The Meaning of the Name Barbelo

Who or what is Barbelo?









"And his thought performed a deed and she came forth, namely she who had appeared before him in the shine of his light. This is the first power which was before all of them (and) which came forth from his mind, She is the forethought of the All - her light shines like his light - the perfect power which is the image of the invisible, virginal Spirit who is perfect. The first power, the glory of Barbelo, the perfect glory in the aeons, the glory of the revelation, she glorified the virginal Spirit and it was she who praised him, because thanks to him she had come forth. This is the first thought, his image; she became the womb of everything, for it is she who is prior to them all, the Mother-Father, the first man, the holy Spirit, the thrice-male, the thrice-powerful, the thricenamed androgynous one, and the eternal aeon among the invisible ones, and the first to come forth. (The Apocryphon of John long version)


Title: Unveiling the Divine Feminine: Exploring the Enigmatic Figure of Barbelo


Introduction:
In the mystical realm of Gnosticism, the figure of Barbelo shines brightly as a beacon of divine wisdom and creative power. Derived from Semitic and Aramaic roots, the name Barbelo carries profound implications, suggesting a connection to the sacred Tetragrammaton and the divine feminine aspect of God. This document aims to unravel the mysteries surrounding Barbelo, exploring her multifaceted nature as a mother, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit in Gnostic tradition.


Origins and Etymology:
The name Barbelo derives from Hebrew and Aramaic origins, with various interpretations reflecting the elusive nature of this divine figure. Some scholars propose that Barbelo could mean "God is in the four," hinting at a divine presence embedded within the mystical realm of fourfold existence. Others suggest "daughter of the lord" or "mighty through God," highlighting Barbelo's divine lineage and inherent power derived from the Deity.


The Tetragrammaton Connection:
Barbelo's association with the Tetragrammaton, the ineffable four-letter name of God in Hebrew (YHWH), adds layers of complexity to her character. The Tetragrammaton symbolizes the divine essence and serves as a potent symbol of divine presence and power. Barbelo's connection to this sacred name underscores her significance as a divine emanation and embodiment of divine wisdom and creative energy.

Asher: The Relative Pronoun: At the heart of the Tetragrammaton is the pivotal term "Asher." This relative pronoun, meaning "who," not only links to Barbelo but unveils a profound duality. It transcends singular and plural, masculine and feminine, embodying the harmonious balance inherent in the divine. "Asher" becomes a linguistic embodiment of the androgynous nature often attributed to Barbelo, suggesting a unity beyond conventional understanding.

Ehyeh asher Ehyeh: The memorial phrase "ehyeh asher ehyeh" encapsulates the essence of divine self-existence. "I will be who I will be" transcends time and form, portraying a deity beyond human comprehension. In this linguistic dance, "Asher" becomes the nexus, linking the mortal observer to the boundless, genderless, and timeless divinity embodied by Barbelo.

Barbelo as the Deity-in-Four: Within this linguistic exploration, Barbelo emerges as the "Deity-in-Four," encapsulating the divine essence within the Tetragrammaton. Her connection to "Asher" deepens her role as the bridge between the divine and the created world, embodying the unity of opposites and the transcendence of dualities.

Asher's Unity Beyond Duality: The ambiguity of "Asher" challenges conventional linguistic boundaries, transcending the limitations of singular and plural, masculine and feminine. In its fluidity, "Asher" mirrors the androgynous nature of Barbelo, emphasizing a divine unity that transcends earthly distinctions. This linguistic nuance invites seekers to contemplate the infinite within the finite and the boundless within the defined.


Barbelo as Mother and Wisdom:
Within Gnostic cosmology, Barbelo occupies a central role as the Mother/Father figure, embodying both masculine and feminine aspects of the divine. As the divine Mother, Barbelo represents the nurturing and generative force of creation, giving birth to the Christos, the divine light and wisdom. Barbelo's role as the Mother highlights her creative potency and her role in bringing forth the divine order and harmony.


Barbelo as the Holy Spirit:
In Gnostic tradition, Barbelo is also synonymous with the Holy Spirit, representing the active force of divine revelation and spiritual illumination. As the Holy Spirit, Barbelo is not merely a passive entity but an active participant in the unfolding of divine wisdom and enlightenment. Barbelo's presence as the Holy Spirit permeates the cosmos, guiding and inspiring seekers on their spiritual journey.


Androgynous Nature of Barbelo:
One of the most intriguing aspects of Barbelo is her androgynous nature, embodying both masculine and feminine attributes within a unified divine being. Barbelo transcends conventional gender roles, symbolizing the unity and harmony of opposites within the divine realm. As the androgynous one, Barbelo epitomizes the balance and integration of masculine and feminine energies, reflecting the divine harmony and completeness.


Barbelo as the Divine Mind:
Beyond her roles as Mother, Wisdom, and the Holy Spirit, Barbelo also represents the divine mind or mental powers unfolding from the divine thought. Barbelo's emergence from the divine mind signifies the creative process of manifestation and realization, where divine ideas become tangible realities. As the embodiment of the divine mind, Barbelo illuminates the path of spiritual awakening and enlightenment.


Conclusion:
In conclusion, Barbelo stands as a profound symbol of divine wisdom, creativity, and spiritual enlightenment within Gnostic tradition. Her multifaceted nature as Mother, Wisdom, Holy Spirit, and Divine Mind transcends conventional understandings of gender and underscores the unity and harmony inherent in the divine realm. As seekers delve deeper into the mysteries of Barbelo, they uncover profound truths about the nature of existence and the eternal journey of the soul toward divine illumination.










Original text
The word Barbelo apparently comes from Hebrew Be-arba Eloha

The meaning of the Semitic/Aramaic name is uncertain ("God is in the four," "daughter of the lord," "mighty through God").

The name of Barbelo seems to be based on a form of the holy four-letter name of God within Judaism, and it apparently comes from Hebrew-perhaps ‘God (compare El) in (b-) four (arb(a),"

Barbelo comes "from the Hebrew baba' ‘eloh, ‘in the four is God'. with an abbreviated feminine ‘o' added to make the name a feminine aspect of God.

'The Deity-in Four', with reference to the Tetragrammaton Τετραγράμματον, meaning "[consisting of] four letters"), יהוה in Hebrew and YHWH the ineffable four letters name of God

The memorial, in its simplest form, is ehyeh asher ehyeh, "l will be who I will be." Asher, "who," the relative pronoun in this memorial, is both singular and plural, masculine and feminine.

Barbelo is feminine aspect of God, Barbelo is mother, wisdom and the holy spirit or active force.

Barbelo she is Mother/Father and She brought forth the Christos through Him who is the Light.

Barbelo as the Mother the titles the Father and Mother (these are the masculine and feminine names of one androgynous being

The Holy Spirit - Barbelo, is not a person or primordial being controlled by the Father it is an aspects of the mind of God or mental powers, unfolding or expanding from its thought to become an idea



However “bar,” in Aramaic, means son, and in particular, “son of” the word that follows. If Bar means, “Son of,” and if, as the scholars say, “Belo” or "EL" seems to indicate the word “God,” the logical procession might be to see that Barbelo means the sons of God.



In the unfolding of creation Yahweh first established the invisible imperishable realms of light from non-being to be the root and foundation of what would be the perishable visible material realms

wishing to unfold the visible creation from that which is invisible Yahweh willed into being a feminine principle or attribute called Barbelo

all began with Yahweh, Yahweh as Father emanated Barbelo (the holy spirit or active force) full of light, life and majesty, she being filled with need to birth, conceived as glory the eternal Christ power the word of the Father





Yahweh is Barbelo