E. P. Sanders' translation of the Testament of Abraham (A), a text some scholars believes identifies the "Ancient of Days" in Daniel 7 with Adam.

Date
1983
Type
Manuscript
Source
E. P. Sanders
Non-LDS
Hearsay
Translation
Reference

Testament of Abraham (Recension A) 11:8-12, 12:4-5, 11 and 13:1-3 in E.P. Sanders, "Testament of Abraham (First to Second Century A.D.): A New Translation and Introduction," in The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, ed. James H. Charlesworth, 2 vols. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983), 1:888-890

Scribe/Publisher
Yale University Press
People
E. P. Sanders
Audience
Reading Public
Transcription

[Chapter 11]:

8 Then Abraham asked the Commander-in-chief, “My lord Commander-in-chief, who is this most wondrous man, who is adorned in such glory, and sometimes he cries and wails while other times he rejoices and exults?”

9 The incorporeal one said, “This is the first-formed Adam who is in such glory, and he looks at the world, since everyone has come from him.

10 And when he sees many souls entering through the strait gate, then he arises and sits on his throne rejoicing and exulting cheerfully, because this strait gate is (the gate) of the righteous, which leads to life, and those who enter through it come into Paradise. And on account of this the first-formed Adam rejoices, since he sees the souls being saved.

11 And when he sees many souls entering through the broad gate, then he pulls the hair of his head and casts himself on the ground crying and wailing bitterly; for the broad gate is (the gate) of the sinners, which leads to destruction and to eternal punishment. And on account of this the first-formed Adam falls from his throne, crying and wailing over the destruction of the sinners; for many are the ones who are destroyed, while few are the ones who are saved.

12 For among seven thousand there is scarcely to be found one saved soul, righteous and undefiled.”

. . .

[Chapter 12]:

4 And between the two gates there stood a terrifying throne with the appearance of terrifying crystal, flashing like fire.

5 And upon it sat a wondrous man, bright as the sun, like unto a son of God

. . .

11 And the wondrous man who sat on the throne was the one who judged and sentenced the souls.

. . .

[Chapter 13]

1 And Abraham said, “My lord Commander-in-chief, who is this all-wondrous judge? And who are the angels who are recording? And who is the sunlike angel who holds the balance? And who is the fiery angel who holds the fire?”

2 The Commander-in-chief said, “Do you see, all-pious Abraham, the frightful man who is seated on the throne? This is the son of Adam, the first-formed, who is called Abel, whom Cain the wicked killed.

3 And he sits here to judge the entire creation, examining both righteous and sinners. For God said, ‘I do not judge you, but every man is judged by man.’

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