The Right Ginza is one of the two parts of the
Ginza Rabba
The Ginza Rabba ( myz, ࡂࡉࡍࡆࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Ginzā Rbā, lit=Great Treasury), Ginza Rba, or Sidra Rabba ( myz, ࡎࡉࡃࡓࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Sidrā Rbā, lit=Great Book), and formerly the Codex Nasaraeus, is the longest ...
, the longest and the most important holy scripture of
Mandaeism
Mandaeism (Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀࡉࡉࡀ ; Arabic: المندائيّة ), sometimes also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism, is a Gnostic, monotheistic and ethnic religion. Its adherents, the Mandaeans, revere Adam, Abel, S ...
. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the
Left Ginza
The Left 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 Right Ginza.
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (200 ...
.
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), while Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021
).
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, with a pure heart (),
:thou Lord of all worlds ().
Book 2
Book 2 also contains a history of creation and of Mandaeism. It has a total of four sections, since it also contains three small appended pieces.
These books summarize many of the basic teachings of Mandaeism.
*Chapter 2.1 is a chronology of the world containing creation stories and the four epochs of the universe. Titled ''The Book of the Lord of Greatness'' (''sidra ḏ-mara ḏ-rabuta''). 165 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*Chapter 2.2 is a confession of sins. Titled ''The Book of the
Jordan
Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...
'' (''sidra ḏ-iardna''). 65 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*Chapter 2.3 has exhortations from the messenger of light. 65 poetic lines in Gelbert (2011). Opening line:
::When I, the envoy of the Life ().
*Chapter 2.4 contains teachings on marriage. 11 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). Opening line:
::I call you, my plants () whom I have planted, and chosen ones whom I have chosen ().
Book 3
Book 3, ''The Book of the Living First Teachings'' (''sidra ḏ-šuta haita qadmaita''
), is the longest book in the ''Ginza''. It is a reconstructed poem also dealing with creation themes but concentrating more on the origin of evil. Aldihisi (2008) gives an English translation and detailed commentary for Book 3. The full Mandaic title of Book 3 is ''Raza u-sidra qadmaia ḏ-šuta haita qadmaita ḏ-huat mn laqadmaia'' ("The Mystery and the First Book of the First Living Doctrine from the Aforetime" (or "the Very Beginning")).
2,700 lines in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening lines:
:When the fruit (was still) in the fruit (),
:and when the aether (was still) in the aether (),
:and when the great Mana of magnificence was existing (),
::from Whom mighty great Manas emerged (),
::whose radiance is numerous and whose light is great ().
Book 4
Book 4 is a small text connected to the story of
Hibil Ziwa's descent into the underworld (
World of Darkness
''World of Darkness'' is a series of tabletop role-playing games, originally created by Mark Rein-Hagen for White Wolf Publishing. It began as an annual line of five games in 1991–1995, with '' Vampire: The Masquerade'', '' Werewolf: The Apoca ...
). Before
descending into the underworld, Hibil Ziwa, along with
Sheetil
In Mandaeism, Shitil or Sheetil (Šītil; myz, ࡔࡉࡕࡉࡋ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Shitil is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Seth.
Prayers in the Qolasta frequently contain the recurring formula ...
and
Anush, are baptized by
Manda ḏ-Hayyi and
Mara ḏ-Rabuta ("The Lord of Greatness"). Some parts of the book are derived from
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
prayers 82 and 180–188 (Drower's ''CP'' numbering
). Titled ''The Mystery and the Book and the Commentary of the First Doctrine'' (''raza u-sidra u-aprašata ḏ-šuta qadmaita'') in Gelbert (2011). 31 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
Book 5
Book 5 contains 5 separate prose texts. The first one, which is also the largest, deals with a journey to the Underworld. The Al-Saadi translation treats this as three separate books, leading in book numbering in the Al-Saadi edition diverging from the other editions (Lidzbarski and Gelbert) from this point onward.
The 5 sections are:
*Chapter 5.1 (Book 5 in the Al-Saadi edition) covers the savior spirit
Hibil Ziwa's descent into the underworld. Titled ''The Book of the Underworld'' (''sidra ḏ-supat''). 206 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*Chapter 5.2 (6.1 in the Al-Saadi edition), ''The Destruction of the Idols of the House'' (or ''The Overthrow of the Gods of the House''; Mandaic: ''qarqalta ḏ-kulḥ alahuta ḏ-baita'',
in Gelbert's Ginza), details the destruction of the world's idols by
Manda ḏ-Hayyi. The chapter also contains references to parts of the Hebrew Bible, such as
Psalm 114
Psalm 114 is the 114th psalm of the Book of Psalms. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the bible and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 113.
Structure and theme
At eight verses, this psalm i ...
and
Isaiah 5
Isaiah 5 is the fifth chapter of the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah, and is one of the Books of the Prophets.Theodore Hiebert, ...
. 44 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*
Chapter 5.3 (6.2 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an account of the ''
masiqta
The masiqta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡎࡉࡒࡕࡀ) 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 f ...
'', the journey of the soul to the
World of Light
In Mandaeism, the World of Light or Lightworld ( myz, ࡀࡋࡌࡀ ࡖࡍࡄࡅࡓࡀ, translit=alma ḏ-nhūra) is the primeval, transcendental world from which Tibil and the World of Darkness emerged.
Description
*The Great Life (''Hayyi Rab ...
as it passes through ''
maṭarta
In Mandaean cosmology, a maṭarta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡈࡀࡓࡕࡀ; plural form: ''maṭarata'') 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 " ...
'' (stations). Titled ''My Measure in the World is Full'' (''sidra ḏ-kʿlai balma šilman''
). 31 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*Chapter 5.4 (6.3 in the Al-Saadi edition) recounts the story of
Manda ḏ-Hayyi's baptism by
John the Baptist
John the Baptist or , , or , ;Wetterau, Bruce. ''World history''. New York: Henry Holt and Company. 1994. syc, ܝܘܿܚܲܢܵܢ ܡܲܥܡܕ݂ܵܢܵܐ, Yoḥanān Maʿmḏānā; he, יוחנן המטביל, Yohanān HaMatbil; la, Ioannes Bapti ...
, and John the Baptist's death and ascension to the World of Light. 42 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*Chapter 5.5 (Book 7 in the Al-Saadi edition), ''The Mystery and the Book of Šilmai, Lord of the House'' (''raza u-sidra ḏ-šilmai marḥ ḏ-baita''
), is about
Šilmai (or Šalmai), an
uthra
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utr ...
identified in the chapter as the ruler of the material world and a member of
Ruha
In Mandaeism, Rūha ( myz, ࡓࡅࡄࡀ, lit=spirit/breath; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat (Ewath; myz, ࡏࡅࡀࡕ)) is the queen of the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. She rules the underworld together with her son Ur ...
's entourage. 51 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). See the article on
Shilmai
In Mandaeism, Shilmai (Šilmai; myz, ࡔࡉࡋࡌࡀࡉ) 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'' ...
for a summary.
The opening lines of the first four chapters in Book 5 are:
Chapter 1:
:For the Life kept the word () of Manda ḏ-Hiia hidden (),
:when he revealed a revelation before the Mana and His Likeness and before the Life (),
:that an evil spirit () had appeared from
Siniawis
In Mandaean cosmology, Siniawis ( myz, ࡎࡉࡍࡉࡀࡅࡉࡎ) 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 ...
(), the lower earth of the darkness ().
Chapter 2:
:The radiance and the Light of the Life have risen (),
:and Manda ḏ-Hiia has revealed himself ().
Chapter 3:
:My measure in the world was filled (),
::and my sum (of years) in the ages is spent ().
:I went out of the world of darkness (),
::and the mixing-bowl of death ().
Chapter 4:
:These are the words of Yuhana the Baptizer (),
::as he took up the river of living waters (),
::and baptized with the living baptism (),
::and mentioned the name of the Life ().
:Manda ḏ-Hiia went to Yuhana the Baptizer and spoke to him ():
::"Arise Yuhana, baptize me with thy baptism (),
::which thou used to baptize with (),
::and pronounce over me that name that thou used to pronounce ()."
Book 6
Book 6 (8 in the Al-Saadi edition), ''The Book of Dinanukt'' (''sidra ḏ-dinanukt''
'dananukt'' is about
Dinanukt, who is half-man and half-book, and his journey to the World of Light. 48 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening lines:
:Between waters and waters I sit ().
:I am Dananukt (),
:the scribe and wise (one) (),
:the book-in-ink of the gods (),
:the mighty, vainglorious (and) haughty (one) (),
:who has no lord-of-the-house in his house ().
:And there is no one older in the building of his upper palace and in his lower houses ().
Book 7
Book 7 (9 in the Al-Saadi edition) consists of John the Baptist's words. 113 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening lines:
:This is the wisdom and the teachings ()
:which Yahya, son of Zakria, explained, revealed, and told to the true and faithful Naṣoraeans ().
:He said ():
:"If thou hast the strength for it, be a chosen righteous () (),
:who is proven in all his works (= rites) (),
:like a king, carrying the crown upon his head ().
Book 8
Book 8 (10 in the Al-Saadi edition) deals briefly with creation and evil, and contains
Manda ḏ-Hayyi's warnings against
Ruha
In Mandaeism, Rūha ( myz, ࡓࡅࡄࡀ, lit=spirit/breath; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat (Ewath; myz, ࡏࡅࡀࡕ)) is the queen of the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. She rules the underworld together with her son Ur ...
. 15 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
Book 9
Book 9 has 2 parts. Part 1 deals with other religions and the nature of the Godhead; a smaller part 2 deals with the Holy Unique One.
*Chapter 9.1, ''The Destruction of the Seven Planets'' (''qarqalta ḏ-šuba kukbia''), is a critique of other religions such as Christianity and Islam. It also mentions the
Manichaeans
Manichaeism (;
in New Persian ; ) is a former major religionR. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 founded in the 3rd century AD by the Parthian prophet Mani (AD ...
, who are called ''Zandiqia'' ("Zandiqs", literally 'distorters of
Zand Zand may refer to:
* Zend, a class of exegetical commentaries on Zoroastrian scripture
* Zand District, an administrative subdivision of Iran
* Zand Boulevard, in Shiraz, Iran
* Z And, a variable star
As a tribal/clan and dynastic name
* Zand tr ...
') and ''Mardmania'' ("followers of
Mar Mani"). The tractate also mentions the
Zoroastrians, who are called ''Iazuqaiia'' ("
Yazuqaeans
The Yazuqaeans ( myz, ࡉࡀࡆࡅࡒࡀࡉࡉࡀ, translit=Iazuqaiia) are a religious group mentioned by the Mandaeans in the ''Ginza Rabba'', the central religious text of Mandaeism.
The Yazuqaeans are mentioned in Books 3 and 9.1 of the Right ...
") and are associated with
Shamish
In Mandaeism, Shamish or Šamiš ( myz, ࡔࡀࡌࡉࡔ) is the Mandaic name for the Sun.Müller-Kessler, Christa (2018). "Šamaš, Sîn (Sahra, Sira), Delibat (Ištar, al-‘Uzzā), und Kēwān (Kajjamānu) in den frühen mandäischen magischen T ...
(an allusion to
Mithra
Mithra ( ae, ''Miθra'', peo, 𐎷𐎰𐎼 ''Miça'') commonly known as Mehr, is the Iranian deity of covenant, light, oath, justice and the sun. In addition to being the divinity of contracts, Mithra is also a judicial figure, an all-seeing ...
). Titled ''The Overthrow of the Seven (Planets)'' (''qarqalta ḏ-šuba'') in Gelbert (2011). 61 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*Chapter 9.2 (Book 11 in the Al-Saadi edition) is about the
Great Mana creating a young boy ("only-begotten son") from the heavenly
Jordan
Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...
. Titled ''The Mystery and Book of the Radiance that is Burning in the Mana'' (''raza u-sidra ḏ-ziua ḏ-iaqid bgu mana''
). 21 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
Book 10
Book 10 (12 in the Al-Saadi edition), ''The Mystery and the Book of the Radiance that Shines Forth from the Pihta'' (''raza u-sidra ḏ-ziua ḏ-iaqid bgu pihta''
), deals with the
sacrament of the bread (''
pihta
In Mandaeism, the pihta ( myz, ࡐࡉࡄࡕࡀ, lit=opened; something broken apart or into pieces) is a type of sacramental bread used with rituals performed by Mandaean priests. It is a small, round, biscuit-sized flatbread that can either be sa ...
'') and also continues the creation story. Within the same book, Hibil and Adakas are mentioned in two different versions of the soul's descent into the physical body of Adam. 66 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening line:
:That first Mana came into being therein (),
:was created therein and dwelt therein ().
Book 11
Book 11 (13 in the Al-Saadi edition), ''The Mystery and the Book of the Great Anush (Enosh)'' (''raza u-sidra ḏ-anuš rba''), deals with battles between the forces in the World of Light and World of Darkness led by
Ruha
In Mandaeism, Rūha ( myz, ࡓࡅࡄࡀ, lit=spirit/breath; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat (Ewath; myz, ࡏࡅࡀࡕ)) is the queen of the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. She rules the underworld together with her son Ur ...
. Since the text is difficult to interpret,
Lidzbarski had originally hesitated to translate it. 145 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening lines:
:A son of the realm of Light am I ();
:I am a son of the eternal abode, which is all uthras (),
:a son of the city that is all good things ().
Book 12
Book 12 (14 in the Al-Saadi edition), in seven parts, mixes poetry and prose and provides a basic introduction to Mandaean beliefs. Chapters 2–5 are
acrostic
An acrostic is a poem or other word composition in which the ''first'' letter (or syllable, or word) of each new line (or paragraph, or other recurring feature in the text) spells out a word, message or the alphabet. The term comes from the Fre ...
hymns, with each stanza ordered according to a letter of the
Mandaic alphabet
The Mandaic alphabet is thought to have evolved between the 2nd and 7th century CE from either a cursive form of Aramaic (as did Syriac) or from the Parthian chancery script. The exact roots of the script are difficult to determine.
It was deve ...
.
*Chapter 12.1 (14.1 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an address by
Anush (
Enosh). 15 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
*Chapter 12.2 (14.2.1 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an acrostic (alphabetical) hymn, corresponding to Prayer 179 in the Qolasta. This hymn is also at the beginning of the Code Sabéen manuscripts 25 and 15. The poem begins with the opening lines:
::Come in goodness, kušṭa (),
::light which goest to the house of thy friends ().
*Chapter 12.3 (14.2.2 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an acrostic hymn. The poem begins with the opening lines:
::Dazzling is the dwelling in which the gentle ones live (),
::and my heart has been chosen among the elect ones ().
*Chapter 12.4 (14.2.3 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an acrostic hymn that is identical to Prayer 214 in the
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
. The poem begins with the opening lines:
::The pearl came (),
::which gave light to the dark, hearts ().
*Chapter 12.5 (14.2.4 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an acrostic hymn. The poem begins with the opening lines:
::Naked did the first deceased ()
::depart from the world ().
*Chapter 12.6 (14.3 in the Al-Saadi edition) is about the
World of Darkness
''World of Darkness'' is a series of tabletop role-playing games, originally created by Mark Rein-Hagen for White Wolf Publishing. It began as an annual line of five games in 1991–1995, with '' Vampire: The Masquerade'', '' Werewolf: The Apoca ...
, its king
Ur, and its inhabitants. 27 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The chapter begins with the opening lines:
::I summon you, I teach you and I speak to you, you true and faithful men (),
::you beholders and discerners ():
::separate yourselves from the worlds of deficiency (),
::which are full of confusion and error ().
*Chapter 12.7 (14.4 in the Al-Saadi edition) is about the directions (North, etc.) and the cosmic ocean. 16 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The chapter begins with the opening line:
::This is the explanation and the revelation which was revealed to the distinguished men (),
::who have sundered themselves from the Tibil and from the works of the deluders ().
Book 13
Book 13 (15 in the Al-Saadi edition), ''The Prayer of the
Tarmidia to the Pious'', comprises a short interim conclusion to what seems to be the original version of the Ginza. 38 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening line:
:We priests bear this testimony over the Mandaean people ()
:and over the Mandaean women and over their sons. ()
Book 14
Book 14 (16 in the Al-Saadi edition), ''The Book of the Great Nbaṭ'', a prose text containing a creation myth, deals with material from Book 3 such as the various
emanations. 65 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening lines:
:This is the mystery and the Book of the Great Nbaṭ (),
::who came up from below and shone forth (),
::and blossomed and became great ().
:Uthras sprang up before him ().
Book 15
Book 15 (17 in the Al-Saadi edition) is a collection of poems. Numbering differs between editions since Lidbarski's text includes 20 poems, Gelbert's includes 21 (with Gelbert's 15.18-21 corresponding to Lidzbarski's 15.17-20) and Al-Saadi's translation covers only nine.
*Chapter 15.1 (17.1 in the Al-Saadi edition): "The Word" (
Anush) descends into the material world on behalf of the
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
to teach the believers.
*Chapter 15.2 (17.2 in the Al-Saadi edition): The
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
sends
Hibil Ziwa to
Tarwan
In Mandaeism, Tarwan ( myz, ࡕࡀࡓࡅࡀࡍ, translit=Taruan) is a section of the World of Light that is typically described as a "pure land."
The "land of Tarwan" is mentioned in Qolasta prayers 190 and 379 and ''Right Ginza'' 15.17, while "pu ...
. There, he teaches the
uthra
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utr ...
s. Hibil Ziwa also visits
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
and
Ptahil
In Mandaeism, Ptahil ( myz, ࡐࡕࡀࡄࡉࡋ) also known as Ptahil-Uthra (uthra = angel or guardian), is the Fourth Life, the third of three emanations from the First Life, Hayyi Rabbi, after Yushamin and Abatur. Ptahil-Uthra alone does not con ...
.
*Chapter 15.3 (17.3 in the Al-Saadi edition) is about the Living Water's lamentations about the material world. Šilmai and Nidbai, the guardian uthras of the Living Water, console him.
*Chapter 15.4 describes the Moon (known as Sin in Mandaic). It is also found in chapter 53 of the
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
, but with minor variations.
*Chapter 15.5: The
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
sends
Sam Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Sam Ziwa ( myz, ࡎࡀࡌ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Sam Ziwa is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Shem.
Sam Mana Smira
Sam Ziwa may be identified with Sam Mana Smira (Smir Ziwa ...
(Shem) to be a guardian for the believers in the material world.
*Chapter 15.6:
Yukabar
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'u ...
Kušṭa goes to the material world to teach the believers.
*Chapter 15.7 (17.4 in the Al-Saadi edition): The
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
sends a messenger who is either
Manda ḏ-Hayyi or
Yawar to the material world to teach the Nasoreans.
*Chapter 15.8 (17.5 in the Al-Saadi edition) is about the messenger Yawar.
*Chapter 15.9 is about the soul's lamentation upon being sent into a material body.
*Chapter 15.10 (17.6 in the Al-Saadi edition) is about the creation of the
uthra
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utr ...
s by the Great
Mana
According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, ''mana'' is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have ''mana''. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being a ...
().
*Chapter 15.11 consists of a story about
Anush's battle with
Ruha
In Mandaeism, Rūha ( myz, ࡓࡅࡄࡀ, lit=spirit/breath; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat (Ewath; myz, ࡏࡅࡀࡕ)) is the queen of the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. She rules the underworld together with her son Ur ...
. Jerusalem is built and settled by the Jews. Anush gains many followers in Jerusalem, but they are killed by the Jews. Anush then destroys Jerusalem.
*Chapter 15.12: The
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
sends an
uthra
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utr ...
to the material world to teach the believers.
*Chapter 15.13 (17.7 in the Al-Saadi edition), the "Hymn of Ptahil", is a creation story similar to Book 3.
*Chapter 15.14, the "Hymn of the Priests Questioning the Uthra from the Great Life": The
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
sends an
uthra
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utr ...
to the material world to teach the believers.
Namrus (
Ruha
In Mandaeism, Rūha ( myz, ࡓࡅࡄࡀ, lit=spirit/breath; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat (Ewath; myz, ࡏࡅࡀࡕ)) is the queen of the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. She rules the underworld together with her son Ur ...
) tries to tempt the uthra without success.
*Chapter 15.15 consists of Ptahil's lamentation and his threat of starting a war. One of the two
niana
In Mandaeism, a ʿniana ( myz, ࡏࡍࡉࡀࡍࡀ; plural form: ''ʿniania'' ) prayer is recited during rituals such as the masiqta and priest initiation ceremonies. There is a total of 26 ʿniana prayers. They form part of the Qolasta.
Etymology ...
poems in Book 15 with the refrain "when the chosen pure one went away" ( ).
*Chapter 15.16 covers
Manda ḏ-Hayyi's debate with
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
. Afterwards,
Manda ḏ-Hayyi sends
Hibil Ziwa to visit
Ptahil
In Mandaeism, Ptahil ( myz, ࡐࡕࡀࡄࡉࡋ) also known as Ptahil-Uthra (uthra = angel or guardian), is the Fourth Life, the third of three emanations from the First Life, Hayyi Rabbi, after Yushamin and Abatur. Ptahil-Uthra alone does not con ...
, then
Abatur
Abatur ( myz, ࡀࡁࡀࡕࡅࡓ, sometimes called Abathur; Yawar, myz, ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ; and the Ancient of Days) is an Uthra and the second of three subservient emanations created by the Mandaean God ''Hayyi Rabbi'' ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁ ...
, and then
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
, after which Hibil Ziwa finally returns to the heavens. One of the two
niana
In Mandaeism, a ʿniana ( myz, ࡏࡍࡉࡀࡍࡀ; plural form: ''ʿniania'' ) prayer is recited during rituals such as the masiqta and priest initiation ceremonies. There is a total of 26 ʿniana prayers. They form part of the Qolasta.
Etymology ...
poems in Book 15 with the refrain "when the chosen pure one went away" ( ). After this chapter, Gelbert (2011) has another chapter numbered 17 that is not in Lidzbarski's text.
*Chapter 15.17 is a poem about the descent of
Manda ḏ-Hayyi into the world and his subsequent battle with Ruha and her entourage. The poem also advises against
asceticism
Asceticism (; from the el, ἄσκησις, áskesis, exercise', 'training) is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals. Ascetics may withdraw from the world for their p ...
.
*Chapter 15.18 (17.8 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an admonition that is also found in chapter 44 (Lidzbarski p. 170) of the
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
.
*Chapter 15.19 (17.9 in the Al-Saadi edition) is a song about the descent of the soul that is also found in chapter 46 (Lidzbarski p. 172) of the
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
.
*Chapter 15.20 is a brief creation story.
Since Mandaean priestly commentary texts often refer to hymns and prayers by their the opening lines, the opening lines of each of the 21 poems (since the Gelbert Ginza has 21, rather than 20 poems) in Book 15 are provided below. The English translations below are from Gelbert (2011), while the Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021
).
#I am a word, a son of words ()
#I am a peaceful Gupna (grapevine), I who was planted out ()
#At the beginning of the formation of the living waters ()
#When the gleaming was planted from its place ()
#The call it is of the pure Sam-Ziwa (), whom the Great (Life) called into being from out of His mouth ().
#I am Yokabar-Kušṭa, I who went away from the house of my father and came (here) ().
#From the dwelling of the Mighty (Life) the Great (Life) called me, and gave me orders and confirmed me ().
#With the power of radiance and of the sindirka, they created the yawar and appointed him over everything ().
#I am the perfume of the uthras (), I who went away and found a dwelling in the true hearts ().
#I am speaking with My Likeness (): "Come, I and Thou will form (create) ()."
#When I, Anuš-ʿuthra, came () into this world ()
#At the head of the pure wreath (), which the Great (Life) sent, He created a calm uthra ().
#When I, Ptahil, was formed and came into being, I came into being from the exalted well-spring of radiance. ()
#The priests question the man () who has come from the Great (Life) ().
#When the chosen pure one went away (), the Life created me from Himself ().
#When the chosen pure one went away (), the Life created me from the heights ().
#When the chosen pure one went () into the pure place, where the perfect ones dwell () (not in Lidzbarki's text)
#I was planted and came up into this world (). (= 15.17 in Lidzbarski)
#The majestic voice of the Life is calling, The majestic voice of the Mighty Life (). (= 15.18 in Lidzbarski)
#From the realm of Light have I come (), out of thee, eternal abode (). (= 15.19 in Lidzbarski)
#Who is it who comes (), and who is it who speaks to me ()? (= 15.20 in Lidzbarski)
Book 16
Book 16 contains 10 or 11 mostly shorter poems, depending on the manuscript version, of which Al-Saadi's translation covers four. Many are comparatively simple and straightforward.
*Chapter 16.1 is similar to Chapter 15.2, in which
Manda ḏ-Hayyi visits the world of
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
, the Second Life.
*Chapter 16.2 consists of an
uthra
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utr ...
's admonitions for
Adam
Adam; el, Ἀδάμ, Adám; la, Adam is the name given in Genesis 1-5 to the first human. Beyond its use as the name of the first man, ''adam'' is also used in the Bible as a pronoun, individually as "a human" and in a collective sense as " ...
. The first part of this chapter is also found in the
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
.
*Chapter 16.3 consists of
Manda ḏ-Hayyi's admonitions for his friends.
*Chapter 16.4 contains the messenger of light's announcement to the faithful.
*
Chapter 16.5 (18.1 in the Al-Saadi edition) is about the ''
masiqta
The masiqta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡎࡉࡒࡕࡀ) 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 f ...
'' (ascent of the soul to the World of Light) with the help of gifts from Truth (Kušṭa).
*Chapter 16.6 teaches that only pious works, not earthy possessions, leads to grace.
*Chapter 16.7 (18.2 in the Al-Saadi edition) is an
uthra
An uthra or ʿutra ( myz, ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism. Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency". Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utr ...
's lamentation about the soul's imprisonment in the material body.
*Chapter 16.8 is about the wicked's unsuccessful attempt to trick the descended savior into becoming disloyal.
*Chapter 16.9 (18.3 in the Al-Saadi edition) is a prayer to
Kushta (Truth) for help in
Tibil
In Mandaean cosmology, Tibil ( myz, ࡕࡉࡁࡉࡋ) or occasionally Arqa ḏ-Tibil (lit. "Tibil-Earth") is the Earth (World) or earthly middle realm. It is separated from the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') above and the World of Darkness (' ...
and during the ''
masiqta
The masiqta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡎࡉࡒࡕࡀ) 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 f ...
''. It is also identical to chapter 48 (Lidzbarski p. 178) of the
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
.
*Chapter 16.10 is about the
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
granting prayers for help to survive in
Tibil
In Mandaean cosmology, Tibil ( myz, ࡕࡉࡁࡉࡋ) or occasionally Arqa ḏ-Tibil (lit. "Tibil-Earth") is the Earth (World) or earthly middle realm. It is separated from the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') above and the World of Darkness (' ...
and during the ''
masiqta
The masiqta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡎࡉࡒࡕࡀ) 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 f ...
''.
*Chapter 16.11 (18.4 in the Al-Saadi edition) consists of
Manda ḏ-Hayyi's warnings to his chosen people, who do not want listen to it. It not present in the Parisian manuscripts, the
Mhatam Yuhana
Sheikh (''Rabbi'') Ganzibra Jabbar Choheili ( fa, جبار چحیلی, also known as Sheikh Jabbar Tawūsī Al-Kuhaili, ar, جبار طاووس الكحيلي; born 1923, died December 27, 2014) was the head of the Mandaean Council of Ahvaz, w ...
manuscript, and
Petermann's version, but is included in the Leiden codex and Mubaraki version (see
Ginza Rabba#Manuscript versions).
The opening lines of each of the 11 poems in Book 16 are provided below. The English translations below are from Gelbert (2011), while the Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021
).
#I am the guardian of the pure
Tarwan
In Mandaeism, Tarwan ( myz, ࡕࡀࡓࡅࡀࡍ, translit=Taruan) is a section of the World of Light that is typically described as a "pure land."
The "land of Tarwan" is mentioned in Qolasta prayers 190 and 379 and ''Right Ginza'' 15.17, while "pu ...
(), the son of the great
Nbaṭ
In Mandaeism, Nbaṭ ( myz, ࡍࡁࡀࡈ, lit=Sprout) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who is described as the "King of Air" or the "first great Radiance." He is also called Nbaṭ Rba ("the Great Nbaṭ" or "Great Sprout") or Nbaṭ Ziwa ("the Rad ...
am I ().
#An uthra calls from outside (), and instructs Adam, the first man ().
#The voice of Manda ḏ-Hiia it is (), who is calling and teaching all his friends ().
#From the realm of Light I went forth (), out of thee, thou eternal abode ().
#From the day on which I grew fond of the Life (), and from the day on which my heart has loved the kušṭa () ... I no longer have confidence in the world ().
#The chosen one is preaching from the other world () and instructs the sons of Adam ().
#At the door of the house of the Life (), the uthra() worshipped and sat down and taught ().
#Who, whose son is this (), he who is so fair by nature ()?
#Kušṭa, I testify to thee (), as a man who is seeking discernment ().
#Of all the voices which I have heard, thy voice answered me, thou son of the Mighty (Life) ().
#It is the call of Manda ḏ-Hiia, who is standing on the borders of the world.
Book 17
Book 17 contains 2 poems. The Al-Saadi translation does not cover this book.
*Chapter 17.1 is about the Great
Mana
According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, ''mana'' is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have ''mana''. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being a ...
(
Mana Rabba Kabira) and his teachings. It also describes the
Great First Mana and the
Great Occult Eggs that existed before ''
Mar ḏ-Rabuta'' (The Great Lord) came into being. The chapter begins with the opening line:
::Yonder, yonder I am standing here ().
*Chapter 17.2 contains a poem with wisdom instructions from a "being" of the
Great Life
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
. It also elaborates on how the seven planets and the twelve constellations of
Ruha
In Mandaeism, Rūha ( myz, ࡓࡅࡄࡀ, lit=spirit/breath; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat (Ewath; myz, ࡏࡅࡀࡕ)) is the queen of the World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. She rules the underworld together with her son Ur ...
oppress the ''
nišmata'' (souls). The chapter begins with the opening line:
::The Being of Life came (),
::and erected for us the lamp of the Life ().
Book 18
Book 18 contains a chronology of the world plus an apocalypse. It gives a duration of 480,000 years to the world.
Abraham
Abraham, ; ar, , , name=, group= (originally Abram) is the common Hebrew patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is the founding father of the special relationship between the Jew ...
,
Noah
Noah ''Nukh''; am, ኖህ, ''Noḥ''; ar, نُوح '; grc, Νῶε ''Nôe'' () is the tenth and last of the pre-Flood patriarchs in the traditions of Abrahamic religions. His story appears in the Hebrew Bible (Book of Genesis, chapters 5– ...
, and
Jesus
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
are mentioned in the book. It also contains lists of
Pishdadian,
Kayanian
The Kayanians ( Persian: دودمان کیانیان; also Kays, Kayanids, Kaianids, Kayani, or Kiani) are a legendary dynasty of Persian/Iranian tradition and folklore which supposedly ruled after the Pishdadians. Considered collectively, the Ka ...
,
Parthian Parthian may be:
Historical
* A demonym "of Parthia", a region of north-eastern of Greater Iran
* Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 AD)
* Parthian language, a now-extinct Middle Iranian language
* Parthian shot, an archery skill famously employed by ...
, and
Sasanian
The Sasanian () or Sassanid Empire, officially known as the Empire of Iranians (, ) and also referred to by historians as the Neo-Persian Empire, was the last Iranian empire before the early Muslim conquests of the 7th-8th centuries AD. Named ...
kings and mentions the
Arab conquest of Persia
The Muslim conquest of Persia, also known as the Arab conquest of Iran, was carried out by the Rashidun Caliphate from 633 to 654 AD and led to the fall of the Sasanian Empire as well as the eventual decline of the Zoroastrian religion.
Th ...
.
(The Al-Saadi edition includes only the
deluge
A deluge is a large downpour of rain, often a flood.
The Deluge refers to the flood narrative in the Biblical book of Genesis.
Deluge may also refer to:
History
*Deluge (history), the Swedish and Russian invasion of the Polish-Lithuanian Com ...
account, which it numbers 19.) 123 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
Colophons
There are 7
colophons in the ''Ginza Rabba'', including 6 in the ''Right Ginza''. There are colophons after books 13 (for books 1-13), 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, suggesting that these had all originally been separate books before they were compiled into a single codex.
Some colophons are also followed by ''tarik'' (postscripts).
Qolasta parallels
A few marriage hymns (''hadaiata'') in Drower's 1959 ''Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans'' (''CP'')
correspond to some hymns in Book 12 of the ''Right Ginza'' (''GR'' 12):
*CP 179 = GR 12.2
*CP 214 = GR 12.4
See also
*
Ginza Rabba
The Ginza Rabba ( myz, ࡂࡉࡍࡆࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Ginzā Rbā, lit=Great Treasury), Ginza Rba, or Sidra Rabba ( myz, ࡎࡉࡃࡓࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Sidrā Rbā, lit=Great Book), and formerly the Codex Nasaraeus, is the longest ...
*
Left Ginza
The Left 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 Right Ginza.
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (200 ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ginza, Right
Mandaean texts
Mythology books