Lebor gabála Érenn 1A. Introductory matter
- prose
- Lebor gabála Érenn, Introduction
Introductory matter based on biblical history, from the Creation of Heaven and Earth to Noah, the Flood and the Dispersal of the Nations.
Scope
part of text • multiple versions
Context(s)The (textual) context(s) to which the present text belongs or in which it is cited in part or in whole.
Manuscripts
Form
prose (primary)
verse (secondary)
Textual relationships
Related: Cenn ard Adaim étrocht rádCenn ard Adaim étrocht rádBrief Middle Irish poem on the origin and composition of Adam’s head and other body parts (head from ‘the land of Garad’, belly from Laban/Lodain, etc.). The copy in MS Rawlinson B 502 occurs as part of a poem on the Psalter (beg. A Dé dúlig, atat-teoch) and is directly followed by an additional quatrain with an ascription to Airbertach mac Coisse (d. 1016), saying that he translated the poem from Latin into Irish.
Associated items
Tobar Parrduis búan a bladTobar Parrduis búan a bladView incoming data
Contents
Work in progress
The following overview, based on R. Mark Scowcroft, ‘Leabhar Gabhála. Part I: the growth of the text’, Ériu 38 (1987): 101, covers recensions A, B, M (Miniugud) and C. References to paragraph sections (§) are to those used in the edition of R. A. S. Macalister, Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, vol. 1 (1932).
General outline
- The text of LGÉ A (§§ 1-7) and the somewhat longer version of LGÉ B (§§ 1*-6*) are similar, both covering biblical history from the beginning of Creation to the time of Noah and the Flood. LGÉ B, however, adds some material (§§ 2A, 5A) and continues to elaborate on the flood story (§§ 11-15).
- The considerably longer text of LGÉ C (§§ 20-85) is primarily an Irish translation/adaptation of the Book of Genesis, chapters 1-11, with some additional material. It thus covers the same stretch of biblical history in greater detail.
- §§ 20-25 = Genesis 1
- §§ 26-30 = Genesis 2
- §§ 31-36 = Genesis 3
- §§ 37-43 = Genesis 4
- §§ 44-52 = Genesis 5
- §§ 53-58 = Genesis 6
- §§ 59-63 = Genesis 7
- §§ 64-68, 78 = Genesis 8
- §§ 69-77, 83-85 = Chapter 11
- §§ 79-81 = Genesis 9
- § 82 = Genesis 10
- The Míniugud recension (LGÉ M) contains a brief Latin account of the geography and topography of Ireland.
Creation (LGÉ A, B)
Summary:An account of the Creation, largely based on the first chapter of the Book of Genesis.
- LGÉ A § 1 / LGÉ B § 1*: God creates Heaven and Earth
- LGÉ A § 2 / LGÉ B § 2*. On the seven days of Creation
- LGÉ B § 2A*. On the creation of angels, beasts and men, and their distinction in terms of their mortality or immortality. A non-biblical anthropogenic account describes Adam's body as being fashioned from the four elements: his body is of earth, his blood of the water of the air, his breath of air, his heat of fire and his soul of the breath of God. An interpolation (?) elaborates on the earthen origin of Adam's body: ‘his head of the land of Garad, his breast of the land of Arabia, his belly of Lodain, his legs of the land of Agoria’.
» Comments: Cf. the brief poem beg. ‘Cenn ard Adaim étrocht rád’ » References: R. A. S. Macalister, Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, vol. 1 (1932) direct link direct link » Places: Garad • Arabia • Lodain • Agoria » Events: Creation
Creation (LGÉ C)
Summary:An Irish translation of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, occasionally interspersed with additional accounts or comments.
- LGÉ C § 20: God creates Heaven and Earth (Genesis 1:1). A longer passage, regarded by Macalister as an interpolation, follows with a summary of the seven days of Creation that is similar to LGÉ A, § 2 / LGÉ B, § 2*.
- On the earth, dark and barren, as it was first created (Genesis 1:2). On the creation of light (Genesis 1:3-4) and the separation of night and day (Genesis 1:5).
- LGÉ C § 21: On the creation of the firmament, separating the waters above and below (Genesis 1:6-8).
- LGÉ C § 22: On the separation of dry land and sea (Genesis 1:9-10); Genesis 1:11-13.
- LGÉ C § 23: Genesis 1:14-19.
- LGÉ C § 24: Genesis 1:20-23.
- LGÉ C § 25: On the creation of animals (Genesis 1:24-25); of man and woman (Genesis 1:26-31). A non-biblical anthropogenic account describes Adam's body as being fashioned from the four elements (dúili): his body is of earth, his blood of water, his breath of air, his heat of fire and his soul of the breath of God. A gloss or interpolation elaborates on the earthen origin of Adam's body: ‘his head of the land of Garad, his breast and bosom of the land of Arabia, his belly of Lodain, his legs of the land of Agoiria’.
» Comments: Cf. the brief poem beg. ‘Cenn ard Adaim étrocht rád’ » Places: Garad • Arabia • Lodain • Agoria » Events: Creation
The rise and fall of Lucifer (LGÉ A/B)
Summary:LGÉ A § 3 / LGÉ B § 3*. On the rise and fall of Lucifer.
» People: Lucifer » Events: The rise and fall of Lucifer
Fall of Man from Paradise (LGÉ A, B)
Summary:* LGÉ A § 4 / LGÉ B § 4*. On Lucifer's vengeance and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
- LGÉ A § 5 / LGÉ A § 5*. On God's words to Adam and Eve.
- LGÉ B § 5A*. ....
Adam's lineage (LGÉ A)
Summary:LGÉ A § 7. On Adam's lineage from Seth to Noah; on the Flood.
Cain and Abel (LGÉ A; B)
Summary:LGÉ A § 6 / LGÉ B § 6* . On Cain and Abel.
» People: Cain • Abel » Events: Cain and Abel
Noah and the Flood (LGÉ B)
» References: R. A. S. Macalister, Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, vol. 1 (1932): §§ 11–15 (Recension B)
Verse: Slúag nád chlóc cúa-chel
[in: Lebor gabála Érenn (Recension A) • Lebor gabála Érenn (Recension B) • Lebor gabála Érenn (Recension C)]
» References: Ed. and tr. R. A. S. Macalister, Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, vol. 1 (1932): 168–169: poem I. direct link
On the geography and topography of Ireland
Summary:On the geography of Ireland; the absence of harmful animals except for the wolf; on Ireland as island of the west (insola occasus); on names for Ireland (Greek Hyberoc; Scotia; and Ériu); on the Scoti, the Scots and the Picts;
» References: R. A. S. Macalister, Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, vol. 1 (1932): 162–165: § 101 (Recension M) direct link
Sources
Primary sources Text editions and/or modern translations – in whole or in part – along with publications containing additions and corrections, if known. Diplomatic editions, facsimiles and digital image reproductions of the manuscripts are not always listed here but may be found in entries for the relevant manuscripts. For historical purposes, early editions, transcriptions and translations are not excluded, even if their reliability does not meet modern standards.
[ed.] [tr.] Macalister, R. A. S., Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, 5 vols, Irish Texts Society, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1932–1942.
[ed.] [tr.] Macalister, R. A. S., Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, 5 vols, Irish Texts Society, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1932–1942.
[ed.] [tr.] Macalister, R. A. S., Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, 5 vols, Irish Texts Society, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1932–1942.
[ed.] [tr.] Macalister, R. A. S., Lebor gabála Érenn: The book of the taking of Ireland, 5 vols, Irish Texts Society, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44, Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1932–1942.
Secondary sources (select)
Scowcroft, R. Mark, “Leabhar Gabhála. Part I: the growth of the text”, Ériu 38 (1987): 79–140.
comments: The second part is Scowcroft, R. Mark, “Leabhar Gabhála. Part II”, Ériu 39 (1988).
101
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page name: Lebor gabála Érenn/1A. Introductory matter
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Contributors
C. A., Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
January 2013, last updated: March 2024
