Bel the father in Mandaic texts (1)

Text
Shafta ḏ Pishra ḏ Ainia:
Bound, sealed is the Evil Eye, who weeps, wails, pours out lamentations, and says to Bel, her father: “He (= the demiurge Ptahil) gave me a portion of all, and gave me power which I might exercise, and gave me the creations that he made, earth and water.” And he said to her: “Is this the portion which Bel your father gave you, that you did come and did find three brothers standing and working, and there was no hatred, and there was beauty. And you said: ‘Why so proud? and why so virtuous?’ While as yet you had not gone forth from before them. And their reed-bundles fell apart and were broken, and you did strike them and their heads were fevered and they fell on their couches. And you went and did find two fair women, and said: ‘How fair are these lovely ones and how straight they are weaving!’ While as yet you had not gone forth from them (when) their shuttle was broken and their weft broken and their web severed and their heads became fevered and (they) fell on their couches. And you did go and did find Bel, your father, and said: ‘How beautiful is Bel, my father; his head bound with myrtle and his beard is watermint!’ While as yet you had not gone out from his presence, his tall form became bowed, his hand became stiff, he became confused in his heart and head, and fell on his couch. The heavens talked of it and the earth was telling of it and the dogs amongst the cattle open their mouths and tell of it, saying: ‘Take oil, and a righteous man shall approach him and shall rub it into the body of N. son of N. and health shall be upon the body and spirit and soul of N. son of N. Life is victorious.’”

Source (list of abbreviations)
Shafta ḏ Pishra ḏ Ainia

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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