Jambres is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Second Epistle to Timothy. He is traditionally identified as one of the magicians or wise men of Egypt who opposed Moses during the time of the Exodus. The name "Jambres" appears alongside "Jannes," another magician, in 2 Timothy 3:8: "Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith."

Historical and Biblical Context

The account of Jambres, though not explicitly named in the Old Testament, is linked to the narrative found in the Book of Exodus. In Exodus 7:11-12, Pharaoh's magicians are described as replicating some of the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron, such as turning their staffs into serpents. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Then Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same things by their magic arts. Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs."

While the Old Testament does not provide the names of these magicians, Jewish tradition and extra-biblical sources have long associated Jannes and Jambres with these figures. The Targum of Jonathan, an Aramaic paraphrase of the Hebrew Bible, and other Jewish writings, such as the Talmud, mention Jannes and Jambres as adversaries of Moses.

Role and Symbolism

Jambres, along with Jannes, is emblematic of the opposition to God's truth and authority. In 2 Timothy 3:8, the Apostle Paul uses their example to illustrate the nature of false teachers and those who resist the truth of the Gospel. The comparison suggests that just as Jambres and his companion were ultimately unable to stand against the power of God demonstrated through Moses, so too will false teachers be exposed and defeated.

The mention of Jambres serves as a warning to the early Christian community about the presence of deceit and the importance of discernment. It underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for steadfastness in faith.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the account of Jambres highlights the futility of opposing God's will. Despite the initial success of the Egyptian magicians in mimicking the miracles of Moses, their power was limited and ultimately overcome by the divine authority vested in Moses. This narrative reinforces the sovereignty of God and the ultimate triumph of His purposes.

Furthermore, the reference to Jambres in the New Testament serves as a reminder of the continuity between the Old and New Covenants. It illustrates how the challenges faced by God's people in the past continue to manifest in new forms, requiring vigilance and faithfulness from believers.

Conclusion

The figure of Jambres, though briefly mentioned, carries significant weight in biblical teaching. His opposition to Moses serves as a timeless example of the resistance faced by God's messengers and the inevitable victory of divine truth over deception and falsehood.Jambres

poverty; bitter; a rebel

Jambres

[JANNES AND JAMBRES]

Jambres

See JANNES.

One of those who opposed Moses in Egypt (2 Timothy 3:8). (see JANNES.) JANNES AND JAMBRES

jan'-ez, jam'-brez (Iannes kai Iambres, 2 Timothy 3:8):

1. Egyptian Magicians:

These are the names of two magicians in ancient Egypt, who withstood Moses before Pharaoh. This is the only place where the names occur in the New Testament, and they are not mentioned in the Old Testament at all. In Exodus 7:11, 22 Egyptian magicians are spoken of, who were called upon by Pharaoh to oppose Moses and Aaron: "Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers: and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments." Jannes and Jambres were evidently two of the persons referred to in this passage. It should be observed that the word translated here "magicians" occurs also in Genesis 41:8 in connection with Pharaoh's dreams: Pharaoh "sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof." the Revised Version margin reads for "magicians" "or sacred scribes." The Hebrew word is charTummim, and means sacred scribes who were skilled in the sacred writing, that is in the hieroglyphics; they were a variety of Egyptian priests. Jannes and Jambres were doubtless members of one or other of the various classes spoken of in the passages in Exodus and Genesis, the wise men, the sorcerers, and the magicians or sacred scribes.

2. Mentioned by Pliny and Others:

Jannes and Jambres, one or both, are also mentioned by Pliny (23-79 A.D.), by Apuleius (circa 130 A.D.), both of whom speak of Moses and Jannes as famous magicians of antiquity. The Pythagorean philosopher Numenius (2nd century A.D.) speaks of Jannes and Jambres as Egyptian hierogrammateis, or sacred scribes.

3. Traditions:

There are many curious Jewish traditions regarding Jannes and Jambres. These traditions, which are found in the Targum and elsewhere, are full of contradictions and impossibilities and anachronisms. They are to the effect that Jannes and Jambres were sons of Balaam, the soothsayer of Pethor. Notwithstanding this impossibility in the matter of date, they were said to have withstood Moses 40 years previously at the court of Pharaoh, to whom it was also said, they so interpreted a dream of that king, as to foretell the birth of Moses and cause the oppression of the Israelites. They are also said to have become proselytes, and it is added that they left Egypt at the Exodus, among the mixed multitude. They are reported to have instigated Aaron to make the golden calf. The traditions of their death are also given in a varying fashion. They were said to have been drowned in the Red Sea, or to have been put to death after the making of the golden calf, or during the slaughter connected with the name of Phinehas.

4. Origen's Statement:

According to Origen (Comm. on Matthew 27:8) there was an apocryphal book-not yet rediscovered-called "The Book of Jannes and Jambres." Origen's statement is that in 2 Timothy 3:8 Paul is quoting from that book.

5. Derivation:

In the Targumic literature "Mambres" occurs as a variant reading instead of "Jambres." It is thought that Jambres is derived from an Aramaic root, meaning "to oppose," the participle of which would be Mambres. The meaning of either form is "he who opposes." Jannes is perhaps a corruption of Ioannes or Iohannes (John).

John Rutherfurd

JAMBRES

jam'-brez.

See JANNES AND JAMBRES.

JANNES AND JAMBRES, BOOK OF

An apocryphal work condemned by Pope Gelasius.

See preceding article, JANNES AND JAMBRES.

2387. Iambres -- Jambres, an Eg. sorcerer
... 2386, 2387. Iambres. 2388 . Jambres, an Eg. ... Word Origin of uncertain origin
Definition Jambres, an Eg. sorcerer NASB Word Usage Jambres (1). Jambres. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2387.htm - 6k

The Traitors
... And these be Jambres, and the twelve priests of the cities of the north, and the
innkeeper at Pithom, also the governor over the treasure-city, his soldiers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxviii the traitors.htm

Expatriation
... How thou art fallen, Jambres! ... "Seeing that thou dost live, tell me what
sheltered thee in this harvest of death?" Jambres repeated. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

The Connexion of Christianity with the Jewish History.
... Saint Paul, in his Second Epistle to Timothy, has this similitude: "Now, as Jannes
and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth." These names ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter iii the connexion of.htm

And one Nicodemus, a Jew, Stood Before the Procurator...
... And there were there Jannes and Jambres, servants of Pharaoh, and they also did
not a few of the miracles which Moses did; and the Egyptians took them to be ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 5 and one nicodemus.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... asked. "From Jambres, the mystic, O Son of Ptah.". ... enemy? And further, did not
Jambres, the mystic, who readeth men's souls, trust me?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm

On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... dead who were raised. [3561] The one was resisted by Jannes and Jambres,
the other by Annas and Caiaphas. [3562] Thus signs do not ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
... If the Holy Ghost be not with you, you are like Jannes and Jambres, attempting to
work a miracle without Jehovah's aid; and you will be baffled, and detected ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/is the spirit of the.htm

Elucidation.
... other than apocryphal than St. Paul's reference to Jannes and Jambres makes
Scripture of the Targum. The apostle Jude does, indeed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on the apparel of women/elucidation.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... Now, as Jannes and Jambres (two of the Egyptian magicians) withstood Moses (by working
sham miracles) so do they also resist the truth; and (notwithstanding ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

List of Characters and Places
... Isis,"Eye'-sis, consort to Osiris and goddess of wisdom. Jambres,"Jam'-breez, a
priest in disgrace, sometime astrologer to Rameses II and to Meneptah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/list of characters and places.htm

Jambres (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary One of those who opposed Moses in Egypt (2 Timothy 3:8).
(see JANNES.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JANNES AND JAMBRES. ...
/j/jambres.htm - 11k

Jannes (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary One of the Egyptians who "withstood Moses" (2 Timothy
3:8). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JANNES AND JAMBRES. ...
/j/jannes.htm - 10k

Oppose (29 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose
the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. ...
/o/oppose.htm - 15k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose
the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Jamb (1 Occurrence)

/j/jamb.htm - 7k

Jambri

/j/jambri.htm - 6k

Worth (36 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:8 And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these false
teachers withstand the truth--being, as they are, men of debased intellects ...
/w/worth.htm - 17k

Withstood (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). 2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these
also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. ...
/w/withstood.htm - 8k

Worthless (103 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:8 Now in the same manner in which Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,
thus these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, found worthless ...
/w/worthless.htm - 35k

Withstand (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:8 And just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also these false
teachers withstand the truth--being, as they are, men of debased intellects ...
/w/withstand.htm - 13k

Who were Jannes and Jambres? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Exodus | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about magic, magicians, illusionists? | GotQuestions.org

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