Shamish

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Shamish
Member of the Seven Planets
AffiliationYawar Ziwa, Simat Hayyi, Yurba
AbodeWorld of Darkness
PlanetSun
ParentsRuha and Ur
Equivalents
AkkadianShamash (Utu)

In Mandaeism, Shamish or Šamiš (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡀࡌࡉࡔ) is the Mandaic name for the Sun.[1] Shamish is one of the seven classical planets (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡅࡁࡀ, romanized: šuba, lit.'The Seven'), who are part of the entourage of Ruha in the World of Darkness.[2][3]

Etymology

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Shamish's name is derived from š-m-š, the Semitic root for 'sun'. Shamish is also cognate with the Akkadian Šamaš.[4]

Associations and comparisons

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Shamish is associated with the uthras Yawar-Ziwa (Dazzling Light) and Simat-Hiia (Treasure of Life). He is also identified with the uthra Yurba, who is described in detail in chapter 52 of the Mandaean Book of John.[5]

In the Right Ginza, the Yazuqaeans (i.e., Zoroastrians) are associated with Shamish, an allusion to Mithra.[6]

According to Iraqi-American poet Lamia Abbas Amara, "[Mandaean] priests have long beards and never cut their hair because they wish to look like Šamiš, the sun. Power resides in hair, like the sun’s rays."[7]: 33 

Shamish is also associated with the false deity Adunai (derived from Hebrew Adonai).[4] As a result, Mandaean scriptures contain exhortations for Mandaeans not to worship Shamish.

References

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  1. ^ Müller-Kessler, Christa (2018). "Šamaš, Sîn (Sahra, Sira), Delibat (Ištar, al-‘Uzzā), und Kēwān (Kajjamānu) in den frühen mandäischen magischen Texten und bei ihren Nachbarn. Eine Bestandsaufnahme." ISIMU 20/21: 259–295.
  2. ^ Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.
  3. ^ Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.
  4. ^ a b Bhayro, Siam (2020-02-10). Cosmology in Mandaean Texts. Brill. pp. 572–579. doi:10.1163/9789004400566_046. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  5. ^ Gelbert, Carlos (2017). The Teachings of the Mandaean John the Baptist. Fairfield, NSW, Australia: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034678. OCLC 1000148487.
  6. ^ Shapira, Dan D.Y. (2004). "Manichaeans (Marmanaiia), Zoroastrians (Iazuqaiia), Jews, Christians and Other Heretics: A Study in the Redaction of Mandaic Texts". Le Muséon. 117 (3–4): 243-280. doi:10.2143/MUS.117.3.516929.
  7. ^ Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.

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