Ahura Mazda

“In the beginning, there were two spirits — twins — one Good, one Evil. In thought, word, and deed they are two. Choose rightly between them.” — Yasna 30:3

Lore: Ahura Mazda (“Wise Lord”) is the uncreated, eternal, omniscient creator of all good things in Zoroastrianism (Yasna 28-34, 43-51, 53). He exists outside of time, created the material world as a trap for evil, and will ultimately triumph over Angra Mainyu in the final renovation (Frashokereti). He does NOT create evil — evil is a separate, uncreated principle. This is the single most important theological export from Zoroastrianism: the concept of one supreme, wholly good God opposed by a wholly evil adversary. Before the exile, YHWH was described as the source of both good and evil (Isaiah 45:7: “I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil”). After the exile, evil was increasingly attributed to a separate being — Satan. Ahura Mazda is the template.

Parallel: → YHWH / God. The concept of a supreme, entirely good deity who is opposed by (but will ultimately defeat) a personal evil being came directly from Zoroastrian theology into post-exilic Judaism. This influence extended to Islamic angelology and demonology as well, which drew from both Jewish and Christian sources informed by Zoroastrian concepts.