Chapter III

Tablet 29631, Plates 15 and 16, Hymn To Adad

Obverse

1. _[ḥad-]ê(UD.DU)-a mu-zu an[-zak-ku]_ In the lightning flash thou proclaimest thy name.

2. _^dimmer Mer(IM) bi-maḥ ḥad-ê(UD.DU)-a mu-zu an[-zak-ku]_ O Adad, in the mighty thunder the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

3. _[^dimmer] Mer(IM) dumu An-na bi-maḥ ḥad-ê(UD.DU)-a mu-zu an-za[k-ku]_ O Adad, son of Anu, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

4. _ù-mu-un nì(IM)-ki-ge(KIT) bi-maḥ ḥad-ê(UD.DU)-a mu-zu an-za[k-ku]_ O lord, dread of earth, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

5. _^dimmer Mer(IM) ù-mu-un ib(TUM)-mal(IG)-la bi-maḥ ḥad-ê(UD.DU)-a mu-zu an[-zak-ku]_ O Adad, lord of great wrath, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

6. _bar(maš?)-tab-ba ù-mu-un dimmer ama-an-ki-ga bi-maḥ ḥad-ê(UD.DU)-a [mu-zu an-zak-ku]_ O twin, lord, bull-god of heaven and earth, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

7. _a-a ^dimmer Mer(IM) ù-mu-un ud-da bar-ru-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O father Adad, lord, when the light is darkened thou declarest thy name.

8. _a-a ^dimmer Mer(IM) û(UD)-gal-la bar-ru-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O father Adad, when the great day is darkened thou declarest thy name.

9. _a-a ^dimmer Mer(IM) uku(UG)-gal-la bar-ru-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O father Adad, when the great king is cut off thou declarest thy name.

10. _^dimmer Mer(IM) uku(UG) An-na bi-maḥ ḥad-ê(UD.DU)-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O Adad, king of Anu, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

11. _mu-zu kalam(UN)-ma mu-un-rù(UL)-rù(UL)-rù(UL)_ Thy name is mightily magnificent in the earth.

12. _me-lam(NE)-zu kalam(UN)-ma tug(KU)-gim im-mi-in-dul_ Thy brightness covers the land like a garment.

13. _za ḥad(PA) aka(RAM)-zu-šù(KU) kur-gal a-a ^dimmer Mu-ul-lil sag im-da-sig(PA)-gi_ The lightning of thy thunder smites the head of the great mountain, father Bêl.

14. _urša(ḤAR.DU)-zu àma(DAGAL) gal ^dimmer Nin-lil ba-e-di-ḥu-láḥ-e_ Thy thunder terrifies the great mother Belit.

15. _^dingir En-lil-li dumu-ni ^dimmer Mer(IM)-ra à(ID) mu-un-da-an-aka(RAM)_ Bêl to his son Adad measures out power.

16. _mulu dumu-mu û(UD) um-me-ši-si-si û(UD) um-me-ši-lá-lá_ Thou who art my son, the day thou didst lift up the eye, the day thou didst look!

17. _^dimmer Mer(IM)-ri û(UD) um-me-ši-si-si û(UD) um-me-ši-lá-lá_ O Adad, the day thou didst lift up the eye, the day thou didst look!

18. _û(UD) iminna-bi-meš ba-gan-tal(RI)-lá û(UD) um-me-ši-lá-lá_ During seven days thou didst blow a full blast when thou didst look.

19. _û(UD) ì(KA) di-zu-ka ḥàr(GUD)-ḥa-ra ab-ba û(UD) um-me-ši-lá-lá_ It was the day of the word of the word of thy judgment, O bull-god of the abyss, the day thou didst look.

20. _nim-gir luḥ su-ši-šù(KU) mu-ra-du-ud_ As the lightning, the messenger of terror, thou didst go.

21. _mulu dumu-mu rù(UL) gin(DU)-na-gin(DU)-na a-ba zi-gi-en te-ga(BA)_ When thou who art my son goest violently about, who can attack like thee!

Reverse

22. _ki bala ḥul gíg a-a muḥ-zu-šù(KU) a-ba za-e-gim te-ga(BA)_ The troublesome evil hostile land, O father, which is against thee; who like thee can attack!

23. _ná(DAḲ) imi tur-tur-e šú-um-me-ti a-ba za-e-gim te-ga(BA)_ The little stone of the storm do thou take! Who can attack like thee!

24. _ná(DAḲ) gal-gal-e šú-um-me-ti a-ba za-e-gim te-ga(BA)_ The large stone do thou take! Who can attack like thee!

25. _ná(DAḲ) tur-tur-zu ná(DAḲ) gal-gal-zu muḥ-ba ù-me-ám(A.AN)_ Thy little stone, thy large stone, on it (the land) it lieth!

26. _ki-bala-a zi-da-zu ù-mu-e-gul da bur(BU) su ù-mu-e-se_ The hostile land thy right hand destroys. It gives powerful bodily destruction (?)

27. _^dimmer Mer(IM)-ri dug(KA)-dug(KA)-ga a-a muḥ-na-šù(KU) geš(IZ)-ni ba-ši-in-ag_ Adad, when he speaks (to one), O father, on him he imposes his government.

28. _a-a ^dimmer Mer(IM) è(BIT)-ta ê(UD.DU)-a-ni û(UD) ì(KA) di na-nam_ Father Adad, when he comes out of the house, he fixes the day of judgment.

29. _è(BIT)-ta eri-ta ê(UD.DU)-a-ni uku(UG) ban(TUR)-da na-nam_ When he comes out of the house or out of the city, he fixes the great day.

30. _eri-ta an-na-ta gar(ŠÂ)-ra-ni û(UD) ì(KA)-ḥar-ra na-nam_ When he establishes himself out of the city out of heaven, he fixes the day of curse.

31. _... êr(A.ŠI) lim(LIB)-ma ^dimmer Mer(IM)_ ..... Hymn to Adad.

This hymn we find to be full of action. The lightning flashes in the first line, and we see at least three distinct kinds of storm placed on the scene, one succeeding the other. The thunder storm first passes over our head. We see the lightning, we hear the roar of the thunder, the earth is placed in fear, the day turns dark, the top of the mountain is smitten, the very gods themselves are terrified. Secondly comes the flood. The storm of the hour is lengthened into one of days. It becomes a deluge of judgment on the earth. The words say seven days, but in such poetic discourse seven might perhaps simply mean “many”. Finally, there is a decided change in the scene. The flood has passed away. The death-destroying hail-storm falls upon us, not simply the little hail-stones, but the great hail-stones. The day, of course, has come.

But the effects of Adad’s power so artistically set forth in this hymn are secondary, as placed beside the dignity of the god himself. The word of Adad is absolute and all-powerful. He is a god of great wrath. He is a real bull-god, of heaven and earth. He can put the heavens out of sight. He can make day as black as the darkest night. He can split the earth with his lightning. He can flood the land with water. He can pelt its inhabitants with stones. Yet in all this he consults with father Bêl.

Obverse

1. _[ḥad]-ê-a mu-zu an[-zak-ku]_ In the lightning flash thou proclaimest thy name!

_ḥad-ê-a_ is a _ḥal_-clause, consisting of noun _ḥad_, participle _ê_ and postposition _a_, and means “in the going out of the sceptre”, or freely, “in the lightning flash”. The apodosis is _mu-zu an-zak-ku_. _ḥad_ (PA) equals _ḥaṭṭu_, “sceptre” (Br. 5573). The value _ḥad_ may be of Semitic origin, but note that its cognate _ḥud_ is equal to _namûru_, “brightness” (Br. 5582), as is also _kun_, another value of PA “staff”; then PA = “a lighted torch”. _ê_ we have had as equal to _a⋅û_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 15). _ê_ is also equal to _šûpû_, “flashing” (Br. 5638). _a_ equals _ina_, “in” (Br. 11365).

_mu-zu_ means “thy name”. _mu_ equals _šumu_, “name” (Br. 1235).

_an-zak-ku_ is a verb. _an_ is an indeterminate verbal prefix. The context shows it to be of the second person (see MSL. p. XXVI). _zak-ku_ may mean “utter a decree” (Br. 6519). For example, _zak_ equals _tamîtu_, “a decree” (Br. 6493). Perhaps it could as well be a verb signifying “to decree”, or “to establish”. _ku_ also equals _tamû_, “utter” (Br. 10555), but it would be simpler to make _ku_ a phonetic complement to _zak_. It may be that we ought to read the clause: “thy name utters the decree”. But “thy name” has the usual position of the object. It is also rather awkward to regard _zak_ as an object placed between the verbal prefix and the verb.

2. _^dimmer Mer bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an[-zak-ku]_ O Adad, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

_^dimmer Mer_: this is the Sumerian name of the storm-god. _Mer_ being one of the values of the sign IMMU. The fact that the sign in some cases in this hymn (e. g. lines 15 and 17) is followed by the phonetic complement _ri_ or _ra_ shows that _Mer_ is the value intended for the name of the god. _Mer_ is probably from _imi_ changed to _immer_ and then to _Mer_ and hence, like _imi_, means “wind” and “storm”. The name _Mer_ offers no suggestion as to the origin of the Semitic names _Rammânu_ and _Addu_.

_bi-maḥ_ equals “mighty utterance”. _bi_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 13). _maḥ_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 23).

_ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ (see on line 1).

3. _[^dimmer] Mer dumu An-na bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an-sa[k-ku]_ O Adad, son of Anu, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

_dumu_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 5, _ṭu-mu_).

_An-na_, ideogram for the god of heaven, plus phonetic complement. Note that AN for the god Anu does not take the determinative god sign. Probably the omission is due to the desire to avoid the occurrence of AN twice in succession. It must have been after Adad had taken the place of Ištar in the second triad of gods that Adad was called the son of Anu. The earlier arrangement was Anu, Bêl, Ea, Sin, Šamaš and Ištar. The later order was Anu, Bêl and Ea, as rulers of the universe, and Sin, Šamaš and Adad, as rulers of heaven under the command of Anu. This new grouping was the result of a theological development. Ištar was found to be one of the planets, and, therefore, not to be classed longer along with Sin and Šamaš. Adad, the god of the atmosphere, was thought to be a personality of sufficient dignity to take the place formerly occupied by Ištar.

_bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ (see on lines 1 and 2).

4. _ù-mu-un nì-ki-ge bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an-zak[-ku]_ O lord, dread of earth, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

_ù-mu-un_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 1).

_nì-ki-ge_: _nì_ is a value of IMMU equal to _puluḥtu_, “fear” (see Hymn to Bêl, line 18). _ki_ equals _ir⋅itu_, “earth” (see Hymn to Bêl, line 9). _ge_ is a postpositive sign of the genitive (see Br. 5935.)

_bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ (see lines 1 and 2).

5. _^dimmer Mer ù-mu-un ib-mal-la bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an[-zak-ku]_ O Adad, lord of great wrath, in the mighty thunder and and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

_ib-mal-la_: _ib_ is a value of TUM equal to _agâgu_, “anger” (Br. 4954). _mal_ is a value of IḲU which is dialectic for PISANNU and also for MA.AL (see Hymn to Bêl, lines 1 and 18, and Hymn to Sin, line 2). _ìb-mal_ = “wrathful” (Br. 2242).

_bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ (see on lines 1 and 2).

6. _tab-tab-ba ù-mu-un dimmer ama-an-ki-ga bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a [mu-zu an-zak-ku]_ O twin, lord, bull-god of heaven and earth, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

_bar-tab-ba_ equals _tu’âmu_, “twin” (Br. 1896). _maš_ equals _tu’âmu_ (Br. 1811), while the cognate _bar_ equals _tappû_, “companion” (Br. 1807). _maš_, which represents the idea “cut”, is more primitive than _bar_ which represents the idea “side”. _maš_ is also equal to _mâšu_, “twin”, a Sumerian loan-word in Assyrian. _tab_ equals _tappû_ (Br. 3775). _tab_ may have been inserted, that _bar_ “companion” should be taken rather than the narrower word “twin” (Hymn to Sin, line 16). _ba_ is a phonetic complement (Br. 102 and Hymn to Bêl, line 25). Adad is called “twin” or “companion”, because he possessed a composite nature, comprising in himself the elements of several gods. The manifestations of power seen in wind and rain and in lightning and thunder, would logically lead to the conclusion that his nature was divided, or that he brought to his aid several gods endowed with powers suited to different kinds of effort. The gods that aided Adad were sometimes looked upon as birds, one of whom was the god Zû, who presided over the tempest. Zû’s mother was Siris, lady of the rain and clouds. Then there was Martu, the lord of the squall, and Barḳu, the genius of the lightning. The son of Zû was a strong bull who pastured in the meadows, bringing abundance and fertility. There was also Šûtu, the south wind. He, no doubt, was an agent of Adad’s. There is another way in which Adad may be looked upon as twin-like in his nature. He could pass suddenly from the fiercest anger to gentlest kindness. He was represented in sculpture as carrying a battle-axe. Kings invoked his aid against their enemies. In his passionate rage he destroyed everything before him. When his wrath was appeased, however, there might come the gentle breeze and the refreshing shower. The fields which he had devastated he also caused to blossom and produce fruit and grain.

_dimmer_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 2).

_ama-an-ki-ga_: _ama_ equals _rîmu_, “bull” (see Hymn to Bêl, lines 7 and 9). _an_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 18). _ki_ (see on line 4). _ga_ seems to be a postposition (see MSL. p. XVI). _ga_ might perhaps be equal to _bašû_, “being” (Br. 6109).

_bi-maḥ ḥad-e-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ (see on lines 1 and 2).

7. _a-a ^dimmer Mer ù-mu-un ud-da bar-ru-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O father Adad, lord, when the light is darkened, thou declarest thy name.

_a-a_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 3).

_ud-da_: _ud_ equals _urru_, “light” (Br. 7798, also Hymn to Sin, line 17). _da_ is a phonetic complement (see Hymn to Bêl, line 16).

_mu-zu an-zak-ku_ (see on line 1).

8. _a-a ^dimmer Mer û-gal-la bar-ru-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O father Adad, when the great day is darkened, thou declarest thy name.

_û-gal-la_: _û_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 17). _gal-la_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 14).

_bar-ru-a_: _bar_ equals _parâsu_, “cut off” (Br. 1785). The idea “cut”, however, is more usually expressed by the value _maš_ (see on line 6). _ru_, being a phonetic complement, limits us to the choice of the value _bar_ here.

9. _a-a ^dimmer Mer uku-gal-la bar-ru-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O father Adad, when the great king is cut off, thou declarest thy name.

_uku-gal-la_: _uku_ a value of UG, which is here a Babylonian sign found, for instance, in the Cyrus Cylinder, equals both _ûmu_, “day”, and _šarru_, “king” (Br. 3861 and 3862). _gal-la_ (see on line 8).

10. _^dimmer Mer uku An-na bi-maḥ ḥad-ê-a mu-zu an-zak-ku_ O Adad, king of Anu, in the mighty thunder and the lightning flash thou declarest thy name.

_^dimmer Mer_ (see on line 2). _uku_ (see MSL. 344 and on line 9).

11. _mu-zu kalam-ma mu-un-rù-rù-rù_ Thy name is mightily magnificent in the earth.

_mu-zu_ (see on line 1).

_kalam-ma_: _kalam_ as a value is related to the sign-name KALAMMU and equals _mâtu_, “land” (Br. 5914). We have already had the value _un_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 1). _ma_ is a phonetic complement (see Hymn to Bêl, line 1).

_mu-un-rù-rù-rù_: _mu-un_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 17). _rù-rù-rù_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 14). A double form like _rù-rù_ is common, but the triple form is rare, and expresses a very unusual emphasis.

12. _me-lam-zu kalam-ma tug-gim im-mi-in-dul_ The brightness covers the land like a garment.

_me-lam-zu_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 21).

_kalam-ma_ (see on line 11).

_tug-gim_: _tug_ equals _⋅ubâtu_, “clothing” (Br. 10551). _gim_ is an EK form. We have had the ES form _dim_ (Hymn to Sin, line 11).

_im-mi-in-dul_: _im_ is an indeterminate verbal prefix, but commonly used for the third person (see Br. p. 545). _mi-in_ is a verbal infix, used chiefly of the third person (MSL. pp. XXIV and XXXII). Its antecedent here is _kalam-ma_. _dul_ equals _katâmu_, “cover”, but _du_ also equals _šubtu_, “dwelling” (see Hymn to Bêl, line 14), connoting in both instances the idea “cover, shelter”.

13. _za ḥad aka-zu-šù kur-gal a-a ^dimmer Mu-ul-lil sag im-da-sig-gi_ The stone of the sceptre of thy thunder strikes the head of the great mountain, father Bêl.

_za_ equals _abnu_, “stone” (Br. 11721 and Hymn to Sin, line 18). There is another sign used more commonly than ZÂU to represent “stone”; namely, DAḲḲU.

_ḥad_ (see on line 1).

_aka-zu-šù_: _aka_ equals _ramâmu_, “roar” (Br. 4746). The meaning of RAM as _ramâmu_ seems to come through mnemonic paronomasia by way of the value _aka_ as equal to _râmu_, “love”. It is important to distinguish _ramâmu_ from _Ramman_, an Assyrian name for _Mer_ meaning “thunderer”, as well as from _ramânu_, “self”. _ramânu_ self is often a pun on _Ramman_. _zu_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 21). _šù_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 15).

_kur-gal_: _kur_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 3). _gal_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 14).

_a-a ^dimmer Mu-ul-lil_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 3). In the Hymn to Bêl (line 16), Bêl seems to be called a mountain. The thought probably is suggested by E-kur of Nippur.

14. _urša-zu àma gal ^dimmer Nin-lil ba-e-di-ḥu-laḥ-e_ Thy thunder terrifies the great mother Bêlit.

_urša_ equals _ramâmu_ (Br. 8556). _ur_ is a value of ḤAR which itself may mean _ramâmu_ (Br. 8539) and _ša_ is a value of DU which we know means _alâku_. _urša_ must mean “advancing thunder”.

_àma_ equals _ummu_, “mother”. The idea of “mother” arises out of “amplitude”, which the sign is intended pictorially to represent. _damal_ is a common value of the same sign (see Hymn to Bêl, line 10).

_gal_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 14).

_^dimmer Nin-lil_. _Nin-lil_ is the Sumerian name of Bêlit, the consort of Bêl. _Nin_ equals _Bêltu_, “lady”. _lil_ has the same meaning as in _En-lil_ or _Mul-lil_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 2). _Nin-lil_ is exactly the reverse with respect to sex of _En-lil_. Bêlit, like Bêl, had a temple at Nippur which dates back apparently to the time of the early dynasties of Ur. It was, however, simply a dim shadow of the temple of Bêl. The goddess of the divine family never achieved the popularity attained by the god, the father of the family. Besides being called _Nin-lil_, “lady of mercy” (Br. 5932), she was sometimes called _Nin-ḥar-sag_, “lady of the high mountain”, which would indicate that she dwelt with Bêl in _E-kur_, “the mountain house”. Under the name of _Nin-ḥar-sag_, Bêlit had a temple also at Girsu, one of the divisions of the town of Lagaš. _Nin-ḥar-sag_ was sometimes addressed as “the mother of the gods”.

_ba-e-di-ḥu-láḥ-e_ is a verb. _ba_ is an indeterminate verbal prefix. Here it is third person (see Hymn to Bêl, line 25). _e_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 18). _di_ is an unusual infix; it is probably used here in the interest of vowel harmony for _da_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 16). _ḥu-láḥ_ is the verb itself and is equal to _galâtu_, “frighten” (Br. 2076). On closer analysis, _ḥu_ must be a prefix of generalization; for example _ḥu_ may equal _amêlu_, “man” (Br. 2050). _láḥ_ must be the real verb; it is equal to _galâtu_ (Br. 6166). _e_ must be a vowel of prolongation. The usual phonetic complement after _láḥ_ is _ḥa_.

The fear of the lightning of Adad in this hymn is somewhat like that expressed in the Babylonian Epic of Gilgameš, Eleventh Tablet. The lord of the storm caused the heavens to rain heavily. There arose from the foundation of heaven a black cloud. The thunderbearers marched over mountain and plain, and Ninib continued pouring out rain and Adad’s violence reached to heaven. The southern blast blew hard. Like a battle-charge upon mankind the waters rushed. One could no longer see an other. The gods were dismayed at the flood. They sought refuge by ascending the highest heaven, cowering like dogs. On the battlements of heaven they crouched and Ištar screamed like a woman in travail.

15. _^dingir En-lil-li dumu-ni ^dimmer Mer-ra à mu-un-da-an-aka_ Bêl to his son Mer measures out power:

_^dingir En-lil-li_: Bêl’s name has appeared before in this hymn, but in the ES form (line 13). _^dingir En-lil_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 5). _li_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 23).

_dumu-ni_: (see on line 3). _ni_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 13).

_à_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 14) = ID.

_mu-un-da-an-aka_: _mu-un_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 17). _da-an_ is a verbal infix (MSL. pp. XXIV and XXXII). Its antecedent here is _dumu-ni_. _aka_: we have had _aka_ equal to _ramâmu_ (line 13), but here we have aka equal to _madâdu_, “measure out”. _madâdu_, “measure out”, is a pun on _madâdu_, “love” (thus MSL. p. 21).

16. _mulu dumu-mu û um-me-ši-si-si û um-me-ši-lá-lá_ Thou who art my son, the day thou didst lift up the eye, the day thou didst look!

_mulu_: The sign is the usual ideogram for “man”, but may stand for the Assyrian _ša_, as here. Note that the sign takes the value _lu_ in composition (see Hymn to Bêl, line 20).

_dumu-mu_: _dumu_ (see line 3). _mu_ is a suffix of the first person (Br. 1241). There are three pronominal _mu’s_. First, the determinate pronominal suffix mu of the first person, cognate with _ma-e_, the personal pronoun of the first person; this is the _mu_ we have here. Secondly, there is a _mu_ of _mu-un_, the indeterminate verbal prefix. _mun_ or _mu-un_ is simply this _mu_ nasalized. We have had this _mu_ quite often. Finally, there is another _mu_, an indeterminate suffix, which is related to _mu_ of _mu-un_, rather than to _mu_, the cognate of _ma-e_. This indeterminate _mu_ is found at the end of relative clauses. We shall meet it in the Hymn to Tammuz (see below).

_û_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 17).

_um-me-ši-si-si_ is a verb. _um-me_ is a indeterminate verbal prefix, but is chosen here for the second person, since _mu-un_ is so often used for the third person. _umme_ is not a very common prefix. It stands for _ume_ which is a shortened form of _umeni_. _ši_: ŠI with the value _ige_ or _ide_ we have seen equals _înu_, “eye” (see Hymn to Sin, line 16). _ši_ here, however, seems to be regarded as a part of the verbal stem and hence slips in between the prefix and the root. _si-si_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 22). The Sumerian idiom means “fill the eye”.

_um-me-ši-lá-lá_: _um-me-ši_ (just explained). _lá-lá_: _lá_ is a value of LALLU which occurs as a phonetic complement in the word _En-lil-lá_ (Hymn to Sin, line 5) also equals _našû_, “lift up” (Br. 10101).

17. _^dimmer Mer-ri û um-me-ši-si-si û um-me-ši-lá-lá_ O Adad, the day thou didst lift up the eye, the day thou didst look!

_^dimmer Mer_ (see on line 2). _ri_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 19).

_û um-me-ši-si-si û um-me-ši-lá-lá_ (see on line 16).

18. _û iminna-bi-meš ba-gan-tal-lá û um-me-ši-lá-lá_ During those seven days thou didst blow a full blast, when thou didst look.

_û_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 17).

_iminna-bi-meš_: _iminna_ is the Sumerian word for “seven”. The sign in our text consists of seven uprights, four above and three below. The Assyrian form consists of three above, three in the middle and one at the bottom. _bi_ is the demonstrative pronoun = “those” (Br. 5134 and Hymn to Sin, line 27). _meš_ is the Sumerian sign of the plural number (Br. 10470). The sign is composed of ME and EŠ and means “many”.

_ba-gan-tal-lá_: _ba_ (see on line 14); _ba_ = prefix. _gan_ is an infix here of adverbial and corroborative character (see Hymn to Bêl, line 9). _tal_ is a value of RI equal to _zâḳu_, “blow” (Br. 2581). We assume _tal_ to be the correct value because of the following LALLU = _lá_ (see on line 16).

_û um-me-ši-lá-lá_ (see line 16). This interesting statement on the flood agrees entirely with the story of the flood in the Eleventh Tablet of the Babylonian Epic of Gilgameš. The difference between the length of the Hebrew and that of the Babylonian deluge is significant. The narrative of Pirnapištim, the Babylonian Noah, is quite graphic. He represents the gods as seated weeping, their lips covered in fear. Six days and nights the wind blew. When the seventh day appeared, the storm subsided, the sea began to dry and the flood was ended. He looked upon the sea, mankind was turned to clay, corpses floated like reeds. He opened the window. He sent forth a dove which returned. He sent forth a raven, which saw the carrion on the water, ate, and wandered away, but did not return. He built an altar on the peak of the mountain and set forth vessels by sevens. The gods smelled the savour and gathered to the sacrifice, and the great goddess lifted up the rainbow which Anu had created. Those days he thought upon and forgot not.

19. _û ì di-zu-ka ḥàr-ḥa-ra ab-ba û um-me-ši-lá-lá_ It was the day of the word of thy judgment, O bull-god of the abyss, the day thou didst look.

_û_ (line 16).

_ì_ equals _amâtu_, “word” (Br. 518, see also Hymn to Sin, line 16).

_di-zu-ka_: _di_ equals _dênu_, “judgment” (Br. 9525 and Hymn to Bêl, line 7). _zu_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 21). _ka_ = _nota genitivi_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 1).

_ḥàr-ḥa-ra_ is the same as _ḥàr-ḥar-a_. _ḥàr_ is a value of GUṬṬU, meaning _ḳardu_, “heroic one” (MSL. p. 174). We have had the sign with the value _gù_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 9). _ḥa-ra_, phonetic representation of _ḥàr-a_, with the same meaning as _ḥàr_ of GUṬṬU, plus phonetic complement.

_ab-ba_: _ab_ equals _tâmtu_, “sea” (Br. 3822). The common word for “sea” is AB.ZU, written ZU.AB, meaning “sea of wisdom”, the abode of Ea, the god of wisdom. _ab_ also equals _aptu_, “abyss” (Br. 3815). _ab_, “sea”, or “abyss” is a shortened form of _a-ab_, “water enclosure”, “water space”. AB with the value _éš_ we have had (Hymn to Sin, line 10).

_û um-me-ši-lá-lá_ (line 16).

20. _nim-gir luḥ su-ši-šù mu-ra-du-ud_ As the lightning, a messenger for terror, thou didst go.

_nim-gir_ equals _birḳu_, “lightning” (Br. 9020). _nim-gir_ literally means “high lightning”. _nim_ equals _elû_, “high”. _gir_ alone equals _birḳu_ (Br. 306). The sign GIRÛ in its primitive form is a picture of a “dagger”. From the conception of the “dagger”, there is, of course, but a short step to that of the forked lightning.

_luḥ_ equals _sukkallu_, “messenger” (Br. 6170). We have had the sign SUKKALLU with the value _laḥ_ (line 14, _laḥ_, and Hymn to Sin, line 27).

_su-ši-šù_ equals noun _su-ši_ and postposition _šù_. _su-ši_: SU.ŠI means “increase of eye” and eqnals _šalummatu_ which means “splendour”, or perhaps “terror”. SU.ŠI might be read _su-lim_. SU.ZI, however, has the same meaning (see Br. 235 and 187, also MSL. p. 298), proving the reading SU.ŠI.

_mu-ra-du-ud_: _mu_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 18). _ra_ is an infix of adverbial character denoting motion (MSL. p. XXIV). _du-ud_ is no doubt for _du-du_, an intensified form of _du_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 23, _gin_).

21. _mulu dumu-mu rù gin-na-gin-na a-ba zi-gi-en te-ga_ When thou who art my son goest violently about, who can attack like thee?

_mulu dumu-mu_ (see on line 16).

_rù_ equals _naḳâpu_, “break forth violently”, or “storm furiously”, (Br. 9144). Here we come near to the primary idea of the sign which is that of “the goring bull” (see Hymn to Sin, line 14).

_gin-na-gin-na_: DU = _alâku_ may have any one of three values, _gin_, _tum_ or _rà_ (Br. 4871). _gin_ is the correct value here, as is shown by the phonetic complement _na_. The value _du_ must be closely related to _tum_ and _gin_. _du_ by change of _d_ to _t_ and by addition of the nasal _m_ becomes _tum_. _tum_ by change of _t_ to _g_, of _u_ to _i_ and of _m_ to _n_ becomes _gin_.

_a-ba_ equals _mannu_, “who” (Br. 11370). See also below.

_zi-gi-en_ probably is a phonetic and dialectic form for _za-e-gim_ (line 22).

_te-ga_: _te_ equals _ṭeḥû_, “attack” (Br. 7688). _ga_: BA is probably dialectic for _ga_ (Br. 103) which would be the same as PISANNU, i. e., _bašû_, “being”, or _šakânu_, “establishing”.

Reverse

22. _ki-bala ḥul gíg a-a muḥ-zu-šù a-ba za-e-gim te-ga_ The troublesome evil hostile land, O father, which is against thee, who like thee can attack!

_ki-bala_: _ki_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 9). _bala_ equals _palû_, “weapon” (Br. 276). From the idea of “weapon”, it is easy to pass to that of “hostility”, expressed by _nukurtu_ (Br. 272).

_ḥul_ equals _limnu_, “bad” (see Br. 9502 and Hymn to Sin, line 16, _ḥùl_).

_gíg_ equals _mar⋅u_, “sick” (Br. 9235). The sign is composite, the principal element of which is MI meaning “black”.

_a-a_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 3).

_muḥ-zu-šù_: _muḥ_ equals _eli_, “upon”, or “against” (Br. 8841). _zu_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 21). _šù_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 15) governs the phrase _muḥ-zu_.

_a-ba_ (see on line 21).

_za-e-gim_: _za-e_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 16). _gim_ (see line 12).

_te-ga_ (see on line 21).

23. _ná imi tur-tur-e šú-um-me-ti a-ba za-e-gim te-ga_ The little stone of the storm do thou take. Who can attack like thee!

_ná_: DAḲḲU has three values for _abnu_, “stone”, _za_, _⋅i_ and _ná_. We have also had the sign ZA with the value _za_ equal to _abnu_ (line 13). No doubt DAḲḲU indicates “hailstone” here.

_imi_ is the common value of the sign IMMU for _šâru_, “storm” (Br. 8369).

_tur-tur-e_: _tur_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 28, _ban-da_). The sign is DUMU (lines 3, 15 and 16). _e_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 3).

_šú-um-me-ti_: _šú_ is a part of the verbal conjugation (see Hymn to Bêl, line 25), making it causal. _um-me_ (see on line 16). _ti_ equals _laḳû_, “take” (Br. 1700). This is the same word as _ti_ meaning “life” (Hymn to Bêl, line 16).

_a-ba za-e-gim te-ga_ (see on line 22).

24. _ná gal-gal-e šú-um-me-ti a-ba za-e-gim te-ga_ The large stone do thou take. Who like thee can attack!

_ná_ (see on line 23).

_gal-gal-e_: _gal_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 14). _e_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 3).

_šú-um-me-ti a-ba za-e-gim te-ga_ (see line 23).

25. _ná tur-tur-zu ná gal-gal-zu muḥ-ba ù-me-ám_ Thy little stone, thy large stone, on it (the land) let it be!

_ná_ (see on line 23).

_gal-gal-zu_: _gal_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 14). _zu_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 21).

_tur-tur-zu_: _tur_ (see on line 23).

_muḥ-ba_: _muḥ_ (see line 22). _ba_ is a pronominal suffix of the third person singular (Br. 114).

_ù-me-ám_ verb in the imperative mood. _ù-me_, the same as _um-me_ (line 16). _ám_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 12).

26. _ki-bala-a zi-da-zu ù-mu-e-gul da bur su ù-mu-e-se_ The hostile land thy right hand destroys. It gives complete destruction (?)

_ki-bala-a_ (see on line 22). _a_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 9).

_zi-da-zu_: _zi_ equals _imnu_, “right hand” (Br. 2312). _da_ is a phonetic complement (see Hymn to Bêl, line 4). _zu_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 21).

_ù-mu-e-gul_: _ù_ is an indeterminate verbal prefix; it is used of the third person (Br. p. 547; see also Hymn to Bêl, line 1). _mu-e_ constitutes a double verbal infix, the _mu_ being pronominal and the _e_ adverbial. _mu_ (see line 16 and Hymn to Bêl, line 18). _e_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 18). _gul_ equals _abâtu_, “destroy” (Br. 8954).

_da_ equals _idu_, “strength” (see Hymn to Bêl, line 16). _bur_ equals _nasâḥu_, “tear away” (Br. 7528). The sign SÎRU occurs only here in all of the four hymns of this Thesis. _su_ is the common word for “body”, represented by _zumru_ (Br. 172). This translation is only provisional.

_ù-mu-e-se_: _ù-mu-e_ (just explained). _se_ equals _nadânu_, “give” (Br. 4418). Brünnow gives to the sign the value _sí_, when it stands for _nadânu_.

27. _^dimmer Mer-ri dug-dug-ga a-a muḥ-na-šù geš-ni ba-ši-in-ag_ Adad, when he speaks (to one), O father, on him he imposes his government.

_^dimmer Mer-ri_ (see on line 17).

_dug-dug-ga_ is a _ḥal_-clause equal to “in commanding”. _dug_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 15).

_a-a_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 3).

_muḥ-na-šù_: muḥ (see line 22). _na_, pronominal suffix of the third person (see Hymn to Bêl, line 1). _šù_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 15).

_geš-ni_: _geš_ equals _šutêšuru_, “government” (Br. 5706). _ni_ (Hymn to Bêl, line 13).

_ba-ši-in-ag_: _ba_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 25). Suffix _ši-in_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 16). _ag_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 25).

28. _a-a ^dimmer Mer è-ta ê-a-ni û ì di na-nam_ Father Adad, when he comes out of the house he fixes the day of judgment.

_è-ta_: _è_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 3). _ta_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 15).

_ê-a-ni_: _ê_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 15). _a_ is a vowel of prolongation, which _ê_ is accustomed to take (see Hymn to Bêl, line 9). _ni_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 13).

_û_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 17).

_ì_ (see on line 19).

_di_ (see on line 19).

_na-nam_: _na_ is an indeterminate verbal prefix (see MSL. p. XXIV and Hymn to Bêl, lines 1 and 18). _nam_ evidently a verb here, equals _šimtu_, “fixing” (Br. 2103).

29. _è-ta eri-ta ê-a-ni uku ban-da na-nam_ When he comes out of the house out of the city, he fixes the mighty day.

_è-ta_ (see on line 28).

_eri-ta_: _eri_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 13).

_ê-a-ni_ (see on line 28).

_uku_ (see on line 9).

_ban-da_ equals _ekdu_, “strong” (Br. 4127). _ban-da_, following the idea “strength”, also equals “young” (see Hymn to Sin, line 28).

_na-nam_ (see line 28).

30. _eri-ta an-na-ta gar-ra-ni û ì ḥar-ra na-nam_ When he establishes himself out of the city, out of heaven, he fixes the day of curse.

_eri-ta_ (see line 29).

_an-na-ta_: _an-na_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 18). _ta_ (see Hymn to Bêl, line 15).

_gar-ra-ni_: _gar_ equals _šakânu_, “establish” (Br. 11978). _ra_, phonetic complement, (Hymn to Bêl, line 3). _ni_ (see line 28).

_û_ (see Hymn to Sin, line 17).

_ì_ (see on line 19).

_ḥar-ra_: _ḥar_ equals _u⋅urtu_, “curse” (Br. 8545). _ra_, phonetic complement.

_na-nam_ (see on line 28).

31. _.. êr lim-ma ^dimmer Mer_ .... Hymn to Adad.