Yurba

Yurba
Yurba
Other names	Jōrabba
Affiliation	Shamish, Adonai, Yao
Abode	World of Light
Texts	Mandaean Book of John chapter 52

In Mandaeism, Yurba or Yorabba^[1] (Classical Mandaic: ࡉࡅࡓࡁࡀ, romanized: Iurba) is an uthra (angelic or celestial being). Lidzbarski (1905, 1920) spells his name as spelled Jōrabba. Yurba, who is also called the fighter, is identified with Shamish, the sun.^[2] In Mandaean texts, Yurba is often mentioned as engaging in conversation with Ruha.^[3] Gelbert (2013) also suggests that Yurba alludes to the historical Rabbula, a 5th-century bishop of Edessa.^[1]

Book 18 of the Right Ginza equates Yurba with Adonai of Judaism, while Gelbert (2017) identifies Yurba with Yao.^[4] He is mentioned in Right Ginza 3, 5.3 (which mentions Yurba as a matarta guardian), 8, 12.1, 15.5, and 18 and Left Ginza 2.22 and 3.45.^[3] Mandaean Book of John chapter 52 is a narrative dedicated to Yurba.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b Gelbert, Carlos (2013). The Mandaeans and the Christians in the time of Jesus Christ: enemies from the first days of the church. Fairfield, N.S.W.: Living Water Books. ISBN 978-0-9580346-4-7. OCLC 853508149.
^ Haberl, Charles and McGrath, James (2020). The Mandaean Book of John: critical edition, translation, and commentary. Berlin: De Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-048651-3. OCLC 1129155601.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ ^a ^b Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.
^ ^a ^b Gelbert, Carlos (2017). The Teachings of the Mandaean John the Baptist. Fairfield, NSW, Australia: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034678. OCLC 1000148487.