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Iamblichus: On the Mysteries · 211 of 218 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Chapter VIII“

By the arcanum in the adytum, therefore, is meant the deity who subsists at the extremity of the intelligible order ( i. e. Phanes); and of whom it is said in the Chaldean Oracles, “that he remains in the paternal profundity, and in the adytum, near to the god-nourished silence.” 120 . For εις το φαινομενον και ορφμενον σωμα , I read εις το φερομενον κ. τ. λ. 121 . Here too for Αβυδῳ I read αδυτῳ . 122 . Conformably to this, Martianus Capella also, in lib. ii. De Nuptiis Philol. &c. speaking of the sun, says, “Ibi quandam navim, totius naturæ cursus diversa cupiditate moderantem, cunctaque flammarum congestione plenissimam, et beatis circumactam mercibus conspicatur. Cui nautæ septem, germani tamen, suique similes præsidebant in prora. Præsidebat in prora felis forma depicta, leonis in arbore, crocodili in extimo.” For these animals, the cat, the lion, and the crocodile were peculiarly sacred to the sun. Martianus adds, “In eadem vero rate, fons quidem lucis æthereæ, arcanisque fluoribus manans, in totius mundi lumina fundebatur.” i. e. “In the same ship there was a fountain of etherial light flowing with arcane streams, which were poured into all the luminaries of the world.” Porphyry, likewise, in his treatise De Antro Nymph. says, “that the Egyptians placed the sun and all dæmons not connected with any thing solid or stable, but raised on a sailing vessel.” 123 . In the original παν ζωδιον , which Gale erroneously translates animalia omnia . 124 . Of this kind are the following names in Alexand. Trallian. lib. ii. Μευ, Θρευ, Μορ, Φορ, Τευξ, Ζα, Ζων, Θε, Λου, Χρι, Γε, Ζε, Ων , i.e. Meu , Threu , Mor , Phor , Teux , Za , Zōn , The , Lou , Chri , Ge , Ze , Ōn . By these names Alexander Trallianus says, the sun becomes fixed in the heavens. He adds, “Again behold the great name Ιαξ , (lege Ιαω ), Αζυφ, Ζυων, Θρευξ, Βαϊν, Χωωκ , i. e. Iaō , Azuph , Zuōn , Threux , Baïn , Chōōk .” Among the Latins, also, Cato, Varro, and Marcellus de Medicamentis Empiricis, there are examples of these names; the power and efficacy of which, as Gale observes, are testified by history, though it is not easy to explain the reason of their operation. 125 . Proclus, in commenting on the following words of Plato in the Timæus, (see vol. i. p. 228, of my translation of his Commentary), viz.
Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

The passage describes the deity as residing at the extremity of the intelligible order and associates him with specific attributes like paternal profundity.

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Divine Hiddennesstheology

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

The text repeatedly emphasizes the deity's concealment in the 'paternal profundity' and 'god-nourished silence'.

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Divine Lighttheology

The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.

References to a 'fountain of etherial light' and luminaries indicate the divine quality of illumination.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

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

The passage explicitly defines the 'arcane' nature of the adytum and cites Chaldean Oracles containing esoteric truths.

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Living Godtheology

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

The deity is described as subsisting at the extremity of the intelligible order and remaining in a paternal profundity.

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Sacred Namestheology

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

The passage discusses specific names like Ιαξ and Ζυων that confer power to the sun.

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