ-, but this does not seem to be otherwise attested. ⲙⲛ̅ⲧ̅ⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ is likewise apparently unattested elsewhere. Ἀπόκρισις in Greek has a wide range of meanings – the LSJ lists “I) separation, excretion, secretion, exhalation, miasma; II) decision, answer, defence, rescription, embassy, commission; III) a kind of dance”. The CDO gives the senses “1) answer, response; 2) payment; 3) matter, affair”, and the Förster WBGW likewise notes this as one potential meaning (pp. 81-82). This last sense seems to be common in Coptic. In the Life of Pisentius two men say ⲟⲩⲛⲧⲁⲛ ⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲛⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ ϩⲙ ⲡⲓⲧⲟϣ ⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲧⲟϣⲥ (“we have a little business (ἀπόκρισις) in this region which we would like to arrange”; Budge 77.15-16), referring to some kind of task they are travelling to carry out, and in O.Crum VC 67 ll. 5-6 the writer asks ⲁⲣⲓ ⲧⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲛ̅ⲅϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓ̈ⲥⲓⲥ ⲛⲁⲓ (“please look into this matter (ἀπόκρισις) for me”). The abstract prefix ⲙⲛ̅ⲧ- might then be understood as forming an abstract noun referring to a “matter” which is important, as the following description of it as “greatly honoured” (ⲧⲁⲓ̈ⲏⲩ… ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ) implies. Worrell does not venture a translation; Mirecki suggests “response” or “request”, but notes that Morton Smith compares this to the instructions found in GEMF 30.71/PGM II.24; GEMF 72/PGM VIII.67; GEMF 74.520-521, 882-883, 905-906/PGM VII 439-440, 726, 748-749, 110; GEMF 58/PGM V.399 not to give an answer (ἀπόκρισις) to anyone after having recited a formula, frequently used in dream oracles. This would make considerable sense in this context – the practitioner is to avoid breaking their state of purity by speaking to someone while carrying out the ritual – but it does not seem possible from a syntactic perspective.
14 ϫ̣[ⲁⲧⲃⲉ For the word referring to venomous creatures in general (including snakes and scorpions) rather than only reptiles, cf. Aufrère 2013-2014.
14-15. ⲕ̣ⲁ̣ⲧⲁⲫⲣⲟⲛⲓ For the sense of καταφρονεῖν in Coptic, compare Proverbs 23.22: “do not despise (your mother) because your mother has grown old” (ⲙⲡⲣⲕⲁⲧⲁⲫⲣⲟⲛⲉⲓ ϫⲉ ⲁⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲣ ϩⲗⲗⲱ). This could be understood as stating either that certain readers might be suspicious of the text as containing voces magicae (“do not disrespect it because of these great names”), or that the power of the names was such that disrespecting it was dangerous.

Bibliography:

Aufrère, Sydney H. “Chasser, conjurer les ‘animaux venimeux’ (ḏdf.t) et s’en protéger d’après le Papyrus Brooklyn 47.218.138. Notes de lecture.” Journal of the Society of the Study of Egyptian Antiquities 40 (2013-2014): 24-27.

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Budge, E.A. Wallis Coptic Apocrypha in the Dialect of Upper Egypt. London: Trustees of the British Museum, 1913.

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Zellmann-Rohrer, Michael. “Seth on Mount Sinai: A Coptic Magical Formulary with a Prayer and Theophany of the Biblical Seth.” Zeitschrift für Ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde 144.2 (2017) 240-254.

Editor:

Text from Worrell transcribed by David Tibet; preliminary translation by KD (31/1/2020); KD, MPS, RBS (23/7/2026)

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[Editor names]. "KYP T236: Invocation of God by Seth and instructions for its use," Kyprianos Database of Ancient Ritual Texts and Objects, Korshi Dosoo, Markéta Preininger, & Roxanne Bélanger Sarrazin (principal editors), www.coptic-magic.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/index.php/text/kyp-t-236. Accessed on 10/10/2026
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