Nsab
Uthra in Mandaeism
- Yushamin (father)
In Mandaeism, Nṣab (Classical Mandaic: ࡍࡑࡀࡁ, lit. 'Plant') is an uthra (angel or guardian). He is also called Nṣab Rba ("the Great Nṣab") or Nṣab Ziwa ("the Radiant Nṣab" or "Splendid Plant"[1]). Nṣab and Anan-Nṣab ('cloud of Nṣab', a female consort) are frequently mentioned together as a pair in the Right Ginza and Qolasta.[2][3]
In the Mandaean Book of John
In chapters 3 to 10 of the Mandaean Book of John, Nṣab is a son of Yushamin.[4]
In the fourth chapter, Nṣab Ziwa (Classical Mandaic: ࡍࡑࡀࡁ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, lit. 'Splendid Plant') admonishes his father Yushamin over his rebellion.[1]
The eighth chapter gives an account of Nṣab bringing a petition for forgiveness for Yushamin to the King of Light (malka ḏ-nhura), who accepts it against the wishes of Manda d-Hayyi, and cautions the latter for hating Yushamin for refusing him a wife. The ninth is a dialogue between Yushamin, Manda d-Hayyi and Nṣab; the tenth is a monologue by Yushamin.[1]
In other Mandaean scriptures
Nṣab is mentioned in chapters 8 and 17.1 of the Right Ginza.[2] He is also mentioned in Qolasta prayers 25, 71, 105, 145, 168, 186, 353, and 379.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Häberl, Charles G.; McGrath, James F. (2019). The Mandaean Book of John: Text and Translation (PDF). Open Access Version. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter.
- ^ a b Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.
- ^ a b Drower, E. S. (1959). The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Leiden: E. J. Brill.
- ^ Gelbert, Carlos (2017). The Teachings of the Mandaean John the Baptist. Fairfield, NSW, Australia: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034678. OCLC 1000148487.
