Nsab

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Nṣab
Other namesNṣab Rba
Nṣab Ziwa
AbodeWorld of Light
Personal information
Parents
ConsortAnan-Nṣab

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.
  3. ^ a b Drower, E. S. (1959). The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Leiden: E. J. Brill.
  4. ^ Gelbert, Carlos (2017). The Teachings of the Mandaean John the Baptist. Fairfield, NSW, Australia: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034678. OCLC 1000148487.