Manda (Mandaeism)

On the basis of cognates in other Aramaic dialects, Semiticists such as Mark Lidzbarski and Rudolf Macúch have translated the term manda as "knowledge" (cf. mandaʻ in Dan. 2:21, 4:31, 33, 5:12; cf. maddaʻ, with characteristic assimilation of /n/ to the following consonant, medial -nd-, hence becoming -dd-). In his 1965 Mandaic handbook, Macúch suggests that due to the special religious use of the word, -n- was added in order to make it unique from other words with the same root. ==Derived terms==

Mandaeism ('having knowledge') comes from the Mandaic word manda, meaning "knowledge". Mandaean priests formally refer to themselves as Naṣuraia (Nasoraeans), meaning guardians or possessors of secret rites and knowledge. Mandaia (; plural: Mandaiia ) is a Mandaic term that refers to a Mandaean layperson, as opposed to a Naṣuraia (Mandaean priest). The beth manda (), also called a mandi, is a Mandaean building that serves as a community center and place of worship. The name of the uthra Manda d-Hayyi literally means the manda (gnosis) of Hayyi Rabbi ("The Life"). Manda d-Hayyi is one of the important uthras in Mandaeism, since he revealed himself to John the Baptist and took his soul to the World of Light. ==See also==