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Diwan Abatur

The Diwan Abatur (Scroll of Abatur) is a Mandaean religious text, a large illustrated scroll over 20 feet long, describing the regions the soul ascends through after death.|||Illustrated Mandaic scrolls, over 20 feet long. The Drower Collection and other collections.|||Composed in the Islamic period, though based on earlier traditions.|||Canonical in Mandaeism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.|||Describes the progress of the soul through the purgatories (matarata) and the regions of the afterlife. Important for understanding Mandaean eschatology and ritual.|||Drower, E. S. Diwan Abatur, or Progress Through the Purgatories. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, 1950.|||Diwan Abatur — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scroll_of_Abatur|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" The soul ascends through the regions, and at each gate it is examined." — Diwan Abatur (paraphrase)

Collection: Mandaean & Manichaean Canon: varies

Canon Status

Canonical in Mandaeism. Not recognized by any other religious tradition.

Date & Provenance

Composed in the Islamic period, though based on earlier traditions.

Language & Manuscripts

Illustrated Mandaic scrolls, over 20 feet long. The Drower Collection and other collections.

Why It Matters for Study

Describes the progress of the soul through the purgatories (matarata) and the regions of the afterlife. Important for understanding Mandaean eschatology and ritual.

" The soul ascends through the regions, and at each gate it is examined." — Diwan Abatur (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " The soul ascends through the regions, and at each gate it is examined." — Diwan Abatur (paraphrase) " The soul ascends through the regions, and at each gate it is examined." — Diwan Abatur (paraphrase)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Drower, E. S. Diwan Abatur, or Progress Through the Purgatories. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, 1950.
Diwan Abatur — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scroll_of_Abatur|Background and scholarly discussion.
" The soul ascends through the regions, and at each gate it is examined." — Diwan Abatur (paraphrase)