Jannes and Jambres

In Jewish and Christian traditions, Jannes and Jambres (Hebrew: יניס Yannis, ימבריס Yambres) are the names given to magicians mentioned in the Book of Exodus.

In a brief passage cited in Eusebius' Praeparatio evangelica, Numenius said that "Jannes and Jambres were able to undo, publicly, even the greatest of the disasters that Moses brought against Egypt."

[13][14] It was also claimed that they converted to Judaism, and that they left Egypt at the Exodus to accompany Moses and the Israelites; however, they perished on the way, either at the Red Sea, or the destruction of the Golden Calf, or at the slaughter of Korah and his followers.

[citation needed] Apart from their opposition to Moses there are other aggadic lore and legends about Egyptian sorcerers; it was said that during the end of their days they had necessary occult knowledge to embark on a journey to the Jewish world to come.

Upon entering the fifth heaven they were met by none other than Metatron, who did not come at them with defiance or anger, but appeared accommodating, considering the circumstances; after conversing for a short time the angel was successful in convincing Jannes and Jambres to remove their talismans, leaving them thus vulnerable.

[citation needed] The earliest mention of "Jannes and his brother" in the Damascus Document, states that the two were in league with "Belial", who would later be personified as the devil in Christian texts.

[15] In the Testament of Solomon, a demon who has some connections with "the Red Sea" replies to the king: "I am who was called upon by Jannes and Jambres who fought against Moses in Egypt" (25:4).