Tibil

In Mandaean cosmology, Tibil (Classical Mandaic: ࡕࡉࡁࡉࡋ) or occasionally Arqa ḏ-Tibil (lit. "Tibil-Earth")[1] is the Earth (World) or earthly middle realm. It is separated from the World of Light (alma ḏ-nhūra) above and the World of Darkness (alma ḏ-hšuka) below by ayar (aether).[2]

To reach the World of Light (alma ḏ-nhūra) from Tibil, Mandaeans believe that need they to establish laufa (connection, union) to be reunited with the World of Light. The laufa is re-created and reconfirmed by priests through rituals such as maṣbuta (baptism). Upon death, priests must perform masiqta rituals to help the departed soul successfully navigate from Tibil through the various maṭarta (watch-stations) that lie in between, in order to reach the World of Light.[3]

Etymology

Häberl (2022) considers Tibil to be a borrowing from Hebrew tebel (Hebrew: תֵבֵל).[4]

See also

• Gaia
• Midgard in Norse mythology
• Middle-earth in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels
• Ki (goddess) in Mesopotamian mythology

References

1. Nasoraia, Brikha H.S. (2021). The Mandaean gnostic religion: worship practice and deep thought. New Delhi: Sterling. ISBN 978-81-950824-1-4. OCLC 1272858968.
2. Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.
3. Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
4. Häberl, Charles (2022). The Book of Kings and the Explanations of This World: A Universal History from the Late Sasanian Empire. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-80085-627-1.