[Footnote 1: A long list of them is given.]
[Footnote 2: "Trans. Soc. Bib. Arch.," vol. ii. p. 56.]
The symbolism of the black cloth in the left hand seems evident. The dying man repudiates all his former evil deeds. And he puts his trust in holiness, symbolized by the white cloth in his right hand. Then follow some obscure lines about the spirits—
Their heads shall remove from his head: their hands shall let go his hands: their feet shall depart from his feet:
which perhaps may be explained thus—we learn, from another tablet, that the various classes of evil spirits troubled different parts of the body. Some injured the head, some the hands and feet, etc., etc. Therefore the passage before us may mean: "The spirits whose power is over the hand, shall loose their hands from his," etc. But I can offer no decided opinion on such obscure points of their superstition.
INHERITED OR IMPUTED SINS
These were supposed to pursue a sick man and torment him. [Footnote: See
"Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," vol. iv. p. 7.]
1 The mamit for him reveal! The mamit for him unfold![1] 2 Against the evil spirit, disturber of his body! 3 Whether it be the sin of his father: 4 or whether it be the sin of his mother: 5 or whether it be the sin of his elder brother: 6 or whether it be the sin of someone who is unknown![2]
[Footnote 1: A holy object, the nature of which has not been ascertained.]
[Footnote 2: "Trans. Soc. Bib. Arch.," vol. ii, p. 58.]