ORIGIN: Gnostic Christian [Eastern Mediterranean]
TYPE: Creator god
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP: Uncertain origins until circa 400 CE
CENTER(S) OF CULT: Undefined cells in areas of early Christian influence.
LITERARY SOURCES: Nag Hammadi Codices.
INFORMATION: Sabaoth, in Gnostic cosmogony, is one of the seven offspring of the "primal parent" Yaldabaoth. The narrative that emerges in such works as Origin of the World is confused and in places contradictory. Sabaoth rebelled against his father, who had become arrogant and impious, and backed the primordial female force Sophia who, having been responsible for Yaldabaoth, was horrified at what she had created. She describes Yaldabaoth as "a blind god, Samael" Sabaoth is joined by seven benign archangels and in the first great battle of the cosmos comes to rule over all, including the forces of chaos. Arguably Sabaoth equates to the god of Israel, Yhwh.