Lamentation of Ishme-Dagan Over Nippur. 13856 (No. 1)

The liturgical character of this tablet is unique among all the numerous choral compositions of the Isin period. It is a large two column tablet containing six long kišub melodies. Liturgies of such kind, compiled by joining a series of kišubs, or melodies, attended by prostrations, represent an advanced stage in the evolution of these compositions in that the sections are not mechanically joined together by selecting older melodies without much regard for their connection, but as a whole they are apparently original compositions so arranged that they develop a motif from the beginning to the end of the liturgy. Choral services composed of kišubs in the cults of deified kings have been found[28] wherein the deeds and personality of the king are sung, his divine claims are emphasized and his Messianic promises rehearsed. But the liturgy here published resembles in literary style the classical lamentations which always formed the chief temple services of Sumer and Babylonia. It more especially resembles the weeping mother liturgies, but here Ishme-Dagan appears in the lines of the service in a rôle similar to that of the sorrowful mother goddess of the ordinary liturgies, as he weeps for Nippur.

“Her population like cattle of the fields within her have perished. Helas my land I sigh.”

So reads a line from the second melody.

Lines of similar character occur repeatedly in the laments of the mother goddess as she weeps for her people in the standard liturgies. In other words, the cult of the deified kings issues here into its logical result. The god man created to live and die for his people usurps the sphere of the earth mother herself. And like her he is intimately associated with the fortunes of mankind, of nature and all living creatures. The great gods and the hosts of their attendants rule over man and the various phases of the universe from afar. But the mother goddess is the incarnation of fruitful nature, the mother of man whose joys and sorrows she feels. So also in this remarkable liturgy the deified son of the great gods lives among men, becomes their patron and divine companion.

The tablet contained originally about fifty lines in each column, or 200 in all. About one-third of the first column is gone. The first melody contained at least fifty lines and ended somewhere shortly after the first line of Col. II of the obverse. It began by relating how Enlil had ordered the glory of Nippur, and then had become angered against his city, sending upon it desolation at the hands of an invader. When we take up the first lines of Obv. II we are well into the second melody which represents Ishme-Dagan mourning for fathers and mothers who had been separated from their children; for brothers who had been scattered afar; for the cruel reign of the savage conqueror who now rules where the dark-headed people had formerly dwelled in peace.

At about the middle of Obv. II begins the third melody which consists of 38 lines extending to Rev. I 19. In this section the psalmist ponders upon the injustice of his city's fate, and looks for the time when her woes will cease, and Enlil will be reconciled.

The fourth section begins at line 24 of Rev. I and ended near the bottom of this column which is now broken away. Here Ishme-Dagan joins with the psalmists weeping for Nippur.

Section 5 began near the end of Rev. I, and ends at line 16 of Rev. II. Here begins the phase of intercession to Enlil to repent and revenge Nippur upon the foe. Section 6, beginning at Rev. II 17, probably continued to the end of the column and the tablet. Here the liturgy promises the end of Nippur's sorrow. Enlil has ordered the restoration of his city and has sent Ishme-Dagan, his beloved shepherd, to bring joy unto the people.

After sections 2 and 3 follows the antiphon of one or two lines. The ends of sections 1 and 4 are lost but we may suppose that antiphons stood here also. Section 5 does not have an antiphon. Since section 6 ended the liturgy it is not likely that an antiphon stood there.

[Transcriber's Note: In the original book, throughout the book, all of the transcriptions and translations were done in two columns. The left column showed the transcription, and the right the English translation; each line had the line number. In this e-book, the transcription and translation of each line will be shown in succeeding lines.]

Obverse. Col. I

(About eighteen lines broken away.)

1. ... túg ba-ra-pad-da

2. d.A-nun-na-ge-ne na-ba-an-ri-gi-eš-ám

2. The Anunnaki he caused to take their seats.[29]

3. ub-šu-ukkin-na[30] ki di-gal tar-ru

3. In the Assembly Hall, place where the great judgments are decided,

4. eš-bar-e si-di ba-ra-an-zu-uš[31]-ám

4. Decisions to arrange he caused them to know.

5. dingir-bi-ne ki-dúr ba-ab- gar-ra[32]

5. These gods he caused to take up there their abode.

6. šug-láģ-bi im-šub-ba aga-bi im-ri-a

6. Their clean sacrificial food he gave, their crowns he clothed upon them.

7. ki-lugal du-azag[33] ḳin-sîg[34] unù[35]-gal-ba

7. In the king's place, the throne room, the ḳinsig of the vast abode,

8. tin[36] làl bal-bal-e mu-šú be-ib-tar-ra

8. The libation of wine and honey yearly he decreed.

9. Nibru-(ki) uru giš-gig-dagal-la-bi-šú

9. For Nippur the city whose shadow extends afar

10. uku-sag-gig-ga ní-im-ši-ib-te-en-na

10. The people, the dark headed, he caused to have reverence.

11. ki-dúr-ba gú-ni a-gim[37] ba-ra-an-šub

11. But its habitations he cursed ...

12. ab sīg-gan-dúg-ga-gim e-ne sīg-gan-ba-ra-an-dúg

12. Like scattered cows he scattered them.

13. uru šag-bi er-gíg sȋg- bi

13. The city's interior is filled with weeping,

14. en-na[38] dam[39] dingir ga-ša-an-bi li-bi nu-tar-ri[40]

14. While the consort, its divine queen, is not solicitous for her.

15. é-gu-la za-pa-ag ib-zu-a-bi

15. The great house which knew the cry of multitudes,

16. é-ri-a-súd-gim galu nu-un-tur-tur

16. Like a vast building in ruins men enter not.

17. Nibru-(ki) uru ki ligir-ligir-gal-gal-e-ne šu-im-ma-an-ḪA[41]-eš-ám

17. In Nippur, the city where great princes were prosperous,

18. a-na-áš ú-gu i-ni-in-de-eš[42]

18. Why have they fled?

19. uku sag-gig gú-sa-ģi-a[43] udu-gim be-ib-?[44]-a

19. The people, the dark headed, all of them like sheep....

20. e(?)-en-šú KAK-RU[45] er a-nir šag PA-ḪI-BAD-a

20. How long shall loud crying(?), weeping and wailing distress (?) the heart?

21. en-šú bar[46] be-íb- ... ùl

21. How long shall the soul be terrified?

22. šag nu-ub-ši-túg-e

22. And the heart repose not?

23. suùb suá-lá mu-un-tuk-a-ri[47]

23. To the drum and cymbals I sing.

24. ... gíg-ga a-a na....

24. ... sorrowfully(?)....

25. ... síg ... ne ba-dúr-ru-ne-eš

25. ... brick ... they dwell.

26. ... gar-ra-bi er-šú ba-ab-bi-ne

26. ... in tears they speak.

27. ... šub-ba tūr-ru-ba-ne

27. ... are made small.

28. ... sìr-ri-eš ba-ab-bi-ne

28. ... in misery they speak.

29. ... ki-dúr-bi ḳar-ra

29. ... whose habitations are desolated.

30. ... im-ši-sìr-sìr-e-ne-eš[48]

30. Unto ... they have hastened.

31. ... ne-ne-túg

31. ...?

32. ... ga(?)nu-zu-gim

32. ... like one that knows not.

33. ... sūģ[49]

33. ... is in confusion.

(End of Col. I.)

Col. II

(About fifteen lines broken away.)[50]

1. ... gál

1. ....

2. ... -e ba-ab-dúg-ám[51]

2. ....

3. ... ma-lal im-mé

3. ....

4. ... ģul-nu-zu-ne nig-dug be-ib-tar-ru-uš-ám

4. ... evil they know not, good they have decreed.

5. i-lu-gíg im-me

5. Bitter lament I[52] utter.

6. nam-lù-găl-bi máš-anšu-gim šag-ba mi-ni-ib-tíl-la-aš

6. Her population like cattle of the fields within her have perished.

7. a ka-na-ăm-mu im-me

7. Helas! my Land! I sigh.

8. ki-el kalag tul-tul-lá-bi-ne sùr[53]-ri- -eš mi-ni-ib- sal-la-áš

8. Maid and young man and their children cruelly have been scattered far and wide.

9. iš-a-bi im-me

9. Tearfully I sigh.

10. šeš-bi imi-dugud šèg-gà-gim di-e-be-ib-sud-ám[54]

10. Their brothers like a rain storm have fled afar.

11. er-šú nu- gul-[55] e

11. I cease not to weep.

12. é-e áb amar-bi kud-du gim ní-bi-šù ūr-gíg-ga[56] im-gub

12. The household like a cow, whose calf has been separated from her, stand by themselves with sorrowful souls.

13. sîg-sîg[57] ni- mal- mal

13. They have lapsed into the misery of silence.

14. balag-di[58] lù-ad-dug-ga-ge[59]-ne um-me-da-ū-a-di-gim

14. Oh sing to the lyre! The wailers like a child nursing mother who cries in woe

15. mu-bi er-ra mi-ni-ib-bal-bal-e-ne

15. because of them devised lamentation.

16. uru ù-mu-un-bi sag-ib-ta-an-dīm-ma

16. The city whose lord had been magnified,

17. igi-ni sá kûr-ra ib-ta-an-gar-ra ad-e-eš ba-an-ara-áš

17. In whose presence a hostile rule has been established, with sighing they have caused to walk.

18. é-zid kur-kur-ra igi-šú ba-an-gín-na

18. As for the faithful temple, which in the lands excelled all,

19. uku sag-gig-gi uš-zi[60] be-íb-tùb-ba

19. (Where) the people, the dark headed, reposed in security;

20. a-na ib-ag a-na im-ģa-lam-ma-bi[61]

20. What has done it, what has destroyed it?

21. ù-mu-un-bi ib-ta-kàš sag-ki-a mu-un-du

21. Its lord is a fugitive, he hastens in flight.

22. ki-šub[62]- gú- 2 kam

22. A melody with prostrations. Second section.

23. me-gal šag-bi[63] ba-ra-an-è-a-áš gù-gíg-ga nu-mal[64]-aš

23. The meaning of the great decrees they have glorified. Sorrowful words they restrain not.

24. giš-gí-gál-bi-im[65]

24. This is its antiphon.

25. uru ù-mu-un-bi šag ba-da-an-dib-ba

25. The city whose lord is distressed,[66]

26. en-šú la-ba-ši-gur-ru suģ[67]-ám-bi nu- um- im me

26. Until when shall it not return (to its rest)? Until when shall its “How long” not be spoken?

27. síg-bi a-na-šú gĭr-ib-ta-an-gar

27. Why are its brick walls trodden underfoot?

28. tu(ģu) za-pa-ág mà-mà-bi ab-ta ib-ta- an-dal

28. The doves screaming flew from their nests.

29. é ? zu síg nar-balag ág-zí-ba[68]

29. The temple ... the sweet voiced flute,

30. ... be-in-gí

30.

31. Entirely destroyed.

31.

32. é dû- na[69]

32. The temple violently....

33. é ní-nu-tuk-gim si-ga....

33. The temple like one without reverence....

34. ág-me-bi nu-azag-azag-ga

34. Its regulations unholy ones....

35. šu-luģ-bi kur-kur-ra nu-ub-da-suģ[70]-a-gim

35. Its cult of ablutions like those which had not been chosen above those of all lands

36. šu-be-in-ḳal tuģ-ni ib-ta-an-zig

36. He has demolished, its wealth he seized away.

37. ág-gíg-ūr-ra a a-še-ra mu-un-di

37. In misery of soul how long shall I utter lament?

38. ta-še[71] egir na-ăm-ga-lim[72] dū-a la-ba-an-kalag

38. Why after the destruction has been done is it not respected?

39. ág-el-dū-a-gim ģur-ri[73] zag-be-in-bi

39. As one who accomplishes pure things this one has uttered a curse:—

40. síg-bi pā-e a-na-aš ib-ta-an-è

40. “Why rise her brick-walls in effulgent glory?”

Reverse, Col. I

1. gig-an-bil[74]-ba šag-ba er be-in-[zí-em]

1. Night and day within her wailing is made.

2. á-še kúr ág-gíg be-ib-aga-a

2. Now the stranger has wrought insult.

3. ù-mu-un-bi im-ģul-ám šu-bi be-in-gí-ám[75]

3. Its lord like a storm wind their hands have removed(?)

4. uru-bi é-bi in-gul-gul-ám

4. Their city, their temple, he has destroyed.

5. ùr-bi in-sir-ra-ám šitim[76]-e-ne in-ra-ám

5. Its foundation he laid waste, the skilled workmen he transported.

6. dam dumu-bi šag-ba mi-ni-in-dìg-ga-ám

6. Wife and children within her he slew.

7. uru-bi uru-šub-ba im-ma-ni-in-tu-ra-ám

7. Their city a subjected city he caused to become.[77]

8. mu-un-ga-bi ní-e be-in-ne-ra-ám[78]

8. Its property he himself took as plunder.

9. uru-gál-la-bi nu-gál-la mi-ni-in-tu-ra-ám[79]

9. Their city which was he has caused to become a city which is not.

10. dim-ma-bi gĭr ib-ta-an-kúr-ra-ám

10. Its works of art he placed a hostile foot upon.

11. túg-bi in-sūģ[80]-ám lil-e be-in-sīg-ám

11. Its garments[81] he seized away, the winds tore them in shreds.

12. ú-kaš-a-bi ib-ta-an-kar-ra-ám

12. Its food and drink he pilfered.

13. ga-zu-bi ... mi-ni-ib-tíl-la-ám

13. Their infants(?) ... he caused to perish.

14. é-e kúr ág-rig[82] ... be-ib-aga-a

14. The temple a stranger plundered.

15. a-še-ir-gíg im-me er be-ib-lu-lu

15. Bitter sighing I utter, tears I pour out.

16. balag-di galu i-lu ba-ab-bi-ám

16. Oh sing to the lyre, he that speaks the songs of wailing.

17. šag nu-zí-ba-bi mu-un-na-ni-ib-gí-gí

17. Their hearts which are not glad it will pacify.

18. ù-mu-un-bi me-bi ba-ra-an-è-a-áš[83]

18. The decrees of their lord they have glorified.

19. á-bi nu-mu-un-tag-ga-ám li-bi nu-tar-ra-ám

19. He[84] concerns himself not with their oracles; he cares not for their future.

20. ... ki-šub-gú 3-kam-ma-ám

20. A melody with prostrations. Third section.

21. me-gal-gal-la-ni a-gim ba-ra-an-ēš

21. His great decrees thus he has ordered.

22. á-bi la-ba-an-tag-ga-ám li-bi nu-tar-ra-ám

22. He has concerned himself not with their oracles; he cared not for their future.

23. ... giš-gí-gál-bi-im

23. This is its antiphon.

24. mu-lu sìr-ra[85] na-ăm-tar-gíg-ga-mu-uš[86]

24. He of melodious song the sorrowful fate weeps for.

25. me ib-ši-en[87]-ne-en er im-ši-šeš-šéš-en

25. Sound of mourning he causes to arise; lamentation he utters.

26. á-še balag-di sìr-zu- ne

26. Now oh sing to the lyre! They that know the melodies

27. ḪAR-dúr-ra-mu ma-ar ba-bi-ne-ám

27. My ... shall speak for me.

28. ì-dé-šú kuš-a im-ma-sȋg[88]-ga-mu

28. Now I am filled with sighing.

29. galu[89]-bi er-ra ma-an-mà-mà-ne-àm

29. Her population offer prayers to me.

30. á-še šag-zu[90]-mu né-táb-táb-ba-mu

30. Now my intercession, my pleading(?),

31. á-še dúr-ra-bi ma-ar galu mu-da-an-zu-ám

31. Now mightily the population unite with me in making known.

32. a-rá gig-ga šag-sir-ra-mu

32. Upon ways of pain my mercy[91]

33. ū-a tūr-ra-mu er-ra ma-an-tuk-ám

33. Oh woe! my children weep for.

34. éš é-dū-a ki-dúr-a-ne-ne

34. In the house, the well builded temple, in their dwelling,

35. nar-e-eš ba-ab-gar-ra ní-tuk ba-ab-tur-ra-ám

35. Sound like one chanting is raised and praise is diminished.

36. galu erím-eka na-ăm-mu ib-tíl-la

36. The foe has caused my land to perish.

37. er-ra ma-pad[92](?)ma-an-mà-mà-ne-ám

37. They beseech....

38. šag ág-gíg-ga ib-sȋg-mu ad-bi-šú PI-gà[93]-bi dé-ib-šed-dé-ne-ám

38. My heart which is filled with misery by their wailing ... may they calm.

39. er-bi ugû[94]-mà mu-un-mà-mà-dam

39. Their weeping is made unto me.

40. E+SAL[95] šag-izi-du ma-ar ma-[an-tuk-tuk-e-ne-ám][96]

40. In the mother goddess' sanctuary prayer to me they offer.

41. d.Mu-ul-lil....

41. Enlil....

(About twelve lines broken away.)[97]

Reverse II

1. ....

2. ....

3. ....

4. [ ... mu-ra-ab-]dúg mu- na-ab

4. ....

5. ... ŭg-ga-gim

5. ....

6. [ ... m]u-ra-ab-dúg mu-na-ab[98]

7. ... aga- ... a- ... mu

8. ... mu- ... na- ... ab

9. [...]ma-a[r ... za]l-la

10. ... íb-dū-e KA-mu-na- ab

10.

11. ... ģar-ra-ge-eš ... šag-izi-du

11.

12. ... arruš[99] ma-ra-tuk-tuk[100]

12. Have mercy upon me.

13. šag-zu šag-sīg ib-ta-ba-e šag-laģ ma-ra-an-gar-ra-me (sic!)[101]

13. Thy heart whose portion has been affliction become for me a glad heart.

14. sag-zuzi-zi-i[102]giš-šub-ba-za ul-šú[103] ma-ra-an-mà-mà

14. Thy head which is held aloof turn unto me to glorify thy portion.

15. ág-kúr-ri za-ar[104] i-ri-ib-aga-e šu-bi dé-ib-gí-gí[105]

15. The hostile deeds which he did unto thee be returned unto his hand.

16. uru-ki-a šu-bar-ri nu-zu-a mur-ri[106] dé-ib-sĭg-gi

16. In the city which knew not forgiveness let there be given the cry of multitudes.

17. ... ki-šub gú 5-kam-ma-ám

17. A melody of prostrations. Fifth section.

18. à-še ù-mu-un-zu gú-šub-ba kúr me-e-ši-in-ra-ám

18. Now thy lord anger upon the foe will direct.

19. arruš[107] ma-ra-an-tuk-ám na-ám-zu in-tar-ra-ám

19. He will have mercy and will decree thy fate.

20. síg-zu a-še-ir ib-ta-an-è-a ib-si be-in-dúg-ga-ám

20. Unto thy brick walls where lamentation arose he will command “it is enough.”

21. ģar-šág-gi-zu-ra[108] ma-ra-ni-in-tu-ra-ám

21. Thy happy soul he will cause to return for me.

22. d.Nin-urašā maškim kalag-ga sag-zu be-in-tuk-ám[109]

22. Ninurash the valiant guardsman will sustain thy head.

23. dun-ú-a-ni ... giš-ib-ši-in-gub-ba-ám[110]

23. His pastor[111] he will establish over (the city).

24. é-kur ḳalag-ḳalag dū-dū-ù-dam á-mu-un[112] ba-an-ag-ám

24. Ekur like (a temple) which has been tenderly built he will make....

25. ág-dú-bi ki-bi be-in-gí-ám

25. Its beauty he will restore to its place.

26, 27. gi-gŭn-na-bi[113] ki-gí-gí-bi ud-gim kar-kar-bi[114]

26, 27. That its great dark chamber be restored to its place, that it shine like day

28. suģ[115]-ba-la-túm-túm-mu in-na-an-dúg-ga-ám

28. Unceasingly he commands.

29. garza kúr-ri ib- sūģ[116]- ám

29. The ordinances the stranger has placed in confusion.

30. me[117] ib-bir-a-bi ki-bi-šú in-gar-ra-ám

30. The ritual utensils which have been scattered he will restore to their place.

31. šu-luģ erím[118]-e šu-be-in-lá-a-ba

31. The rituals of hand-washing which the wicked caused to lapse into disuse,[119]

32. azag-gi ... el-e- ... bi

32. To cause to be holy and pure

33. uru-azag nam-šub-da-ni in-na-an-dúg-ga-ám

33. In the holy city which has been consecrated he commands.

34. [d.] Iš-me-dDa-gan sib kenag-gà-ni-ir[120]

34. For Ishme-Dagan his beloved shepherd

35. ... bi(?) gú ul-šár-šár-ri-da

35. ... to cause rejoicing

36. in-na-an-dúg-ga-ám

36. ... he commands.

37. ... azag nam-tar-ri-da-ni

37. The holy ... whose fate has been decreed,

38. ... -ra-ám

38. ...

39. ... DU-ra-ám

39. ...

(About twelve lines broken away, in case this section continued to the end of the tablet.)