Sophia (Gnosticism)

Sophia (Koinē Greek: Σοφíα "Wisdom", Coptic: ⲧⲥⲟⲫⲓⲁ "the Sophia"^[1]) is a major theme, along with Knowledge (γνῶσις gnosis, Coptic: ⲧⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ tsōwn), among many of the early Christian knowledge theologies grouped by the heresiologist Irenaeus as gnostikoi (γνωστικοί), "knowing" or "men that claimed to have deeper wisdom". Gnosticism is a 17th-century term expanding the definition of Irenaeus' groups to include other syncretic faiths and the Greco-Roman mysteries.^[2]

In Gnosticism, Sophia is a feminine figure, analogous to the human soul but also simultaneously one of the feminine aspects of God. Gnostics held that she was the syzygy, or female twin, of Jesus, i.e. the Bride of Christ, and the Holy Spirit of the Trinity. She is occasionally referred to by the term Achamōth (Ἀχαμώθ, Hebrew: חכמה chokhmah) and as Prunikos (Προύνικος). In the Nag Hammadi texts, Sophia is the lowest aeon or anthropic emanation of the godhead.

^ Layton, Bentley, ed. (1989). Nag Hammadi Codex II, 2–7. Leiden: E.J. Brill. pp. 158–59, 252–53. ISBN 90-04-09019-3.
^ Michael Williams. "Gnosticism". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 17 October 2011.

[1] Layton, Bentley, ed. (1989). Nag Hammadi Codex II, 2–7. Leiden: E.J. Brill. pp. 158–59, 252–53. ISBN 90-04-09019-3.

[2] Michael Williams. "Gnosticism". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 17 October 2011.

[1]

[2]