Flowing water, which is of sublime origin and flows in streams, all of which the Mandaeans called “Jordans” (possibly an indication of the geographical origin of the Mandaean community). This alone can be used ritually, i.e., for the frequent baptisms which are a main feature of the Mandaean cult. For this reason the Mandaeans can only settle close to rivers. The expression “living water” is probably taken over from the Old Testament (see Gen. 26:19, Lev. 14:5, 50). The opposite is stagnant water and the troubled waters of the sea—see under “Turbid water.” [Hans Jonas  ]