This article contains a list of Mandaic manuscripts, which are almost entirely Mandaean religious texts written in Classical Mandaic.
Well-known Mandaean texts include the Ginza Rabba (also known as the Sidra Rabbā), the Mandaean Book of John, and the Qulasta. 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.
Background Mandaean copyists or scribes (Mandaic: sapra) 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. 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. Gloves are worn while handling copies of the Ginza Rabba that are used for liturgical purposes.
Types Mandaean religious texts can be written in book or codex form ( , , or ) or as scrolls ( , , or ) that are often illustrated. The illustrations, usually labeled with lengthy written explanations, typically contain abstract geometric drawings of uthras that are reminiscent of cubism or prehistoric rock art.
In Mandaean texts, the end of each chapter or section is typically denoted by the Mandaean letters s—a (; also known as saka), which are separated by a long ligature.
Some scrolls are talismans ( ), amulets ( ), or exorcisms ( or ), all of which are subtypes of phylacteries. Others consist of prayers such as ('devotions'), ('responses'), and ('"signing" prayers'). Many scrolls contain symbolic descriptions of rituals, such as various types of and 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.
Drower (1953) recognizes six main groups of Mandaean literature. 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.
During the past few decades, Majid Fandi Al-Mubaraki, a Mandaean living in Australia, has digitized many Mandaean texts using typesetted Mandaic script.Mandaean Network .
Texts This section lists the titles of various Mandaic religious texts.
Main scriptures The primary three scriptures containing the most important narratives, liturgies, and doctrines of Mandaeism are the Ginza Rabba, Mandaean Book of John, and Qulasta. They are widely used by both lay Mandaeans and Mandaean priests. The Haran Gawaita is a text that discusses the origins and history of the Mandaean people.
Primary scriptures Ginza Rabba (The Great Treasure, also known as The Book of Adam) (DC 22, etc.) Qolastā (Canonical Prayerbook) (DC 53, etc.) (see also list of Qulasta prayers) Sidra ḏ-Nišmata (Book of Souls) (beginning of the Qulasta) Eniania (The Responses) (part of the Qulasta) Mandaean Book of John, also known as The Book of Kings (DC 30, etc.)
History Haran Gawaita (Scroll of Great Revelation) (DC 9, DC 36, RRC 3E)
Priestly texts Ritual and esoteric texts used for priestly use The Thousand and Twelve Questions (DC 36 [complete, with all 7 books]; DC 6 [incomplete]; parts in RRC 2M, RRC 3R, RRC 6D) The Coronation of the Great Šišlam (DC 54, RRC 1A, RRC 2E) Scroll of Exalted Kingship (DC 34, RRC 2O) Scroll of Abatur (DC 8, BS 175) The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa (DC 35, RRC 2U, BL Add. 23,602B) Scroll of the Rivers (DC 7) Scroll of the Great Baptism (DC 50, RRC 1C) Dmut Kušṭa (Bodleian MS Asiat. Misc. C 12, RRC 2V, RRC 2X) Alma Rišaia texts Alma Rišaia Rba (DC 41, RRC 2P, RRC 3D, BL Add. 23,602B) Alma Rišaia Zuṭa (DC 48, RRC 3F) Scroll of the Ancestors (DC 42) Secrets of the Ancestors (Bodleian MS Asiat. Misc. C 13) Zihrun Raza Kasia (DC 27) Scroll of the Parwanaya (DC 24) Wedding liturgy and rituals The Wedding of the Great Šišlam (DC 38, CS 15, CS 25) Astrology Book of the Zodiac (DC 31, etc.)
Magical texts Magical texts (or grimoires) such as zrazta, qmaha, and the like are listed below. Note that these manuscript designations (zrazta, qmaha, etc.) are interchangeable, with different manuscript titles providing varying designations.
Šafta texts Qaština (DC 39, DC 43j, RRC 1G, Bodleian MS Syr. G 2 (R)) Dahlulia (DC 20, DC 43e) Pišra ḏ-Ainia (DC 21, DC 29, RRC 1E, RRC 3K, MS Berlin) Pišra ḏ-Šambra (DC 10, DC 47, Bodleian MS Syr. G 2 (R), MS "P.A.") Pišra ḏ-Šumqa (DC 23, RRC 1P) Pišra ḏ-Pugdama ḏ-Mia (DC 51) Pašar Haršia (DC 12) Pašar Mihla (DC 40, RRC 2C) Masihfan Rba (DC 37, etc.) Qmaha texts Riš Tus Tanina (DC 26) Bit Mišqal Ainia (DC 26, DC 28, RRC 1T) Nirig, Sira, and Libat (DC 32) Šuba lbišna, ʿSirna hthimna, and Yawar Ziwa (DC 33, DC 43c) Šiul (DC 19, DC 43b, DC 45, DC 46, RRC 3N) Ṣir Sahria (DC 43a, CS 27) Br ʿngaria (DC 43g, RRC 1F) Yurba (DC 43h, RRC 1F) Gastata (DC 43f, RRC 1F) Zrazta texts Hibil Ziwa (DC 13, DC 14, DC 44) Ptahil Rba (DC 15) Šuba Šibiahia (DC 18, DC 43i, RRC 1F) Šalhafta texts Mahr[i]a (DC 17, DC 19, DC 43d) Books Haršia Bišia (DC 45, DC 46) Lead amulets The Descent of Iauar (MLSC 2), a lead amulet from the Schøyen Collection. CAL text.
Library collections The majority of known Mandaean texts are currently held at libraries in Oxford, London, and Paris.
Bodleian Library Bodleian Library manuscripts (excluding the Drower Collection) Oxford Scroll G; Bodleian Library. Two texts for repelling evil spirits. Codex Marsh. 691 (Oxford); Bodleian Library. Dates to September 5, 1529 A.D., in Huwayza. It is the oldest Mandaean manuscript held in a European library, since Thomas Marshall's servant had donated the book (obtained by Marshall via Dutch merchants) to the Bodleian Library in 1689 or 1690, after Marshall's death. Codex of prayers with 116 pages. Unpublished (see Lidzbarski, Mandäische Liturgien). Hunt. 6 (Ginza), unpublished. Hunt. 71 (JB) (see Lidzbarski, Johannesbuch, MS D.). Copied by Adam bar Sam in Basra, on August 15, 1659 A.D. (1068 A.H.). 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. Copied by Yahia Ram Zihrun, son of Mhatam in 1818 in Qurna. MS Asiat. Misc. C 13: Diuan u-Tafsir ḏ-Raza ḏ-Abahata ("The Scroll [of] the Secrets of the Ancestors" (or "Parents")). Copied at Mučarra in 1238 A.H. (1822-3 A.D.) by Iahia Ram Zihrun br Mhatam. The text lists the names Barmeil, Bihdad, Bihram, Šišlam, Šišlameil, Manhareil, Nureil, Zihrun, Sahqeil, Haiil, and Reil. CAL text. MS Syr. E 15 (a small prayerbook copied in 1849 containing 151 folios). MS Syr. E 18 (prayers), unpublished. MS Syr. F 2 (R) (Mandaean liturgies) (Lidzbarski's "Roll F") (see Lidzbarski, Mandäische Liturgien). Copied in 1203 A.H. (1788-9 A.D.) near Shushtar. MS Syr. G 2 (R): Qaština ("The Archer") and Šambra ("The Rue"). Copied by Iahia Ramzihrun br Mhatam br Mhata Iuhana in Qurna in 1231 A.H. (1815-6 A.D.). CAL texts of Šambra and Qaština.
British Library
British Library manuscripts Add. 23,599, Add. 23,600, and Add. 23,601: three Ginzas catalogued under the same title, Liber Adami Mendaice. Add. 23,599 was presented to Queen Victoria by the rishama Sheikh Yahana 10 December 1872, via Colonel Herbert, Consul General of Baghdad. Add. 23,600 was donated to the British Museum in April 1860 by the widow of Colonel J. E. Taylor, the British Vice-Consul at Baghdad. It has 315 folios and was copied by Adam Yuhana, the father of Yahia Bihram. Add. 23,601 was copied by Adam Yuhana, son of Sam and dates to 1824. Add. 23,602A, Kholasta sive liturgica Sabiorum Libri Joannis Fragmenta Mendaice ("scrapbook of Mandaean manuscript fragments"). 101 pages. Folia 76–98 and 99–101 contain parts of the Mandaean Book of John. Add. 23,602B, Kholasta sive liturgica Sabiorum Libri Joannis Fragmenta Mendaice: book of fragments probably obtained by Colonel John George Taylor. Contains fragments of Maṣbuta ḏ-Hibil Ziua and Alma Rišaia Rba. Folia 15–18 contain parts of the Mandaean Book of John. Documented in Wright (1872).Wright, William. Catalogue of Syriac manuscripts in the British museum acquired since the year 1838. London: British Museum, 1872. Or. 1236 (Oriental 1236): Sidra Rba Mandaitic Or. 6592 (Lidzbarski's "Roll A" or "London Scroll A"), text called Šarh ḏ-Taraṣa ḏ-Taga ḏ-Šišlam Rba. It was copied in Muḥammara in 1289 A.H. (1872-1873 A.D.), itself copied from a composite text. 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 held at the British Museum
Bibliothèque nationale de France Bibliothèque nationale de France Code Sabéen manuscripts
The Code Sabéen (also Codex Sabéen or CS) manuscripts are held at the National Library of France (BnF). Much of the following information is derived from an 1874 catalogue of Syriac manuscripts compiled by , which lists descriptions for Mss. Sabéen 1–19.Taschereau, Jules-Antoine. 1874. Catalogues des manuscrits syriaques et sabéens (mandaïtes) de la Bibliothèque nationale / Manuscrits orientaux. Many of the manuscripts can be viewed online at the Bibliothèque nationale de France's Gallica digital library.
Code Sabéen 1 (PDF), also known as MS Paris A (dated to 1560 A.D.): Ginza Rabba. Copied at Maqdam, Iraq by Ram Baktiar bar Bihram Šadan. Julius Heinrich Petermann's Ginza transcription into Mandaic and Syriac was primarily based on this manuscript, although he consulted Mss. Paris B, C, and D as well.Häberl, Charles G. (2007). Introduction to the New Edition, in The Great Treasure of the Mandaeans, a new edition of J. Heinrich Petermann's Thesaurus s. Liber Magni, with a new introduction and a translation of the original preface by Charles G. Häberl. Gorgias Press, LLC. The CAL text of the Left Ginza is mostly based on this manuscript. Code Sabéen 2, also known as MS Paris B: Ginza that was translated into Latin by Matthias Norberg (1816). Copied at Basra and Maqdam by the chief priest Baktiar-Bulbul bar Ram Ziwa in 1042 A.H. (1632-1633 A.D.) for Adam Zihrun bar Sharat. Code Sabéen 3, also known as MS Paris C: Ginza copied at Howaiza, in 1091 A.H. (1680 A.D.). The first half of the first part was copied (except for a few pages) by Ram Yuhana bar Hawa. The second half of the first part was copied by Yahÿa Adam bar Rabbai Bakhtiar Bulbul. The second part was copied for Ram Yuhana bar Hawa, by Yahya Sam bar Bihram. Code Sabéen 4 (PDF), also known as MS Paris D: Ginza copied at a location on the Shamaniya Canal, for Abdallah or Bihram, son of Anhara. There appears to have been many copyists. The introductory formula has the name Bihram bar Simath. In the colophon of the first part and the second part, Yahya Bihram, son of Adam Yuhana, names himself expressly as the copyist of the manuscript. The date is unclear, but is sometime in the early 1700s. The colophon of the first part mentions the date 1100 A.H. Matthias Norberg's Mandaic transcription and Latin translation of the Ginza was primarily based on this manuscript. Code Sabéen 5 (PDF): Prayers, many of which are also found in the Left Ginza. Code Sabéen 6-7 (PDF): Ginza copied from MS Colbert 1715 by L. Picques in 1683 A.D. The notes are originally from MS Colbert 382.