Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8559)
Charles George Haberl (Project Director: December 2011 to June 2016)
James Frank McGrath (Co Project Director: December 2011 to June 2016)
RQ-50649-12
Scholarly Editions and Translations
Research Programs
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[Grant products]
Totals:
$100,000 (approved)
$100,000 (awarded)
Grant period:
10/1/2012 – 9/30/2015
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The Mandaean Book of John: Critical Edition, Translation and Commentary
The preparation for publication of a print and online critical edition and translation of the Mandaean Book of John, a central ancient text of the only Gnostic group to survive from antiquity. (24 months)
The Book of John is one of two central texts of the Mandaean religion, and yet it has never been translated into English in its entirety. The Mandaeans are the only Gnostic group from the ancient world to have survived until the present day, and their texts are the only Gnostic texts composed solely in a Semitic language (Mandaic is a dialect of Aramaic). The Book of John mentions figures from Judaism such as Adam, Seth and Moses, as well as figures central to early Christian writings, such as Jesus and John the Baptist. The proposed project will produce a critical edition of the Mandaic text typeset in Mandaic font, together with an English translation and commentary. Our work will provide an invaluable resource to scholars studying the Mandaeans, other Gnostic groups and their literature, ancient Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as the Mandaeans themselves, as they increasingly struggle to preserve their heritage in an English-speaking Diaspora.
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