Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Part 24

166. Then Bel again took counsel and ascended into the ship.

167. He took my hand and caused me, even me, to ascend,

168. he took up my wife (also, and) caused her to bow at my side;

169. he turned to us and stood between us; he blessed us (saying):

170. 'Hitherto Sisuthros has been mortal, but

171. henceforth Sisuthros and his wife shall be like unto the G.o.ds, even unto us, and

172. Sisuthros shall dwell afar at the mouth of the rivers,'

173. Then he took us afar, at the mouth of the rivers he made us dwell.

XII

THE BABYLONIAN EPIC OF THE CREATION

TABLET I.

When the heaven above was not yet named or the earth beneath had recorded a name, the primaeval (_ristu_) deep was their generator, Mummu-Tiamat (the chaos of the sea) was the mother of them all.

Their waters were embosomed together, and the corn-field was unharvested, the reed-bed was ungrown.

When the G.o.ds had not yet appeared, any one of them, by no name were they recorded, no destiny [was fixed].

Then the great G.o.ds were created, Lakhmu and Lakhamu issued forth [the first], until they grew up [when]

Ansar and Kisar (the upper and lower firmaments) were created.

Long were the days, extended [was the time, till]

the G.o.ds [Anu, Bel, and Ea were born], Ansar [and Kisar gave them birth].

The deep [opened] its mouth [and said,]

to [Tiamat], the glorious, [it spake]: While their path ...

I will overthrow their path ...

Let lamentations arise, let complaining [be made]

[When] Tiamat [undertakes] this [work]

Their way shall be difficult ...

[Then] the G.o.d Mummu answered [his] father the deep:

Their way [shall be overthrown], the light shall be darkened, let [it be] as the night!

The deep [heard] him and [his] countenance was lightened; evil planned they against the G.o.ds.

Tiamat, the mother of the G.o.ds, lifted up herself against them, gathering her forces, madly raging.

The G.o.ds united themselves together with her, until (all) that had been created marched at her side.

Banning the day they followed Tiamat, wrathful, devising mischief, untiring (?) day and night, prepared for the conflict, fiercely raging, they gathered themselves together and began the battle.

The mother of the deep (?) (_Khubur_), the creatress of them all, added victorious weapons, creating monstrous serpents, with sharp fangs, unsparing in their attack.

With poison for blood she filled their bodies.

Horrible adders she clothed with terror, she decked them with fear, and raised high their ...

'May their appearance ...

Make huge their bodies that none may withstand their breast!'

She created the adder, the horrible serpent, the Lakhamu, the great monster, the raging dog, the scorpion-man, the dog-days, the fish-man and the (Zodiacal) ram, who carry weapons that spare not, who fear not the battle, insolent of heart, unconquerable by the enemy.

Moreover that she might create (?) eleven such-like monsters, among the G.o.ds, her sons, whom she had summoned together, she raised up Kingu, and magnified him among them: 'To march before the host, be that thy duty!

Order the weapons to be uplifted and the onset of battle!'

That he might be the first in the conflict, the leader in victory, she took his hand and set him on a throne: 'I have uttered the spell for thee; exalt thyself among the G.o.ds, a.s.sume dominion over all the G.o.ds!

Highly shalt thou be exalted, thou that art alone my husband; thy name shall be magnified over [all the world]!'

Then she gave to him the tablets of destiny, and laid them on his breast: 'Let thy command be obeyed, let the word of thy mouth be established!'

When Kingu had exalted himself, and made himself like Anu (the G.o.d of heaven), she determined for the G.o.ds her sons their destiny: 'The opening of your mouth shall quench the fire; The exalted of Kidmuri (i.e. Kingu) shall dissolve its flame.'

TABLET II.

(_Begins with a speech of Ansar to Merodach_.)

"Tiamat our mother has risen up against us, gathering her forces, madly raging.

The G.o.ds have united themselves together with her, until (all) that has been created marches at her side.

Banning the day they have followed Tiamat, wrathful, devising mischief, untiring (?) day and night, prepared for the conflict, fiercely raging, they have gathered themselves together and begun the battle.

The mother of the deep (?), the creatress of them all, has added victorious weapons, creating monstrous serpents, with sharp fangs, unsparing in their attack.

With poison for blood she has filled their bodies.

Horrible adders she has clothed with terror, she has decked them with fear, and raised high their ...

'May their appearance ...

may their bodies be huge so that none may withstand their breast!'

She has created the adder, the horrible serpent, the Lakh-amu, the great monster, the raging dog, the scorpion-man, the dog-days, the fish-man (Aquarius), and the (Zodiacal) ram, who carry weapons that spare not, who fear not the battle, insolent of heart, unconquerable by the enemy.

Moreover that she may create (?) eleven such-like monsters, among the G.o.ds, her sons, whom she has summoned together, she has raised up Kingu and magnified him among them.

'To march before the host,' (she has said,) 'be that thy duty!

Order the weapons to be uplifted and the onset of battle!'

That he may be the first in the conflict, the leader in victory, she has taken his hand and seated him on a throne: 'I have uttered the spell for thee; exalt thyself among the G.o.ds, a.s.sume dominion over all the G.o.ds!

Highly shalt thou be exalted, thou that art alone my husband; thy name shall be magnified over [all the world]!'

Thereupon she has given him the tablets of destiny and laid them on his breast: 'Let thy command be obeyed, let the word of thy mouth be established!'

When Kingu had exalted himself, and made himself as Anu, she determined for the G.o.ds her sons their destiny: 'The opening of your mouth shall quench the fire; the exalted of Kidmuri shall dissolve its flame!'

[When Merodach heard this, his heart] was grievously troubled, he ... ... and his lips he bit; .....his heart grew angry ......his cry.

......[he determined on] battle.

[Then spake he to] his father (Ea): 'Be not troubled; ......thou shalt become the lord of the deep.

......with Tiamat will I contend.'"

Merodach [heard] the words of his father, in the fulness (?) of his heart he said to his father: 'O lord of the G.o.ds, offspring (?) of the great G.o.ds, if indeed I am your avenger, Tiamat to overpower and you to rescue, make ready an a.s.sembly, prepare a banquet(?).

Enter joyfully into Ubsugina (the seat of oracles) all together.