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

Mani

In the Mandaean text, the Ginza Rba, we find the words “Mar Mani” (Lord Mani) and in the Coptic Manichaean Kephalaia contains some arguments with the Nasoraeans. Mani was influenced by the Mandaeans and used Mandaean material in the creation of his religion. Säve-Söderberg showed how sections of the Ginza Left Side (in particular the mastiqta texts) were used. Proof of this was found in the Coptic Gospel of Thomas--Thomas was the first disciple to Mani. It is regarded that Thomas was in contact with the Mandaeans sometime before his visit to Judea. (17)

In his remarkable comparative analysis--Säve-Söderberg demonstrated that the Psalms of Thomas were almost translations of Mandaean texts:

“ "It is interesting that this comparative analysis not only demonstrates the pre-Manichaean date of nearly all the motives connected with the massiqta especially in the form in which we find them in the Left Ginza I and II--books which have been supposedly to belong to the older straits of Mandaean literature---but also many other passages as e.g. the parables used in a paranesis (paranesis) which would otherwise to be very difficult to date from their content only" (18)

For example: Säve-Söderberg compared the Manichaean Pslam of Thomas VI to the Mandaean text (Mandäische Liturgien) #66. The Coptic text is very fragmented but the first two disticha are well preserve and demonstrate the connection between the two text materials. (19)
 

The Mandaean Text reads:

“I am lying (there), wrapped up in a robe without fault. In a robe without fault, wherein there is no warning or diminution." (20)

The Manichaean Psalm is:

“I was clothed, standing in a robe without spot. A robe with out spot, wherein there was no warning or diminution ever." (21)

It is also said that Mani’s father belonged at some time to the Mandaean sect.  Muhammad ‘ibn Ishaq ‘ibn ‘al-Nadim (D. 995 AD) wrote about a baptizing sect that he calls Sabat al-bata’ih—the Sabians of the Marshes. He also calls them informally al- Mughasilah “the Baptists” or “ones who wash themselves”. There is no doubt that these people are the Mandaeans. ‘Ibn al-Nadim ties Mani the founder of Manichaeism to them. He writes that Mani’s father, Futtaq, belonged to the al-Mughasilah before the birth of Mani. (22)

Next
Nasoraeans

Outline
Introduction
The Nasurai of the Mandaeans
Kaftir Inscription
Mani
Nasoraeans
Sabians- Elchasaites
Naassenes
Conclusion
References