The Left Ginza is one of the two parts of the Ginza Rabba, the longest and the most important holy scripture of Mandaeism. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the Right Ginza.
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007), are provided below. Translated excerpts are from Gelbert (2011), while Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021).
Book 1
Book 1 is a four-part prose text on the salvation process, beginning with the ascension to heaven of Seth, in advance of his father Adam (compare Sethian Gnosticism). Chapter 1.1 is about Adam and his three sons. One of Adam's sons, Sheetil (Seth), volunteers to die before his father. 49 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The chapter begins with the opening lines: Who are the mountains that do not shake (), and the heavens of waters that do not change ()? Chapter 1.2 continues the story of Adam after his soul is cast into a material body. 80 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). 80 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). Chapter 1.3 is about Hawa (Eve) mourning the death of her husband and her encounters with the uthras. It also describes the death of Hawa. 58 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). Chapter 1.4 is a detailed description of the masiqta and the maṭarta (stations) that lie between Earth and the World of Light. 43 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011).
Book 2
Book 2, poetic, comprises 28 hymns.
All of the hymns in Book 2 of the Left Ginza, in which the mana laments that it has been cast into the physical world, begin with the following refrain:
Since Mandaean priestly commentary texts often refer to hymns and prayers by their opening lines, the opening lines of each of the 28 hymns in the book are provided below. The English translations below are from Gelbert (2011), while the Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021). Many of the opening lines are repeated but with the individual words ordered differently; in such cases, both versions are provided and are separated by semicolons.
Who has let me dwell in the Tibil? /
Who has thrown me into the (place) of secrets and winks? /
Who has thrown me into the misery of the worlds? /
Who took me out of my treasure-house? /
A son of great radiance, a son of the lustrous glory /
I am confirmed through the goodness of my Father /
Who threw me into the misfortune of the angels? /
I went away in order to come into the world. /
Why did my appearance change? /
From Thee, my Father, I am learning /
Who has let me dwell in the bodily vestment? /
They went and brought me into the Tibil. /
Who brought me here? /
Into this world they sent him /
Arise, go the house of the Seven! /
In the reliable treasure he sits /
There is no treachery or cunning in him /
Who brought me out of the house of the Life? /
There is (something) in me from the treasure of the Life. /
I lived among the hidden fosterers. /
When did they take me into captivity /
I was in the hidden treasure-house /
Who has planted me, sent me away /
They brought me out of the house of the Great (Life) / ; I have come in order to raise the stem on high / Who brought me away from my place? / Here I stayed with the generations. / Who brought me away from my place? / Who brought me away from my place? /
Book 3
Book 3, poetic, comprises 62 hymns, several of which are identical to or based on prayers in the Qolasta. Poems in Book 3 poetically describe the masiqta (ascension) of the soul to World of Light. They typically describe the soul (nišimta) being taken out of the ʿuṣṭuna, or "bodily trunk," and being guided by uthras through the matartas and past Ruha and the Seven Planets, as well as being taken up by the right hand into the World of Light and clothed in radiant garments of light.
Since Mandaean priestly commentary texts often refer to hymns and prayers by their the opening lines, the opening lines of each of the 62 hymns in the book are provided below. The English translations below are from Gelbert (2011), while the Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021).