Chapter XII. That the Divine Nature is Ineffable

WHEREAS Moses and all the Hebrew Prophets teach that the Divine nature is ineffable, and indicate the symbol of the ineffable Name by the notation which may not be pronounced among them, hear how Plato also in agreement with them speaks in his great Epistleword for word.

[Ps.-PLATO] ‘For it can by no means be defined in words as other branches of learning, but from long converse on the subject itself, and from living with it, on a sudden a light, as it were kindled from a spark leaping out of the fire, comes to the soul, and thenceforth is self-sustained.’ [1]

This example also of ‘light’ another Hebrew Prophet had previously set forth, saying, ‘The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, was shown upon us.’ [2] And again another, ‘In Thy light shall we see light.’ [3]