The Assyrian and Hebrew Hymns of Praise

by Charles Gordon Cumming

—Nusku No. 3.

Nusku as the fire god is particularly essential to the offering of sacrifices:

Without thee is no banquet held in the temple;

Without thee the gods smell no incense.

—Hymn to Nusku No. 3.

The bestower of incense who burns the freewill offering for the gods.

—Hymn to Nusku No. 2.

It is surely very significant that all this is absent from the Hebrew hymns. There is but one single reference to a sacrifice.

Give to Yahwe the glory due to his name;

Bring an offering and come into His courts.