The Mandaic Magic Scroll Zarazta ḏ-Hibil Ziua A Possible Scenario of Literary Evolution

Abstract

This paper deals with different textual versions of the important Mandaic magic scroll called Zarazta ḏ-Hibil Ziua. There are around thirteen manuscripts in different Western collections that attest to the text of this talisman. These manuscripts reveal great diversity. The general textual scope and literary structure of each manuscript are investigated. This allows an initial grouping of the texts into several text-types. The textual groupings are evaluated in light of various sorts of meta-textual data: the headings of the manuscripts, editorial comments, and colophons. As a result, a working hypothesis about the possible relationship among different texts-types and the possible literary evolution of the work is suggested.