Proofs of Oral Torah: Jannes and Jambres, A Couple of Troublemakers from the Rabbinic Tradition
We explore the intriguing reference to Jannes and Jambres, and its implications, in Paul's second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:8). These figures are notably absent from the Christian canonical Bible but appear throughout the Jewish midrashic and kabbalistic tradition.
What if I were to suggest that the New Testament is deeply influenced by Jewish folklore - and that its original audiences were familiar with these ancient traditions? Some might say that this is old news, and others might say, “Prove it!”
Enter Jannes and Jambres—two magicians from the ancient Midrashic tradition who make an appearance in 2 Timothy as symbols of rebellion.
These troublemakers emerge from the Midrash confounding and annoying Moses almost as much as they do adherents of Sola Scriptura¹.
Paul's Midrash
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul provided his Jewish disciple some advice to navigate the challenges he would inevitably face in his leadership role.
Paul's apocalyptic language suggests that he believed they were living in the end days and that the Messianic era was on the cusp of its arrival.
This eschatological viewpoint was predominantly based on the growing number of Gentiles who had abandoned the paganism of the Roman empire to join the Jewish community.
Paul did not come up with this expectation on his own, it is a key aspect of the Jewish tradition of Messiah, that the world would begin to wake up to the revelation of the G_D of Israel.
Another part of the equation is that there will be an opposing force seeking to undermine the final redemption.
With these ideas in mind, Paul cautioned Timothy to be wary of different types of people who will attempt to stunt his efforts. He writes:
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of G_D, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
He then mentions two people by name - Jannes and Jambres, who seem to embody these traits and more.
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
- 2 Timothy 3:4-9
Here, Paul calls upon the Rabbinic tradition, associating Jannes and Jambres with a form of spiritual blindness.
We might immediately ask, “where did Paul learn about this idea?”, and, “Who are Jannes and Jambres?” We find no mention of these two anywhere else in the Bible!
I particularly enjoy this Midrashic² example for a few reasons:
- Notice that Paul included no further explanation or background, presumably because his audiences already possessed some familiarity with these characters. This is more evidence that Paul's audiences were engaged with the Jewish oral tradition.
- Awareness of this tradition suggests regular community participation, where one may have acquired these ideas over time - either during the weekly drash on Shabbat or through some degree of study
- Lastly, Paul's inclusion of this tradition pre-dates the publication of the various Midrashic collections by centuries, confirming these traditions existed in oral form long before their publication.
Who Are Jannes and Jambres?
Though we see slight variations of their names in Hebrew and Aramaic, they are often transliterated as Yannes and Yemeris (יניס וימריס).
Additionally, in the Talmud³ they go by the names, Yochana and Mamre (יוחנא וממרא). In this exchange, these two mock Moses’s attempts to dabble in Egypt’s favorite pastime.
The Gemara relates the conversation that took place: Pharaoh’s two leading necromancers, Yoḥana and Mamre, said to Moses: Are you are bringing straw to Afarayim? Performing necromancy in Egypt, the world leader in sorcery, is like bringing straw to Afarayim, which is rich in the finest grains. Moses said to them: It is as people say: To a city rich in herbs, take herbs. If you want to guarantee that people will appreciate your merchandise, bring it to a place where they are familiar with it.
If you are a frequent reader of the Midrash and Kabbalah, you'll likely run into these two characters from time to time as they always make an adversarial appearance to the nation of Israel.
Evil Magicians
Tradition teaches that Yannes and Yemeris were not just magicians, but they were the head magicians in Pharaoh’s court who attempted to counteract and even replicate the miracles performed by Moses in Egypt.
Yannes and Yemeris had a sort of supernatural hatred for Israel, often going out of their way to destroy the nation. Tradition reveals that they even followed the Israelites out of Egypt, causing trouble on the road⁴.
The Zohar⁵ tells us that they used their sorcery to overpower Aaron, and were successful in spurring the tragic incident with the Golden Calf.
Evil Balaam's Sons
These two make another appearance in the tradition when the evil Balaam was summoned by Balak to curse the nation of Israel.
But G_D was incensed at his going; so a messenger of the Lord took a position in his way as an adversary. He was riding on his she-ass, with his two servants alongside, - Numbers 22:22
On this passage, Targum Jonathan⁶ states that Yannes and Yemeris were the servants, and sons of Balaam who arose and accompanied him on his mission.
Other traditions suggest they were the grandsons of Laban, Jacob's treacherous uncle. Sometimes in the Rabbinic vernacular, sonship is not always intended to be literal, but a reference point connecting someone with a similar spirit and life mission⁷.
The Erev Rav - Mixed Multitude
Whether or not these two men existed in real life, these guys were bad news, and they were among a vast conglomerate of evil people who continually attempted to undermine G_D and His people.
In the mystical, or Sod level, Yannes and Yemeris are often associated with a multi-faceted concept known as the Erev Rav, or Mixed Multitude.
Historically, the Erev Rav were a problematic group of unrefined souls who left Egypt along with the nation of Israel.
The Children of Israel moved on from Ra’amses to Sukkot, about six hundred thousand on foot, menfolk apart from little-ones, and also a mixed multitude (עֵרֶב רַב / Erev Rav) went up with them... - Exodus 12:37-38
In the Kabbalistic tradition, the Erev Rav represent a spiritual counterforce to Israel. Where Israel's mission is to purify the world and bring humanity back to proper worship of G_D, the Erev Rav embody the unholy traits, and lead people astray.
Notably, the Erev Rav are connected to the pre-Adamic races who have continually attempted to snuff out any spark of redemption. In this, they are uniquely connected to the Messiah. When the sparks of the Erev Rav are purified in holiness, the Messianic era can begin.
Thus, the Erev Rav represents the archetypal forces of evil that will stop at nothing, and spare no cost to self to accomplish this mission.
Through the mention of Yannes and Yemeris, Paul seems to have connected the full range of these ideas in his letter to Timothy, warning that the spirit of these troublemakers will emerge whenever mankind is on the brink of elevation.
Though Paul's timing may have been off, the Kabbalah teaches that the same forces will emerge in every generation.
Notes:
¹ The problem with Sola Scriptura
³ Menachot 85
⁴ "Forty thousand people had assembled to leave Egypt with the Israelites, and among them were two Egyptians named Jannes and Jambres, who had performed magical feats for Pharaoh, as it is written: And the magicians of Egypt in like manner with their arts (Exod. 7:22). All of them gathered about Aaron, as is said: And the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said (ibid. 32:11)." - Midrash Tanchuma Ki Tisa 19
⁵ Zohar 2:191a
⁶ Targum Jonathan on Numbers 22:22
⁷ In the Kabbalah, Balaam and Laban are connected through Gilgul.
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James Ballard
