Yahya Bihram

Yahya Bihram (also spelled Yahia Bihram; , ) was a 19th-century Mandaean priest. Although initially a learned layman (yalufa), he became known for reviving the Mandaean priesthood after a cholera epidemic had killed all living Mandaean priests in 1831. He is mentioned in the colophons of various Mandaean manuscripts.

Early life Yahya Bihram was born around 1811 In Suq eš-Šuyuk, Yahya Bihram and the Mandaean community endured persecution under the local tribal chieftain Thamir ibn Ghadban during the reign of Ottoman ruler Abdülmecid I, as they underwent forced circumcisions, robberies, murders, and starvation.

DC 35, The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa (MHZ): copied in 1831 DC 24, Scroll of the Parwanaya: copied in 1832 at his sister's son's house, in Muhammerah (now Khorramshahr) RRC 4G, Mandaean Book of John, copied in 1832–1833 DC 47, Pišra ḏ-Šambra "A Phylactery for Rue", copied in 1833 DC 43, The Poor Priest’s Treasury, copied in 1853 Strasbourg MS 3.978: copied for Julius Heinrich Petermann in 1853–1854 DC 28, Pišra ḏ-Bit Mišqal Ainia "The Exorcism of ‘I sought to lift my eyes’": copied in 1855 together with Ram Zihrun, probably in Amarah DC 37, "The Exorcism of the Great Overthrower": copied in 1861 DC 50, "Scroll of the Great Baptism": copied in 1867 Code Sabéen 4 (Paris Ms. D)