Seth in Christian Literature

Abstract

This chapter considers the subject of Seth having been an astrologer and a scribe and then it deals with the books of Seth. According to Jewish literature, the generation of Seth and Cain lived quite separate. Ephrem is the earliest and most important of the Syriac commentators. Ideas about Seth in Christian literature were influenced by Josephus, the Vita Adae et Evae, Jubilees, I Enoch and the rabbinical literature. The Byzantine chronographers, who had to rely upon the Book of Genesis, Josephus and Jubilees in their description of the origin of the world, are an important source of knowledge about Seth in Christian literature. Both the chronographers and the Cave of Treasures discuss the question of Seth's brothers and sisters. In the case of the books said to be written by Seth a number of traditions have clearly been confused. They were originally believed to contain Adam's Testament.Keywords: Adam's Testament; books of Seth; Byzantine chronographer; Cave of Treasures; Christian literature; Ephrem; Jewish literature; Syriac commentator; Vita Adae et Evae