Right Ginza
The Right Ginza () is one of the two parts of the Ginza Rabba, the longest and the most important holy scripture of Mandaeism. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the Left Ginza. Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007), are provided below.Häberl, Charles G. (2007). Introduction to the New Edition, in The Great Treasure of the Mandaeans, a new edition of J. Heinrich Petermann's Thesaurus s. Liber Magni, with a new introduction and a translation of the original preface by Charles G. Häberl'. Gorgias Press, LLC. Translated excerpts are from Gelbert (2011), which is mostly based on Lidzbarski (1925), while Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021). Opening lines of each chapter are provided below, since Mandaeans often refer to Mandaic prayers by their opening lines. Book 1 Book 1 contains a history of creation and of Mandaeism. The book begins with the opening line (also in Chapter 2 of Book 1): :Praised be Thou, my Lord, w ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Mandaeism
Mandaeism (Mandaic language, Classical Mandaic: ),https://qadaha.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/nhura-dictionary-mandaic-english-mandaic.pdf sometimes also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism, is a Gnosticism, Gnostic, Monotheism, monotheistic and ethnic religion with Ancient Greek religion, Greek, Iranian religions, Iranian, and Judaism, Jewish influences. Its adherents, the Mandaeans, revere Adam#In Mandaeism, Adam, Abel#Mandaean interpretation, Abel, Seth#Mandaeism, Seth, Enos (biblical figure)#In Mandaeism, Enos, Noah#Mandaeism, Noah, Shem#In Mandaeism, Shem, Aram, son of Shem, Aram, and especially John the Baptist#Mandaeism, John the Baptist. Mandaeans consider Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, and John the Baptist prophets, with Adam being the founder of the religion and John being the greatest and Last prophet, final prophet. The Mandaeans speak an Eastern Aramaic languages, Eastern Aramaic language known as Mandaic language, Mandaic. The name 'Mandaean' comes from th ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Hibil Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Hibil () and/or Hibil Ziwa () and sometimes pronounced Hīwel is referred to an uthra ("excellency", an angel or guardian) from the World of Light or the son of Adam (then; only referred as Hibil). Hibil, the man, is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Abel while Hibil ziwa is the Mandaean equivalent of Gabriel Prayers in the Qulasta frequently contain the recurring formula "In the name of Hibil, Shitil, and Anuš" ( ). Overview According to Mandaean beliefs and scriptures including the ''Qolastā'', the Mandaean ''Book of John'' and ''Genzā Rabbā'', Abel is cognate with the Human Hibil, and Hibil Ziwa with Gabriel. (, Sometimes translated "Splendid Hibel"), is spoken of as a son of Manda d-Hayyi which was created by Hayyi as stated in the Right Ginza book four, verse 2; "When the First Life thought and created Manda d-Hiia and Manda d-hiia created Hibil-Ziwa...". And Hibil, the man, is spoken of as a brother to Anush (Enosh) and to Shitil (Seth), ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Dinanukt
Dinanukht (also spelled Dinanukt or Dananukt; or ; from Persian 'the one who speaks in accordance with the religion') is a mythological character in the ''Ginza Rabba'', one of the main religious scriptures of Mandaeism, who is portrayed as an anthropomorphic book. Book 6 of the ''Right Ginza'' describes his ascension to the World of Light.Häberl, Charles G. (2007). Introduction to the New Edition, in The Great Treasure of the Mandaeans, a new edition of J. Heinrich Petermann's Thesaurus s. Liber Magni, with a new introduction and a translation of the original preface by Charles G. Häberl'. Gorgias Press, LLC. Buckley (2010) suggests a connection with Nbu (Mercury), who is associated with scribes and books. For instance, in the ''Zrazta ḏ-Hibil Ziwa'' (Drower Collection Ms. 44), Nbu is the Lord of Book and ink and wisdom. Similarly, Dinanukht is called the "ink-book of the gods" in ''Right Ginza'' 6. Spellings Petermann spells the name as ''Dinanukt'', while Lidzbarski s ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Siniawis
In Mandaean cosmology, Siniawis () is a region in the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. It is described as "the lower earth of the darkness" () in Chapter 1 of Book 5 in the ''Right Ginza''. See also *Piriawis In Mandaean cosmology, Piriawis (; sometimes also spelled Biriawiš Lidzbarski, Mark. 1920. ''Mandäische Liturgien''. Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, phil.-hist. Klasse, NF 17.1. Berlin.), also known a ..., its corresponding opposite in the World of Light References Mandaean cosmology Conceptions of hell Underworld Ginza Rabba {{cosmology-stub ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ruha
Ruha (pronounced /ˈruːhə/) is a term with spiritual connotations found across various religious traditions. In Arabic, Ruh () signifies "spirit" or "soul" and is a fundamental concept in Islam, referring to the divine breath of life.Esposito, John L. (2003). *The Oxford Dictionary of Islam*. Oxford University Press. p. 271. ISBN 978-0-19-512558-0. Similarly, in Hebrew, Ruach () means "spirit," "wind," or "breath," and Ruach HaKodesh () denotes the "Holy Spirit" in Judaism.Unterman, Alan (2000). *Dictionary of Jewish Lore and Legend*. Thames & Hudson. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-500-01658-5. In Sanskrit, Ruha () translates to "one who has grown or ascended," often signifying spiritual growth and having positive connotations as a name."Ruha Name Meaning, Origin, Numerology, Rashi & More". *House of Zelena*. Retrieved March 16, 2025. In Mandaeism, Rūha (; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat (Ewath; )) is a significant figure, often depicted as the queen of the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hš ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Uthra
An uthra or ʿutra (, Neo-Mandaic ''oṯrɔ'', traditionally transliterated ''eutra''; plural: ʿuthrē, traditionally transliterated ''eutria'') is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utras (sing.: 'utra 'wealth', but meaning 'angel' or 'guardian')." p8 Aldihisi (2008) compares them to the '' yazata'' of Zoroastrianism. According to E. S. Drower, "an 'uthra is an ethereal being, a spirit of light and Life." Uthras are benevolent beings that live in '' škinas'' (, "celestial dwellings") in the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') and communicate with each other via telepathy. Uthras are also occasionally mentioned as being in '' anana'' ("cloud"; e.g., in '' Right Ginza'' Book 17, Chapter 1), which can also be interpreted as female consorts. Many uthras also serve as guardians (''naṭra''); for instance, Shilmai and Nidbai a ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Shilmai
In Mandaeism, Shilmai (Šilmai; ) or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' and ''Qulasta'', he is usually mentioned together with Nidbai. Nhar and Kbar and mentioned as the "clouds" (Mandaic: ''anana'') of Shilmai and Nidbai in Chapter 17.1 of the ''Right Ginza''. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' In Chapter 1.1 of the '' Left Ginza'', Shilmai plays the role of Abatur as a matarta guardian during Shitil's ascent to the World of Light. ''Left Ginza'' 1.1 describes Shilmai as such: In Chapter 5.5 (Book 7 in the Drabsha edition) of the ''Right Ginza'', ''The Book of Šilmai, Lord of the House'', is named after Šilmai. In the same chapter and also in Book 6 of the ''Right Ginza'', the uthra Yathrun is mentioned as the father of Shilmai. In this part of the ''Ginza Rabba'', Shilmai is portrayed very differently from all other Mandaean texts. ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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John The Baptist
John the Baptist ( – ) was a Jewish preacher active in the area of the Jordan River in the early first century AD. He is also known as Saint John the Forerunner in Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, John the Immerser in some Baptist Christianity, Christian traditions, and as the prophet Yahya ibn Zakariya in Islam. He is sometimes referred to as John the Baptiser. John is mentioned by the History of the Jews in the Roman Empire, Roman Jewish historian Josephus, and he is revered as a major religious figure in Christianity, Islam, the Baháʼí Faith, the Druze faith, and Mandaeism; in the last of these he is considered to be the final and most vital prophet. He is considered to be a prophet of God in Abrahamic religions, God by all of the aforementioned faiths, and is honoured as a saint in many Christian denominations. According to the New Testament, John anticipated a messianic figure greater than himself; in the Gospels, he is portrayed as the precursor or forerunn ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Maṭarta
In Mandaean cosmology, a maṭarta (; plural form: ' ) is a "station" or "toll house" that is located between the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') from Tibil (Earth). It has variously been translated as "watch-station", "toll-station", "way-station", or "purgatory". Maṭartas are guarded by various uthras (celestial beings from the World of Light) and demons. Ruha, the queen of the underworld, is the ruler or guardian of one of the maṭartas. To reach the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') from Tibil (Earth), souls must pass through the various maṭartas that are situated in between. Rituals such as the ''masiqta'' can help guide souls past the various maṭarta so that they could reach the World of Light. In the Ginza Rabba In the Ginza Rabba, s:Translation:Ginza Rabba/Right Ginza/Book 5/Chapter 3, Chapter 3 in Book 5 of the ''Right Ginza'', s:Translation:Ginza Rabba/Right Ginza/Book 6, Book 6 of the ''Right Ginza'' (also known as the "Book of Dinanukht"), and s:Transla ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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World Of Light
In Mandaeism, the World of Light or Lightworld () is the primeval, transcendental world from which Tibil and the World of Darkness emerged. Description *The Great Life ('' Hayyi Rabbi'' or Supreme God/ Monad) is the ruler of the World of Light. *Countless uthras dwell in '' škinta''s in the World of Light. (A ''škinta'' is a celestial dwelling where uthras, or benevolent celestial beings, live in the World of Light.) *The World of Light is the source of the Great '' Yardna'' ( Jordan River) of Life, also known as Piriawis. * Ether/Air (), which can be thought of as heavenly breath or energy, permeates the World of Light. *The Mšunia Kušṭa is a part of the World of Light considered to be the dwelling place of heavenly or ideal counterparts ('' dmuta''). *In some Mandaean texts, Tarwan is a part of the World of Light that is described as a "pure land." *Water flows from the World of Light to Tibil via ''hapiqia miia'', or cosmic streams of water, also known as Hitpun ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Masiqta
The masiqta () is a mass or ritual practiced in the Mandaean religion in order to help guide the soul ('' nišimta'') towards the World of Light in Mandaean cosmology. They are typically performed as funerary rites for Mandaeans who have just died. Although usually translated as "death mass", a few types of ''masiqta'' are also performed for living people, such as when priests are ordained. Masiqtas are also used to consecrate houses of worship ('' bit manda''). Purpose The complex ritual involves guiding the soul through the '' maṭarta'', or toll houses located between the Earth ( Tibil) and the World of Light, which are guarded by various uthras and demons. A successful masiqta merges the incarnate soul ( ; roughly equivalent to the '' psyche'' or " ego" in Greek philosophy) and spirit ( ; roughly equivalent to the ''pneuma'' or "breath" in Greek philosophy) from the Earth ( Tibil) into a new merged entity in the World of Light called the ''ʿuṣṭuna''. The ''ʿuṣṭun ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |