Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 68
Introduction
This entry meets the strict three-criteria standard of the Theosis Library:
- Manuscript scan: The actual folio(s) of Codex Sinaiticus containing this chapter, from the Codex Sinaiticus Project (codexsinaiticus.org). Each section links to the specific folio holding its verses.
- Original text: The Codex Sinaiticus Project's verbatim transcription of the folio shown (uncial letters, lunate sigma, nomina sacra preserved).
- English translation: J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891), public domain, retrieved verbatim from Lightfoot 1891 via earlychristianwritings.com transcription.
Numbering: Chapter 68 in the continuous (Whittaker) numbering used by the Codex Sinaiticus Project is Similitude 8, chapter 2 in Lightfoot's traditional division, which the English column follows.
Why this is here: Codex Sinaiticus binds this text after Revelation, alongside the canonical books. Reading it on the same parchment as the Gospels is primary evidence for how a 4th-century Christian community treated it.
Numbering: English verses 6, 7, 8, 9 have no Greek under that number in the codex as transcribed. Compare by content.
How was this verified? (Provenance)
1εκελευϲεν ο αγγελοϲ του κυ ϲτεφανουϲ ενεχθηνε η̣νεχθηϲα̣ν̣ ϲτεφανοι ωϲε̣ι εκ φοινικοϲ γεγονοτεϲ και εϲτεφανωϲε τουϲ ανδραϲ τουϲ επιδεδωκοταϲ ταϲ ραβδουϲ ταϲ παραφυαδαϲ εχουϲαϲ και καρπον ηνεγκα και απελυϲεν αυτουϲ ειϲ τον πυργον 2και τουϲ αλλουϲ δε απελυϲεν ειϲ τον πυργον του ταϲ ραβδουϲ ταϲ χλωραϲ επιδεδωκοταϲ και παραφυαδαϲ εχουϲαϲ καρπον δε μη εχουϲαϲ . ταϲ παραφυαδαϲ δουϲ αυτοιϲ ϲφραγιδα 3ϊματιϲμον δε τον αυτο ειχον παντεϲ λευκον ωϲει χιονα οι πορευομενοι ειϲ τον πυργον 4και τουϲ ταϲ ραβδουϲ επιδεδωκοταϲ χλωραϲ ωϲ ελαβο απελυϲεν δουϲ αυτοιϲ ιματιϲμο λευκον και ϲφραγ̣ειδα · 5μετα το ταυτα τελ̣εϲε τον αγγ̣ε̣λον λ̣εγι τω ποιμενι εγω ϋπαγω · ϲυ δε τουτουϲ απολυϲειϲ ειϲ τα τιχη καθωϲ̣ τιϲ̣ αξιοϲ εϲτιν κατοικε̣ιν · κατανο̣η̣ϲ̣ο̣ν δε ταϲ ρα̣βδουϲ̣ αυτων επιμελωϲ και ουτωϲ απολυϲον ε
1And the angel of the Lord commanded crowns to be brought. And crowns were brought, made as it were of palm branches; and he crowned the men that had given up the rods which had the shoots and some fruit, and sent them away into the tower. 2And the others also he sent into the tower, even those who had given up the rods green and with shoots, but the shoots were without fruit; and he set a seal upon them. 3And all they that went into the tower had the same raiment, white as snow. 4And those that had given up their rods green as they received them, he sent away, giving them a [white] robe, and seals. 5After the angel had finished these things, he saith to the shepherd; "I go away; but these thou shalt send away to (their places within) the walls, according as each deserveth to dwell; but examine their rods carefully), and so send them away. But be careful in examining them. Take heed lest any escape thee," saith he. "Still if any escape thee, I will test them at the altar." When he had thus spoken to the shepherd, he departed.
[Not present in Codex Sinaiticus as transcribed by the Codex Sinaiticus Project. The English is shown for reference.]
6And, after the angel had departed, the shepherd saith to me; "Let us take the rods of all and plant them, to see whether any of them shall be able to live." I say unto him, "Sir, these withered things, how can they live?" 7He answered and said unto me; "This tree is a willow, and this class of trees clingeth to life. If then the rods shall be planted and get a little moisture, many of them will live. And afterwards let us try to pour some water also over them. If any of them shall be able to live, I will rejoice with it; but if it live not, I at least shall not be found neglectful." 8So the shepherd bade me call them, just as each one of them was stationed. And they came row after row, and they delivered up the rods to the shepherd. And the shepherd took the rods, and planted them in rows, and after he had planted them, he poured much water over them, so that the rods could not be seen for the water. 9And after he had watered the rods, he saith to me; "Let us go now. and after days let us return and inspect all the rods; for He Who created this tree willeth that all those who have received rods from this tree should live. And I myself hope that these little rods, after they have got moisture and been watered, will live the greater part of them."
Cite
Source & Cross-References
- Source text: Codex Sinaiticus folio + transcription (codexsinaiticus.org) + J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers (1891) — view original
- Critical edition: Tischendorf 8th edition (1869) / Codex Sinaiticus transcription
← previous · → next · v cycle view · l back to library