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. S�ve-S�derberg 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--S�ve-S�derberg 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: S�ve-S�derberg compared the Manichaean Pslam of Thomas VI to the Mandaean text (Mand�ische 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