Well-known Mandaean texts include the Ginza Rabba (also known as the Sidra Rabbā) and the Qolastā. Texts for Mandaean priests include The 1012 Questions, among others. Some, like the Ginza Rabba, are codices (bound books), while others, such as the various diwans, are illustrated scrolls.[1]
This list is by no means exhaustive. Institutional libraries and private collections contain various Mandaean religious texts that are little known or even unknown to the international scholarly community.[2]
Background[edit]
Mandaean copyists or scribes (Mandaic: sapra[3]) may transcribe texts as a meritorious deed for one's own forgiveness of sins, or they may be hired to copy a text for another person.[4] Mandaean sacred scriptures, such as the Ginza Rabba are traditionally kept in wooden chests wrapped in layers of white cotton and silk cloth. These protected manuscripts are generally not touched by ordinary laypeople, although learned laymen (yalufa) who demonstrate proper knowledge and respect for the manuscripts are usually granted access by priests, similar to the level of respect given to the Guru Granth Sahib in Sikhism.[5] Gloves are worn while handling copies of the Ginza Rabba that are used for liturgical purposes.
History[edit]
Little is known about the redactors or authors of the texts. The contents date to both pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. The oldest Mandaean magical text is dated to the 4th and 5th centuries CE.
During the past few decades, Majid Fandi al-Mubaraki, a Mandaean living in Australia, has digitized many Mandaean texts using typesetted Mandaic script.[7]
(The Great Treasure, also known as The Book of Adam) (DC 22)
Ginza Rabba
Qolastā
Niana
, also known as The Book of Kings
Mandaean Book of John
(Scroll of Great Revelation) (DC 9, 36)
Haran Gawaita
(DC 8)
Scroll of Abatur
(DC 35)
The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa
(DC 36 [complete, with all 7 books], DC 6 [incomplete])
The Thousand and Twelve Questions
, describes a ritual for the ordination of the Mandaean clergy)
The Coronation of the Great Šišlam
(DC 31)
Book of the Zodiac
(DC 34)
Scroll of Exalted Kingship
The primary three scriptures containing the most important narratives, liturgies, and doctrines of Mandaeism are the Ginza Rabba, Mandaean Book of John, and Qolasta. The Haran Gawaita is a history text, while the others are priestly esoteric texts.
Šarh Traša ḏ-Mandi
Diwan Qadaha Rabbā (Scroll of the Great Lord)
Šarh ḏ-Ptaha ḏ-Bimanda
Šarh ḏ-Masiqta Dakia (The Oil Sacrament)
Šafta ḏ-Masihfan Rabbā (The Scroll of the Great Overthrower) (DC 37)
Šarh ḏ-Maṣbuta Rabtia ḏ-Tlaima Usitin Maṣbutiata
Niania ḏ-Maṣbuta ( Hymnbook)
Masbuta
Šums ḏ-Mara ḏ-Rabuta
Diwan
Dmuth Kušṭa
Diwan Tafsir Owaljē
Alma Rišaia
Alma Rišaia Rabbā
Bšumaihun ḏ-hiia rbia (In the Name of the Great Life)
Zarazti (i.e., various Zrazta [plural])
Bišrati
various texts
Masiqta
Impurity and Healing (Mandaean?)
Burial, Postulancy and Priesthood (Mandaean?)
Commentary on the First Baptism of the Neophytes (Mandaean?)
Šafta ḏ-mihla (The Scroll of Salt) (Bodleian Library MS. DC 40)
(Bodleian Library MS. DC 42)
Šarh ḏ-Ṭabahata
Codex Petermann I, 155;
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
Leiden texts; formerly held in Amsterdam
DC 1 – prayerbook (codex) containing prayers for rituals such as minor ablutions (rahmia and lofania). 238 pp.
[6]
DC 2 – prayerbook (codex) called the Sidra ḏ-Nišmata ("Book of the Soul") that was copied by Shaikh Nejm (or Negm; full priestly name: Adam Negm, son of Zakia Zihrun, son of Ram Zihrun) for Drower in 1933. 155 pp. Jacques de Morgan had also acquired a copy of the Book of Souls during his travels to Iran from 1889 to 1891.[2]
[6]
DC 3 – codex of prayer fragments (incomplete ), such as prayers for minor ablutions, the rahmia (devotions), qulasta, masiqta, zidqa brikha (blessed oblations), and myrtle and banner (drabša) hymns. It was bound by Sheikh Dakhil Aidan in Amarah.[2]
Qolasta
DC 4 – codex consisting of a Mandaic-English glossary compiled by Shaikh Nejm for Drower, with the help of an English-speaking Mandaean. See Hezy & Morgenstern (2012).
[24]
DC 5 – prayerbook (codex). Known as the "Prayers of Yahya." Copied by Hirmiz bar Anhar.
[6]
DC 7 – Diwan Nahrwata ("The "). The illustrated scroll is a geographical treatise.[1] Kurt Rudolph published a German translation in 1982, based on a Baghdad copy originally from Ahvaz.[25] About 3300 words. Copied by Ram Zihrun, son of Sam Bihram, Kupašia in Shushtar in 1259 A.H. (1843 A.D.).
Scroll of the Rivers
DC 8 – . A scroll wrapped in linen cloth that is 48 feet long and 1 foot wide. Copied by Ram Yuhana, son of Ram, Dihdaria and Sabur clans.
Diwan Abatur
DC 9 – . Copied by Ram Zihrun, son of Sam Bihram, Kupašia in Margab, Iran in 1276 A.H. (1859 A.D.).
Haran Gawaita
DC 11 – zrazta (talisman). Illustrated scroll with 183 lines.
DC 12 – Pašar Haršia ("The Exorcism of Wizards" / "The Loosing of Spells"). A qmaha that is an exorcism of witches and wizards. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh in Ahvaz in 1933. Dates to 1196 A.H. / 1782 C.E. Transcribed by Adam Yuhana, son of Sam, Kamisia clan at Šaka by the Karka River. An English translation of the colophon can be found in Gelbert (2017).[27]: xlii–xliii
Abdallah
DC 13 – zrazta of . Also called "Roll C." Part of the Zrazta d Hibil Ziwa (DC 44). Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Kumait in 1933.
Hibil Ziwa
DC 14 – zrazta or magical / "protective" text. Part of the Zrazta d Hibil Ziwa (DC 44). Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Kumait. 185 lines.
[6]
DC 15 – zrazta of the Great (Zrazta ḏ-Ptahil Rba).[6] A very long scroll purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm, in Qal‛at Saleh in April 1933. Also called "Roll E."
Ptahil
DC 16 – Exorcism scroll. Also called "Roll F." 101 lines. Purchased by Drower in 1933.
DC 17 – Šalhafta ḏ-Mahra. A small 2.5-inch wide exorcism scroll also called "Roll G."
DC 18 – Zrazta ḏ-Šuba Šibiahia ("The Talisman of the Seven Planets"). There is a section for each of the seven planets. Copied by Shaikh Faraj for Drower in Baghdad in 1935.
DC 19 – Šalhafta ḏ-Mahra ("The Exorcism of Illness"), consisting of two texts.
[26]
DC 20 – Šafta ḏ-Dahlulia ("The Scroll of, i.e. against Evil Spirits"). Illustrated scroll copied for Drower in Baghdad in 1935. Dates to 1250 A.H. 236 lines.[29]
[28]
DC 22 – codex. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1936. Transcribed in 1831 by Ram Zihrun, son of Sam Bihram, Kupašia. Ram Zihrun copied the Right Ginza in Qurna, and the Left Ginza in Basra.
Ginza Rba
DC 23 – Pašar Sumqa / Pašar Smaq ("The Exorcism of Fever"). Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1936. 777 lines.
[26]
DC 24 – Šarḥ ḏ-Parwanaia, or Panšā ("The ").[1] German translation and commentary by Burtea (2005).[10] Used for rituals such as the consecration of the cult-hut, the dove (ba) sacrifice, zidqa brikha, the myrtle ritual, etc.
Scroll of the Parwanaya
DC 25 – a qmaha scroll. Purchased by Drower from Hirmiz bar Anhar in Baghdad in 1936.
DC 26 – two talismans (qmahas). Published by Drower in Iraq 5 (1938): 31–54. Consists of two texts: Bit Mišqal Ainia and Riš Tus Tanina. Copied by Shaikh Faraj for Drower in December 1936. Bit Mišqal Ainia (Qmaha ḏ-Bit mišqal ainia), a different version of DC 28, was published in Drower (1938).[33]
[1]
DC 27 – / Masiqta Zihrun Raza Kasia ("The Masiqta of Zihrun, the Hidden Mystery").[1] The text covers the masbuta (in lines 23–190) and masiqta (in lines 232–523) of Zihrun Raza Kasia. German translation and commentary by Burtea (2008).[11] An illustrated scroll purchased by Drower from Shaikh Yahia, Qal’at Salih in May 1937. 559 lines. See Rebrik (2008).[34]
Šarḥ ḏ-Zihrun-Raza-Kasia
DC 28 – Pišra ḏ-Bit Mišqal Ainia (The Exorcism of "I Sought to Lift My Eyes"), a qmaha text. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in June 1937. Published in Drower (1938).[33]
[1]
DC 29 – Pišra ḏ-Ainia / Pašar Ainia ("Exorcism of the Evil Eye"). Purchased by Drower from Shaikhs Nejm and Yahia in November 1937.
DC 31 – (codex). Purchased by Drower from Shaikhs Nejm and Yahia in November 1937. Dates to 1247 A.H. (c. 1812 A.D.).
Book of the Zodiac
DC 32 – The qmahia of Nirigh, Sira, and Libat ("exorcism of Mars, Moon, and Venus"). Love talisman scroll. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1938.
DC 33 – Three qmahia (exorcism scrolls): Šuba lbišna, ‛Sirna hthimna, and Yawar Ziwa nišimtai. Purchased by Drower at Litlata in April 1938. Published in (Oct. 1937).[35]
JRAS
DC 34 – / Diwan Malkuta 'laita. Illustrated scroll purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in April 1939. 1353 lines.
Scroll of Exalted Kingship
DC 36 – and 1012 Questions (complete version with all 7 books).[6] A long scroll that is 12 inches wide and 626 inches (17 yards, 14 inches) long.
Haran Gawaita
DC 37 – Šafta ḏ-Masihfan Rba ("The Scroll of the Great Overthrower"). Copied by Yahia Bihram, son of Adam Yuhana, in Suq eš-Šuyuk in 1861. 633 lines.
[1]
DC 38 – Šarḥ ḏ-qabin ḏ-Šišlam Rba ("").[8] A scroll that Drower had purchased from Shaikh Nejm in April 1939, along with DC 36, 37, and 39. Transcribed by Adam Yuhana.
The Marriage Ceremony of the Great Šišlam
DC 39 – Šafta ḏ-Qaština ("The Scroll of 'I Shoot'"), a qmaha that Drower had purchased from Shaikh Nejm in April 1939. Transcribed in 1802 by Adam Yuhana.
[26]
DC 40 – Šafta ḏ-mihla ("The Scroll of Salt") or Pašra mihla ("The Excorcism of Salt"). An exorcism scroll that uses personified salt to exorcise illnesses and evil spirits. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in May 1939. Salt is also frequently sprinkled around Mandaean houses to keep evil spirits away. See Tarelko (2008).[38]
[23]
DC 43 – The Poor Priest's Treasury, a scroll consisting of qmahas used for exorcism and magic. The contents are: Qmaha ḏ-ṣir Sahria; Qmaha ḏ-Shaiul; the three related texts Shuba libishna, ‛sirna bthimna, and Yawar Ziwa (see DC 33); Shalhafta ḏ-Mahria (see DC 19); Qmaha ḏ-Dahlulia (see DC 20); Qmaha ḏ-Gastata; Qmaha ḏ-Br Ingaria; Qmaha ḏ-Yurba; Qmaha ḏ-Šuba; Qmaha ḏ-Qastina (of DC 39 and copy in Bodleian). Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1939 and dates to 1270 A.H.[29]
[1]
DC 44 – Zrazta ḏ-Hibil Ziwa ("The Protection of Hibil Ziwa"). The longest talisman in the Drower Collection. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1939 and dates to 1209 A.H. Transcribed in Qurna in 1794 by Sam Bihram, son of Yahia Yuhana, Dihdaria, who also transcribed DC 34. 2140 lines with 2 colophons.[40] The text was first made known to the international scholarly community by Jacques de Morgan (1905),[41] based on a qmaha scroll that de Morgan had purchased during his travels to Iran from 1889 to 1891.[2]
[26]
DC 46 – Haršia Bišia ("A Mandaean Book of Black Magic"[26]). Copied by Shaikh Abdallah in March 1942. Different version of DC 45. Partially published in journal articles.[42]
[6]
DC 47 – Pišra ḏ-Šambra ("A Phylactery for Rue").[44][1] Copied by Yahia Bihram, son of Adam Yuhana.
[43]
DC 49 – Small exorcism scroll
DC 51 – Pišra ḏ-Pugdama ḏ-Mia ("Exorcism: the Command of the Waters"). Exorcism invoking the personified waters of life. Dates to 1277 A.H.
[26]
DC 52 – missing
DC 53 – (Canonical Prayerbook, a complete codex). Purchased by Drower in 1954. Copied in 1802 by the ganzibra Adam Yuhana, the father of Yahia Bihram, in Huwaiza, Khuzistan.
Qolasta
DC 55 – Drower's personal notebook
The Drower Collection (DC), held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford University, is the most extensive collection of Mandaean manuscripts. The collection consists of 55 Mandaean manuscripts collected by E. S. Drower. Drower has published some of the smaller texts in journal articles, while other larger texts have been published as monographs. Many texts remain unpublished.[1]
Drower donated MSS. Drower 1–53 to the Bodleian Library in 1958. MS. Drower 54 (The Coronation of the Great Šišlam) was given to the library by Lady Drower in 1961, and MS. Drower 55 (Drower's personal notebook) was added in 1986.[22] DC 1–5, 22, 30, 31, 38, 45, and 53 are codices, with the rest of the DC manuscripts being scrolls.[2]
A list of manuscripts in the Drower Collection, based on primarily on Buckley (2010),[2] as well as Drower (1937)[23] and other sources, is given below. The manuscripts are abbreviated DC.
: Essay on Mandaean Bibliography 1560–1930. London, Humphrey Mildford, Oxford University Press, 1933.
Svend Aage Pallis
: The Book of the Zodiac = Sfar malwašia: D. C. 31. London: Royal Asiatic Society, 1949.
Ethel Stefana Drower
: Mandaeans. Liturgy and Ritual. The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Translated with notes. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1959.
Ethel Stefana Drower
: Haran Gawaita. The Haran Gawaita and the Baptism of Hibil-Ziwa: the Mandaic text reproduced, together with translation, notes and commentary. Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca apostolica vaticana, 1953.
Ethel Stefana Drower
: Alf trisar ŝuialia. The thousand and twelve questions: a Mandaean text, edited in transliteration and translation. Berlin, Akademie-Verlag, 1960.
Ethel Stefana Drower
: Diwan Abatur. ... or progress through the purgatories. Text with translation notes and appendices. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Città del Vaticano 1950 (Studi e testi. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana 151, ZDB-ID 762276-4).
Ethel Stefana Drower
M. : Études sur la Religion/Des Soubbas ou sabéens, leurs dogmes, mœurs par. Paris 1880, ISBN 9781147041224
Nicolas Siouffi
: Mission scientifique en Perse par J. De Morgan. Tome V. Études linguistiques. Deuxième partie. Textes mandaïtes publiés par J. de Morgan avec une notice sur les Mandéens par Cl. Huart. Paris, 1904.
J. de Morgan
: Catalogues des manuscriptes syriaques et sabéens (mandaïtes)
Hermann Zotenberg
: Inscriptions mandaïtes des coupes de Khouabir Paris 1898–1899, parts 1–3.
Henri Pognon
: Ginzā. Der Schatz oder Das große Buch der Mandäer. Göttingen, 1925.
Mark Lidzbarski
Mark Lidzbarski: Das Johannesbuch der Mandäer. Gießen: Töpelmann, 1915, 1966/
Mark Lidzbarski: Das mandäische Seelenbuch, in: ZDMG 61 (1907), 689–698.
: Das mandäische Buch des Herrn der Größe und die Evangelienüberlieferung. Heidelberg-Winter, 1919.
Richard Reitzenstein
: Qolastā oder Gesänge und Lehren von der Taufe und dem Ausgang der Seele. Stuttgart, 1867.
Julius Euting
B. Poertner: Mandäischer Diwan. Eine photographische. Aufnahme; Straßburg, 1904.
Brandt, Wilhelm (1889). . ATLA Historical Monographs Collection Series 1. J.C. Hinrichs. ISBN 9780790544908.
Die mandäische Religion: ihre Entwickelung und geschichtliche Bedeutung
Wilhelm Brandt: Mandäische Schriften übersetzt und erläutert. Göttingen, 1893.
: Codex Nasaraeus Liber Adami appellatus. 3 vols. London, 1815–16.
Matthias Norberg
: Porta linguarum orientalium. Bd. 1–4, 6., Berlin 1840–72/
Julius Heinrich Petermann
Julius Heinrich Petermann: Reisen im Orient. 2 Bde. Leipzig, 1865
: Mandäische Grammatik. Halle, 1875
Theodor Nöldeke
Werner Foerster: A Selection of Gnostic Texts. Oxford, 1974
: Theogonie, Kosmogonie und Anthropogonie in den mandäischen Schriften. Eine literarkritische und traditionsgeschichtliche Untersuchung. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 1965 (Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments 88, ZDB-ID 528176-3), (Zugleich: Leipzig, Univ., Phil. Habil.-Schr., 1961).
Kurt Rudolph
: Der mandäische "Diwan der Flüsse. Abhandlungen der Sächsischen Akadademie der Wissenschaft. Phil.-Hist. Klasse 70 Heft 1, Leipzig, 1982.
Kurt Rudolph
Kurt Rudolph. Mandaeism In: David Noel Freedman (ed.), The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Doubleday 1992, ISBN 3-438-01121-2, Bd. 4, S. 500–502.
: Und das Leben ist siegreich Mandäistische Forschungen 1, Harrassowitz Verlag 2008
Rudolf Macuch
: The Colophons in the Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 51, No. 1 (Jan. 1992), 33–50.
Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley
: The other Bible. Harper, 1984
Willis Barnstone
Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon: Mandäer. 1905–1909
Pistis Sophia
Nag Hammadi library
Apocryphon
Incantation bowl
Mandaic lead rolls
Essenes.net
Gnostic Society Library
(Mandaean Network)