Enki and the world order

Sumerian literature (ETCSL) · 1 - Narrative and mythological compositions · 469 sections

1
en maḫ-di an ki nir-ĝal2 ni2-te-na
Grandiloquent lord of heaven and earth, self-reliant, Father Enki, engendered by a bull, begotten by a wild bull, cherished by Enlil, the Great Mountain, beloved by holy An, king, meš tree planted in the Abzu, rising over all lands; great dragon who stands in Eridug, whose shadow covers heaven and earth, a grove of vines extending over the Land, Enki, lord of plenty of the Anuna gods, Nudimmud, mighty one of the E-kur, strong one of heaven and earth! Your great house is founded in the Abzu, the great mooring-post of heaven and earth. Enki, from whom a single glance is enough to unsettle the heart of the mountains; wherever bison are born, where stags are born, where ibex are born, where wild goats are born, in meadows ……, in hollows in the heart of the hills, in green …… unvisited by man, you have fixed your gaze on the heart of the Land as on split reeds.
2
a-a {d}en-ki gud-dam a ri-a am gal-e tud-⌈da⌉
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mi2 dug4-ga kur gal {d}en-lil2-le ki aĝ2 an kug-ga
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lugal {ĝiš}meš3 abzu-a du3-a kur-kur-ta il2-la
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ušumgal maḫ eridug{ki}-ga gub-ba
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ĝissu-bi an ki-a dul-la
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[{ĝiš}]tir {ĝiš}ĝeštin-na kalam-ma la2-a
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[{d}en]-ki en ḫe2-ĝal2-la {d}a-nun-na-ke4-ne
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[{d}nu]-⌈dim2⌉-mud peš10-ĝal2 e2-kur-ra gaba-ĝal2 an ki-a
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[e2]-⌈zu⌉ maḫ abzu-ta sig9-ga dim gal an ki-a
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[{d}en]-ki igi 1 il2-la-ni kur-šag4-ge di-di
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[alim] u3-tud lu-lim u3-tud-da
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[šeg9] u3-tud šeg9-bar u3-tud-da
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[X] šag4-tum2-ma si-dug4-ga šag4 ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2-ka
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[(X)] X sig7-ga-ba lu2 nu-ku4-ku4-da
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[šag4 kalam]-⌈ma⌉ gi ḫal-ḫal-la-gin7 igi-zu im-ši-ĝal2
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ud šid-e itid e2-ba ku4-ku4 mu šu du7-du7-da
Counting the days and putting the months in their houses, so as to complete the years and to submit the completed years to the assembly for a decision, taking decisions to regularise the days: Father Enki, you are the king of the assembled people. You have only to open your mouth for everything to multiply and for plenty to be established. Your branches …… green with their fruit ……, …… do honour to the gods. …… in its forests is like a fleecy garment. Good sheep and good lambs do honour to ……. When …… the prepared fields, …… will accumulate stockpiles and stacks. …… there is oil, there is milk, produced by the sheepfold and cow-pen. The shepherd sweetly sings his rustic song, the cowherd spends the day rocking his churns. Their products would do honour to the late lunches in the gods' great dining hall.
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mu šu du7 unken-e eš-bar šum2-mu-da
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eš-bar kiĝ2 ud-da si sa2-sa2-e-da
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a-a {d}en-ki uĝ3 saĝ si-a-ba lugal-bi za-e-me-en
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ka ba-a-zu niĝ2 im-lu-lu ḫe2-ĝal2 ki bi2-ib-us2
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pa-zu gu gurun-ba sig7-ga gada ḫa-ad-e du7-a
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X diĝir-re-e-ne-ka me-te-aš im-mi-ib2-ĝal2
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[X] X ĝiš {ĝiš}tir-ba du3-a {tug2}zulumḫi-e na-nam
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[u8] zid sila4 zid na-su8-e me-te-aš im-mi-ib2-ĝal2
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[X] X gana2 zid-da X […] um-mi-in-ra
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[…] guru7-du6 guru7-maš-e gu2 im-da-gur-re
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[X X] X i3 na-nam ga na-nam tur3 amaš-e nam-de6
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[sipad]-de3 i-lu-lam-ma-na dug3-ge-eš im-mi-ib-be2
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⌈unud(UNU3)⌉-de3 dun5-dun5 {dug}šakir-ra-ka-na ud im-di-ni-ib-zal-e
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⌈kiĝ2⌉-sig unu2 gal diĝir-re-e-ne-ka me-te-aš im-mi-ib-ĝal2
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⌈inim⌉-zu ĝuruš-e usu-ni-gin7 šag4-ga mu-ni-ĝal2
Your word fills the young man's heart with vigour, so that like a thick-horned bull he butts about in the courtyard. Your word bestows loveliness on the young woman's head, so that the people in their settled cities gaze at her in wonder. (2 lines unclear)
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gud a2 gur-ra-gin7 kisal-a mu-un-du7-du7
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⌈inim⌉-zu ki-sikil-e ḫi-li-a-ni-gin7 saĝ-ĝa2 mu-ni-in-ĝal2
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[iri{ki}] ĝar-ĝar-ra-bi uĝ3-e u6 mu-e
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[X X] X sig10-ga-am3 kaskal-e am3-ra
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[X X] X DAG.KISIM5×AB2 du3-a a2-bi na-sud-e
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[en-en]-e-ne barag-barag-ge2-⌈e⌉-ne
Enlil, the Great Mountain, has commissioned you to gladden the hearts of lords and rulers and wish them well. Enki, lord of prosperity, lord of wisdom, lord, the beloved of An, the ornament of Eridug, who establish commands and decisions, who well understands the decreeing of fates: you close up the days ……, and make the months enter their houses. You bring down ……, you have reached their number. You make the people dwell in their dwelling places ……, you make them follow their herdsman ……. (2 lines unclear)
39
[šag4-bi] ⌈ḫul2⌉-ḫul2-la-da silim di-e-de3
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[za-a]-da kur gal {d}en-lil2-le a2 mu-un-da-an-aĝ2
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[{d}en-ki] en ḫe2-ĝal2-la en ĝeštug2-ga
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[en] an-ne2 ki aĝ2 ḫe2-du7 eridug{ki}-ga
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[dug4]-⌈ga⌉ eš-bar ki-bi-še3 ĝar nam tar-re gal-zu
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[X X] ud-de3 saĝ ba-ab-gi4 itid e2-ba ba-an-kur9
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[… ba]-e-a-ed3-de3 šid-bi sa2 ba-ab-dug4
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[…] uĝ3 ki-tuš-ba bi2-in-tuš
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[…] ⌈?⌉ TAR na-gada-bi bi2-in-us2
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[…] X šu du7-a
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[…] ⌈su⌉ NA ba-an-gi4
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[…] ⌈E⌉ TAR {ĝiš}tukul e2-ba bi2-in-gi4
You turn weapons away from their houses ……, you make the people safe in their dwellings …….
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[…] X X ⌈en⌉ uĝ3 ki-tuš-ba bi2-in-ge-en
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[a-a] [{d}]en-ki uĝ3 numun-a e3-ni numun zid ḫe2-i-i
When Father Enki goes forth to the inseminated people, good seed will come forth. When Nudimmud goes forth to the good pregnant ewes, good lambs will be born; when he goes forth to the fecund cows, good calves will be born; whe he goes forth to the good pregnant goats, good kids will be born. If you go forth to the cultivated fields, to the good germinating fields, stockpiles and stacks can be accumulated on the high plain. If you go forth to the parched areas of the Land, (2 lines missing or unclear)
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{d}nu-dim2-mud u8 zid ĜA2 e3-ni sila4 zid ḫe2-u3-tud
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ab2 numun e3-ni amar zid ḫe2-u3-tud
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ud5 zid ĜA2 e3-ni maš2 zid ḫe2-u3-tud
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gan2-ne2 gana2 zid ĜA2 u3-un-e3-en
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guru7-du6 guru7-maš-e an-edin-na gu2 ḫu-mu-un-gur-gur-re
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kalam-ma ki tab-ba-a u3-ba-?-en
gap
(1 line missing)
60
[…]-a-ni […]
61
{d}en-ki lugal abzu-ke4 ni2 gal na-kur-ku silim zid-de3-eš na-e
Enki, the king of the Abzu, rejoicing in great splendour, justly praises himself: My father, the king of heaven and earth, made me famous in heaven and earth. My elder brother, the king of all the lands, gathered up all the divine powers and placed them in my hand. I brought the arts and crafts from the E-kur, the house of Enlil, to my Abzu in Eridug. I am the good semen, begotten by a wild bull, I am the first born of An. I am a great storm rising over the great earth, I am the great lord of the Land. I am the principal among all rulers, the father of all the foreign lands. I am the big brother of the gods, I bring prosperity to perfection. I am the seal-keeper of heaven and earth. I am the wisdom and understanding of all the foreign lands. With An the king, on An's dais, I oversee justice. With Enlil, looking out over the lands, I decree good destinies. He has placed in my hands the decreeing of fates in the place where the sun rises. I am cherished by Nintur. I am named with a good name by Ninḫursaĝa. I am the leader of the Anuna gods. I was born as the firstborn son of holy An.
62
a-a-ĝu10 lugal an ki-ke4
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an ki-a pa e3 ma-ni-in-ak
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pap-ĝu10 lugal kur-kur-ra-ke4
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me mu-un-ur4-ur4 me šu-ĝu10-še3 mu-un-ĝar
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e2-kur-re e2 {d}en-lil2-la2-ta
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abzu eridug{ki}-ĝu10-še3 nam-galam mu-de6
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a zid am gal-e ri-a-me-en dumu-saĝ an-na-me-en
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ud gal ki gal-la e3-a-me-en en gal kalam-me-en
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gu2-gal barag-barag-ge2-ne-me-en a-a kur-kur-ra-me-en
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šeš-gal diĝir-re-e-ne-me-en ḫe2-ĝal2 šu du7-me-en
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kišib-ĝal2 an ki-bi-da-me-en
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ĝeštug2 ĝizzal kur-kur-ra-me-en
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an lugal-da barag an-na-ka di si sa2-e-me-en
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{d}en-lil2-da kur-ra igi ĝal2-la-ka nam dug3 tar-ra-me-en
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nam tar-ra ki ud e3-a-ke4 šu-ĝa2 mu-un-ĝal2
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{d}nin-tur5-re mi2 zid dug4-ga-me-en
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{d}nin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2-ke4 mu dug3 sa4-a-me-en
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palil {d}a-nun-na-ke4-ne-me-en
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u3-tud-da dumu-saĝ an kug-ga-me-en
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en-e nam-maḫ mu-un-du-a-ta
After the lord had proclaimed his greatness, after the great prince had eulogised himself, the Anuna gods stood there in prayer and supplication:
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nun gal-e ni2-te-ni za3-mi2 mi-ni-in-dug4-ga-ta
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{d}a-nun-na šudu3 a-ra-zu-a ši-im-ma-an-sug2-sug2-ge-eš
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en nam-galam-ma ĝiri3 gub-ba
Praise be to Enki, the much-praised lord who controls all the arts and crafts, who takes decisions!
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eš-bar kiĝ2-ĝa2 za3-mi2 dug4-ga {d}en-ki za3-mi2
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2-kam-ma-še3 nam gal ḫul2-la-da
In a state of high delight Enki, the king of the Abzu, rejoicing in great splendour, again justly praises himself: I am the lord, I am one whose word is reliable, I am one who excels in everything.
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{d}en-ki lugal abzu-ke4 ni2 gal na-kur-ku silim zid-de3-eš na-e
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en-me-en dug4-ga zid-da-me-en saĝ-bi-še3 e3-a-me-en
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dug4-ga-ĝu10 tur3 im-ši-du3-du3 amaš im-ši-niĝin2-niĝin2
At my command, sheepfolds have been built, cow-pens have been fenced off. When I approach heaven, a rain of abundance rains from heaven. When I approach earth, there is a high carp-flood. When I approach the green meadows, at my word stockpiles and stacks are accumulated. I have built my house, a shrine, in a pure place, and named it with a good name. I have built my Abzu, a shrine, in ……, and decreed a good fate for it. The shade of my house extends over the …… pool. By my house the suḫur carp dart among the honey plants, and the eštub carp wave their tails among the small gizi reeds. The small birds chirp in their nests.
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an-e um-ma-te im ḫe2-ĝal2-la an-ta šeĝ3-ĝa2
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ki-e um-ma-te a-eštub u3-ba ĝal2-la-am3
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a-gar3 sig7-sig7-ga-bi um-ma-⌈te⌉
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inim-ĝu10-ta guru7-du6 guru7-maš-e gu2 im-⌈da-gur⌉-[re]
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[e2]-ĝu10 eš3 ki sikil-la bi2-du3 mu dug3-ga bi2-sa4
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abzu-ĝu10 eš3 KA-a bi2-du3 nam dug3-ga bi2-tar
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e2-ĝu10 ĝissu-bi ambar muš-a i-ni-[in-la2]
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e2-ĝu10 ⌈suḫur⌉!-! u2-lal3-e sun4 im-ši-sud-e
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eštub[{ku6} gi-zi di4]-di4-la2 kun mu-na-sud-e
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buru5{mušen} gud3-ba šeg11 mu-da-an-gi4-gi4
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en AB […] ĝiš ma-an-la2-eš
The lords pay heed …… to me. I am Enki! They stand before me, praising me. The abgal priests and abrig officials who …… stand before me …… distant days. The enkum and ninkum officiants organise ……. They purify the river for me, they …… the interior of the shrine for me. In my Abzu, sacred songs and incantations resound for me. My barge 'Crown', the 'Stag of the Abzu', transports me there most delightfully. It glides swiftly for me through the great marshes to wherever I have decided, it is obedient to me. The stroke-callers make the oars pull in perfect unison. They sing for me pleasant songs, creating a cheerful mood on the river. Niĝir-sig, the captain of my barge, holds the golden sceptre for me. I am Enki! He is in command of my boat 'Stag of the Abzu'. I am the lord! I will travel! I am Enki! I will go forth into my Land! I, the lord who determines the fates, ……, (4 lines unclear)

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Copyright holders: Jeremy Black, Graham Cunningham, Jarle Ebeling, Esther Flückiger-Hawker, Eleanor Robson, Jon Taylor and Gábor Zólyomi. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Source.