Date of composition

• 300 BC - AD 60s
• The latter date is known because these two names are given in II Timothy 3:8, which Paul wrote in the middle of the first century AD.

Type of book

• Apocrypha

Length

• Unknown; all we have is a reference to it from Origen (c. d. AD 253) and other early Jewish and Christian authors. Origen wrote that Paul used this book to get the names of the two "magicians."

Summary

• In Exodus 7:10-12, Moses and Aaron were before Pharaoh and wanted to demonstrate the power of God. Aaron threw down his staff and it turned into a snake. Pharaoh's "wise men and sorcerers" were able to do the same (no names were given). Over time, the names of Jannes and Jambres were created and given to two of Pharaoh's wise men and sorcerers. Eventually, someone wrote a book of fiction that created stories about these two men.