Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡉࡋࡌࡀࡉ) or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra (angel or guardian)[1]: 8 who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly yardna (river) in the World of Light.[2] In the Ginza Rabba and Qolasta, he is usually mentioned together with Nidbai
.
Nhar and Kbar and mentioned as the "clouds" (Mandaic: anana) of Shilmai and Nidbai in Chapter 17.1 of the Right Ginza.[3]
In the Ginza Rabba
In Chapter 5.5 (Book 7 in the Drabsha edition[4]) of the Right Ginza, The Book of Šilmai, Lord of the House, is named after Šilmai. In the same chapter and also in Book 6 of the Right Ginza, the uthra Yathrun is mentioned as the father of Shilmai.[3]
In this part of the Ginza Rabba, Shilmai is portrayed very differently from all other Mandaean texts. While most Mandaean texts portray Shilmai as a guardian uthra of the heavenly Jordan who is always paired with Nidbai, the Book of Šilmai portrays him as the "Master/Lord of the House" (i.e., Tibil) who is part of the entourage of Ruha. Meanwhile, Yathrun is an uthra at the gate of the house of the Life (i.e., the World of Light) and is referred to as "the Good."[3]
In the text, Ruha urges Shilmai to ascend to the World of Light to visit his father Yathrun. Shilmai then goes to visit Yathrun after washing his hands in
Hibil Ziwa, Shilmai is rejected by his father and is unable to enter the World of Light.[3]
