This article contains a list of Mandaean scriptures (Mandaean religious texts written in Classical Mandaic). Well-known 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 diwan (illustrated scrolls) are 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]
Types
Mandaean religious texts can be written in book or codex form (draša or sidra) or as scrolls (diwan, šafta, or šarḥ) that are often illustrated. Some scrolls are talismans (zrazta), amulets (qmaha), or exorcisms (pašar or pišra), while others consist of prayers such as rahma (devotions), ʿniania ("responses"), and rušuma ("signing" prayers). Many scrolls contain symbolic descriptions of rituals, such as various types of masiqta and masbuta rituals. Mandaean texts typically have colophons giving detailed information about the scribes who had transcribed them, as well as dates, lineages, and other historical information.[2]
Drower (1953) recognizes six main groups of Mandaean literature.[3]
esoteric texts, exclusively for priests
ritual texts, exclusively for priests
hymns, psalms, and prayers
hortatory and general texts
astrological texts
magical writings
History
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.
The most important translations of Mandaean scriptures include those by Mark Lidzbarski, E. S. Drower, James F. McGrath, Charles G. Häberl, and Bogdan Burtea.
Main scriptures
Ginza Rabba (The Great Treasure, also known as The Book of Adam) (DC 22)
Diwan Razii d-Bhathia (Diuan u-tafsir d-razia d-abahata, or "Scroll and tafsir of the secrets of the ancestors", Ms Asiat. Misc. C 13 (R)). The texts lists the names Barmeil, Bihdad, Bihram, Šišlam, Šišlameil, Manhareil, Nureil, Zihrun, Sahqeil, Haiil, and Reil.[5]
Diwan u-Dmuth Kušṭa
Diwan Tasfir Owaljē
Diwan Alma Rišaia Rabbā (The Great Supreme World) (DC 41)
Diwan Alma Rišaia Zuṭa (The Smaller Supreme World) (DC 48)
Bšumaihun d-hiia rbia (In the Name of the Great Life)
Commentary on the First Baptism of the Neophytes (Mandaean?)
Šafta d-mihla (The Scroll of Salt) (Bodleian Library MS. DC 40)
Šarh d-Parwānājē, or Panšā (The Scroll of the Parwanaya) (Bodleian Library MS. DC 24[6]): The Parwanaya Festival. The manuscript is complete at the beginning and in the middle.
Šarh d-Ṭabahata (Bodleian Library MS. DC 42)
Šarh d-Zihrun-Raza-Kasia (Bodleian Library MS. DC 27)[7]
Codex Petermann I, 155; Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
Leiden texts; formerly held in Amsterdam
Bodleian Library manuscripts (excluding the Drower Collection)
Oxford Scroll G; Bodleian Library. Two texts for repelling evil spirits.
Hunt. 71 (JB) (see Lidzbarski, Johannesbuch, Ms. D.).
Ms. Asiat. Misc. C 12: Diwan ḏ-Qadaha Rba Šuma ḏ-Mara ḏ-Rabuta u-Dmut Kušṭa or simply Dmut Kušṭa ("The Scroll of the Great Prayer, the Name of the Lord of Greatness and the Image of Truth"), unpublished.
Ms. Asiat. Misc. C 13: Diwan Razia ḏ-Abahata ("The Scroll [of] the Secrets of the Parents"), unpublished.
Ms. Syr. E 15 (a small prayerbook, 151 folios).
Ms. Syr. E 18 (prayers), unpublished.
Ms. Syr. F 2 (R) (Mandaean liturgies) (see Lidzbarski, Mandäische Liturgien).
Ms. Syr. G 2 (R): Qaština ("The Archer") and Šambra ("The Rue").
British Library manuscripts
Add. 23,599, Add. 23,600, and Add. 23,601: three Ginzas. They were donated to the British Library in April 1860 by the widow of Colonel J. E. Taylor, the British Vice-Consul at Baghdad.
Add. 23,602A, Kholasta sive liturgica Sabiorum Libri Joannis Fragmenta Mendaice ("scrapbook of Mandaean manuscript fragments"). 101 pages.
OR 6592 (Lidzbarski's "Roll A" or "London Scroll A"), marriage liturgy text called Šarh ḏ-Traṣa ḏ-Taga ḏ-Šišlam Rabbā.
OR 6593 (Lidzbarski's "Roll B" or "London Scroll B"), apotropaic contents. The two rolls A and B (i.e., OR 6592 and OR 6593) are in one container. Both date from 1869, with the first one from Muhammerah and the second one from Qurna.
Small lead plates; British Museum
Bibliothèque nationale de France Code Sabéen manuscripts
Code Sabéen 8; Bibliothèque nationale de France
Code Sabéen 15; Bibliothèque nationale de France (Mark Lidzbarski's F manuscript). This manuscript is a partial copy of the The Marriage of the Great Šišlam (Šarh ḏ-Qabin ḏ-Šišlam Rba).
Code Sabéen 16 (or the Paris Diwan); Bibliothèque nationale de France
Code Sabéen 24 and 27; Bibliothèque nationale de France. Texts about magical amulets.
Code Sabéen 25; Bibliothèque nationale de France (Mark Lidzbarski's E manuscript). This manuscript is a copy of the The Book of the Zodiac (Asfar Malwāšē), and also a partial copy of the The Marriage of the Great Šišlam (Šarh ḏ-Qabin ḏ-Šišlam Rba). However, it contains a longer appendix of more recent date.
Buckley has also found Ginza manuscripts that are privately held by Mandaeans in the United States (two in San Diego, California; one in Flushing, New York; and one in Lake Grove, New York).[2]
Drower Collection
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.[8] 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)[9] and other sources, is given below. The manuscripts are abbreviated DC.
DC 1 – prayerbook (codex) containing prayers for rituals such as minor ablutions (rahmia and lofania).[3] 238 pp.
DC 2 – prayerbook (codex)[3] called the Sidra ḏ-Nišmata ("Book of the Soul") that was copied by Shaikh Nejm (or Negm) 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 1889-1891.[2]
DC 3 – codex of prayer fragments, such as prayers for minor ablutions, the rahmia (devotions), qulasta, masiqta, zidqa brikha (blessed oblations), and myrtle and banner (drabša) hymns.
DC 4 – codex consisting of a Mandaic-English glossary compiled by Shaikh Nejm for Drower, with the help of an English-speaking Mandaean.
DC 5 – prayerbook (codex).[3] Known as the "Prayers of Yahya." Copied by Hirmiz bar Anhar.
DC 6 – Alf Trisar Šiala ("1012 Questions", incomplete version[3]). Contains parts 3-7 (out of 7 parts total) of the 1012 Questions. One part is known as the Tafsir Pagra. 12 inch-wide scroll with 1652 lines. Copied by Adam Zihrun, son of Bihram Šitlan, of the Ša‛puria clan in Shushtar in 1557.
DC 7 – Diwan Nahrwata ("The Scroll of the Rivers"). The illustrated scroll is a geographical treatise.[1] Kurt Rudolph published a German translation in 1982, based on a Baghdad copy originally from Ahvaz.[10] About 3300 words. Copied by Ram Zihrun, son of Sam Bihram, Kupašia in Shushtar in 1259 A.H. (1843 A.D.).
DC 8 – Diwan Abatur. 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.
DC 9 – Haran Gawaita. Copied by Ram Zihrun, son of Sam Bihram, Kupašia in Margab, Iran in 1276 A.H. (1859 A.D.).
DC 10 – Pišra ḏ-Šambra[11] (love charm magic scroll). A qmaha that is an invocation to Libat (Venus). Translated and published in JRAS (1939).
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 Abdallah 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.
DC 13 – zrazta of Hibil Ziwa. Also called "Roll C." Part of the Zrazta d Hibil Ziwa (DC 44). Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Kumait in 1933.
DC 14 – zrazta or magical / "protective" text.[3] Part of the Zrazta d Hibil Ziwa (DC 44). Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Kumait. 185 lines.
DC 15 – zrazta of the Great Ptahil (Zrazta ḏ-Ptahil Rba).[3] A very long scroll purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm, Qala‛t Saleh in April 1933. Also called "Roll E."
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.[11]
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. Translation by Bogdan Burtea.
DC 21 – Šafta ḏ-Pišra ḏ-Ainia ("Exorcism of the Evil and Diseased Eyes").[11] Copied by Shaikh Faraj for Drower in December 1935. 803 lines. Published in by Drower JRAS No. 3 (Jul. 1939).[12]
DC 22 – Ginza Rba codex. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1936. Transcribed in 1931 by Ram Zihrun, son of Sam Bihram, Kupašia. Ram Zihrun copied the Right Ginza in Qurna, and the Left Ginza in Basra.
DC 23 – Pašar Sumqa / Pašar Smaq ("The Exorcism of Fever").[11] Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1936. 777 lines.
DC 24 – Šarḥ ḏ-Parwanaia, or Panšā ("The Scroll of the Parwanaya").[1] German translation and commentary by Burtea (2008).[6] Used for rituals such as the consecration of the cult-hut, the dove (ba) sacrifice, zidqa brikha, the myrtle ritual, etc.
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.[1] 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).[13]
DC 27 – Šarḥ ḏ-Zihrun-Raza-Kasia / 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).[7] An illustrated scroll purchased by Drower from Shaikh Yahia, Qal’at Salih in May 1937. 559 lines.
DC 28 – Pišra ḏ-Bit Mišqal Ainia (The Exorcism of "I Sought to Lift My Eyes"),[1] a qmaha text. Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in June 1937. Published in Drower (1938).[13]
DC 29 – Pišra ḏ-Ainia / Pašar Ainia ("Exorcism of the Evil Eye"). Purchased by Drower from Shaikhs Nejm and Yahia in November 1937.
DC 30 – Draša ḏ-Yahia ("Teaching of Yahia" or Mandaean Book of John) (codex).[3] Purchased by Drower from Shaikhs Nejm and Yahia in November 1937. Dates to 1166 A.H. (c. 1753 A.D.). Copied in Shushtar by Ram Yuhana, son of Ram, Dihdaria.
DC 31 – Book of the Zodiac (codex). Purchased by Drower from Shaikhs Nejm and Yahia in November 1937. Dates to 1247 A.H. (c. 1812 A.D.).
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 JRAS (Oct. 1937).[14]
DC 34 – Scroll of Exalted Kingship / Diwan Malkuta 'laita. Illustrated scroll purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in April 1939. 1353 lines.
DC 35 – Diwan Maṣbuta ḏ-Hibil Ziwa ("The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa").[15] Bought in Persia through Shaikh Nejm on April 29, 1939. Dates to 1247 A.H. (c. 1750 A.D.).
DC 36 – Haran Gawaita and 1012 Questions (complete version with all 7 books).[3] A long scroll that is 12 inches wide and 626 inches (17 yards, 14 inches) long.
DC 37 – Šafta ḏ-Masihfan Rba ("The Scroll of the Great Overthrower").[1] Copied by Yahia Bihram, son of Adam Yuhana, in Suq eš-Šuyuk in 1861. 633 lines.
DC 38 – Šarḥ ḏ-qabin ḏ-Šišlam Rba ("The Marriage Ceremony of the Great Šišlam").[4] A scroll that Drower had purchased from Shaikh Nejm in April 1939, along with DC 36, 37, and 39.
DC 39 – Šafta ḏ-Qaština ("The Scroll of 'I Shoot'"),[11] a qmaha that Drower had purchased from Shaikh Nejm in April 1939. Transcribed in 1802.
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.
DC 41 – Alma Rišaia Rba ("The Great Supreme World").[3] English translation and commentary by Drower (1963).[16] An illustrated scroll about 545 lines long, dating to 1220 A.H. Bought by Drower from Shaikh Nejm from Iraq in the autumn of 1939.
DC 42 - Šarḥ ḏ-Ṭabahata ("The Scroll of Ṭabahata" [Parents]).[1] Used for Parwanaya rituals. Transcribed in 1743 and has 834 lines.
DC 43 – The Poor Priest’s Treasury,[1] 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-Suba; Qmaha ḏ-Qastina (of DC 39 and copy in Bodleian). Purchased by Drower from Shaikh Nejm in 1939 and dates to 1270 A.H.
DC 44 – Zrazta ḏ-Hibil Ziwa ("The Protection of Hibil Ziwa").[11] 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.[17] The text was first made known to the international scholarly community by Jacques de Morgan (1905),[18] based on a qmaha scroll that de Morgan had purchased during his travels to Iran from 1889-1891.[2]
DC 45 – Haršia Bišia[3] ("A Mandaean Book of Black Magic"[11]). Partially published in journal articles.[19]
DC 46 – Haršia Bišia[3] ("A Mandaean Book of Black Magic"[11]). Copied by Shaikh Abdallah in March 1942. Different version of DC 45. Partially published in journal articles.[19]
DC 47 – Pišra ḏ-Šambra ("A Phylactery for Rue").[1] See Drower (1946).[20] Copied by Yahia Bihram, son of Adam Yuhana.
DC 48 – Alma Rišaia Zuṭa ("The Smaller Supreme World")[21] (listed as DC 47 in Drower 1953[3]). English translation and commentary by Drower (1963).[16] A text from Shushtar. Dates to 972 A.H. or 1564 A.D.
DC 49 – Small exorcism scroll
DC 50 – Šarḥ ḏ-Maṣbuta Rabia ("The Scroll of the Great Baptism").[1] Ritual scroll describing the 360 baptisms (masbutas) for a polluted priest. Also called "Fifty Baptisms" and the Raza Rba ḏ-Zihrun. Dates from 1867 and has 962 lines.
DC 51 – Pišra ḏ-Pugdama ḏ-Mia ("Exorcism: the Command of the Waters").[11] Exorcism invoking the personified waters of life. Dates to 1277 A.H.
DC 52 – missing
DC 53 – Qolasta (Canonical Prayerbook, a complete codex)
DC 54 – The Coronation of the Great Šišlam. English translation and commentary by Drower (1962). Or. 6592, British Museum is another manuscript of this text.[22] The scroll is from Basra and dates to 1008 A.H. (1599 A.D.). Copied by Sam Šitlan, son of Ram Bayan, Ša‛puria clan.
DC 55 – Drower's personal notebook
Literature
E. S. Drower: The Book of the zodiac = Sfar malwašia: D. C. 31. London: Royal Asiatic Society, 1949.
E. S. Drower: Mandaeans. Liturgy and ritual. The canonical prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Translated with notes. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1959.
E. S. 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.
E. S. Drower: Alf trisar ŝuialia. The thousand and twelve questions: a Mandaean text, edited in transliteration and translation. Berlin, Akademie-Verlag, 1960.
E. S. 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-ID762276-4).
M. Nicolas Siouffi: Études sur la Religion/Des Soubbas ou sabéens, leurs dogmes, mœurs par. Paris 1880, ISBN 9781147041224
J. de Morgan: 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
Hermann Zotenberg: Catalogues des manuscriptes syriaques et sabéens (mandaïtes)
Henri Pognon: Inscriptions mandaïtes des coupes de Khouabir Paris 1898–1899, parts 1–3
Mark Lidzbarski: Ginzā. Der Schatz oder Das große Buch der Mandäer. Göttingen, 1925
Mark Lidzbarski: Das Johannesbuch der Mandäer. Gießen: Töpelmann, 1915, 1966
Mark Lidzbarski: Das mandäische Seelenbuch, in: ZDMG 61 (1907), 689–698
Richard Reitzenstein: Das mandäische Buch des Herrn der Größe und die Evangelienüberlieferung. Heidelberg-Winter, 1919
Julius Euting: Qolastā oder Gesänge und Lehren von der Taufe und dem Ausgang der Seele. Stuttgart, 1867 (Euting's edition of the Qolastā in Mandaic, which is incomplete)
Dr. B. Poertner: Mandäischer Diwan. Eine photographische. Aufnahme; Straßburg, 1904
Dr. W. Brandt: Mandäische Schriften übersetzt und erläutert. Göttingen, 1893
Werner Foerster: A Selection of Gnostic Texts. Oxford, 1974
Kurt Rudolph: 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-ID528176-3), (Zugleich: Leipzig, Univ., Phil. Habil.-Schr., 1961).
Kurt Rudolph. Mandaeism In: David Noel Freedman (ed.), The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Doubleday 1992, ISBN 3-438-01121-2, Bd. 4, S. 500–502.
Rudolf Macuch: Und das Leben ist siegreich Mandäistische Forschungen 1, Harrassowitz Verlag 2008
Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley: The Colophons in the Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 51, No. 1 (Jan. 1992), 33–50.
↑Drower, Ethel Stefana. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press.
↑Rudolph, Kurt. Der Mandäische ‘Diwan der Flüsse.’ Berlin: Abhandlungen der Sächsischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig, philosophisch-historische Klasse, vol. 70, no. 1, 1982.
↑Drower, Ethel S. (1953). The Haran Gawaita and The Baptism of Hibil-Ziwa: The Mandaic text reproduced together with translation, notes and commentary. Vatican City: Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.