Sam Ziwa
Uthra in Mandaeism
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In Mandaeism, Sam Ziwa (Classical Mandaic: ࡎࡀࡌ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, Modern Mandaic pronunciation: [ˈsɑm ˈziwa]) or Sam (Sām) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Sam Ziwa is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Shem.[1][2] He is also considered to be a guardian of the soul.[3]
| Sam Ziwa | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Sam, Sam Ziwa Dakia |
| Abode | World of Light |
| Equivalents | |
| Jewish | Shem |
Sam is also a Mandaean masculine given name (see for example Abdullah bar Sam).[4]
In some prayers of the Qulasta such as the Asut Malkia and Shumhata, he is referred to as "Sam, the pure, first-produced, beloved, and great first radiance (ziwa)" (Classical Mandaic: ࡎࡀࡌ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ ࡃࡀࡊࡉࡀ ࡁࡅࡊࡓࡀ ࡄࡀࡁࡉࡁࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ ࡒࡀࡃࡌࡀࡉࡀ, romanized: Sam Ziua dakia bukra habiba rba qadmaia, Modern Mandaic pronunciation: [ˈsɑm ˈziwa ˈdaχja ˈbʊχra haˈbiba ˈrɑbbɑ qadˈmaja]).[5] Similarly, in the opening line of Right Ginza 15.5, he is referred to as Sam Ziwa Dakia ("pure, radiant Sam").[2]
Sam Mana Smira
Sam Ziwa may be identified with Sam Mana Smira (also Smir Ziwa 'pure first Radiance', or Sam Smir Ziwa; Smir means 'preserved'), an uthra is mentioned in Qulasta prayers 9, 14, 28, 77, and 171, and Right Ginza 3 and 5.4.[6] Yawar Mana Smira and Sam Smira Ziwa are mentioned in Right Ginza 14.[2] Lidzbarski (1920) translates Sam Mana Smira as "Sām, the well-preserved Mānā."[7]
