Irenæus

Footnotes

Introductory Note to Irenæus Against Heresies

^[2835] The old Latin version renders ἐπίσημον, insigne, illustrious, but there seems to be a reference to the Valentinian notion of the mystic number of 888 formed (10+8+200+70+400+200) by the numerical value of the letters in the word ᾽Ιησοῦς.

^[2836] The mutes are π, κ, τ, β, γ, δ, φ, χ, θ.

^[2837] The semi-vowels are λ, μ, ν, ρ, σ, ζ, ξ, ψ.

^[2838] It seems scarcely possible to give a more definite rendering of this clause: it may be literally translated thus: “And because they receive the outflow of those above, but the turning back again of those below.”

^[2839] The ninth letter being taken from the mutes and added to the semi-vowels, an equal division of the twenty-four was thus secured.

^[2840] Viz., Pater, Anthropos, and Logos.

^[2841] Viz., ζ, ξ, ψ = δς, κς, πς.

^[2842] Matt. xvii. 7; Mark ix. 2.

^[2843] Moses and Elias being added to the company.

^[2844] Referring to the word Χρειστός, according to Harvey, who remarks, that “generally the Ogdoad was the receptacle of the spiritual seed.”

^[2845] The Saviour, as Alpha and Omega, was symbolized by the dove, the sum of the Greek numerals, π, ε, ρ, ι, σ, τ, ε, ρ, α (περιστερά, dove), being, like that of Α and Ω, 801.

^[2846] That is, the letters ζ, ξ, ψ all contain ς, whose value is six, and which was called ἐπίσημον by the Greeks.

^[2847] Referring to Aletheia, which, in Greek, contains seven letters.

^[2848] By these seven powers are meant the seven heavens (also called angels), formed by the Demiurge.

^[2849] We here follow the text of Hippolytus: the ordinary text and the old Latin read, “So does the soul of infants, weeping and mourning over Marcus, deify him.”

^[2850] Ps. viii. 2.

^[2851] Ps. xix. 1.

^[2852] The text is here altogether uncertain: we have given the probable meaning.

^[2853] That is, the name of Soter, the perfect result of the whole Pleroma.

Chapter XV.—Sige relates to Marcus the generation of the twenty-four elements and of Jesus. Exposure of these absurdities.

^[2854] Manifestly to be so spelt here, as in the sequel Chreistus, for Christus.

^[2855] The text is here altogether uncertain, and the meaning obscure.

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