Right Ginza | |
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The Right 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 Left Ginza. [1]
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007), are provided below. [2] Translated excerpts are from Gelbert (2011), while Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021 [3]).
Book 1 contains a history of creation and of Mandaeism.
The book begins with the opening line (also in Chapter 2 of Book 1):
Gelbert (2011) mentions two versions of the book, namely the Gabriel Version (of Petermann) and the Ptahil Version.
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. [4] These books summarize many of the basic teachings of Mandaeism. Buckley (2010) considers Book 1 and 2 to be different versions of the same book. [5]: 16
Book 3, The Book of the Living First Teachings (sidra ḏ-šuta haita qadmaita [1]), 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")). [6] 2,700 lines in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening lines:
Book 4 is a small text connected to the story of Hibil's descent into the World of Darkness. Before descending into the underworld, Hibil, along with Shitil 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 prayers 82 and 180–188 (Drower's CP numbering [7]). 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 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. [8] The 5 sections are:
The opening lines of the first four chapters in Book 5 are:
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
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:
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:
Book 8 (10 in the Al-Saadi edition) deals briefly with creation and evil, and contains Manda ḏ-Hayyi's warnings against Ruha. 15 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
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.
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 [3]), deals with the sacrament of the bread ( pihta) 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:
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. 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:
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 hymns, with each stanza ordered according to a letter of the Mandaic alphabet.
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:
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:
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.
Since Mandaean priestly commentary texts often refer to hymns and prayers by their 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 [3]).
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.
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 [3]).
Book 17 contains 2 poems. The Al-Saadi translation does not cover this book.
Book 18 contains a chronology of the world plus an apocalypse. It gives a duration of 480,000 years to the world. Abraham, Noah, and Jesus are mentioned in the book. It also contains lists of Pishdadian, Kayanian, Parthian, and Sasanian kings and mentions the Arab conquest of Persia. [12] (The Al-Saadi edition includes only the deluge account, which it numbers 19.) 123 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
Also known as the Book of Kings, a critical edition was published by Häberl (2022). [13]
Book 18 is attributed to the Mandaean scribe Yahya Sam bar Sarwan. The book can be thematically divided into four parts: [13]
The list of Iranian kings given in the Book of Kings is as follows. Note that since Mandaic spellings can vary by manuscript, the transcriptions used below are often reconstructions by Häberl (2022). [13]: 66–73
King | Mandaic spelling | Years of reign | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Kaymarodan Gaymurat | Qimarudan Gaimuraṭ | 900 | < Avestan gaiia marətan 'mortal life' |
Jamshid, son of Tahmurat | Zamdšiṭa br Ṭahmuraṭ | 600 | |
Azidahāg | Zihnag | 750 | |
(no king) | 100 | ||
Asdahāg Bēwarāsp | br Aspag | 300 | slayed by Bahrān |
Paridon Thebiān | Paridun Tibian | 560 | |
Pād-Sām Narimān | Pa(t)šm Nariman | 500 | 'the binder of Karkum'; variously identified as Garshasp, Sām, and Nariman |
Parsāyā of Turak | Parsaia ḏ-Ṭuraq | 60 | |
Kaykābas | Qaiqabas/d | 503 | |
Khaykhasraw, son of Siyāwarshan | 60 | ||
Ugab, son of Burzen | Egab | 300 | |
Lohrāsp | 365 | ||
Goshtāsp, son of Lohrāsp | Gušṭasp | 14 | |
Ardshir, son of Espendyār | Ardšir br Aspindiar | 112 | |
Khumāy Scheherazade (King Semiramis) | Kumai Ṭašhurizdan (Šamidai) | 80 | |
Ashgān | 470 | ||
Jamshid (Solomon), son of David | Dašmšir | 900 | 1,000 years total: 900 on earth, 100 in heavne |
Alexander the Roman | (Alak)sandar Ruhmaia | 14 | |
Ashak, son of Ashkān | 465 | ||
Ardabān | Ardaban | 14 |
Afterwards, the Persian
Sasanian kings are listed:
King | Mandaic spelling | Father of king | Years of reign |
---|---|---|---|
Ardshir Pābogān | Pabugan | 14 | |
Shābur I | Šabur | Ardshir I | 62 |
(Balāsh) Hormezd I | Hurmig < Hurmiṣ | Shābur I | 50 |
Bahrān I | Bahran | Shābur I | 12 |
Yazdiger I | Iazdigir | Bahrān IV | 12 |
Shābur IV | Šabur | Yazdiger I | 20 |
Piroz I | Piruz | Yazdiger II | 40 |
Behdād | Bihdad | 3 | |
Kawād I | Qabad | Piroz I | 41 |
Khasraw I | Kasrau | Kawād I | 48 |
Hormezd IV | Hurmig < Hurmiṣ | Khasraw I | 12 |
Khasraw II | Kasrau | Hormezd IV | 38 |
Sheryu ( Kawād II) | Širiu |
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. [5] Some colophons are also followed by tarik (postscripts). [4]
A few marriage hymns (hadaiata) in Drower's 1959 Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans (CP) [7] correspond to some hymns in Book 12 of the Right Ginza (GR 12): [1]
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of February 2024 (
link)
Right Ginza | |
---|---|
Information | |
Religion | Mandaeism |
Language | Mandaic language |
Part of a series on |
Mandaeism |
---|
Religion portal |
The Right 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 Left Ginza. [1]
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007), are provided below. [2] Translated excerpts are from Gelbert (2011), while Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021 [3]).
Book 1 contains a history of creation and of Mandaeism.
The book begins with the opening line (also in Chapter 2 of Book 1):
Gelbert (2011) mentions two versions of the book, namely the Gabriel Version (of Petermann) and the Ptahil Version.
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. [4] These books summarize many of the basic teachings of Mandaeism. Buckley (2010) considers Book 1 and 2 to be different versions of the same book. [5]: 16
Book 3, The Book of the Living First Teachings (sidra ḏ-šuta haita qadmaita [1]), 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")). [6] 2,700 lines in Gelbert (2011).
The book begins with the opening lines:
Book 4 is a small text connected to the story of Hibil's descent into the World of Darkness. Before descending into the underworld, Hibil, along with Shitil 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 prayers 82 and 180–188 (Drower's CP numbering [7]). 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 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. [8] The 5 sections are:
The opening lines of the first four chapters in Book 5 are:
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
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:
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:
Book 8 (10 in the Al-Saadi edition) deals briefly with creation and evil, and contains Manda ḏ-Hayyi's warnings against Ruha. 15 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
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.
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 [3]), deals with the sacrament of the bread ( pihta) 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:
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. 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:
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 hymns, with each stanza ordered according to a letter of the Mandaic alphabet.
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:
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:
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.
Since Mandaean priestly commentary texts often refer to hymns and prayers by their 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 [3]).
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.
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 [3]).
Book 17 contains 2 poems. The Al-Saadi translation does not cover this book.
Book 18 contains a chronology of the world plus an apocalypse. It gives a duration of 480,000 years to the world. Abraham, Noah, and Jesus are mentioned in the book. It also contains lists of Pishdadian, Kayanian, Parthian, and Sasanian kings and mentions the Arab conquest of Persia. [12] (The Al-Saadi edition includes only the deluge account, which it numbers 19.) 123 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
Also known as the Book of Kings, a critical edition was published by Häberl (2022). [13]
Book 18 is attributed to the Mandaean scribe Yahya Sam bar Sarwan. The book can be thematically divided into four parts: [13]
The list of Iranian kings given in the Book of Kings is as follows. Note that since Mandaic spellings can vary by manuscript, the transcriptions used below are often reconstructions by Häberl (2022). [13]: 66–73
King | Mandaic spelling | Years of reign | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Kaymarodan Gaymurat | Qimarudan Gaimuraṭ | 900 | < Avestan gaiia marətan 'mortal life' |
Jamshid, son of Tahmurat | Zamdšiṭa br Ṭahmuraṭ | 600 | |
Azidahāg | Zihnag | 750 | |
(no king) | 100 | ||
Asdahāg Bēwarāsp | br Aspag | 300 | slayed by Bahrān |
Paridon Thebiān | Paridun Tibian | 560 | |
Pād-Sām Narimān | Pa(t)šm Nariman | 500 | 'the binder of Karkum'; variously identified as Garshasp, Sām, and Nariman |
Parsāyā of Turak | Parsaia ḏ-Ṭuraq | 60 | |
Kaykābas | Qaiqabas/d | 503 | |
Khaykhasraw, son of Siyāwarshan | 60 | ||
Ugab, son of Burzen | Egab | 300 | |
Lohrāsp | 365 | ||
Goshtāsp, son of Lohrāsp | Gušṭasp | 14 | |
Ardshir, son of Espendyār | Ardšir br Aspindiar | 112 | |
Khumāy Scheherazade (King Semiramis) | Kumai Ṭašhurizdan (Šamidai) | 80 | |
Ashgān | 470 | ||
Jamshid (Solomon), son of David | Dašmšir | 900 | 1,000 years total: 900 on earth, 100 in heavne |
Alexander the Roman | (Alak)sandar Ruhmaia | 14 | |
Ashak, son of Ashkān | 465 | ||
Ardabān | Ardaban | 14 |
Afterwards, the Persian
Sasanian kings are listed:
King | Mandaic spelling | Father of king | Years of reign |
---|---|---|---|
Ardshir Pābogān | Pabugan | 14 | |
Shābur I | Šabur | Ardshir I | 62 |
(Balāsh) Hormezd I | Hurmig < Hurmiṣ | Shābur I | 50 |
Bahrān I | Bahran | Shābur I | 12 |
Yazdiger I | Iazdigir | Bahrān IV | 12 |
Shābur IV | Šabur | Yazdiger I | 20 |
Piroz I | Piruz | Yazdiger II | 40 |
Behdād | Bihdad | 3 | |
Kawād I | Qabad | Piroz I | 41 |
Khasraw I | Kasrau | Kawād I | 48 |
Hormezd IV | Hurmig < Hurmiṣ | Khasraw I | 12 |
Khasraw II | Kasrau | Hormezd IV | 38 |
Sheryu ( Kawād II) | Širiu |
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. [5] Some colophons are also followed by tarik (postscripts). [4]
A few marriage hymns (hadaiata) in Drower's 1959 Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans (CP) [7] correspond to some hymns in Book 12 of the Right Ginza (GR 12): [1]
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of February 2024 (
link)