KYP T-673

KYPRIANOS DATABASE OF ANCIENT RITUAL TEXTS

KYPRIANOS T673

Manuscript:	M15
Sigla:	P. Mich. Inv. 599 + 594 + 603 + 596 + 598 + 597 + 595
Text no. Position of the text within the manuscript.	1
Coptic Scriptorium:
Date:	501 – 700

Text position:	p. 1 (P. Mich. Inv. 599, Ro) ll.1-27, p. 2 (P. Mich. Inv. 599, Vo) ll.1-24
Type of text:	Instructions (magical, formulary)

Original title:
Original title (translated):
Conventional title:	Introduction to the Prayer of Seth

Language:	Egyptian (Coptic)
Dialect:	Sahidic (non-standard)
Script:	Coptic
Image:	http://quod.lib.umich.edu/a/apis/x-2616/599r.tif & http://quod.lib.umich.edu/a/apis/x-2616/599v.tif

Text:

Translation:

p. 1 (P. Mich. Inv. 599 recto)
↓
1. ⳨̣ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲡⲡⲁⲛⲧⲱⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲟ ⲛ[ⲁⲩ-]
2. ⲉⲓ︦ ⲛ︦ⲕⲱϩⲧ ⧹ⲡⲉⲧⲟ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ϩⲛ ⲑⲏⲡ⧸ ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ︦ϫⲡⲟ ⲛ︦ⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲥⲟⲩⲛ︦ ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ
3. ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲁϥ ⲧⲉϩⲏⲓ̈ ⲧⲏ̣ⲣⲥ ⲛ︦ⲧⲉ ⲧⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧⲥⲁⲃⲏ ⲡⲉⲓ̈ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
4. ϩⲛ︦ ⲛⲉⲁⲓⲱ̅ⲛ̅ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲁⲉⲓⲛ̅ ⲡⲉ⟦ⲧ̣ⲉ̣ⲣ̣ⲉ⟧ⲁ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲁⲧϩⲉⲧϩⲱⲧϥ ⲉⲣⲉⲛⲇⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓⲥ
5. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲕⲱⲧⲉ ⧹ⲉ⧸ⲣⲟϥ ⲉⲣⲉⲡⲟⲩ⧹ⲁ⧸ ⲡⲟⲩⲁ ⲧⲏϣ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲉϥϩⲱⲃ ⲙ︦ⲛ︦ ⲧⲉϥⲗⲉⲓⲧⲟⲣ-
6. ⲕⲓ̅ⲁ̅ ⸗ ⲁⲣⲓⲣⲉ ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ⲓ ⲛϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̅ⲓ̅ⲙ̅ ⲛ︦ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲓⲉⲩⲭⲏ̅ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲙ
7. ⲉϯⲛ︦ⲁϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧ̅ ⲉⲣⲟⲟ̅ⲩ̅ ⲡⲉⲓⲥⲁϣϥ ⲛ︦ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲉⲡⲟⲩⲁ ⲡⲟⲩⲁ
8. ⲧⲏ̣ϣ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲉϥϩⲱⲃ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉϥϣⲙϣⲉ ⲁ̣ⲣⲓⲣⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ
9. ⲥⲏⲑ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧⲉ ⲛⲛ︦ϭⲱⲗⲡ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⟦ⲛ⟧ ϩⲓⲓⲧⲛ
10. ⲛⲁⲡⲗⲁⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ⟦ⲛ⟧ⲧⲏⲃⲉ ⲙⲓⲭⲁⲏⲗ ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⟦ⲓ̈ . . ⲁ̣ⲛ̣ⲁⲏ⟧
11. ⲣⲁⲫⲁⲏⲗ ⲟⲩⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⲥⲁⲣⲁⲫⲟⲩⲏⲗ ⲥⲟⲩⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⟦ⲁ̣ⲛ̣ⲁ̣ⲏ̣ⲗ ⲙ︦ⲛ︦ ⲛ̣̅⟧
12. ⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ ⲙⲛ̅ ⲛⲕⲉⲣⲉϥϣ̅ⲙ̅ϣⲉ ⲁⲙ̣[ⲟ]ⲩ̣ⲏⲗ ⲁⲛⲁⲑ̣ⲑⲁⲏⲗ
13. ⲁⲛⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ ⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ̣ ⲫⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⲑⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⲁⲣⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲗ ⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏ̅ⲗ̅
14. ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲩⲕⲉⲉⲝⲟ̅ⲩ̅[ⲥ̅]ⲓ̣̈ⲁ̣ ⲙ̣̅ⲱ̅ⲥ̅ⲩⲗ̅ ⧹⸗⧸ ⲱ̅ⲥ̅ⲩ̅ⲗ ⲫⲁ̅ⲏ̣ⲗ ⲓ̈̅ⲱ̅ⲏ̅ⲗ̅ ⲁⲣ̅ⲫ̅ⲁ̅ⲏ̅[ⲗ̅]
15. ⲧⲣⲉⲙⲁⲏⲗ ⲛ︦ⲉⲓ̈ⲛ︦ⲟϭ ⲧⲏⲣⲟ̅ⲩ ⲛ︦⸗ⲛ︦ⲇ︦ⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓ̈ⲥ ⲉⲧⲙⲡⲉⲙⲧⲟ
16. ⲉⲃ̅ⲟ̅ⲗ̅ ⲙⲡⲓⲁϩⲟⲣⲁ⟦ⲣⲁ⟧ⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲟⲩⲉⲓ︦ⲛ ⲛⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϩⲙ ⲡϫⲓ̈ⲥⲉ
17. ⲛ̅ⲁ ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲙ︦ⲛ︦ ⲛⲁ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟ̅ⲩ̅ ⲡⲟ̅ⲩ̅ⲁ ⲡⲟ̅ⲩ̅ⲁ ⲛⲧⲁⲩⲧⲟϣϥ ⲉϩ̣[ⲣ-]
18. ⲁⲓ̈ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲉϥϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ ⲧⲉϥ⟦ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ⟧ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⧹ⲛ⧸ⲥⲁ ⲧⲉⲛⲉ-
19. ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓ̈ⲁ ⸗ ⲉⲧϩⲓ̈ϫⲓ̈ⲧ︦ⲛ ⲛ︦ⲉⲕⲣⲉϥϣⲙϣⲉ ⲧⲏⲣ̅ⲟ̅ⲩ ⲉⲧⲟ̅ⲩ̅ⲱϣ ⲙⲙ̣-
20. ⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓ̈ⲧⲛ ⲛⲉⲧϩⲓ̈ϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲓ̈ⲛ̅ⲟϭ̣ϭ ⟦ⲧⲏⲣⲟ̣ⲩ̣⟧ ⲛ̣ⲛ̣ⲁ̣ⲣⲭⲏ-
21. ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲛ︦ⲁⲁⲩ ϩⲛ̅ [ⲧⲉⲩ]ϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲛⲧ̣ⲁ̣ⲩ̣ⲣ ϣⲟ̣ⲣ̣ⲡ ⲛⲧⲁⲩⲉ̣ ⲣⲓ̈-
22. ⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲟ̅ⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛ̅ⲁⲅ̅ⲅⲗⲟ̅ⲥ ⲉⲧⲱ̅ϣ̅ ⲛⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲥ̅ⲏϩ ⲙ-
23. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲥⲡ︦ⲉ︦ ⲛ̅ⲧⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲣⲉⲩⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲛ̅ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ ⟦ⲛ⟧ ⲣⲱ-
24. ⲙⲉ ⲛⲓ̈ⲙ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛⲧⲉⲓ̈ⲉⲩⲭⲏ︦ ⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ︦ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ
25. ⲉϥⲛⲁⲁⲩ ϩⲛ︦ ⲧⲃⲃⲟ ⲙ︦ⲛ︦ ⲟⲩϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲓⲁ ⲛϩⲱⲃ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ̣ ⲡ̣ⲉ ⲥⲏ̣︦[ⲑ ⲡϣⲏ-]
26. ⲣⲉ ⲛ︦ⲁⲇⲁⲙ̅ ⲁⲓ̈ϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲓ̈ ⲛ︦ϩⲙⲉ ⲛ̣[ϩⲟⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉ-]
27. ⲧⲉⲥϭⲟⲙ ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲛ̣ ⲧϭⲟⲙ

p. 2 (P. Mich. Inv. 599 verso)
→
1. ⲙⲛ︦ ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲧⲉⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧ︦ ⲛ︦ⲧⲉ⟦ . . ⟧ⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ︦ ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ
2. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲉⲥⲁϯⲧⲟⲟⲧ ϩⲛ︦ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓ̈ⲙ ⲉϯⲛⲁϩⲓ̈ ⲧⲟⲟⲧ ⲉⲣⲟⲟ̣ⲩ
3. ⲁⲣⲓ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲥ ⲉⲕⲧⲏ⧹ⲃ⧸ⲃⲏⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉⲕⲥⲧⲱⲧ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲥⲏⲑ
4. ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲛⲧⲁⲩϭⲱⲗⲡ ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ︦ⲛⲓⲁⲣⲉⲧⲏ
5. ⲙⲛ ⲛⲓ̈ⲙⲥⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ ⟦ⲧ . . . . . . . ⟧ ⲙ︦ⲛ ⲧϭ̅ⲟ̅ⲙ̅ ⲛ̅ⲓⲧⲩ-
6. ⲭⲛⲉ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲉⲓⲏⲩ ⲡⲁⲣⲁ ⲛⲕⲉⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲁ⟦.⟧ⲛ ⲉⲧϩⲏ̣ⲡ
7. ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲧⲃ ⲉⲧⲁⲓ̈ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲧⲉⲧ ϩⲛ ⲛⲉⲥⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲙⲉⲣⲉ-
8. ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲩⲉ
9. ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲛⲉⲥⲁⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲥ . –
10. ϭⲟⲙ ⲧⲁⲓ̈ ⲅⲁⲣ ⟦ . . ⲧ̣ ⟧ ϣⲁⲧⲣⲉⲓ ⲟⲩⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲟⲩⲱϩ ϩⲓϫⲱϥ
11. ⲙⲛ︦ ⲟⲩⲙⲛ︦ⲧⲥⲁⲃⲉ ⲛϩⲟ︦ⲩ︦ⲟ︦ ⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓ̈ⲙ ⲉⲕⲛⲁⲧⲁⲩⲁⲥ̣
12. ⲛⲥⲁϣϥ ⲛⲥⲟⲡ ⲉϫⲛ̣︦ ⲟ̣ⲩⲉⲃⲓⲱ ⲙⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲗⲉⲕⲏⲣⲓⲍⲱⲛ ⧹ⲛⲅⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩ̣⧸ ⧸ⲛⲅⲁⲙⲟ̣ⲩ̣⧹ ⧸ . . . . . . . [ . ] . . ⲕ̣ⲏ ⲟⲩⲁⲙϥ̣⧹ ϣⲁⲥⲣ
13. ⲟⲩⲉⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ ⲛϩⲏ︦ⲧⲕ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉⲉⲛⲉϩⲉ ⲛ̣︦ⲥ̣ⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲕⲛⲟⲥ
14. ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ϫⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ̣ ⲛ̅ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲟⲩϩⲉ ⲛⲃⲏϭ ⲛ︦ⲅ︦ⲧⲏⲅⲁⲛⲓ̈ⲍⲉ
15. ⲙ︦ⲙ︦ⲟⲥ ⲛ︦ⲅⲟⲩ̈ⲁⲙⲥ ⲉϫⲛ̣ ⲡⲉⲃⲓⲱ ⲉⲕϩⲁ⟦ⲕ⟧ⲅⲛ̅ⲉ︦ⲩⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ
16. ⲛϩⲙ︦ⲉ ⲛ︦ϩⲟⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲡⲉⲥⲛ︦ⲟⲩⲥ ⲟⲩ̈ⲱⲛ︦ϩ̅ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ ϩⲛ︦ ⲟⲩ̈ⲧⲃⲃ̅ⲟ̅ ⲙ̅ⲛ⧹ⲛ̅⧸
17. ⲟⲩϩⲁⲕⲛⲓⲁ ⲛϩⲙⲉ ⲛ︦ϩⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲁⲑⲏ ⲙⲡⲁⲧⲕϩⲓ̈ ⲧⲟ̅ⲟ̅ⲕ̅ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲉⲛ-
18. ⲉⲕϩⲟⲓ̈ⲧⲉ ⲣⲁϩⲉ ⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ︦ⲑⲉ ⲛ︦ⲁ̅ⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ ⲥⲧⲁⲉⲓ̣ⲏ̣ⲩ̣
19. ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ ⧹ⲉ⧸ⲣ̣ⲉ̣ⲟ̣ⲩ̣ⲛⲟ̣ϭ̣ ⲉ̣ⲛ︦ⲭⲁⲣⲓ̣ⲥ̣ ϣ[ⲟⲟ]ⲡ̣ ⲛϩⲏⲧⲥ ϣⲁⲥ⟦.⟧ⲃⲱ︦ⲗ ϭⲱ-
20. ⲛⲧ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲃ[ⲟ]ⲗ ⲛⲣ[ⲱ]ⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ̣ ϩⲓ̈ ⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ϣⲁⲥⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛ̅ⲗⲱⲕ̅ⲥ̅ ⲛ︦ⲛ̅ⲉ-
21. ⲑ̣ⲏ̣ⲣⲓⲱⲛ ⲙⲛ︦ ⲛϫⲁⲧⲃ̣ⲉ . ⲙ̣ⲡ̣ⲣ̣ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲫⲣⲟⲛⲓ̈⟦ⲥ̣⟧ ⲙⲙ︦ⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲃ-
22. ⲉ ⲛⲉⲓⲛⲟϭ ⟦ⲛ⟧ ⧹ⲛ⧸ⲛⲟⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ ⟦ⲛ⟧ ϩⲉⲛⲛⲟϭ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉⲥ⧸ⲝⲟⲩ⧹⟦ⲉⲝⲟ⟧ⲩⲥⲓⲁ ϣⲁ-⟦ . ?⟧
23. ⲥⲧⲣⲉϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲙ̅ ⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩ̣ϣⲁⲥⲧⲟⲩϫⲟⲕ ⲉⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟⲥⲧⲉ
24. [ⲙⲛ] ⲛ̣ⲉⲡⲓⲃ̣[ⲟ]ⲩⲗ̣ⲏ ⲛⲓⲙ [following text]

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

O seven angels, each one [8] appointed over your task and your service, act for me! I am [9] Seth the son of Adam, the first creation of the [10] uncreated fingers! Michael, Gabriel, [11] Raphael, Uriel, Saraphouēl, Suriel, [12] Anaēl, and the servants, also, Amoēl, Anathaēl, Ananaēl, Anaēl, Phiēl, Thriēl, Ariēl, Israēl, [14] and the also their authorities, Mōsēl, Ōsul, Phaēl, Iōēl, Arphaēl, [15] Tremaēl; all the great powers that are in the presence of [16] the invisible light, O angels on high, [17] those of the night and those of the day, each appointed [18] over your task and your practice, obey our [19] authority that is over you!

All your servants who are called [20] by those above them and the great [21] archangels who are mighty in their power, they whose names were first spoken, that is, [22] the angels who read every name that is written in [23] Hebrew, the language of heaven, that they might obey [24] everyone who will make this prayer, do for him every work [25] that he will do in purity and in a chaste work!

I am Sēth, the son [26] of Adam, I have purified myself for forty days until [27] its [i.e., the prayer’s] power was revealed and the power [p. 2, 1] {and the power of its} of its Hebrew ⟨words⟩ and all its goals, [2] that it might help in every work that I will undertake – [3] perform it [i.e., the ritual of the prayer] while you are pure and trembling.

I am Sēth, [4] the son of Adam, to whom they were revealed, the virtues [5] and the mysteries and its goals and the power of these [6] crafts that are honoured above other prayers, because of these names which are hidden [7] and that which is greater than this ⟨prayer⟩. For I am convinced of its works.

No [8] man may bear it [i.e., the prayer], except those who will purify ⟨themselves⟩ thoroughly [9] and are fully accomplished in all its names and its [10] powers, for this causes a spirit to dwell upon him [11] and wisdom greater than any man. You should recite it [12] seven times over honey and some liquorice and eat them {and eat them} … eat it. [13] It makes you mindful forever, and it bears your mind and spirit.

Take for yourself a falcon egg and fry [15] it and eat it with the honey, having remained pure [16] for forty days, so that its [i.e., the prayer’s] mind opens to you, in purity and [17] chastity for forty days. First, before you undertake it, [18] while your clothes are clean, conceive it as an important matter, [19] for it is greatly honoured, having great favour within it. For it undoes the wrath [20] of every man and woman; it heals the bites of [21] beasts and venomous creatures. Do not disrespect it because [22] of these great names, for [its (i.e., the prayer’s)] authorities are great. [23] It undoes every work, it saves you from those that hate [24] [and] from 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, duplications, and catchwords/phrases, and so these discrepancies are generally not indicated here.

p. 1

1. ⳨̣ Worrell omits | ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ enlarged ⲡ corrected from smaller ⲡ by erasure and overwriting, partly covering the ⲛ | ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲱⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ i.e. Greek παντοκράτωρ : ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ Worrell | ⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙ corrected from ⲱ by overwriting i.e. Greek σῶμα
2. ϩⲛⲑⲏⲡ ⲡ corrected from ⲟ by overwriting ? | ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉⲣⲱⲙⲉ : ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲙⲉⲣⲉ ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ Worrell | ⲥⲁⲣⲝ i.e. Greek σάρξ
3. ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ i.e. Greek εἰ μή τι | ⲛⲧⲟϥ dot of ink after the ⲧ | ϩⲏⲓ̈ i.e. Sahidic ϩⲓⲏ : ϩⲓ̈ⲏ Worrell | ⲥⲁⲃⲏ ⲏ corrected from ⲁ by overwriting : ⲥⲁⲃⲉ Worrell
4. ⲛⲉⲁⲓⲱ̅ⲛ i.e. Greek αἰών : ⲛⲁⲓⲱⲛ Worrell | ⲡⲁⲓ̈ corrected from . . ϩ̣ . ⲧ by erasure and overwriting i.e. Sahidic ⲡⲉⲓ- | ⲇⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓⲥ i.e. Greek δύναμις
5-6. ⲧⲉϥⲗⲉⲓⲧⲟⲣⲕⲓ̅ⲁ i.e. Greek λειτουργία : ⲡⲉϥⲗⲉⲓ̈ⲧⲟⲩⲣⲕⲓⲁ Worrell
6. ϩⲱⲃ ⲃ corrected from ⲛ by overwriting | ⲉⲩⲭⲏ̅ i.e. Greek εὐχή | ⲙⲛ ⲛ corrected from ⲁ by overwriting? | ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ i.e. Greek πρᾶξις
7. ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἄγγελος | first ⲡⲟⲩⲁ ⲩ corrected from ⲁ by overwriting?
8. ⲧⲏϣ ϣ corrected from ⲟ by overwriting | ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲛ corrected from ⲁ?
9. ⲛⲛ︦ϭⲱⲗⲡ : ⲛ︦ϭⲱⲗⲡ Worrell | ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲃ corrected from ⲗ by overwriting | ⟦ⲛ⟧ erased by washing | ϩⲓⲓⲧⲛ i.e. Sahidic ϩⲓⲧⲛ : ϩⲓⲧⲛ Worrell
10. ⲁⲡⲗⲁⲥⲧⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἄπλαστος | ⲛ⟦ⲛ⟧ⲧⲏⲃⲉ first ⲛ retraced, second ⲛ crossed out : ⲛⲧⲏⲏⲃⲉ Worrell
11. ⲣⲁⲫⲁⲏⲗ ⲣ smudge and retraced | ⲥⲁⲣⲁⲫⲟⲩⲏⲗ ink dot before the ⲥ, ⲟ corrected from ⲁ by overwriting
12. ϣ̅ⲙ̅ϣⲉ second ϣ corrected from ⲙ by overwriting | ⲁⲙ[ⲟ]ⲩ̣ⲏⲗ : ⲁⲙⲟⲏⲗ Worrell | ⲁⲛⲁⲑ̣ⲑⲁⲏⲗ : ⲁⲛⲁⲑⲁⲏⲗ Worrell
13. ⲁⲛⲁⲏⲗ ⲁⲏⲗ corrected from ⲁ . . . ⲗ by erasure and overwriting : Worrell omits | ⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏⲗ ⲓ corrected from ⲥ by overwriting
14. ⲛⲉⲩⲕⲉⲉⲝⲟⲩ̣[ⲥ]̣ⲓ̣̈ⲁ̣ first ⲩ corrected from ⲟ? i.e. Greek ἐξουσία | ⲫⲁⲏ̣ⲗ ⲏ corrected from ⲗ
15. ⲛ︦⸗ⲛ︦ⲇ︦ⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓ̈ⲥ i.e. Greek δύναμις : ⲛⲉ ⲛ︦ⲇⲩⲛⲁⲙⲓⲥ Worrell
16. ⲙⲡⲓⲁϩⲟⲣⲁ⟦ⲣⲁ⟧ⲧⲟⲥ second ⲁ corrected from ⲟ by overwriting, ⟦ⲣⲁ⟧ deleted by washing i.e. Greek ἀόρατος : ⲙⲡⲉⲓ̈ⲁϩⲟⲣⲁⲧⲟⲥ Worrell | ⲟⲩⲉⲓ︦ⲛ i.e. Sahidic ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ : ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ Worrell | ⲛⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ second ⲅ corrected from ? i.e. Greek ἄγγελος : ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ Worrell
17. ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲉ corrected from ⲟ by overwriting? | ⲛⲁ ⲛ corrected from ⲁ by overwriting
18. ⲧⲉϥ⟦ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ⟧ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ i.e. Greek ἐξουσία, πρᾶξις
18-19. ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓ̈ⲁ i.e. Sahidic ⲧⲉⲛ-ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ἐξουσία : ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ Worrell
19. ϩⲓ̈ϫⲓ̈ⲧ︦ⲛ dot of ink before the ⲧ i.e. Sahidic ϩⲓϫⲱ⸗ⲧⲛ : ϩⲓϫⲱⲧⲛ︦ Worrell
19-20. ⲙⲙⲟⲩ : ⲙ︦ⲙⲟⲟⲩ Worrell
20. ⲛ̅ⲟϭ̣ϭ i.e. Sahidic ⲛⲟϭ : ⲛⲟϭ Worrell | ⟦ⲧⲏⲣⲟ̣ⲩ̣⟧ deleted by crossing out
20-21. ⲛ̣ⲛ̣ⲁ̣ⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ i.e. Greek ἀρχάγγελος : ⲛⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ Worrell
21. ⲛⲧ̣ⲁ̣ⲩ̣ⲣ ϣⲟ̣ⲣ̣ⲡ : ⲉⲛⲧⲁⲩⲣ︦ϣⲟⲣ︦ⲡ︦ Worrell
22. ⲁⲅ̅ⲅⲗⲟ̅ⲥ i.e. Greek ἄγγελος : ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ Worrell | ⲛⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ first ⲛ corrected from ⸗ i.e. Greek ὀνομασία : ⲛⲟⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ Worrell
23. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ corrected from ⲧ, ⲁ corrected from ⲉ by overwriting i.e. Greek Ἑβραῖος | ⲛ̅ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ i.e. Sahidic ⲛⲥⲁ- : ⲛⲥⲁ Worrell
24. ⲉⲩⲭⲏ i.e. Greek εὐχή | ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲉⲓⲣⲉ nu corrected from alpha, rho epsilon retraced
25. ⲉϥⲛⲁⲁⲩ : ⲉϥⲛⲁⲁⲁⲩ Worrell | ⲧⲃⲃⲟ : ⲟⲩⲧⲃⲃⲟ Worrell | ϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ἁγνεία : ϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲓⲁ Worrell
26. ⲛ︦ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲙ corrected from ⲁ by overwriting | ϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ i.e. Greek ἁγνεύω | ⲙⲙⲟⲓ̈ ⲓ̈ corrected from unclear letter ? | ⲛ︦ϩⲙⲉ mu corrected from unclear letter ?

p. 2

1. ⲛⲧⲉⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧ︦ ⲛ︦ⲧⲉ⟦ . . ⟧ⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ l. {ⲛⲧⲉⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧ︦} ⲛ︦ⲧⲉⲥⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓ̈ⲟⲥ i.e. Greek Ἑβραῖος | ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ ⲛ corrected from ⲥ by overwriting
2. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ : ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲛ Worrell | ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ second ⲟ corrected from ⲣ by overwriting
3. ⲧⲏ⧹ⲃ⧸ⲃⲏⲩ i.e. Sahidic ⲧⲃⲃⲏⲩ : ⲧⲃⲃⲏⲩ Worrell
4. ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲡ corrected from ⲙ or unfinished ϣ by overwriting | ⲛⲁⲓ̈ ⲛ corrected from ⲁ by overwriting | ⲁⲣⲉⲧⲏ ⲏ corrected from ? i.e. Greek ἀρετή
5. ⲙⲥⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ i.e. Greek μυστήριον : ⲙⲉⲥⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ Worrell | ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ ϫ corrected from ⲥ
5-6. ⲛⲓⲧⲩⲭⲛⲉ i.e. Greek τέχνη : ⲛⲛⲉⲓ̈ⲧⲩⲭⲛⲉ Worrell
6. ⲧⲁⲉⲓⲏⲩ ⲏ corrected from ⲉⲓ : ⲧⲁⲓ̈ⲏⲩ Worrell | ⲉⲩⲭⲏ i.e. Greek εὐχή | ⲛⲓⲣⲁ⟦.⟧ⲛ : ⲛⲉⲓⲣⲁⲛ Worrell
7. ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ⲡⲣⲁⲝⲓⲥ i.e. Greek πρᾶξις
8. ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ i.e. Greek εἰ μή τι : ⲉⲙⲏⲧⲓ Worrell | ϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲩⲉ i.e. Greek ἁγνεύειν
9. ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ i.e. Greek καλῶς | ϫⲏⲕ ϫ corrected from ? ⲕ corrected from ? | ⲁⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ὀνομασία
9-10. ⲛⲥ . ϭⲟⲙ i.e. Sahidic ⲛⲉ⸗ⲥ-ϭⲟⲙ, third letter perhaps second ⲥ or unfinished ϭ ? : ⲛⲉⲥϭⲟⲙ Worrell
10. ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ϣⲁⲧⲣⲉⲓ dot of ink after ϣ i.e. Sahidic ϣⲁ⸗(ⲥ)-ⲧⲣⲉ- | ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ i.e. Greek πνεῦμα
12. ⲕⲗⲉⲕⲏⲣⲓⲍⲱⲛ ⲛ corrected from ? i.e. Greek γλυκύρριζον | ⧹ⲛⲅⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩ⧸ i.e. Sahidic ⲛ̅ⲅ⸗ⲟⲩⲁⲙ⸗ⲟⲩ the large second alpha of ⲉⲕⲛⲁⲧⲁⲩⲁⲥ̣ in the preceding line may have been intended to function as the missing alpha : Worrell omits | ⧸ⲛⲅⲁⲙⲟ̣ⲩ̣⧹ i.e. Sahidic ⲛ̅ⲅ⸗ⲟⲩⲁⲙ⸗ⲟⲩ : Worrell omits | ⧸ . . . . . . . [ . ] . . ⲕ̣ⲏ ⲟⲩⲁⲙϥ̣⧹ : Worrell omits
13. ⲉⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ i.e. Greek μνήμων | ⲉⲛⲉⲉⲛⲉϩⲉ i.e. Sahidic ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ︦-ⲉⲛⲉϩ | ⲛⲟⲥ i.e. Greek νοῦς
14. ⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ l. ⲡⲛ(ⲉⲩⲙ)ⲁ i.e. Greek πνεῦμα | ⲧⲏⲅⲁⲛⲓ̈ⲍⲉ i.e. Greek τηγανίζειν
15. ⲉϫⲛ : ⲉϫⲙ Worrell | ϩⲁ⟦ⲕ⟧ⲅⲛⲉ︦ⲩⲉ ⲕ deleted by rubbing, perhaps attempted correction to ⲅ i.e. Greek ἁγνεύειν : ϩⲁⲅⲛⲉⲩⲉ Worrell
16. ⲛ︦ⲟⲩⲥ i.e. Greek νοῦς | ⲙ̅ⲛ⧹ⲛ̅⧸ : ⲙ̅ⲛ Worrell
17. ϩⲁⲕⲛⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ἁγνεία : ϩⲁⲅⲛⲓⲁ Worrell | ⲛ︦ϩⲟⲟⲩ ink after ϩ, deletion of letter or large smudge | ⲙⲡⲁⲧⲕϩⲓ̈ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲕ : ⲉⲙⲡⲁⲧⲕϩⲓ̈ⲧⲟⲟⲧⲕ Worrell
18. ⲛ̅ⲑⲉ : ⲛ︦ⲑⲏ Worrell | ⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ i.e. Greek ἀπόκρισις | ⲥⲧⲁⲉⲓ̣ⲏ̣ⲩ̣ iota perhaps corrected from eta, final letters very uncertain : ⲉⲥⲧⲁⲓ̈ⲏⲩ Worrell
19. ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ⲉ̣ⲛⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ i.e. Greek χάρις : ⲛⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ Worrell | ϣⲁⲥ⟦.⟧ⲃⲱⲗ : ϣⲁⲥⲃⲱⲗ Worrell
19-20. ϭⲱⲛⲧ i.e. Sahidic ⲙ̅-ⲡ-ϭⲱⲛⲧ ? : ⲛϭⲱⲛⲧ Worrell
20. ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ⲉⲃ[ⲟ]ⲗ ⲃ corrected from ⲗ | ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ϭ corrected from unclear letter
21. ⲑ̣ⲏ̣ⲣⲓⲱⲛ ⲱⲛ clarified by overwriting i.e. Greek θηρίον | ϫⲁⲧⲃⲉ . : ϫⲁⲧϥⲉ Worrell | ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲫⲣⲟⲛⲓ ink spot on first ⲁ, perhaps correction, perhaps another ⲁ written above to clarify i.e. Greek καταφρονεῖν
22. ⧹ⲛ⧸ⲛⲟⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ὀνομασία : ⲛⲟⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ Worrell | ⲅⲁⲣ i.e. Greek γάρ | ⧸ⲝⲟⲩ⧹⟦ⲉⲝⲟ⟧ⲩⲥⲓⲁ l. ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ i.e. Greek ἐξουσία : ⲝ︦ⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ Worrell | ⟦ . ?⟧ perhaps a smudge rather than a deletion
23. ⲃⲱⲗ ⲃ corrected from ⲣ ?
24. ⲉⲡⲓⲃ̣[ⲟ]ⲩⲗ̣ⲏ i.e. Greek ἐπιβουλή

Notes:

Parallel text: P. Mich. inv. 593, p. 1 – p. 5 (KYP M9, T236)

p. 1
1. ⳨̣ There is an unclear shape in the upper left corner of the papyrus that we tentatively propose to be a staurogram; more certain cases occur at p. 5 l. 13 (KYP T676), p. 10 l. 1 (KYP T2800), and p. 16 l. 1 (KYP T2807), where they mark the beginning of an invocation, and groups of them mark the beginnings or end of texts at p. 5 l. 6 (KYP T7016) and p. 9 l. 21 (KYP T676). Alternatively, it might be possible to understand these as “folio” numbers of the types found at the tops of the odd numbered pages from pp. 7-15, but p. 7 begins with the numeral “1” (· ⲁ̅ ·), suggesting that there was no earlier numbering.
1-2. ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲟ ⲛ[ⲁⲩ]ⲉⲓ︦ ⲛ︦ⲕⲱϩⲧ 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).
3. 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.
4. ⲛⲉⲁⲓⲱ̅ⲛ̅ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲁⲉⲓⲛ̅ ⲡⲉ⟦..ⲉ⟧ⲁ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲁⲧϩⲉⲧϩⲱⲧϥ The parallel in P.Mich. 593 (KYP M9, T236, p. 1 l. 8) has ⲛⲁⲓⲱⲛ ⲙ̅ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲡⲁⲓ̈ ⲁⲧϩⲉⲧϩⲱⲧ̅ϥ̅. It seems that the scribe of the present manuscript originally wrote ⲡⲉⲧⲉ̣ⲣⲉ̣ⲁ. . ϩ̣ . ⲧ and intended to erase this entire passage, but left the alpha untouched, perhaps intending to incorporate it into the corrected text.
9. 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. 10 below). This second meaning seems more appropriate in context, even if it is only recorded by Crum in the Bohairic dialect.
10. 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).
14. ⧹⸗⧸ ⲱ̅ⲥ̅ⲩ̅ⲗ There are two nearly vertical strokes crossing the supralinear stroke above the omega. Their exact function is uncertain, but here we interpret them to be a word divider displaced above the letter.
22. ⲛⲛⲟⲙⲁⲥⲓⲁ 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 T676); 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.
23. ⲙ̅ⲛ̅ⲧϩⲉⲃⲣⲁⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̅ⲧⲁⲥⲡ︦ⲉ︦ 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.
24. There is a shape in the margin resembling a stigma (ⲋ); although its function is unclear.
25. ϩⲛ︦ ⲧⲃⲃⲟ ⲙ︦ⲛ︦ ⲟⲩϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲓⲁ ⲛϩⲱⲃ We understand this to refer both to the practitioner and the work; the practitioner must be pure (ⲧⲃⲃⲟ), and chaste (ϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲓⲁ), with the result that the work will be too.

p. 2.
1. ⲙⲛ︦ ⲧϭⲟⲙ Here and elsewhere the scribe uses “counter-catchwords” at the beginning of new pages, repeating the last words of the previous page so that the reading order is clear. For a discussion of this practice in the context of earlier Greek magic, see Blanco Cesteros 2024.
2. ⲛⲉⲥϫⲱⲕ “its goals” (also l. 5) 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. There is a gamma-like shape above the omega, but its sense is not clear; it may simply be an ink smudge. There are other smaller ink shapes above the initial ⲙⲛ︦ ⲧϭⲟⲙ at the beginning of the line, and ⲙⲛ︦ directly before this word.
3. 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).
3-4. 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.
8. ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲩⲉ The other copy of this text in P. Mich. inv. 593 p. 4 l. 9 (KYP M9, T236) has ⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲩⲕⲁⲛⲉⲩ, which may be a copying error, as we would expect a pronominal subject (ⲉ⸗ϥ/ⲩ-). Here the scribe has corrected the text to ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲁϩⲁⲕⲛⲉⲩⲉ “those who will purify themselves”.
12. ⧹ⲛⲅⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩ̣⧸ ⧸ⲛⲅⲁⲙⲟ̣ⲩ̣⧹ ⧸ . . . . . . . [ . ] . . ⲕ̣ⲏ ⲟⲩⲁⲙϥ̣⧹ This text is missing from the other copy in P. Mich. inv. 593 (KYP M9, T236), which does not mention what to do with the liquorice and honey. The scribe seems to have first written ⲛⲅⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩ̣ “and eat them” above the line, then added the same phrase again, albeit with different spelling (ⲛⲅⲁⲙⲟ̣ⲩ̣; for the writing of the prenominal form of Sahidic ⲟⲩⲱⲙ as ⲁⲙ- see Kasser CDC 74b) below the line and to the far right, since the first writing may have been too squashed to read securely. Either before or after writing these notes, the scribe added another phrase absent from the other copy, of which only the last letters (ⲕ̣ⲏ ⲟⲩⲁⲙϥ̣ “… eat it”) can be safely read. The final -ⲕ̣ⲏ might be the name of another substance, perhaps a Greek feminine noun despite the apparent masculine pronoun in Coptic.
12-13. ⲣ ⲟⲩⲉⲙⲛⲏⲙⲱⲛ ⲛϩⲏ︦ⲧⲕ “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 l. 16 on ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲡⲉⲥⲛ︦ⲟⲩⲥ ⲟⲩ̈ⲱⲛ︦ϩ̅). 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”.
13. ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉⲉⲛⲉϩⲉ ⲛ̣︦ⲥ̣ⲉⲓⲛⲉ The meaning of ⲛ̣︦ⲥ̣ⲉⲓⲛⲉ 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. ⲛ̣︦ⲥ̣ⲉⲓⲛⲉ must describe an additional result of the repeated recitation of the prayer, affecting “your mind and spirit” (ll. 13-14). Considering the interpretation of μνήμων as “mindful”, ⲛ̣︦ⲥ̣ⲉⲓⲛⲉ may refer to the prayer’s power to “support” the mind and spirit, or “bring” them to an altered, perhaps focused (?) state.
15. ⲛ︦ⲅⲟⲩ̈ⲁⲙⲥ ⲉϫⲛ̣ ⲡⲉⲃⲓⲱ 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?”).
16. ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉⲡⲉⲥⲛ︦ⲟⲩⲥ ⲟⲩ̈ⲱⲛ︦ϩ̅ P. Mich. inv. 593 p. 5 l. 4 (KYP M9, T236) has “opens” (ⲟⲩⲱⲛ) rather than “appears” (ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ). 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).
18. ⲁ̅ⲙ︦ⲛ︦ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲕⲣⲓⲥⲓⲥ 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.
21. ⲛϫⲁⲧⲃ̣ⲉ . The last letter of this word may be a ϥ; cf. the writing ⲛⲟⲩ̈ϫⲁⲧⲃⲉϥ in p. 3 (P. Mich. Inv. 594 ro) l. 1 (T1696). Presumably this would be a hitherto unattested dialectal form of ϫⲁⲧϥⲉ. For the word referring to venomous creatures in general (including snakes and scorpions) rather than only reptiles, cf. Aufrère 2013-2014.
21. ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲫⲣⲟⲛⲓ̈ 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.
23. ϩ̣ϣⲁⲥⲧⲟⲩϫⲟⲕ The initial hori is uncertain; this might be understood as an Akhmimicism/Theban dialectal influence, with the hesitation between hori and shai for the consonant of the habitual (Sahidic ϣⲁⲣⲉ-, ϣⲁ⸗, Akhmimic ⳉⲁⲣⲉ-, ⳉⲁⲣ(ⲉ)⸗) indicating the existence in the scribe’s idiolect of a sound corresponding to the barred hori (ⳉ). For this feature in the Coptic of Upper Egypt, see Crum and White 1926, 244-245.

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Editor:

Text from Worrell digitised by David Tibet, line divisions and some editing made by KD (25/1/2020); partial translation by KD (26/2/2020); KD, MPS, RBS (23/7/2026)

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[Editor names]. "KYP T673: Introduction to the Prayer of Seth," 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-673. Accessed on 11/10/2026
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