unique to other Gnostic scriptures, states that Shem was the first being on Earth. Unlike traditional Sethian literature, Seth is not seen as the father of the followers of Gnosticism, rather it is Shem, who receives a divine revelation from a spiritual savior named Derkedeas. Shem later helps bring his universal teaching of secret knowledge to humanity before the forces of darkness attempt to destroy the world with a great flood. In Mandaeism According to Mandaean beliefs and scriptures, Shem is cognate with the angelic soteriological figure Sam Ziwa. Shem is considered the progenitor of the Mandaeans and a prophet. Family tree The following family tree contains information from the Hebrew Bible, without data from any other sources. In popular culture See also Wives aboard the Ark Notes References Bibliography External links Bereshit (parashah) Bible genealogy Book of Genesis people Children of Noah Noach (parashah) Uthras Hebrew Bible people in Mandaeism Legendary progenitors