Bible Lexicons

Ἰαμβρῆς, ὁ, and ὁ Ἰάννης (cf. Buttmann, 20 (18)), Jambres (for which the Vulg. seems to have read Μαμβρης, as in the Babylonian Talmud tract. Menach c. 9 in the Gemara; cf. Buxtorf, Lex. Talm., p. 945f (p. 481f, Fischer edition)), and Jannes, two Egyptian magicians who in the presence of Pharaoh imitated the miracles of Aaron in order to destroy his influence with the king: 2 Timothy 3:8 (cf. Exodus 7:11f). The author of the Epistle derived their names from the tradition of the Talmudists and the rabbis (cf. B. D. article Jannes and Jambres). These Magi are mentioned not only in the tract of the Babyl. Talmud just referred to, but also in the Targ. of Jonath. on Exodus 7:11; the book Sohar on Numbers 22:22; Numenius περί ταγαθου in Origen contra Celsus 4, 51; Eusebius, praep. evang. 9, 8; Evang. Nicod. c. 5, and other writings enumerated by Thilo in his Cod. apocr., p. 552f; (and Wetstein on 2 Timothy, the passage cited; Holtzmann ibid., p. 140f).