In Mandaeism, Ptahil (), also known as Ptahil-Uthra (uthra, "angel, guardian"),[ is an uthra (celestial being). As the Fourth Life, he is the third of three emanations from the First Life (Hayyi Rabbi), after Yushamin and Abatur. Ptahil is often described as the Mandaean version of the demiurge.]
Etymology
Matthias Norberg believed the name Ptahil to be composed of Aramaic פתאה and עיל, therefore meaning "God opened", although the verb can also mean "create" in Mandaic, but not in other Aramaic languages.[Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen. 2002. The Mandaeans: Ancient Texts and Modern People. Oxford: Oxford University Press]
The name Ptḥiʾl () is found in the Jewish text Sefer HaRazim, where he is listed among other angels who stand on the ninth step of the second firmament.
Parentage
As the Fourth Life, Ptahil is considered to be the son of Abatur, the Third Life.[ However, in some versions of the narrative, Ptahil originated as the son of the saviour uthra Hibil Ziwa, who inhabits the World of Light, and Zahreil ().]
In the Mandaean Book of John, the uthra Yukašar is portrayed as the son of Ptahil.
Role
Ptahil is identified with Gabriel and creates the poorly made material world with the help of Ruha, a sinful and fallen female ruler who inhabits the World of Darkness, but cannot provide man with a soul,[Drower, Ethel Stefana. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press, 1937] since she represents the ambivalent "spirit" element rather than the light-world "soul" element.[ According to Brikha Nasoraia, the creation of the material world Tibil occurs by Hayyi Rabbi's command, but is delegated to a subservient emanation or uthra Ptahil with the assistance of Gabriel and others.]
See also
