JCS 21, 255-262[via caspo]

Obverse
o 1o 1

EN₂ u₂-sal-li-ki be-let be-le-e-ti i-lat i-la-a-ti

Incantation: I beseech you, O lady of ladies, O goddess of goddesses!

o 22

d-tar šar-ra-ti kul-lat da-ad₂-me muš-te-ši-rat te-ne₂-še-e-ti

O Ishtar, queen of all habitations, who guides humankind aright,

o 33

dir-ni-ni mut-tal-la-a-ti ra-bat di₂-gi₃-gi₃

O Irnini, you are noble, great among the Igigi.

o 44

gaš-ra-a-ti ma-al-ka-a-ti šu-mu-ki ṣi-ru

You are mighty. You are sovereign. Exalted are your names!

o 55

at-ti-ma na-an-na-rat ANe u KIti₃ ma-rat d3(u) qa-rit-ti

You are the luminary of the heavens and the earth, the valiant daughter of Sin.

o 66

mut-tab-bi-la-at gišTUKUL-MEŠ ša₂-ki-na-at tu-qu-un-ti

The one who wields weapons, who sets up battles,

o 77

ḫa-mi-mat gi-mir par-ṣi a-pi-rat a-ge-e be-lu-ti

Who gathers all the rites, who wears the crown of lordship,

o 88

dGAŠAN šu-pu-u₂ nar-bu-ki UGU ka-la DINGIR-MEŠ ṣi-ru

O Lady, resplendent is your greatness, exalted above all the gods!

o 99

MUL ta-nu-qa-a-ti muš-tam-ḫi-ṣa-at ŠEŠ-MEŠ mit-gu-ru-ti

Star of the battle cry, who makes brothers at peace come to blows,

o 1010

mut-ta-ad-di-na-at it-ba-ru1

(Yet) who perennially provides a comrade,

o 1111

it-bur-ti be-let tu-ša₂-ri mut-tak-ki-pat ša₂-di-ia2

Powerful one, lady of the battlefield, who constantly pushes aside the mountains,

o 1212

dgu-še-e-a ša₂ tu-qu-un-ta ḫal-pat la-bi-šat ḫur-ba-ša₂

Gushea, who is clad with combat, clothed in terror,

o 1313

gam-ra-a-ti šip-ṭa u .BAR ur-ti KIti₃ u ša₂-ma-mi

You bring judgment and decision, the command of earth and heaven, to completion.

o 1414

suk-ku -re-e-ti ne₂-me-da u BARA₂-MEŠ u₂-paq-qu ka-a-ši

Chapels, shrines, cult stands, and daises attend to you.

o 1515

e-ki-a-am la MU-ki e-ki-a-am la par-ṣu-ki

Where is your name absent? Where are your rites absent?

o 1616

e-ki-a-am la uṣ-ṣu-ra GIŠ.ḪUR-MEŠ-ki e-ki-a-am la ŠUB-MEŠ BARA₂-MEŠ-ki

Where are your plans not implemented? Where are your cult daises not laid out?

o 1717

e-ki-a-am la ra-ba-a-ti e-ki-a-am la ṣi-ra-a-ti

Where are you not great? Where are you not exalted?

o 1818

da-num d+en-lil₂ u de₂-a ul-lu-u₂-ki ina DINGIR-MEŠ u₂-šar-bu-u₂ be-lu-ut-ki

Anu, Enlil, and Ea elevated you, among the gods they magnified your sovereignty.

o 1919

u₂-ša₂-aš₂-qu-ki ina nap-ḫar di₂-gi₃-gi₃ u₂-ša₂-ti-ru man-za-az-ki

They exalted you among all the Igigi; they made your position supreme.

o 2020

a-na ḫi-is-sat šu-me-ki ANu₂ u KIti₃ i-ru-ub-bu

At the mention of your name the heavens and earth quake.

o 2121

DINGIR-MEŠ i-šub-bu i-nar-ru-ṭu da-nun-na-ki

The gods shake, the Anunnaki tremble.

o 2222

MU-ki ra-aš₂-bu -tam-ma-ra te-ne₂-še-e-ti

Humanity praises your terrifying name.

o 2323

at-ti-ma ra-ba-a-ti u₃ ṣi-ra-a-ti

You are indeed great and exalted.

o 2424

nap-ḫar ṣal-mat qaq-qa-di nam-maš-šu-u₂ te-ne₂-še-e-ti i-dal-la-lu qur-di-ki

All the black-headed ones, the throng of humankind, praise your heroism.

o 2525

di-in ba-ḫu-la-a-ti ina kit-ti u mi-ša₂-ri ta-din-ni at-ti

With truth and justice you render the verdict of the subject peoples.

o 2626

tap-pal-la-si ḫab-lu u šag-šu tuš-te--še-ri ud-da-kam*

You look upon the wronged and afflicted, (whom) you lead aright every day.

o 2727

a-ḫu-lap-ki be-let ANe u KIti₃ re-e₂-a-at UN-MEŠ a-pa-a-ti

Have mercy (lit. your aḫulap), O lady of the heavens and the earth, the shepherd of the teeming people!

o 2828

a-ḫu-lap-ki be-let e₂-an-na qud-du-šu₂ šu-tum₃-mu el-lu

Have mercy, O lady of holy Eanna, the pure storehouse!

o 2929

a-ḫu-lap-ki dGAŠAN ul a-ni-ḫa GIR₃-MIN-ki la-si-ma bir-ka-a-ki

Have mercy, O Lady! Your feet (are) tireless, your legs (lit. knees) swift!

o 3030

a-ḫu-lap-ki be-let ta-ḫa-zi ka-li-šu₂-nu tam-ḫa-ri

Have mercy, O lady of every battle (and) fray!

o 3131

šu-pu-u₂-tu₄ la-ab-bat di₂-gi₃-gi₃ mu-kan-ni-šat DINGIR-MEŠ!(ME) sab-su-ti

Resplendent one, the lioness of the Igigi, who makes the angry gods bow down,

o 3232

le-ʾ-a-at ka-li-šu₂-nu ma-al-ku ṣa-bi-ta-at ṣer-ret LUGAL-MEŠ3

Who is most capable of all the princes, who seizes the lead rope of the kings,

o 3333

pe-ta-a-at pu-su-um-me ša₂ ka-li-ši-na KI.SIKIL-MEŠ

Who opens the veils of all the young women,

o 3434

na-an-še-a-at na-an-di-a-at qa-rit-ti d1(u) 5(diš) ra-bu-u₂ qur-di-ki4

(Whether) you are lifted up (or) laid down, O valiant Ishtar, your heroic deeds are great.

o 3535

na-mir-tu₄ di-par ANe u KIti₃ ša₂-ru-ur kal da-ad₂-me

Brilliant torch of the heavens and earth, radiance of all the habitations,

o 3636

ez-ze-et qab-lu la ma-ḫar a-li-lat tam-ḫa-ri

Fierce in unopposable combat, powerful in battle,

o 3737

a-ku-ku-u₂-tu₄ ša₂ ana a-a-bi nap-ḫat ša₂-ki-na-at šaḫ-lu-uq-ti ek-du-ti

The firebrand kindled against the enemies, who brings about the annihilation of barbarians (lit. wild ones),

o 3838

mu-um-mil-tu₄ d-tar mu-paḫ-ḫi-rat pu-uḫ-ri5

Scintillating Ishtar, who gathers the assembly,

o 3939

i-lat NITA-MEŠ d-tar MUNUS-MEŠ ša₂ la i-lam-ma-du mi-lik-šu₂ ma-am-man

O goddess of men, Ishtar of women, whose counsel no one can learn,

o 4040

a-šar tap-pal-la-si i-bal-luṭ lu₂UŠ₂ i-te-eb-bi mar-ṣu

Wherever you cast your gaze (lit. look with favor), the dead live, the sick rise up.

o 4141

-ši-ir la i-ša₂-ru a-mi-ru pa-ni-ki

The mistreated prospers (when) he sees your face.

o 4242

ana-ku al-si-ki an-ḫu šu-nu-ḫu šum-ru-ṣu IR₃-ki

I, your weary, exhausted, afflicted servant, call upon you!

o 4343

a-mur-in-ni-ma dGAŠAN-MU le-qe₂-e un-ni-ni-ia

Look at me! Receive my prayer, my Lady!

o 4444

ki-niš nap-li-sin-ni-ma ši-me₂-e tes₂-li-ti

Look upon me earnestly! Hear my supplication!

o 4545

a-ḫu-lap-ia qi₂-bi-ma ka-bat-ta-ki lip-pa-aš₂-ra

Order my reprieve (lit. my aḫulap). Let your mood be put at ease.

o 4646

a-ḫu-lap SU-ia na-as-si ša₂ ma-lu-u₂ e-ša₂-a-ti u dal-ḫa-a-ti

Have mercy on my miserable body, which is full of confusion and trouble.

o 4747

a-ḫu-lap lib₃-bi-ia šum-ru-ṣu ša₂ ma-lu-u₂ dim₂-ti u ta-ne₂-ḫi

Have mercy on my afflicted heart, which is full of tears and sighing.

o 4848

a-ḫu-lap te-re-ti-ia na-as-sa-a-ti e-ša₂-a-ti u dal-ḫa-a-ti

Have mercy on my miserable, confused, and troubled omens.

o 4949

a-ḫu-lap E₂-ia šu-ud-lu-pu ša₂ u₂-na-as-sa-su ER₂-MEŠ

Have mercy on my sleepless household, which moans with mourning.

o 5050

a-ḫu-lap kab-ta-ti-ia ša₂ -ta-bar-ru-u₂ dim₂-ti u ta-ne₂-ḫi

Have mercy on my feelings, which persist in tears and sighing.

o 5151

dir-ni-ni-i-tu₄ la-ab-bu na-ad-ru lib₃-ba-ki li-nu-ḫa6

O Irninitu, raging lion, let your heart be at rest.

o 5252

ri-i-mu šab-ba-su-u₂ ka-bat-ta-ki lip-pa-aš₂-ra

O angry bull, may your mood be put at ease.

o 5353

SIG₅-MEŠ IGI-MIN-ki lib-ša₂-a e-li-ia

Let your favorable eyes be upon me.

o 5454

ina bu-ni-ki nam-ru-ti ki-niš nap-li-sin-ni ia-a-ši

With your radiant countenance look upon me earnestly.

o 5555

uk-ki-ši u₂-pi-ša₂ ḪUL-MEŠ ša₂ SU-MU ZALAG₂-ki nam-ru lu-mur

Expel the evil sorcery in my body. Let me see your brilliant light!

o 5656

a-di ma-ti dGAŠAN-MU EN-MEŠ da-ba-bi-ia ne₂-kel-mu-u₂-in-ni-ma

How long, my Lady, will my legal opponents scowl at me?

Reverse
r 1r 1

ina sur-ra-a-ti u la ki-na-a-ti i-kap-pu-du-ni lem-ne₂-e-ti

And with lies and injustices conceive evil things against me?

r 22

re-du-u₂-a ḫa-du-u₂-a -tam-ma-ru UGU-MU

My persecutors (and) ill-wishers rampage against me.

r 33

a-di ma-ti dGAŠAN.MU lil-lu a-ku-u₂ i-ba-ʾ-an-ni

How long, my Lady, will morons (and) weaklings defeat me?

r 44

ip-na-an-ni muq-qu ar-ku-um-ma ana-ku am-mer-ki

The wearied move ahead while (lit. and) I bring up the rear.

r 55

en-šu-ti id-ni-nu-ma ana-ku e-ni-7

The weak grow strong while (lit. and) I grow faint.

r 66

a-sab-bu-ʾ ki-ma a-gi-i ša₂ up-pa-qu IM lem-na

I toss like a wave an evil wind whips up.

r 77

i-ša₂-ʾ it-ta-nap-raš lib₃-bi ki-ma iṣ-ṣur ša₂-ma-mi

My heart flutters (and) flies like a bird of the heavens.

r 88

a-dam-mu-um ki-ma su-um-ma-tu₄ mu-ši u ur-ra

I moan night and day like a dove.

r 99

na-an-gu-la-ku-ma a-bak-ki ṣar-piš8

I am "glowing"(?) and weep bitterly.

r 1010

ina u₈-u₂-a a-a šum-ru-ṣa-at ka-bat-ti

From woe (and) alas my mood is afflicted.

r 1111

mi-na-a e-pu- DINGIR-MU u d-tar-MU a-na-ku9

What did I even do against my (personal) god and my (personal) goddess?

r 1212

ki-i la pa-liḫ DINGIR-MU u diš₈-tar₂-MU ana-ku ep-še-ek

I am being treated like one who does not fear my (personal) god and (personal) goddess!

r 1313

šak-nu-nim-ma mur-ṣu di-ʾ-i ḫu-lu-uq-qu-u₂ u šaḫ-lu-uq-ti

Illness, headache, loss, and destruction beset me.

r 1414

šak-na-ni UD-da-a-ti suḫ-ḫur pa-ni u ma-le-e lib-ba-a-ti10

Terrors/troubles, (divine) aversion (lit. turning of faces), and (divine) wrath (lit. being full of anger) beset me,

r 1515

uz-zu ug-ga-ti šib-sat DINGIR-MEŠ u a-me-lu-ti

(As well as) anger, fury, and rejection of (both) the gods and humankind.

r 1616

a-ta-mar dGAŠAN-MU U₄-MEŠ uk-ku-lu-ti ITI-MEŠ na-an-du-ru-ti MU-MEŠ ša₂ ni-ziq-ti

I have experienced (lit. seen), O my Lady, dark days, gloomy months, (and) years of grief.

r 1717

a-ta-mar dGAŠAN-MU šib-ṭa i-ši-ti u saḫ-maš-ti11

I have experienced (lit. seen), O my Lady, plague, confusion and disorder.

r 1818

u₂-kal-la-an-ni mu-u₂-tu u šap-ša₂-qu

Death and hardship restrain me.

r 1919

šu-ḫar-ru-ur sa-ge-e-a šu-ḫar-ru-rat a-šir₃-ti

My shrine is dead quiet, my sanctuary gravely still.

r 2020

UGU E₂ KA₂ u qar-ba-a-ti-ia ša₂-qu-um-ma-ti tab-kat₂

A morbid silence permeates (my) house, gate, and fields.

r 2121

DINGIR-MU ana a-šar ša₂-nim-ma suḫ-ḫu-ru pa-nu-šu₂

My (personal) god's face is turned elsewhere.

r 2222

sap-ḫat il-la-ti ta-bi-ni pur-ru-ur

My family is dispersed, my fold scattered.

r 2323

u₂-pa-qa a-na dGAŠAN-MU ka-a-ši ib-ša₂-ki GEŠTU-MIN-a-a

I (hereby) direct my attention to you, my Lady. My ears are (fixed) on you.

r 2424

u₂-sal-li-ki ka-a-ši ʾ-il-ti pu-uṭ-ri

I beseech you: forgive my guilt!

r 2525

pu-uṭ-ri ar₂-ni šer₃-ti gil₂-la-ti u ḫi-ṭi-ti

Fogive my guilt, my offense, my sin, and my misdeed.

r 2626

me₂-e-ši gil₂-la-ti-ia₂ : i-ši-ti le-qe₂-e un-ni-ni-ia12

Disregard my sins (gloss: my confusion). Accept my prayer!

r 2727

ru-um-mi-ia ki-si-ia₂ šu-bar-ra-a-a šuk-ni

Release my bonds! Set me free!

r 2828

šu-te-ši-ri kib-si nam-riš e-tel-liš it-ti LU₂.TIL₃-MEŠ lu-ba-ʾ SILA

Guide my path aright. May I walk about the street cheerfully (lit. brightly), proudly among the living!

r 2929

qi₂-bi-ma ina qi₂-bi-ti-ki DINGIR ze-nu-u₂ li-is-lim

Speak that at your command (my) angry (personal) god may be reconciled (with me).

r 3030

d1(u) 5(diš) ša₂ is-bu-sa li-tu-ra

(That my personal) goddess, who is mad at me, return to me.

r 3131

e-ṭu-u₂ qat-ru lim-mi₃-ir ki-nu-ni

May (my) dark (and) smoky brazier become bright.

r 3232

be-li-ti li-in-na-pi-iḫ di-pa-ri

May my dispersed family gather.

r 3434

TUR₃ li-ir-piš liš-tam-di-lu su-pu-ri

May (my) pen become wide; my sheepfold be broadened.

r 3535

mug-ri le-be₂-en ap-pi-ia ši-me-e su-pe-e-a

Receive my humble request (lit. touching of my nose); hear my supplication.

r 3636

ki-niš nap-li-sin-ni-ma13

Look upon me earnestly!

r 3737

a-di ma-ti dGAŠAN-MU ze-na-ti-ma suḫ-ḫu-ru pa-nu-ki

How long, my Lady, will you be angry and your face turned away?

r 3838

a-di ma-ti dGAŠAN-MU ra-ʾ-ba-ti-ma uz-zu-za-at kab-ta-at-ki

How long, my lady, will you be furious and your mood enraged?

r 3939

tir-ri ki-šad-ki ša₂ ta-ad-di-ia ana a-mat SIG₅ti₃ pa-ni-ki šuk-ni

Turn your head (lit. neck) that you had cast down; decide (lit. set your face) on a favorable word.

r 4040

ki-ma A-MEŠ pa-šir₃ ID₂ ka-bat-ta-ki lip-pa-aš₂-ra14

As the river releases water (?), may your mood be released.

r 4141

ek-du-ti-ia ki-ma qaq-qa-ru lu-kab-bi-is15

Let me trample over the barbarians (lit. my wild ones) as (if over, or, as if they were) the ground.

r 4242

šab-su-ti-ia kun-ni-šim-ma šu-pal-si-ḫi ina šap-li-ia

Subdue those angry with me. Make (them) prostrate at my feet (lit. under me).

r 4343

su-pu-u₂-a u su-lu-u₂-a lil-li-ku UGU-ki

May my supplications and prayers come to you.

r 4444

ta-a-a-ra-tu-ki rab-ba-a-ti lib-ša₂-a UGU-ia

May your tremendous forgiveness be upon me.

r 4545

a-mi-ru-u₂-a ina SILA li-šar-bu-u₂ zi-kir-ki

May those who see me in the street magnify your name!

r 4646

u ana-ku ana ṣal-mat SAG.DU DINGIRut-ki u qur-di-ki lu-ša₂-pi

And may I extoll your divinity and your heroic deeds to the black-headed (people).

r 4747

d-tar-ma ṣi-rat d-tar-ma šar-rat16

"Ishtar is exalted! Ishtar is queen!

r 4848

dGAŠAN-ma ṣi-rat dGAŠAN-ma šar-rat

"The Lady is exalted! The Lady is queen!

r 4949

dir-ni-ni ma-rat d3(u) qa-rit-ti ma-ḫi-ri NU TUKU

"Irnini, the valiant daughter of Sin, has no rival!"


r 5050

KA.INIM.MA ŠU.IL₂.LA₂ d+INNANAna-KAM*

It is the wording of a lifted-hand prayer to Ishtar.


r 5151

KID₃.KID₃-BI KI GIR₃ KUDat UR₃ SAR A KU₃ SUD 4(diš) SIG₄.ḪI.A ŠA₃.ḪAa ŠUBdi

Its ritual: In an inaccessible place, you sweep the roof, you sprinkle pure water, (and) you lay down four bricks at an angle (to one another).

r 5252

lu-te-e gišASAL₂ te-ṣe-en IZI ŠUBdi ŠIM.ḪI.A ZI₃.MAD.GA₂ ŠIM.LI

You heap up poplar twigs. You set them on fire. Aromatics, fine flour, (and) juniper

r 5353

DUBaq mi-iḫ-ḫa BALqi₂-ma NU tuš-ken mi-nu-tu₂ an-ni-tu₂ ana IGI d-tar

you strew. You libate miḫḫû-beer but do not prostrate yourself. This recitation before Ishtar

r 5454

3(diš)-šu₂ ŠIDnu KI.ZA.ZA-ma ana EGIR-ka NU IGI.BAR

you recite three times. You prostrate yourself, and do not look behind you (on your way home).


r 5555

EN₂ ša₂-qu-tu₄ d-tar mu-nam-mi-rat kib-ra-a-ti

Incantation: O exalted Ishtar who illuminates the world.

r 5656

GABA.RI bar-sipki GIM SUMUN-šu₂ I.dU.GUR-TINsu-iq-bi A I.a-ta-mar!(RAD-)KAL.ME lu₂ME17

Copy from Borsippa. According to its original, Nergal-balassu-iqbi, son of Atamar-KAL.ME(?), the exorcist.

r 5757

ana TIN-šu₂ IN.SAR IGI.KAR₂!(DUB-)ma ina E₂.SAG.IL₂ u₂-kin

For his well-being: Written, checked, and deposited in Esagil.

1This line comprises only one cola, making it too short compared to the others. Also, it seems to me that this line, in keeping with the context, ought to describe a violent aspect of Ishtar. Along these lines, Reiner and Güterbock suggest translating the line "who can pit friend against friend" (1967: 259; see similarly Ebeling 1953: 131).

2The word it-bur-ti is a hapax legomenon. See Zgoll 2003: 62 and Zernecke 2011a: 262 for an overview of several options with literature.

3There is an erasure of about four signs between ṣa-bi-ta-at and ṣer-ret.

4The first two words are taken as truncated 2fs N stem predicatives from našû and nadû. Zernecke 2011a: 266 follows Zgoll 2003: 50, n.130 in suggesting an astral interpretation of the two movements. Given the previous line, I wonder if there might be a sexual connotation involved.

5For the various derivations and meanings of mummiltu, see Zernecke 2011a: 267.

6There is an erasure between the NI and I in {d}ir-ni-ni-i-tu₄.

7The last verb is literally "to become weak."

8The meaning of the verb nagālu is uncertain, though it often occurs with bakû. See CAD N/1, 107 for attestations.

9I assume the personal deities are not being addressed here (with Zgoll 2003: 52 and Zernecke 2011a: 272); differently, Foster 2005: 604.

10There is some question about how to read UD-da-a-ti. One might read pir/per/par-da-a-ti, "terrors, anxieties" (see, e.g., Ebeling 1953: 134, Zgoll 2003: 46, and Zernecke 2011a: 272) or ud-da-a-ti, "troubles" (see, e.g., CAD L, 164).

11Many translators prefer to read šib-ṭa as šip-ṭa, "judgment, verdict" (e.g., Zgoll 2003: 52, Foster 2005: 604, Zernecke 2011a: 273). I follow CAD Š/2, 388 in reading šib-ṭa. In any case, the supplicant is describing the negative fallout of divine wrath in his life.

12The signs : i-ši-ti are written in a smaller hand above the LA and TI in gil₂-la-ti-ia₂.

13The last half of this line has been erased with a deep gauge in the tablet.

14Zgoll has presented the great variation in translations of the first half of the line (2003: 65-66). The present translation, which takes pašir as an active-parsaku formation, is quite tentative.

15I take this to be a request for an easy conquest or complete disregard for the suffering imposed on the enemy.

16With Foster (2005: 605), this line and the next two are likely to be understood as the content of the supplicant's praise.

17On the uncertain/unknown reading of the KAL.ME element in the second name, see Zgoll 2003: 67. Perhaps we are to read KAL as LAMMA and take the ME as a phonetic complement, -mi₃, thus Ātamar-lamassī, "I have seen/experienced my protective spirit." Or, the ME may simply be a prematurely written ME from the professional title. In any case, if we are to read KAL as LAMMA, we would expect the divine determinative before the sign. Of course, this copyist has already misspelled his father's name, so perhaps he simply left it out (by mistake).