From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordAporrhoia is a flowing away or outflow.
- In StobaeusIn the Hermetic narrative the creator promises an outflow of his own nature that will watch deeds and judge without being deceived.
- In this edition“Outflow” keeps the image visible.
- A place to beginAn outflow of the creator’s nature becomes an observer and judge.
- English renderings
- effluence; outflow; emanation
Meaning
Aporrhoia is a flowing away or outflow. In theological prose it can describe something proceeding from a divine source, while retaining the image of flowing.
Use in the book
In the Hermetic narrative the creator promises an outflow of his own nature that will watch deeds and judge without being deceived. This outflow is presented as a personal agent with a punitive role below. The term therefore does more than name a physical emission, but the passage does not explicitly name the agent.
Places to read
- I.49.44.72An outflow of the creator’s nature becomes an observer and judge.
- I.49.44.3Hidden outflows belong to the narrative’s account of cosmic powers.
Translation in this edition
“Outflow” keeps the image visible. “Emanation” is useful only if it does not import a complete later system of successive divine levels.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 386, 405. The feminine noun aporrhoia is followed by masculine reference to the agent. This personification does not license supplying a divine proper name absent from the text.