ASUTA
The Journal for the Study and Research into the
Mandaean Culture, Religion, and Language.
Volume 4 Special Issue Online edition
The Pre-Christian Nasoraeans
The Mandaeans
RESEARCH DONE BY AJAE COPYRIGHT 2000
Introduction
From about 200 AD to 400 BC there existed a variety of baptizing sects located from Palestine to the other side of the Jordan, on up into Syria and east into Northern Iraq areas. These baptizing groups were known by a variety of names: Essenes (Ossaeans) Samataritans, Hermobaptists (Daily Bathers), Masbuthaeans (Bamothaeans), Nazoraeans (Nasoraeans, Nasaraeans, Naassenes) Ebonite’s, Sampsaeans (Sabaeans) Elchasaites are among the better known names. In addition each one of the sects mentioned above also had many variations that existed at the same time.
These sects were similar one to another in terms of theology or appearance. These sects would have been confusing to an observer as to just which sect was which. Add the notion of secrecy that many of these sects maintained and it is easy to see how information on these sects could be corrupted or misunderstood. Finally add to this the final element, the drive for early Christian authors to declare all mainstream or non-Christian sects heresies..
These sects were everywhere and numerous in population figures. They existed in many towns and countries, in and around other religious sects as well as in small communities all by themselves. They showed the spectrum from fanatical zealots to more mainstream common folk. Most of these sects had disappeared by the 4th century AD, but we are fortunate enough to have today one sect left the Mandaeans. The Mandaeans still refer to their priest class as Nasurai—Nasoraeans. Their baptismal rituals have remained basically unchanged for the last 2000 years and serve as a vital link to these ancient “baptismal” sects.
Now one can see how easy it is to have many names and descriptions of the same theological base. All of these groups came from the same soup base and took on many branches. But what was that soup base? That soup base contains much of the ideas that is found today in the theology of the Mandaeans. The purpose of this article is to show the line from the Mandaeans today back to that soup base known as the Pre-Christian Nasoraeans.
The idea that the Mandaeans are the Pre-Christian Nasoraeans is supported by a variety of scholars. Macuch in his study Anflange der Mandaer pointed to the pre-Christian Nasoraeans as the group the Mandaeans originated from. (1) Lidzbarski goes as far to suggest that the gospels placed the childhood home of Jesus at Nazareth to explain the tradition that he was a Nasurai, of the Mandaeans. (2) The Mandaeans, according to Dan Cohn-Sherbok, are one of the minim. And of course the early Christians, known as Nasoraeans, are known also to be the minim. (3) Drower writes that the Mandaeans are still called the Nasurai, as one who is skilled in the art of religion. (4) Drower also writes:
“early Nasiruta or Ur Mandaismus to use the convenient German expression was originally a sect which flourish in Judea and Samaria ….” (5)
Rudolph maintains that there is a relationship between the Mandaean literature and the Gospel of John in the Bible. He also states:
“…The ultimately Jewish origins of the Mandaeans or the Nasoraean sect can not however be denied…” (6)
Outline
Introduction
The Nasurai of the Mandaeans
Kaftir Inscription
Mani
Nasoraeans
Sabians- Elchasaites
Naassenes
Conclusion
References
