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Iamblichus: On the Mysteries · 140 of 218 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Chapter V

This deific and anagogic path Hermes, indeed, narrated, but Bitys, the prophet of King Ammon, [138] explained it, having found it in the adyta of Saïs [139] in Egypt, written in hieroglyphics; 307 and the same prophet also delivered the name of God, which pervades through the whole world. [140] But there are, likewise, many other coarrangements of the same things; so that you do not appear to me to act rightly in referring all things with the Egyptians to physical causes. For there are, according to them, many principles and many essences; and also supermundane powers, which they worship through sacerdotal sanctimony. To me, therefore these things appear to afford common auxiliaries to the solution of all the remaining 308 inquiries. But since it is necessary not to leave any one of them uninvestigated, we shall add them to these problems, and examine them on all sides, in order that we may see where there is any thing futile in your opinions.
Themes
Correspondencecosmology

The Hermetic axiom that the structure of the cosmos is reflected at every scale — 'as above, so below; as within, so without' — making each level a legible map of the others.

The text explicitly states that Egyptian coarrangements of things provide common auxiliaries to the solution of inquiries about the cosmos.

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Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The path is described as deific and anagogic, implying a hidden nature of the divine that requires revelation.

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Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

The mention of the 'adyta' in Saïs and Egyptian sacerdotal practices indicates texts designed to guide the soul through death.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

The passage emphasizes the revelation of the divine name and path as a means to solve inquiries rather than relying on physical causes alone.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

The text references hieroglyphics written in the adyta and the revelation of the divine name as esoteric knowledge.

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Kingdom Withinanthropology

The claim that the divine realm is present inside the individual, accessible without external mediation.

The divine name pervades through the whole world, suggesting an internal presence of the divine.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

The text describes God as a dynamic entity that pervades the world and is revealed through prophets.

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Mystical Unionsoteriology

The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.

The revelation of the divine name implies a deeper connection or union with the divine source.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

The text explicitly mentions 'sacerdotal sanctimony' as the means through which Egyptians worship supermundane powers.

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Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

The passage centrally discusses the prophet delivering the 'name of God,' which pervades the world and is a key revelation.

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Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

Hermes narrates a 'deific and anagogic path' that the prophet explains, indicating a journey toward divine knowledge.

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Theurgypraxis

Iamblichean ritual practice that engages the gods directly through consecrated material symbols and actions, on the premise that divine power descends into properly prepared matter — distinct from philosophical contemplation alone.

The reference to Egyptian sacerdotal worship of supermundane powers suggests ritual engagement with divine forces.

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