Fifth Tablet of Creation Legend.
Obverse.
- 1. (Anu) made suitable the mansions of the (seven) great gods.
- 2. The stars he placed in them, the lumasi[8] he fixed.
- 3. He arranged the year according to the bounds (or signs of the Zodiac, Heb. mazzaroth) that he defined.
- 4. For each of the twelve months three stars he fixed.
- 5. From the day when the year issues forth unto the close,
- 6. he established the mansion of the god Nibiru, that they might know their laws (or bonds).
- 7. That they might not err or deflect at all,
- 8. the mansion of Bel and Hea he established along with himself.
- 9. He opened also the great gates in the sides of the world;
- 10. the bolts he strengthened on the left hand and on the right.
- 11. In its centre also he made a staircase.
- 12. The moon-god he caused to beautify the thick night.
- 13. He appointed him also to hinder (or balance) the night, that the day may be known,
- 14. (saying): Every month, without break, observe thy circle:
- 15. at the beginning of the month also, when the night is at its height.
- 16. (with) the horns thou announcest that the heaven may be known.
- 17. On the seventh day (thy) circle (begins to) fill,
- 18. but open in darkness will remain the half on the right (?).[9]
- 19. At that time the sun (will be) on the horizon of heaven at thy (rising).
- 20. (Thy form) determine and make a (circle?).
- 21. (From hence) return (and) approach the path of the sun.
- 22. (Then) will the darkness return; the sun will change.
- 23. ....... seek its road.
- 24. (Rise and) set, and judge judgment.
All that is left of the reverse is the latter half of the last line of the narrative, and the colophon, which runs thus:—
..... the gods on his hearing.
Fifth tablet of (the series beginning) At that time above.
Property of Assur-bani-pal king of nations king of Assyria.
This fine fragment is a typical specimen of the style of the whole series, and shows a marked stage in the Creation, the appointment of the heavenly orbs. It parallels the fourth day of Creation in the first chapter of Genesis, where we read: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
“15. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
“16. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also.