Here this is the name of the 'uthra assisting Abatur at the Scales. Bihram Is named at baptism- " I am baptized with the baptism of Bihram the Great ". Bihram or Bahram (the Great) is often mentioned: his name suggests Persian origin. The banner is sometimes called Bihram.  Adnaut Hiia (Admuth Hei)" Likeness-of-Life ", a female spirit mentioned in the Ginza Rabba and 'Niania.  In the latter she is said to be the mother of Yusamin.Gaf (Gaff)A ruler of one of the underworlds and father of 'Ur by RuhaGanzi'il, Ginzi�il, Kanzi�il (and variations)A personification of hidden or secret treasure, often invoked in exorcisms and spells.GiuRuler of one of the underworldsHabsaba A savior spirit. Is the personification of the first day of the week.Haiasum )An 'uthra, often mentioned in the 'Niania and Ginza Rabba.Hawa Eve, wife of Adam. There were two Eves (see Adam) the Pagria and the Kasia. In this manuscript a Hawa daughter of Hawa is a common name amongst Mandaean women.Hazazban "This-Time "?  Hazaeban is an 'uthra; sometimes the myrtle wreath used in ritual is so named, a spirit named Iran Hazazban rules a purgatory, according to the Ginza Rabba.Hibil In D. C. 8 one of the seven sons of Ptahil; a Hibil was one of the three sons of Adam Kasia.Hibil Ziwa A spirit of Light sometimes identified with the savior spirit Manda d Hiia. Hibil Ziwa's descent into the worlds of darkness, his marriage with Zahriel daughter of Qin and his bringing of Ruha into an upper world -where she gave birth to 'Ur, are all described in the Ginza Rabba. He is also identified occasionally with Yawar.�IL < Pr. El>Is mentioned in the Ginza Rabba together with Ruha as enemies of the " chosen righteous ".Kanfi'il An 'uthra.  Kanzi�iil or Kanzi�il  See Ganzi�il  Krun Ruler of one of the realms of darkness, described as " a mountain of flesh ".Manda d Hiia Miriai appears as the Miriai of the Ginza Rabba and Drasa d Yahia and also as the mother of Christ.Nbat This spirit of fertility and life is often invoked in exorcisms, and his name appears constantly in all Mandaean religious literature.Nidbai Silmai and Nidbai (Shelmay and Nedvay) are the two guardian spirits of running water (yardna). Ptahil Is the son of Hibil Ziwa and Zahriel daughter of Qin. His dubious character is explained by the nature of this mesalliance, the father being of the worlds of light and the mother of the worlds of darkness.  He is represented as a creator spirit, who bungles work, which must be completed, by a spirit of light. He is also said to be the son of Abatur. In this text he rules a world creates the earth with the help of demons at the order of Abatur, and shows jealousy of Hibil Ziwa.QardumA demon.Qin Mother of many spirits of darkness, and also of Ruha and Zahriel Rahmia = �devotions� The name given to a series of prayers for the daily office.  These prayers to be said at morning, noon, and sunset, every day of the week.  The proper prayers for the day and hour are also recited before any rite can begin.Rahmi�il An 'uthra; he is much invoked in exorcisms, talismans and love-charms.Ruha -Daughter of Qin, she was married to her brother Gaf. She was taken to the upper world by Hibil Ziwa, and brought the monster-child 'Ur to birth. She became 'Ur's paramour, and had by him two sets of children, the seven planets and the twelve Houses of the Zodiac.Myth apart, she is a personification of the Ruha, the emotional and passionate element in human nature. She is usually portrayed as the enemy of the soul, a sorceress and beguiler, in league with the planets to hold the soul back and to frustrate its aspirations towards the worlds of light. Mandaean eschatology represents the Ruha as surviving death like the nisimta (soul).  After purification Ruha, and nisimta reunite and rise as one being into the realms of light. Samandar'il   Often mentioned in Mandaean literature; an 'uthra, a flower and blossom spirit.Sarat  < Pr. Sha-rat>A female 'uthra called, " the great, first hidden Vine "Sarhabi'il A female �uthra, also the name of the wife of the pair who re-peopled the world after its second destruction (by fire).  The name comes from the root SRHB "to propagate ". He is also one of Ptahil's sons and rules a purgatory.Sauri'iil   < Pr. Sau-rI-el> The death angel, who comes to release the soul (nisimta) and detach the ruha from the body.Sdum (Ash-diim)Ruler of an underworld�also a "warrior of darkness ", a gate and a demon. ShaqThe word means " cloud " or " clouds ". Also a son of Yusamin  he rules over a purgatory.Silmai " Treasure ". A favorite name with Mandaean women. Here the name or epithet is given to Ruha, a ship, one of Ptahil's wives, and a throne.Simat Hiia Accent on second syllable "Treasure-of-Life ".Usually invoked with Yawar Ziwa.  She is more often mentioned than any other female life-spirit, and like �Zlat represents the Mother principle of creation.  SimiaiilA demon, also mentioned in the Ginza &  RabbaSislam Usually  Sislam Rba.  He is the arch-type of priest and bridegroom. His marriage is the pattern for earthly marriages and his initiation and consecration as priest, the model for all such ceremonies (See Tarasa d Taga d Sislam Rba, a manuscript in the British Museum, and Sarh d Qabin d Sislam Rba.Sitil < Pr. Shi-tel>Son of Adam Kasia, and son of his human counterpart Adam Pagria. When Adam the first man was told that his span of life had ended, Sitil offered to die in his stead.  This filial action made him the purest of all human beings, and the soul of every human being after death is weighed in Abatur's scales against the soul of Sitil. One of Ptahil's sons is named after him, and he rules over a purgatory.  Sum In the 'Niania and Drasa d Yahia, Sum is Shem, son of Noah and is also called Sam. " Sum " can also be merely an epithet.Tauri�il This 'uthra is often invoked in exorcisms and magic. He is sometimes identified with Yawar and is mentioned in the Ginza Rabba, �Niania and other sacred texts.  The bull, connected with sun-worship, and symbolical of fertility, had divine honors both in Babylonia and ancient Persia.�Ur <  Pr. Ur > The giant son of Ruha and her brother Gaf, and later his mother's paramour (see Ruha).  It is supposed by Mandaeans that the world rests on his back and that the souls of the ungodly and unbelievers are drawn into his mouth and fiery interior. He is represented in sacred literature as rebellious and turbulent.Yadatan (see Adatan)Yukabar Ziwa A spirit of light of high rank.Yusamin Just as Sislam is the pattern of perfect priesthood, Yusamin typifies the careless priest.Yuzataq Holy-Spirit - an epithet attached to Manda d Hiia">

Mandaean Glossary (original) (raw)

Abatur <Pr. Awathur>
There are two Abaturs, or rather two phases of the same being. Abatur Rama (the Lofty or Celestial Abatur), but with his lower counterpart, Abatur of the Scales, who weighs souls after death.
Adam

There are two Adams, the physical and the occult or spiritual Adam (Adam Pagria and Adam Kasia). The former pair inhabit Msunia Kusta, a world which is the spiritual counterpart of the material world, and their progeny are the spiritual counterparts of human beings. The physical Adam is the first man.

Adatan and Yadatan

A pair of celestial spirits often mentioned in Mandaean literature. Accent is on the last syllable

Anatan <Pr. Anna-tan>

Name of a ruler in the infernal region, husband of Qin.

Anus <Pr. Annosh>

One of the three sons of the Occult Adam and Eve. The other two are called Hibil and Sitil. In the Diwan Abatur one of Ptahil�s seven sons is called Anus.

Arspan

The name of a Spirit connected with water and baptism, also connected to the name of a throne.

Bhaq

One of Ptahil's sons. A demiurge named Bhaq is mentioned in the Ginzna, Rabba.

Bhira <Pr. Bhira>

(" proven" or " chosen "). A spirit called Bhira Dakia, chief of all the 'uthras appears in the 'Niania and Sarh d Qabin d Sislam Rba.

Bihdad

Here this is the name of the 'uthra assisting Abatur at the Scales.

Bihram <Pr. Bih-ram>

Is named at baptism- " I am baptized with the baptism of Bihram the Great ". Bihram or Bahram (the Great) is often mentioned: his name suggests Persian origin. The banner is sometimes called Bihram.

Adnaut Hiia (Admuth Hei)

" Likeness-of-Life ", a female spirit mentioned in the Ginza Rabba and 'Niania. In the latter she is said to be the mother of Yusamin.

Gaf (Gaff)

A ruler of one of the underworlds and father of 'Ur by Ruha

Ganzi'il, Ginzi�il, Kanzi�il (and variations)

A personification of hidden or secret treasure, often invoked in exorcisms and spells.

Giu

Ruler of one of the underworlds

Habsaba <Pr. Ho-shabba>

A savior spirit. Is the personification of the first day of the week.

Haiasum <Pr. (Hayya-sho>)

An 'uthra, often mentioned in the 'Niania and Ginza Rabba.

Hawa <Pr. Ha-wa>

Eve, wife of Adam. There were two Eves (see Adam) the Pagria and the Kasia. In this manuscript a Hawa daughter of Hawa is a common name amongst Mandaean women.

Hazazban

"This-Time "? Hazaeban is an 'uthra; sometimes the myrtle wreath used in ritual is so named, a spirit named Iran Hazazban rules a purgatory, according to the Ginza Rabba.

Hibil

In D. C. 8 one of the seven sons of Ptahil; a Hibil was one of the three sons of Adam Kasia.

Hibil Ziwa <Pr. Hi-wel Zi-wa>

A spirit of Light sometimes identified with the savior spirit Manda d Hiia. Hibil Ziwa's descent into the worlds of darkness, his marriage with Zahriel daughter of Qin and his bringing of Ruha into an upper world -where she gave birth to 'Ur, are all described in the Ginza Rabba. He is also identified occasionally with Yawar.

�IL < Pr. El>

Is mentioned in the Ginza Rabba together with Ruha as enemies of the " chosen righteous ".

Kanfi'il <Pr. Kan-fiel>

An 'uthra.

Kanzi�iil or Kanzi�il <Pr. Kanzi-el>

See Ganzi�il

Krun <Pr. Krun or Akrun>

Ruler of one of the realms of darkness, described as " a mountain of flesh ".

Manda d Hiia <Pr. Man-dad-hei; accent on second syllable)

A savior spirit sometimes identified with Hibil Ziwa. Like Hibil Ziwa, he is especially concerned with the welfare of mankind.

Miriai <Pr. Mirri-aI>

Miriai appears as the Miriai of the Ginza Rabba and Drasa d Yahia and also as the mother of Christ.

Nbat <Pr. En-wat>

This spirit of fertility and life is often invoked in exorcisms, and his name appears constantly in all Mandaean religious literature.

Nidbai <Pr. Ned-vay>

Silmai and Nidbai (Shelmay and Nedvay) are the two guardian spirits of running water (yardna).

Ptahil <Pr. Pith-ahil>

Is the son of Hibil Ziwa and Zahriel daughter of Qin. His dubious character is explained by the nature of this mesalliance, the father being of the worlds of light and the mother of the worlds of darkness. He is represented as a creator spirit, who bungles work, which must be completed, by a spirit of light. He is also said to be the son of Abatur. In this text he rules a world creates the earth with the help of demons at the order of Abatur, and shows jealousy of Hibil Ziwa.

Qardum

A demon.

Qin <Pr. Qin>

Mother of many spirits of darkness, and also of Ruha and Zahriel

Rahmia = �devotions� <Pr. rah-mi>

The name given to a series of prayers for the daily office. These prayers to be said at morning, noon, and sunset, every day of the week. The proper prayers for the day and hour are also recited before any rite can begin.

Rahmi�il <Pr. Rah-mi-el>

An 'uthra; he is much invoked in exorcisms, talismans and love-charms.

Ruha <Pr. ruh-ha>

-Daughter of Qin, she was married to her brother Gaf. She was taken to the upper world by Hibil Ziwa, and brought the monster-child 'Ur to birth. She became 'Ur's paramour, and had by him two sets of children, the seven planets and the twelve Houses of the Zodiac.

Myth apart, she is a personification of the Ruha, the emotional and passionate element in human nature. She is usually portrayed as the enemy of the soul, a sorceress and beguiler, in league with the planets to hold the soul back and to frustrate its aspirations towards the worlds of light. Mandaean eschatology represents the Ruha as surviving death like the nisimta (soul). After purification Ruha, and nisimta reunite and rise as one being into the realms of light.

Samandar'il <Pr. Seman-dariel>

Often mentioned in Mandaean literature; an 'uthra, a flower and blossom spirit.

Sarat < Pr. Sha-rat>

A female 'uthra called, " the great, first hidden Vine "

Sarhabi'il <Pr. Shar-hab-yel>

A female �uthra, also the name of the wife of the pair who re-peopled the world after its second destruction (by fire). The name comes from the root SRHB "to propagate ". He is also one of Ptahil's sons and rules a purgatory.

Sauri'iil < Pr. Sau-rI-el>

The death angel, who comes to release the soul (nisimta) and detach the ruha from the body.

Sdum (Ash-diim)

Ruler of an underworld�also a "warrior of darkness ", a gate and a demon.

Shaq

The word means " cloud " or " clouds ". Also a son of Yusamin he rules over a purgatory.

Silmai <Pr. Shel-may)

One of a pair of guardian spirits (over running water) (see Nidbai).

Simat <Pr. Si-mat>

" Treasure ". A favorite name with Mandaean women. Here the name or epithet is given to Ruha, a ship, one of Ptahil's wives, and a throne.

Simat Hiia <Pr. Si-mad-Hei> Accent on second syllable

"Treasure-of-Life ".
Usually invoked with Yawar Ziwa. She is more often mentioned than any other female life-spirit, and like �Zlat represents the Mother principle of creation.

Simiaiil

A demon, also mentioned in the Ginza & Rabba

Sislam <Pr. Shish-lam>

Usually Sislam Rba. He is the arch-type of priest and bridegroom. His marriage is the pattern for earthly marriages and his initiation and consecration as priest, the model for all such ceremonies (See Tarasa d Taga d Sislam Rba, a manuscript in the British Museum, and Sarh d Qabin d Sislam Rba.

Sitil < Pr. Shi-tel>

Son of Adam Kasia, and son of his human counterpart Adam Pagria. When Adam the first man was told that his span of life had ended, Sitil offered to die in his stead. This filial action made him the purest of all human beings, and the soul of every human being after death is weighed in Abatur's scales against the soul of Sitil. One of Ptahil's sons is named after him, and he rules over a purgatory.

Sum <Pr. shum>

In the 'Niania and Drasa d Yahia, Sum is Shem, son of Noah and is also called Sam. " Sum " can also be merely an epithet.

Tauri�il <Pr. Tau-riel>

This 'uthra is often invoked in exorcisms and magic. He is sometimes identified with Yawar and is mentioned in the Ginza Rabba, �Niania and other sacred texts. The bull, connected with sun-worship, and symbolical of fertility, had divine honors both in Babylonia and ancient Persia.

�Ur < Pr. Ur >

The giant son of Ruha and her brother Gaf, and later his mother's paramour (see Ruha). It is supposed by Mandaeans that the world rests on his back and that the souls of the ungodly and unbelievers are drawn into his mouth and fiery interior. He is represented in sacred literature as rebellious and turbulent.

Yadatan

(see Adatan)

Yukabar Ziwa <Pr. Yu-kha-war Zi-wa>

A spirit of light of high rank.

Yusamin <Pr. Yu-sha-min accent on middle syllable>

Just as Sislam is the pattern of perfect priesthood, Yusamin typifies the careless priest.

Yuzataq <Pr. Yu-za-taq>

Holy-Spirit - an epithet attached to Manda d Hiia