Uthra

An uthra or ʿutra (Classical Mandaic: ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ‎) is a "divine messenger of the light" in Mandaeism.[1] Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath translate it as "excellency".[2] Jorunn J. Buckley defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utras (sing.: 'utra 'wealth', but meaning 'angel' or 'guardian')."[3] Aldihisi (2008) compares them to the yazata of Zoroastrianism.[4]

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Uthras are benevolent beings that live in škinas (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡊࡉࡍࡀ‎, celestial dwellings) in the World of Light (alma d-nhūra) and communicate with each other via telepathy.[4]

Etymology

Uthra is typically considered to be cognate with Aramaic ʿuṯrā ‘riches’, derived from the Proto-Semitic triconsonantal root *w-t-r ‘to exceed’.[5] Based on this etymology, E. S. Drower suggests a parallel with the South Arabian storm god Athtar, who provides irrigation for the people.[4] However, this etymology is disputed by Häberl (2017).[5]

List of uthras

Below is a partial list of uthras. Some names of uthras are always listed together as pairs.

Other uthras mentioned in the Ginza Rabba are:[6][7]

  • Barbag
  • Bhaq Ziwa – uthra; also Abatur
  • Bhir
  • Bihram – uthra of baptism
  • Bihrun – 'the Life chose me'
  • Din Mlikh – uthra who appears in the revelation of Dinanukht
  • Gubran and Guban
  • Ham Ziwa and Nhur Ziwa
  • Kapan and Kanpan
  • Nbaṭ (Classical Mandaic: ࡍࡁࡀࡈ‎, lit. 'Sprout') – the King of Air, the first great Radiance
  • Nṣab (Classical Mandaic: ࡍࡑࡀࡁ‎, lit. 'Plant') – also called Nṣab Rabba and Nṣab Ziwa. Son of Yushamin.
  • Nbaz Haila
  • Nurʿil and Nuriaʿil
  • Pihthath and Nihrath
  • Piriawis Yardna – also a heavenly stream and personified vine
  • Rahziʿil
  • Sam Smir Ziwa – one of the Twelve
  • Ṣaureil (Ṣaurʿil)
  • Shar Gufna
  • Shar Ziwa – uthra, refers to the great vine; also Hibil Ziwa
  • Shihlun
  • Simat Hayyi - treasure of life; typically considered to be the wife of the uthra Yawar Ziwa
  • Smir Ziwa – pure first Radiance
  • Tar and Tarwan (Sar and Sarwan)
  • Taureil (Taurʿil)
  • ʿUrpʿil and Marpʿil
  • Yasana
  • Yathrun – father of Shilmai
  • Yawar – Helper
  • Yawar Ziwa – Dazzling Radiance, also known as Yawar Kasia or Yawar Rabba; husband of Simat Hayyi
  • Yufin and Yufafin (Yupin and Yupapin)
  • Yukhabr (Yukabar)
  • Yukhashr – source of Radiance
  • Yura (Yur, = jewel)
  • Yurba – also called the fighter
  • Yusmir
  • Zarzeil Ziwa (Zarzʿil Ziwa)
  • Zhir

Uthras often have the term Ziwa / Ziua (Classical Mandaic: ࡆࡉࡅࡀ‎, meaning 'Radiance') attached after their names, due to their origins from the World of Light.

See also

References
  1. "Mandaean Scriptures and Fragments".
  2. Häberl, Charles G.; McGrath, James F. (2019). The Mandaean Book of John: Text and Translation (PDF). Open Access Version. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter.
  3. Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443. p8
  4. Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.
  5. Häberl, Charles G. (Spring 2017). "The Origin and Meaning of Mandaic". Journal of Semitic Studies. Oxford University Press. 62 (1). doi:10.1093/jss/fg?000.
  6. "Glossary". Ginza Rabba: The Great Treasure. An equivalent translation of the Mandaean Holy Book. Translated by Al-Saadi, Qais Mughashghash; Al-Saadi, Hamed Mughashghash (2 ed.). Drabsha. 2019.
  7. Ginza Rba. Translated by Gelbert, Carlos. Sydney: Living Water Books. 2011. ISBN 9780958034630.
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