Fragment 1 – Fragment 2 – Fragment 3
The Apocryphon of Jannes and Jambres, also known as the Book of Jannes and Jambres, is a likely pseudepigraphal work composed in the 1st or 2nd-century AD, narrating the undertakings of the two legendary magicians in Pharaoh’s court who opposed Moses and Aaron. Only scattered fragments survive.
1 And [Jannes] said, “Jambres, [[I deliver to you]] a document; keep it secret and [[do not come out]] on the day on which [Pharaoh] and the nobles come out [against] the people . . . with them, [[but feign sickness and save your own]] soul [[from death]] and from [[the destruction of the Egyptians which the God]] of the heavens [[will carry out according to His word on behalf of the children of the Hebrews whom the Egyptians caused to die in the river. 2 And when the]] time of [my] death [comes], go to our mother every day and send me letters, and when [[three years are completed]], tell her, The king [commanded] him [to remain] for another [[three years, so that our]] mother [will not] go [[to Memphis and find out that I have]] died. 3 . . . say, He is [impure] and cannot [be seen until] he is purified.” 4 And sending word [from Memphis], he convened [all] the [nobles] of Egypt [and said to] them, “[[I am giving my]] daughter to [my] brother in marriage, and I am celebrating for seven days. 5 And you will rejoice together with us, dear brothers. After the days, I depart from you [[to Hades.” 6 And after celebrating for]] the seven [[days of the wedding, Jannes instructed his]] brother [[regarding his]] children [[and regarding his wife]] and mother [[not to neglect her,]] nor [[to abandon]] her [[for one hour lest she be pained, but to go to her every day. 7 And when he had]] completed [his speech], ambassadors were present [from Pharaoh], saying, “Come quickly, [and oppose] Moses the Hebrew, [[for he is]] making [[signs]] so that everyone is amazed.” 8 Jannes, [[having come]] to Pharaoh, opposed Moses and his [[brother]] Aaron, doing as many things as they [had done]. 9 But [as] his death neared, tormented by a grievous sore in his bottom and not finding a remedy, he sent word to Pharaoh, saying, “This is God’s miracle that is operating for them. Therefore, I, wishing to oppose the [[God]], depart to death.” 10 Jannes called his brother again [and] pleaded with him concerning his mother, not to distress her: “But remember that she took a risk in life in giving birth to us. Do not then be preoccupied concerning money [and] forget our mother. Get ready . . .” 11 . . . [And Jannes] questioned [Jambres]: “Which hour is the setting of [the] star?” And he replied, [[“The last.” 12 And]] [Jannes] said, “Indeed, such is the hour of corrupt and deceitful hearts, which do not remember the hour of death.” 13 And [Jannes] said to him, “Come out, and see how great [a portion] is remaining of the day.” And [Jambres] said to him, “None.” 14 And Jannes said, “Indeed, so great is the [day] of every woman who will turn away from the bed of her own husband and have intercourse with another, Jambres [my] brother.”
1 Jambres opened the magical books of his brother Jannes, and did necromancy, and brought up from Hades the shade of his brother. 2 The soul of Jannes answered him, saying, “I, your brother, did not die unjustly, but in truth, justly, and judgment will go against me, for I was wiser than all wise magicians, and I withstood the two brothers, Moses and Aaron, who did great signs and wonders: therefore, I died and was brought down from among men into Hades, where there is great burning, and the pit of perdition, from where there is no coming up. 3 And now, my brother Jambres, take heed to yourself in your lifetime to do good to your sons and your friends, for in Hades there is nothing of good, but sadness and darkness; and when you will have died and will be in Hades among the dead, your dwelling-place and your abode will be twenty [[or two]] cubits broad and four cubits long.”
1 “Where are Amān and Bārān, the giants who devoured men like locusts and wild animals, and cattle, and birds? 2 They drank blood and defiled the East, because they could not be satisfied. 3 However, their father Bapares, lifting a stone of one thousand talents, threw it by his own strength into the height of [the] heavens. 4 And midday descended, and he ran that same day two hundred fifty thousand stadia and returned before the sun set. 5 And where is he? Did he not die? Even he, and his wife, and his children died! Where is Aqāmās, whose eyes were huge? Did he not, while they were sleeping, raise up mountains with his belly? 6 And since the dust storm was drawn out, he placed his eyes in a bowl, in four thousand two hundred pieces, but it did not concern him, for his eyes were heavy. And did not even he die? 7 Where is the great Aklu the Gigantic? When walking, from the weight of his steps, twenty cubits [of earth] clung to his feet. 8 And when, therefore, it happened one time [that] he drank water from the river, it decreased the water [by] five cubits. Did not even he die? 9 Where is the great Akaryās the Gigantic, who walked in the depths of the Bantes Sea, and the water [merely] reached up to his breasts? 10 This one [had] footsteps of five hundred thousand cubits, and, because of his wife’s adultery, he killed giants. [And] this one killed . . . the Gigantic and cast his body into the Great Sea. But afterward, even he died! 11 Where is Yotāmār, son of Māriket, who in his intelligence understood the hours and minutes of the day and of the night, and the months of the years, and the signs provided? And he investigated much. Did not even he die? 12 Where is Ayās, the great and mighty, the marvelous, the Gigantic, who left the eastern frontier running and . . . ?”