Mandaean Book Of John Pdf 11
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The Mandaean Book of John: A Gnostic Treasure from Ancient Iraq
The Mandaean Book of John is one of the most important sources of information about the religious beliefs and practices of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic sect that still survives in Iraq and Iran. The book contains a collection of stories, hymns, prayers, and rituals related to John the Baptist, who is revered by the Mandaeans as their prophet and teacher.
In this article, we will explore some of the fascinating features of the Mandaean Book of John, such as its origins, its language, its contents, and its significance for the study of Gnosticism and early Christianity. We will also provide a link to download a free pdf version of the book's 11th chapter, which deals with the creation of the world and the fall of Adam and Eve.
What are the origins of the Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John is part of a larger corpus of Mandaean literature that dates back to the first centuries CE. The Mandaeans claim to be the descendants of the original followers of John the Baptist, who fled from Palestine to Mesopotamia after his execution by Herod Antipas. There, they preserved their distinctive religious identity and traditions in isolation from other groups.
The Mandaean Book of John was probably composed between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE, based on oral traditions that were transmitted by generations of priests. The book reflects the influence of various religious currents that were prevalent in the ancient Near East at that time, such as Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Babylonian mythology. However, the book also expresses a unique Mandaean worldview that is characterized by a dualistic cosmology, a negative view of the material world and its creator, a salvific role for John the Baptist and his baptismal rites, and a hope for a final return to the realm of light.
What language is the Mandaean Book of John written in
The Mandaean Book of John is written in Mandaic, a dialect of Aramaic that is still spoken by some Mandaeans today. Mandaic belongs to the Eastern branch of Aramaic languages, which also includes Syriac and Jewish Babylonian Aramaic. Mandaic is written in a cursive script that is derived from an ancient Aramaic alphabet.
Mandaic is a rich and complex language that has preserved many archaic features that are not found in other Aramaic dialects. It also has a large vocabulary that reflects the diverse cultural and religious influences that shaped the Mandaean community. For example, some words are borrowed from Persian, Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Hebrew. Moreover, many words have multiple meanings depending on the context and the level of interpretation.
What are some of the contents of the Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John consists of 92 chapters that vary in length and style. Some chapters are narrative, telling stories about John the Baptist and his encounters with various figures such as Jesus, Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, Simon Magus, and others. Some chapters are hymnic, praising John as the messenger of God and the revealer of truth. Some chapters are liturgical, describing rituals such as baptism, marriage, funerary rites, and exorcism. Some chapters are doctrinal,
explaining Mandaean beliefs about God, angels, demons, souls, sin,
salvation, eschatology, and ethics.
The Mandaean Book of John presents a complex and often contradictory picture
of John the Baptist. On one hand, he is portrayed as a human being who was born
from a virgin mother named Anhar (or Elizabeth) and who lived in Jerusalem
until he was 12 years old. On the other hand, he is also depicted as a divine being
who came from the world of light to reveal God's will to humanity and to initiate
the elect into his mysteries. He is sometimes called Yuhana (John), sometimes
Hibil Ziwa (the Radiant Abel), sometimes Yahia (the Living One), and sometimes
Manda d-Hiia (the Knowledge of Life).
Why is the Mandaean Book of John significant for the study of Gnosticism
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