The Apocryphon of Jannes and Jambres the Magicians

The focus of this volume is the editio princeps of Papyrus Chester Beatty XVI: The Apocryphon of Jannes and Jambres, composed in Greek, perhaps as early as the first century C.E. A full commentary accompanies the edited text. An introductory section discusses the numerous references to the two magicians, who appear in Jewish, Christian and Pagan literatures as Moses' crafty opponents at the time of Israel's exodus from Egypt. Their exploits are recounted in over half a dozen languages, from the Syriac east to the Latin west and from Egypt's deserts to King Alfred's court. The Apocryphon is placed in its Graeco-Roman context, but is also discussed as a backdrop for the Faust saga of European literature. A basic book for anyone interested in biblical and related literatures.

Review:

'It is our good fortune that Pietersma presents his editio princeps of this material in such a full, interesting and elegant fashion.' L.H.F., Old Testament Abstracts, 1995. '...an edition and translation of the fragments accompanied by an excellent commentary.' M.A. Knibb, Society for Old Testament Study, 1995. 'Avec un art certain, l'auteur sait reconstituer les lacunes tout en adoptant une position tres prudente, pour eviter les reconstitutions hasardeuses. Cet excellent commentaire, agremente de nombreux index, s'adresse tant aux specialistes du judaisme egyptien et aux papyrologues grecs qu'a ceux qui s'interessent a l'histoire de l'exegese biblique ou aux origines du christianisme en Egypte.' Jean-Daniel Dubois, Archives de Sciences Sociales des Religions, 1994. 'A splendid study of this lost work about the magicians who attempted to aid the Pharaoh in his contest with Moses. A critical contribution to studies of apocrypha and pseudepigrapha which should be added to research collections as well as seminary libraries to supplement holdings in biblical and related literature.' C. Thomas McCollough, Religious Studies Review, 1996. 'A. Pietersma est arrive a un resultat vraiment impressionnant...' Michel van Esbroeck, Bulletin des Publications Hagiographiques.