Obverse
[1.] šes-e tuš-e-na eri êr-ra na-nam
To the brother whose dwelling is the city of weeping, thus:
šes-e: šes same as šis ([Hymn to Sin, line 2]). e equals ana, “to” (Br. 5847).
tuš-e-na: tuš equals ašâbu, “dwell” (Br. 10523). Probably the sign has the same value for šubtu, “dwelling” (Br. 10553). We have had the sign (KU) with the value šù ([Hymn to Bêl, line 15]). e, vowel of prolongation. na, pronominal suffix (see [Hymn to Adad, line 27]).
eri ([Hymn to Bêl, line 13]).
êr-ra: êr ([Hymn to Bêl, Colophon]). ra, phonetic complement ([Hymn to Bêl, line 3]).
na-nam equals kîam, “thus” (see Br. 1597 and [Hymn to Adad, line 28]). The words “O my brother” are represented in legend as being first uttered by the sister of Tammuz and then taken up by other mourners. Probably the custom of weeping for Tammuz originated in the city of Eridu.
[2.] a-kala šes-e tab An-na
The mightiness of the brother, the companion of Anu!
a-kala is an abstract noun like nam-kala which is equal to dannûtu (Br. 6194). a is an abstract prefix, as in A.DU, equal to a-rá, “going” (MSL. p. XVII). kala equal dannu, “mighty” (Br. 6194).
šeš-e. See on šes ([line 1]). e, probably sign of the genitive, if not merely a vowel of prolongation. It can certainly be a postposition (see on [line 1]).
tab (see [Hymn to Adad, line 6]).
An-na (see [Hymn to Adad, line 3] and [Hymn to Bêl, line 18]). Tammuz was a companion of Gišzida in the dominion of Anu. Gišzida was also a god of vegetable growth. At a certain period of the year, Tammuz and Gišzida were stationed in companionship as attendants at the gate of heaven. Here the power of Tammuz to cause vegetation to grow began to be effective. He was, in the first days of his existence, a sun-god, and, stationed in heaven, the rays of his power were felt on earth. So, probably every year, at the time of spring growth, he was conceived of as operating from heaven like a sun.
[3.] a-kala à-ba en dimmer Dumu-zi
The mightiness of his power, the lord Tammuz!
a-kala (see on [line 2]).
à-ba: à (see [Hymn to Bêl, line 14]). ba ([Hymn to Adad, line 25]).
en (see [Hymn to Bêl, line 19]).
dimmer Dumu-zi. Dumu-zi means “son of life”. Dumu ([Hymn to Sin, line 5]). zi (see [Hymn to Bêl, line 23]).
[4.] dumu è-gal-a-ni nu mu-un-su-ga-mu
The son whose temple is not far away!
dumu (see [Hymn to Sin, line 5], ṭu-mu).
è-gal-a-ni: è-gal equals êkallu, “temple”, (Br. 6252). È.GAL, “great house”, is the common compound ideogram for “temple”, both in Sumerian and Assyrian. The Assyrian êkallu is evidently the Sumerian è, plus gal which is changed to kal. The word has passed over into Hebrew, Syriac and Arabic. è (see [Hymn to Sin, line 3]). gal (see [Hymn to Bêl, line 14]). è-gal is often followed by la; here, however, it is followed by a, showing that the phonetic use of la and a is quite similar. ni (see [Hymn to Bêl, line 13]).
nu ([Hymn to Sin, line 27]).
mu-un-su-ga-mu is a verb and seems to mean “who is far away”. The clause occurs also in lines [6], [8], [10] and [12], only that in lines 6 and 12 SU is used instead of SUD. mu-un (see [Hymn to Sin, line 17]). su: SUD seems to equal rûḳu, “distant”, here. Yet when it is equal to rûḳu, it generally has the value sud and is followed by the phonetic complement da; here it is followed by ga. So the value should be sug or su. mu is a relative suffix related to mu of mu-un (see [Hymn to Adad, line 16]).
[5.] azag dimmer Nanâ-ge è An-na-ka im-me
The shining one of Ištar, who is in the house of Anu!
azag (see [Hymn to Sin, line 1]).
dimmer Nanâ-ge. Nanâ, also written Nanna, is the Sumerian name of Ištar. NANNU is sometimes written like RI which, when preceded by the god-sign, also equals “Ištar”. ge (see [Hymn to Adad, line 4]).
è (see [Hymn to Sin, line 3]).
An-na-ka (see [Hymn to Adad, line 4]). ka equals nota genitivi (see Br. 551 and [Hymn to Bêl, line 1]).
im-me: im (see [Hymn to Sin, line 23]). me ([Hymn to Bêl, line 16]). Tammuz seems to be the shining one. The epithet “shining” is sometimes applied to gods, goddesses, kings, princes and others. The primary relation of Tammuz was that of lover. But in the lower world he made love to another. But each year during the season of vegetable growth he was supposed to be living with Ištar and during the season of vegetable decline he was supposed to be living with the other whom he loved in the regions below. The house of Anu might mean the temple of Anu, but the reference in this line is no doubt to heaven, over which Anu was lord and at whose portals Tammuz sometimes acted as porter.
[6.] mulu ú-sun-na-ge nu mu-un-su-ga-mu
The one of plant-germination, who is not far away!
mulu (see [Hymn to Adad, line 16]).
ú-sun-na-ge: ú-sun seems to be a compound noun meaning “plant-growing”. It occurs eight times in the hymn. ú equals šammu, “plant” (Br. 6027). It is sometime a determinative before the name of a plant (Br. 6029). sun means “irrigate” (MSL. 299). It is improbable that this sign is KIB. ge (see [Hymn to Adad, line 4]).
nu (see [Hymn to Sin, line 27]).
mu-un-su-ga-mu (see [line 4]). su(SU) and su(SUD,SUG) are interchangeable (Br. 7593).
[7.] azag dimmer Nanâ-ge za NANNA Unug-ka im-me
The shining one of Ištar, who is the NANNA-stone of Erech!
azag dimmer Nana-ge (see on [line 5]).
za: the probable meaning of za here is “stone” (see [Hymn to Adad, line 13]).
NANNA: there are no citations in Brünnow showing the meaning of NANNA when standing alone. za-NANNA-di equals mammû, “snow”, and za-NANNA may mean “white stone”. If NANNA can equal UŠLANU-GUNÛ, then it can mean nasâḳu (Br. 3019) and za-NANNA means “shining stone”. It may be that NANNA stands for UŠLANU-GUNÛ, then ZA.NANNA.UNU.KI could be equal to Unug-ki (Br. 11749), and the line would read azag dimmer Nanâ-ge Unug-ki-ka im-me, “the shining one of Ištar of Erech he is”.
Unug: that Unug is the correct value is shown by the phonetic complement ga that often follows UNU. Erech, we know, was the city of Ištar (Br. 3023). unu (see [Hymn to Sin, line 2]). ka ([line 5]).
im-me (see on [line 5]).
[8.] mulu zib-ba-ra-ge nu mu-un-su-ga-mu
The one of speech, who is not far away!
mulu (see [Hymn to Adad, line 16]).
zib-ba-ra-ge: zib-ba (see [Hymn to Sin, line 16], gu). ra must answer for vowel prolongation ([Hymn to Bêl, line 3]). ge (see [Hymn to Adad, line 4]). “One of speech” must mean the god endowed with authoritative utterance on the subject of germination.
nu mu-un-su-ga-mu (see on [line 4]).
[9.] bara-ka azag dimmer Nanâ-ge te ki-ka im-me
In the temple the shining one of Ištar, who is the foundation of the land!
bara-ka: bara equals parakku, “dwelling room in the temple” (Br. 6878). ka ([line 5]).
azag dimmer Nanâ-ge ([line 5]).
te equals temennu, “foundation” (Br. 7710).
ki-ka: ki ([Hymn to Bêl, line 9]). ka ([Hymn to Bêl, line 1]).
im-me ([line 5]).
[10.] mulu ka-áš-ka-sa-ge nu mu-un-su-ga-mu
The one of much wine, who is not far away!
mulu (see [Hymn to Adad, line 16]).
ka-áš is evidently a phonetic representation of kaš(BI), cognate with geš in geštin and equal to karânu, “wine” (Br. 5121, 5004 and 5006).
ka-sa-ge: ka-sa may be a phonetic form for kas equal to šinâ, “two” (Br. 4459). Perhaps it would be better to consider ka-áš ka-sa as a reduplication of kaš, as kaš-kas(š) = “much wine”. ge ([Hymn to Adad, line 4]). One form of the legend makes Tammuz the begetter of autumn vegetation. If so, he is the producer of much wine. More likely the meaning is that, on his account, much wine was offered in the service of lamentation at his departure.
nu mu-un-su-ga-mu (see on [line 4]).
[11.] azag dimmer Nanâ-ge šà-mu ú-sun mu-un-si-mal
The shining one of Ištar, whose heart is full of plant-production!
azag dimmer Nanâ-ge ([line 5]).
šà-mu: šà ([Hymn to Sin, line 9], šsag). Relative mu (see [line 4]).
ú-sun ([line 6]).
mu-un-si-mal. mu-un (see [Hymn to Sin, line 17]). si (see [Hymn to Bêl, line 22]). mal (see [Hymn to Bêl, line 18]). Plant growth is a matter of intelligent devising on the part of Tammuz.
[12.] mulu ḥul-mal nu mu-un-su-ga-mu
The one enduring evil, who is not far away!
mulu (see [Hymn to Adad, line 16]).
ḥul-mal equals limnu, “evil” (Br. 9508). ḥul equals limênu, “be evil”. mal ([Hymn to Bêl, line 18]).
nu mu-un-su-ga-mu ([line 6]).
[13.] dimmer mutin An-na-ge kaš-ra-bi mu-un-šub
The wine-god of Anu, to whom they present their offering!
mutin is “wood of life”, mu being ES for geš, “wood”, and tin being for ti ([Hymn to Bêl, line 16]).
An-na-ge: An-na (see [Hymn to Adad, line 3]). ge ([Hymn to Adad, line 4]).
kaš-ra-bi: kaš equals šikaru, “strong drink” (Br. 5126). ra answers as a vowel of prolongation ([Hymn to Bêl, line 3]). If ra were a postposition, it would follow the suffix bi (on which see [Hymn to Sin, line 27]).
mu-un-šub: mu-un ([Hymn to Sin, line 17]). šub equals nadû “cast down” (Br. 1434). RU signifies “bent down”. The attitude of the mourners may be noted.
[14.] mulu ú-sun-na-ge a-na-ám šú-ba ab-rù
The one of plant-germination, what does his hand ordain!
mulu ú-sun-na-ge (see [line 6]).
a-na-ám equals minammi (Br. 11436) which is the same as minû “what?” (Br. 11434). Note that a-ba ([Hymn to Adad, line 21]) equals mannu, “who?”
šú-ba: šú ([Hymn to Bêl, line 25]). ba (see [Hymn to Adad, line 25]).
ab-rù: ab ([Hymn to Bêl, line 16]). rù ([Hymn to Sin, line 14]).
[15.] mulu zib-ba-ra-ge
The one of speech!
See [line 8].
[16.] mulu ka-áš-ka-sa-ge
The one of much wine!
See [line 10].
[17.] mulu ḥul-mal a-na-ám šú-ba ab-gin
The one who endures evil, whither does his hand go!
mulu ḥul-mal ([line 12]).
a-na-àm šú-ba ([line 14]).
ab-gin: ab ([Hymn to Bêl, line 16]). gin ([Hymn to Bêl, line 23]).
[18.] dimmer mutin An-na-ge PAḤÂDU sigišše-ra mu-un-šub-bi
The wine-god of Anu, to whom they offer the lamb of sacrifice!
dimmer mutin An-ua-ge ([line 13]).
PAḤÂDU, Assyrian for “lamb”. The sign is PISANNU enclosing GÊSṬARÛ (Br. 5489). The Sumerian value of the sign is not known. Among the few citations in which the sign appears, a female lamb is mentioned (Br. 10946).
sigišše-ra: sigišše equals nîḳû, “sacrifice”, and ra answers as a vowel of prolongation which the sign takes (Br. 9092).
mu-un-šub-bi: mu-un-šub ([line 13]). bi is a phonetic complement.
[19.] nim-me azag dimmer Nanâ-ra ì mu-un-na-ab-e-e
The lofty one, the shining one of Ištar, to whom they speak.
nim-me: nim (see [Hymn to Adad, line 20]). me, phonetic complement.
azag ([Hymn to Sin, line 1]).
dimmer Nanâ-ra: dimmer Nanâ ([line 5]). ra ([Hymn to Bêl, line 3]).
mu-un-na-ab-e-e: mu-un ([Hymn to Sin, line 17]). na-ab is a verbal infix = “to him”, third person here (MSL. p. XXXII). e-e ([Hymn to Bêl, line 14]).
[20.] nim-me ki mu-lu ni ma-ra an-pad-de a-na mu-un-ba-e-e
The lofty one of the earth who is the abundance of the land, to whom they speak. What doth he say!
nim-me ([line 19]).
ki ([Hymn to Bêl, line 9]).
mu-lu ([Hymn to Bêl, line 20]).
ni ([Hymn to Bêl, line 13]).
an-pad-de: an ([Hymn to Adad, line 1]). pad ([Hymn to Sin, line 10]). de, phonetic complement.
a-na equals minû, “what” (Br. 11434), the same as a-na-ám ([line 14]).
mu-un-ba-e-e: mu-un ([Hymn to Sin, line 17]). ba may be used as an infix as well as a prefix (MSL. p. XXIV, and Hymn to Bêl, lines [24] and [25]). e-e ([line 19]).
[21.] è kaš-a-ka è gurun-na-ka dumu mu-lu azag zu-ge ne-ne mu-un-til-li
In the house of wine, in the house of fruit, the son, the shining one of wisdom, who indeed liveth!
kaš-a-ka: kaš ([line 13]). a ([Hymn to Bêl, line 9]). ka ([line 5]).
gurun-na-ka: gurun equals inbu, “fruit” (Br. 10179). na, phonetic complement. ka (just explained).
dumu ([Hymn to Sin, line 5]).
mu-lu ([Hymn to Bêl, line 20]).
azag ([Hymn to Sin, line 1]).
zu-ge: zu ([Hymn to Bêl, line 1]). ge ([Hymn to Adad, line 4]).
ne-ne ([Hymn to Bêl, line 21]).
mu-un-til-li: mu-un ([Hymn to Sin, line 17]). til is probably the longer form of ti ([Hymn to Bêl, line 16]).
[22.] nim-me azag dimmer mutin An-na-ge ì mu-un-na-ab-e-e
The lofty one, the shining one, the wine-god of Anu, to whom they speak!
nim-me azag ([line 19]).
dimmer mutin An-na-ge ([line 13]).
ì mu-un-na-ab-e-e ([line 19]).
[23.] nim-me ki šes ma-ra an-pad-de a-na-ám mu-un-ma-al
The lofty one of earth, the brother of the land, to whom they speak! What doth his hand effect!
nim-me ki ([line 20]).
šes ([line 1]).
ma-ra ([Hymn to Sin, line 16]).
an-pad-de ([line 20]).
a-na-ám ([line 14]).
mu-un-ma-al: mu-un ([Hymn to Sin, line 17]). ma-al is the verb ([Hymn to Bêl, line 11]).