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Trimorphic Protennoia
Also known as NHC XIII,1
undated
This name is already in the atlas. The older page is /texts/trimorphic-protennoia. The sources below were added with the live expansion.
Sethian text in which Protennoia descends three times; often compared to the John prologue.
Wikipedia extract
Trimorphic Protennoia or Three Forms of First Thought is a Sethian Gnostic text from the New Testament apocrypha. The only surviving copy comes from the Nag Hammadi library. The text describes three descents using the voice of Barbelo in first person. The voice is the source of life, knowledge, and the first thought. The voice is said to have three names, three masculinities, and three powers, and it is described as androgynous. It explains that Sophia descended to help counter the plan of the demon Yaldabaoth and the archons. The speaker invites the reader to enter the high perfect light and receive glory, enthronement, and baptism.
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- Trimorphic Protennoia · Early Christian Writings (Peter Kirby)Hub site; each linked translation keeps its own rights. Link only.
Sources
- Trimorphic Protennoia · Wikipedia contributorsAccessed 2026-11-12 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wikidata Q2602292 · Wikidata contributorsAccessed 2026-11-12 · CC0 1.0
- Trimorphic Protennoia · Early Christian Writings (Peter Kirby)Accessed 2026-11-12 · Hub site; each linked translation keeps its own rights. Link only.
Authority files
gnostic-texts · nag-hammadi · sethians