Mobad
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Zoroastrianism / Mazdaism |
| Angels and Demons |
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Overview of the Angels |
| Scripture and Worship |
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Avesta · Gathas |
| Accounts and Legends |
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Dēnkard · Bundahišn |
| History and Culture |
| Adherents |
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Parsis · Iranis |
| See Also |
A mobed or mobad is a Zoroastrian cleric of a particular rank. Unlike a herbad (ervad), a mobed is qualified to serve as celebrant priest at the Yasna ceremony. A mobed is also qualified to train other priests.
In general (lay) use, the term is also used as an honorific to denote any priest, of any rank. For instance, Hormizd I appointed Kartir moabadan-moabad, which is frequently translated as 'priest of priests', but more precisely indicates 'high priest of high priests'.
The term 'mobed' is a contraction of Middle Persian magu-pati, the first half of the expression apparently deriving from Avestan maga- or magu- (of uncertain meaning), and with Avestan -paiti meaning "master" or "teacher". Through Old Persian magush and Ancient Greek magos, Old Iranian magu- is also identified as the origin of the Latin word magus, a "magian". Through the Greek adjective magikos and Old French magique, 'mobed' is distantly related to the English language word "magic".
