Nag Hammadi Library

The complete archive of Gnostic scriptures: 46 tractates across 13 codices, discovered in 1945 and now fully mapped with thematic pathways, scholarly commentary, and reading guides for every level of inquiry.

13 Codices
46 Tractates
1945 Discovered
⚡ Start Here The Complete Guide: History, Texts & Meaning

New to the library? Our definitive introduction covers the 1945 discovery, all 13 codices, and how to read these forbidden texts.

Explore the Library
I–XIII
The Collection

The Thirteen Codices

From the Jung Codex to the final fragments—each codex unpacked.

The library comprises thirteen papyrus codices buried in a sealed jar near Nag Hammadi, Egypt. Each codex overview provides codicological details, dating, scribal hands, and the complete list of tractates contained within.

Browse by Codex
Codex I The Jung Codex — Prayer of Paul, Apocryphon of James, Gospel of Truth, Treatise on Resurrection, Tripartite Tractate Codex II Apocryphon of John, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip, Hypostasis of the Archons, On the Origin of the World, Exegesis on the Soul, Book of Thomas the Contender Codex III Apocryphon of John, Gospel of the Egyptians, Eugnostos the Blessed, Sophia of Jesus Christ, Dialogue of the Saviour Codex IV Apocryphon of John, Gospel of the Egyptians — The Scholars' Codex Codex V Eugnostos the Blessed, Apocalypse of Paul, First Apocalypse of James, Second Apocalypse of James, Apocalypse of Adam Codex VI Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, Thunder: Perfect Mind, Authoritative Teaching, Concept of Our Great Power, Plato's Republic Codex VII Paraphrase of Shem, Second Treatise of the Great Seth, Apocalypse of Peter, Teachings of Silvanus, Three Steles of Seth Codex VIII Zostrianos, Letter of Peter to Philip — Sethian Technical Literature Codex IX Melchizedek, Thought of Norea, Testimony of Truth Codex X Marsanes — The Platonizing Sethian Treatise Codex XI Interpretation of Knowledge, Valentinian Exposition, Allogenes, Hypsiphrone Codex XII Sentences of Sextus, Gospel of Truth, Unidentified Fragments Codex XIII Trimorphic Protennoia, On the Origin of the World
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Thematic Paths

Themes & Collections

Read across codices by subject, not just by burial order.

The ancient scribes organized by codex; we organize by theme. Explore Feminine Divine imagery, ascent literature, creation myths, and the distinctions between Sethian and Valentinian traditions.

Explore Collections
Feminine Divine Barbelo, Sophia, Thunder: Perfect Mind, Thought of Norea Ascent Literature Zostrianos, Allogenes, Marsanes, Apocalypses of James and Paul Apocryphal Gospels Thomas, Philip, Mary, Judas, and the Egpytians Sethian Studies Apocryphon of John, Three Steles, Trimorphic Protennoia Valentinian Studies Gospel of Truth, Treatise on Resurrection, Tripartite Tractate Reading Paths Curated journeys for beginners, theologians, and mystics

Featured Themes

Valentinian Sacramental Theology: Beyond the Bridal Chamber The Five Seals: Sethian Initiation Mysteries The Three Witnesses: Textual Development in the Apocryphon of John
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Deep Dives

Individual Tractates

Detailed commentary on essential texts.

From the Gospel of Thomas to the obscure Hypsiphrone, each article provides historical context, theological analysis, and connections to living traditions.

Essential Tractates
Apocryphon of John The Sethian creation myth — Barbelo, the demiurge, and the three Adams Gospel of Thomas 114 sayings of the living Jesus — the fifth gospel Thunder: Perfect Mind The divine feminine speaks in paradox Gospel of Philip Sacramental theology and the bridal chamber Trimorphic Protennoia Three descents of the divine thought Zostrianos The thirteen aeons and the ascent
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Scholarly Tools

Archive Resources

Glossary, timeline, and research aids.

Technical glossary of Coptic terms, complete timeline from antiquity to modern discovery, codicological data, and guides for reading the Coptic texts.

Available Resources
Technical Glossary Key terms in Coptic Gnosticism Timeline From antiquity to 1945 discovery Reading Coptic Guide for non-specialists Codicology Physical description of the library
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"These are the hidden words that the living Jesus spoke."

— Gospel of Thomas, Prologue

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