Irenaeus: Against Heresies, Books I–V

We here follow the text as preserved by Hippolytus. The Latin has, “a certain man in Asia.”

[This is disputed by other primitive authorities.]

Rev. ii. 6 .

[Comp. cap. xxv. 3.]

We here follow the amended version proposed by the Benedictine editor.

A promise never fulfilled: comp. book iii. 12, and Euseb., Hist. Eccl. , v. 8.

[ Rev. xii. 9 .]

[The whole casuistical system of the Trent divines, De Matrimonio , proceeds on this principle: marriage is licensed evil.]

Harvey supposes this name to be derived from two Syriac words, meaning “God in a Tetrad.” Matter again derives it from two Hebrew words, denoting “Daughter of the Lord.”

Both the text and meaning are here altogether doubtful.

Harvey refers to the cabbalistic books in explanation of this and the following names, but their meanings are very uncertain.

Various explanations of this word have been proposed, but its signification remains altogether doubtful.

Ex. xx. 5 ; Isa. xlv. 5, 6 .

The punctuation is here difficult and doubtful.

The probable meaning of this and the following names is thus given by Harvey: Ialdabaoth, Lord God of the Fathers ; Iao, Jehovah ; Oreus, Light ; Astanphæus, Crown ; Sabaoth, of course, means Hosts ; Adoneus, Lord ; and Eloeus, God . All the names are derived from the cabbalistic theology of the Jews.

Hence their name of Ophites, from ὄφις , a serpent .

The Latin has evertisse , implying that thus Nous was more degraded.

Gen. i. 26 .

That is, from Ialdabaoth, etc. [ Philastr. ( ut supra ), Oehler, i. p. 38.]

There is constant reference in this section to rabbinical conceits and follies.

A name probably derived from the Hebrew נערה , girl , but of the person referred to we know nothing.

We here follow the emendation of Grabe: the defection of Prunicus is intended.

The Latin here is “ex quibus,” and the meaning is exceedingly obscure. Harvey thinks it is the representative ἐξ ὦν ( χρόνων ) in the Greek, but we prefer to refer it to “Judæos,” as above. The next sentence seems unintelligible: but, according to Harvey, “each deified day of the week had his ministering prophets.”

The common text inserts “et incorruptibili Æone,” but this seems better rejected as a glossarial interpolation.

1 Cor. xv. 50 . The Latin text reads “apprehendunt,” which can scarcely be the translation of κληρονομῆσαι in the Greek text of the New Testament.

That is, Christ and Jesus.

The text of this sentence is hopelessly corrupt, but the meaning is as given above.

According to Harvey, Hystera corresponds to the “passions” of Achamoth. [Note the “Americanism,” advocate used as a verb.]

The text is here imperfect, and the translation only conjectural.

[ Cant. ii. 15 ; St. Luke xiii. 32 .]

[Let the reader bear in mind that the Greek of this original and very precious author exists only in fragments. We are reading the translation of a translation; the Latin very rude, and the subject itself full of difficulties. It may yet be discovered that some of the faults of the work are not chargeable to Irenæus.]