Comparative Cosmogony

Genesis and Timaeus in the Hermetic Creation

Abstract

The exact provenance of the Corpus Hermeticum is still the subject of much debate. Emerging from the highly syncretic milieu of Hellenistic Egypt in the 2nd century CE, the Hermetica follows most directly from the Neoplatonic school but echoes many other preceding philosophical and religious traditions. This paper is concerned with exploring possible influences on Hermetic cosmogony outlined in libellus I of the Corpus Hermeticum, the Poimandres, with particular focus on its striking parallels to the sequence of creation outlined in the first book of Genesis, contrasted with Platonic metaphysics drawn from the Timaeus. Through a comparative analysis of these three texts in parallel, I establish that, while staying true to its Platonic heritage in the mechanics and characteristics of God as Demiourgos, — contrasted with the Old Testament's God as Kyrios, — the Poimandres departs notably in the sequence of creation to closely resemble the first book of Genesis, down to the mirroring of precise phrasing. 

My interpretation challenges the assertion of Walter Scott, first scholar to publish an English translation of the Corpus Hermeticum (1925) alongside extensive notes on his translations and a comprehensive history of Corp. manuscripts. Scott is firm that there was little to no Jewish or early Christian contribution to the cosmology of the Hermetica, but I suggest that the parallels between the Poimandres and Genesis are too strong for there to have been no connection at all.