Nbu
Planet Mercury in Mandaeism
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In Mandaeism, ʿNbu (Classical Mandaic: ࡏࡍࡁࡅ), Nbu, or Enbu is the Mandaic name for the planet Mercury. Nbu is one of the seven planets (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡅࡁࡀ, romanized: šuba, lit. 'The Seven'), who are part of the entourage of Ruha in the World of Darkness.[1][2] This name was borrowed from the Mesopotamian god called Nabu.[3]
Nbu is associated with learning and scribes, as well as Jesus and Christianity. For example, in Qulasta prayer 210 and Right Ginza 1.4,[2] Nbu is described as "learned and wise" (Classical Mandaic: ࡎࡀࡐࡓࡀ ࡅࡄࡀࡊࡉࡌࡀ, romanized: sapra u-hakima).[4][5] Other names for Nbu include Maqurpiil, Mšiha (i.e., Jesus the Messiah), and ʿaṭarid (of Arabic origin). Nbu's name is derived from the Akkadian Nabû.[6]
Buckley (2010) suggests a connection between Dinanukht and Nbu. For instance, in the Zrazta ḏ-Hibil Ziwa (Drower Collection Ms. 44), Nbu is the Lord of Books, Ink, and Wisdom. Similarly, Dinanukht is called the "ink-book of the gods" (Mandaic: spar diuta ḏ-alahia[7]) in Right Ginza 6.[8]
