Shamish
{{Short description|Sun in Mandaeism}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Mandaean
| name = Shamish
| deity_of =
| member_of = the Seven Planets
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| hiro =
| affiliation = Yawar Ziwa, Simat Hayyi, Yurba
| cult_center =
| abode = World of Darkness
| planet = Sun
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| equivalent1_type = Akkadian
| equivalent1 = Shamash (Utu)
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}}
{{Mandaeism}}
In Mandaeism, Shamish or Šamiš ({{langx|myz|ࡔࡀࡌࡉࡔ}}) is the Mandaic name for the Sun.Müller-Kessler, Christa (2018). "Šamaš, Sîn (Sahra, Sira), Delibat (Ištar, al-‘Uzzā), und Kēwān (Kajjamānu) in den frühen mandäischen magischen Texten und bei ihren Nachbarn. Eine Bestandsaufnahme." ISIMU 20/21: 259–295. Shamish is one of the seven classical planets ({{langx|myz|ࡔࡅࡁࡀ|translit=šuba|lit=The Seven}}), who are part of the entourage of Ruha in the World of Darkness.{{cite thesis|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1444088/|last=Aldihisi|first=Sabah|year=2008|title=The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba|type=PhD|publisher=University College London}}{{cite book |url=https://livingwaterbooks.com.au/product/ginza-rba/ |last1=Gelbert |first1=Carlos |title=Ginza Rba |year=2011 |publisher=Living Water Books |location=Sydney |isbn=9780958034630}}
Etymology
Shamish's name is derived from š-m-š, the Semitic root for 'sun'. Shamish is also cognate with the Akkadian Šamaš.{{cite book|last=Bhayro|first=Siam|title=Cosmology in Mandaean Texts|publisher=Brill|date=2020-02-10|url=https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004400566/BP000051.xml|access-date=2021-09-03|pages=572–579|doi=10.1163/9789004400566_046}}
Associations and comparisons
Shamish is associated with the uthras Yawar-Ziwa (Dazzling Light) and Simat-Hiia (Treasure of Life). He is also identified with the uthra Yurba, who is described in detail in chapter 52 of the Mandaean Book of John.{{cite book|last1=Gelbert|first1=Carlos|url=https://livingwaterbooks.com.au/product/john-the-baptist/|title=The Teachings of the Mandaean John the Baptist|isbn=9780958034678|location=Fairfield, NSW, Australia|publisher=Living Water Books|year=2017|oclc=1000148487}}
In the Right Ginza, the Yazuqaeans (i.e., Zoroastrians) are associated with Shamish, an allusion to Mithra.{{cite journal|title=Manichaeans (Marmanaiia), Zoroastrians (Iazuqaiia), Jews, Christians and Other Heretics: A Study in the Redaction of Mandaic Texts|last=Shapira|first=Dan D.Y.|journal=Le Muséon|volume=117|issue=3-4|date=2004|page=243-280|doi=10.2143/MUS.117.3.516929|url=https://poj.peeters-leuven.be/secure/POJ/downloadpdf.php?ticket_id=60d8fdd28336c|url-access=subscription}}
According to Iraqi-American poet Lamia Abbas Amara, "[Mandaean] priests have long beards and never cut their hair because they wish to look like Šamiš, the sun. Power resides in hair, like the sun’s rays."{{cite book|last=Buckley|first=Jorunn Jacobsen|title=The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people|publisher=Oxford University Press|publication-place=New York|year=2002|isbn=0-19-515385-5|oclc=65198443}}{{rp|33}}
Shamish is also associated with the false deity Adunai (derived from Hebrew Adonai).{{cite book|last=Bhayro|first=Siam|title=Cosmology in Mandaean Texts|publisher=Brill|date=2020-02-10|url=https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004400566/BP000051.xml|access-date=2021-09-03|pages=572–579|doi=10.1163/9789004400566_046}} As a result, Mandaean scriptures contain exhortations for Mandaeans not to worship Shamish.
References
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