| Type: | Mandaean |
| ʿNbu | |
| Member Of: | the Seven Planets |
| Other Names: | Maqurpiil, Mšiha, ʿaṭarid |
| Affiliation: | Jesus and Christianity scribes and Dinanukht |
| Cult Centre: | --> |
| Abode: | World of Darkness |
| Planet: | Mercury |
| Weapons: | --> |
| Artefacts: | --> |
| Parents: | Ruha and Ur |
| Equivalent1 Type: | Akkadian |
| Equivalent1: | Nabu |
In Mandaeism, ʿNbu (myz|ࡏࡍࡁࡅ), Nbu, or Enbu is the Mandaic name for the planet Mercury. Nbu is one of the seven planets (myz|ࡔࡅࡁࡀ|translit=šuba|lit=The Seven), who are part of the entourage of Ruha in the World of Darkness.[1] This name was borrowed from the Mesopotamian god called Nabu.[2]
Nbu is associated with learning and scribes, as well as Jesus and Christianity. For example, in Qulasta prayer 210 and Right Ginza 1.4,[3] Nbu is described as "learned and wise" (myz|ࡎࡀࡐࡓࡀ ࡅࡄࡀࡊࡉࡌࡀ|translit=sapra u-hakima).[4] [5] Other names for Nbu include Maqurpiil, Mšiha (i.e., Jesus the Messiah), and ʿaṭarid (of Arabic origin). Nbu's name is derived from the Akkadian Nabû.[6]
Buckley (2010) suggests a connection between Dinanukht and Nbu. For instance, in the Zrazta ḏ-Hibil Ziwa (Drower Collection Ms. 44), Nbu is the Lord of Books, Ink, and Wisdom. Similarly, Dinanukht is called the "ink-book of the gods" (Mandaic: [7]) in Right Ginza 6.[8]
