Nibru

Lugal-nesaĝe the son of Zuzu , the master-scribe of Nibru , has fashioned for Nintinuga his messenger (?) dog Tuni-lu-sag. That is why the dog will wag his tail or chew for his mistress the queen of heaven and earth, the provider of food, the stewardess of Enlil , the sweet breast satisfying all lands, the bringer of abundance, who can diagnose the intentions of the virulent asag demon and who checks people's bones; who examines the sinews of life and the sinews of death, comforting those joints; who knows every sick spot where there is affliction, torment or distress -- the kindly physician, the exorcist to the sick, who looks after the hearts of humans.

A dog for Nintinuga (c.5.7.2) ·c.5.7.2 ·1 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Shrine of Nibru , shrine surpassing the abzu , shining E-kur ; your prince is the Great Mountain Enlil who surpasses the Prince ( i.e. Enki ) . Your great lady is the good woman, Mother Ninlil , excelling in refinement. Your caretaker is one whose vigour is surpassing, the hero Ninurta . The chief minister ( i.e. Nuska ) , who is worthy of your fair copper vessels, who makes your bedchamber exceedingly pleasant, is also the guardian watching over your honourable divine powers; he is the shepherd watching over your honourable divine powers. Your provider, who was engendered by the Great Mountain and was born by Ninlil -- Išme- Dagan , who was engendered by the Great Mountain, and was born by Ninlil , he who has achieved a high reputation among his numerous people, throws himself at your feet.

A hymn to Nibru and Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan C) (c.2.5.4.03) ·c.2.5.4.03 ·1 ·machine translation (etcsl)

There was a city, there was a city -- the one we live in. Nibru was the city, the one we live in. Dur-ĝišnimbar was the city, the one we live in. Id-sala is its holy river, Kar-ĝeština is its quay. Kar-asar is its quay where boats make fast. Pu-lal is its freshwater well. Id-nunbir-tum is its branching canal, and if one measures from there, its cultivated land is 50 sar each way. Enlil was one of its young men, and Ninlil was one its young women. Nun-bar-še-gunu was one of its wise old women.

Enlil and Ninlil (c.1.2.1) ·c.1.2.1 ·2 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Royal courier, start the journey! I want to send you to Nibru -- deliver this message! You are going on a long journey. My mother {is worried, she cannot sleep} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) is too (?) …… to sleep}. Although the way to {her} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) the closed} woman's domain is blocked, deliver my letter of greeting into her hands, {as she keeps asking} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) and then she will not keep asking} the {travellers} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) wayfarers} about my well-being. Then my mother will be delighted, and will treat you most kindly (?) for it.

The message of Lu-diĝira to his mother (c.5.5.1) ·c.5.5.1 ·2 ·machine translation (etcsl)

May Enlil , king of heaven and earth, whose utterances are trusty and whose words are ……, …… the shepherd Rīm- Sîn , …… my king ……. May he who gives him life-giving (?) food-offerings in Nibru stand in prayer before him. May Enlil bestow upon him grain, the benefit of mankind. May he pass his time in joy in the …… of his country. They will …… Rīm- Sîn my king. May he strengthen for him his royal throne and extend his reign. May he decree his sceptre for the south and the uplands. May he make the king's inferiors bow down before him. The offerings of Rīm- Sîn my king, small or great, at Nibru in the E-kur ……. Syrup shall drip like ghee from its fingers. I am as the son of one man, honey and ghee. My king, let offerings …… in my joy. They give me silver …….

A prayer to Enlil for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn A) (c.2.6.9.1) ·c.2.6.9.1 ·3 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Anam , lord, ……, ……, perfect in your broad wisdom, ……, who preserves Nibru , who prevents the city from having ……! Sweet breeze (?) of his city, father of the region of Unug , judge who …… in his verdicts, reverent ……, who fears An and Inana ! Who cherishes E-ana , who is happy there …… in friendly words! Mighty ……, heart's desire of Inana , who reveres the …… of the Land, …… with head high, en priest of Inana , ……, all-knowing!

A praise poem of Anam (Anam A) (c.2.7.1.1) ·c.2.7.1.1 ·3 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He has abandoned his cow-pen and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. The wild bull has abandoned his cow-pen and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. The lord of all the lands has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. Enlil has abandoned the shrine Nibru and has let the breezes haunt his sheepfold. His wife Ninlil has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninlil has abandoned that house, the Ki-ur , and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. The queen of Keš has abandoned it and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold. Ninmaḫ has abandoned that house Keš and has let the breezes haunt her sheepfold.

The lament for Urim (c.2.2.2) ·c.2.2.2 ·4 ·machine translation (etcsl)

After the cattle pen had been built for the foremost divine powers -- how did it become a haunted place? When will it be restored? Where once the brick of fate had been laid -- who scattered its divine powers? The lamentation is reprised: how did the storeroom of Nibru , the shrine Dur-an-ki , become a haunted place? When will it be restored? After Ki-ur , the great place, had been built, after the brickwork of E-kur had been built, after Ubšu-unkena had been built, after the shrine Egal-maḫ had been built -- how did they become haunted? When will they be restored?

The lament for Nibru (c.2.2.4) ·c.2.2.4 ·5 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord, perfect warrior, beloved by ……. Ninurta , meš tree with a broad shining canopy, ……. Weapon striding into battle, …… foreign countries. A dragon with a terrifying face, venomous snake who …… its venom against the rebel lands. …… overpowering ……, foremost lion ……. Ninurta , who …… with the great prince Enki . My king, in your city, shrine Nibru , ……. E-šu-me-ša , where …… for you. Lord, the kingship is perfect with you ……. Adviser, the dragon of the Land, ……. Ninurta , the great wall of Nibru , ……. My king, whose divine powers cannot be scattered, warrior ……. Forceful lion, ……. King with the broad wisdom of heaven and earth, ……. Exalted sceptre rising above the Land, ……. Ninurta , who …… the enemy, …….

A tigi to Ninurta for Šulgi (Šulgi T) (c.2.4.2.20) ·c.2.4.2.20 ·7 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Say this to Enlil-massu who {enhances} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) pronounces} advice and counsel, the mellifluous mouth which makes speech persuasive. Repeat it to the son who serves his god and respects his father and mother. {Say it a third time} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) Repeat it} to my protective guardian and propitious spirit -- the precious powers -- whose form and stature are pleasing, honour to the scribal craft, {hero among the administrators and ornament of the palace} {( 1 Urim ms. has instead: ) hero among the administrators} {( 2 mss. have instead: ) ornament of the palace and hero among the administrators} who reinstates decrees and greatly pleases the heart of his king. This is what Lugal-nesaĝe , the nueš priest of Enlil and person who brings laughter to the king, son of { Enlil-alsag } {( 1 Urim ms. has instead: ) Zuzu } , the scholar of Nibru and your father, says:

Letter from Lugal-nesaĝe to Enlil-massu (c.3.3.09) ·c.3.3.09 ·9 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Then Išme- Dagan the youthful, the mightiest hero among swift athletes, the fearsome runner, who serving night and day never ceases caring for Nibru -- the city where the seed of the numerous people came forth and where life and birth came into existence -- and who provides daily for everything, established justice (?) on a grand scale. The king whose rising is a hurricane, a flood, a wind blowing in its fury, who swinging his wide open arms flashes away into the distance, who is like a fierce lion of the desert which advances in full strength and vigour, who runs fast on the roadway …… battle and combat, a horse waving its tail on the highway, who like a young deer …… running, …… knees are swift and indefatigable, the son who provides Enlil with everything, who causes joy to Ninlil's heart -- he will never stop caring for the shining shrine.

A dedication of a statue (Išme-Dagan S) (c.2.5.4.19) ·c.2.5.4.19 ·10 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He is the man to whom Enlil has given …… and the shepherdship over the widespread people, the beloved (?) shepherd of Nibru , the constant servant of E-kur ; he is the trustworthy farmer of the house of Asalim , who takes care that provisions do not cease in E-saĝ-ila . For you to exercise your divine powers of shepherdship in the Land, Enlil has placed the foreign lands at your feet. Obedient to Utu , beloved (?) of Inana , Samsu -iluna , the king whose fate is never altered by Enlil , my king, at the command uttered by Enlil , Enki and Asalim , Zababa , Lugal-gu-dua , the king who builds temples, …… the rebel lands …… unknown no. of lines missing

A hymn to Enlil for Samsu-iluna (Samsu-iluna F) (c.2.8.3.6) ·c.2.8.3.6 ·10 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Nibru is covered in fog (?); in the city ……. Over the multitudes a cry of woe (?) has fallen, ……. Lamenting …… like a war-cry in battle ……. 1 line unclear They are overcome by pity for her whose life has ended. They are anguished (?) at her being laid out like a golden statue. Whoever looks upon her, will they not weep? The weeping women ……. The best songs …… of the bards of sweet words are altered everywhere into laments and moans.

An elegy on the death of Nawirtum (c.5.5.3) ·c.5.5.3 ·10 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Great lion of holy An , first-born of Enlil , seed of a bison, beloved of the gods, great strength inspiring awe in the Land, with the just crown and the shining sceptre, sparkling over the high mountains, …… of Enlil filled with princely divine powers, …… in the centre of Nibru , highly skilled at examining ……, 7 lines fragmentary

An ululumama to Nanna (Nanna J) (c.4.13.10) ·c.4.13.10 ·10 ·machine translation (etcsl)

To befit heaven and earth grandly, they raised Enki , the lord, the firstborn son of holy An , to the status of junior Enlil . So that he can reveal everything (?), they bestowed sevenfold wisdom upon him as a gift. They have established eternally that he should give counsel, that he should decide great fates, that he ……, and that he should provide wisdom.

A hymn to Ninurta for Išme-Dagan (c.2.5.4.29) ·c.2.5.4.29 ·3 ·machine translation (etcsl)

She abandoned the office of en , abandoned the office of lagar , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-ana in Unug , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-muš-kalama in Bad-tibira , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Giguna in Zabalam , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-šara in Adab , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Barag-dur-ĝara in Nibru , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Ḫursaĝ-kalama in Kiš , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E- Ulmaš in Agade , and descended to the underworld. {( 1 ms. adds 8 other lines: ) She abandoned the Ibgal in Umma , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E- Dilmuna in Urim , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Amaš-e-kug in Kisiga , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-ešdam-kug in Ĝirsu , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-šeg-meše-du in Isin , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Anzagar in Akšak , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the Niĝin-ĝar-kug in Šuruppag , and descended to the underworld. She abandoned the E-šag-ḫula in Kazallu , and descended to the underworld.}

Inana's descent to the nether world (c.1.4.1) ·c.1.4.1 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord, perfect warrior, beloved by ……. Ninurta , meš tree with a broad shining canopy, ……. Weapon striding into battle, …… foreign countries. A dragon with a terrifying face, venomous snake who …… its venom against the rebel lands. …… overpowering ……, foremost lion ……. Ninurta , who …… with the great prince Enki . My king, in your city, shrine Nibru , ……. E-šu-me-ša , where …… for you. Lord, the kingship is perfect with you ……. Adviser, the dragon of the Land, ……. Ninurta , the great wall of Nibru , ……. My king, whose divine powers cannot be scattered, warrior ……. Forceful lion, ……. King with the broad wisdom of heaven and earth, ……. Exalted sceptre rising above the Land, ……. Ninurta , who …… the enemy, …….

A tigi to Ninurta for Šulgi (Šulgi T) (c.2.4.2.20) ·c.2.4.2.20 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Shrine of Nibru , shrine surpassing the abzu , shining E-kur ; your prince is the Great Mountain Enlil who surpasses the Prince ( i.e. Enki ) . Your great lady is the good woman, Mother Ninlil , excelling in refinement. Your caretaker is one whose vigour is surpassing, the hero Ninurta . The chief minister ( i.e. Nuska ) , who is worthy of your fair copper vessels, who makes your bedchamber exceedingly pleasant, is also the guardian watching over your honourable divine powers; he is the shepherd watching over your honourable divine powers. Your provider, who was engendered by the Great Mountain and was born by Ninlil -- Išme- Dagan , who was engendered by the Great Mountain, and was born by Ninlil , he who has achieved a high reputation among his numerous people, throws himself at your feet.

A hymn to Nibru and Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan C) (c.2.5.4.03) ·c.2.5.4.03 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

( cf. 6.1.03.31 , 6.1.09.b1 , 6.1.11.18 , 6.1.15.b8 , 6.2.1: Ni 4469 Seg. A ll. 9-12 ) Nanni cherished his old age. He had not finished the building of Enlil's temple. He …… the building of the wall of Nibru . He had abandoned the building of the E-ana , ……. He had captured Simurrum , but had not managed to carry off (?) its tribute. Mighty kingship was not bestowed upon him. Was not Nanni thus brought to the nether world with a depressed heart?

Proverbs: collection 25 (c.6.1.25) ·c.6.1.25 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enlil , the king of all the foreign countries, Nunamnir , the lord who determines the fates, decreed something of great importance in the shrine Nibru , in Dur-an-ki : he made you exalted in the shining E-kur , ……. You are the strong spread-net of Nunamnir . Anguba priestess, who provides the E-kur with food, you are in charge of the wine. You are Enlil's exalted daughter-in-law, you are the one who stands next to him with the libation water (?). Because you prostrated yourself humbly with supplications, Nunamnir , the prince of all the foreign countries, entrusted to you the exalted office of accountant of heaven and earth, and exalted you, giving you the rank of lady of the shrine which brought the seeds of mankind forth.

An adab to Bau for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan B) (c.2.5.4.02) ·c.2.5.4.02 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Suen put in order the food offerings and, after he had taken them to Nibru , {( 1 ms. adds 1 line: ) and had brought them into the E-kur , the house of Enlil ,} Enlil , delighted with the food offerings, fixed a good destiny. His own mother, the great lady Ninlil , expressed deserved affection.

A praise poem of Sîn-iddinam (Sîn-iddinam A) (c.2.6.6.1) ·c.2.6.6.1 ·11 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Shrine of Nibru , shrine surpassing the abzu , shining E-kur ; your prince is the Great Mountain Enlil who surpasses the Prince ( i.e. Enki ) . Your great lady is the good woman, Mother Ninlil , excelling in refinement. Your caretaker is one whose vigour is surpassing, the hero Ninurta . The chief minister ( i.e. Nuska ) , who is worthy of your fair copper vessels, who makes your bedchamber exceedingly pleasant, is also the guardian watching over your honourable divine powers; he is the shepherd watching over your honourable divine powers. Your provider, who was engendered by the Great Mountain and was born by Ninlil -- Išme- Dagan , who was engendered by the Great Mountain, and was born by Ninlil , he who has achieved a high reputation among his numerous people, throws himself at your feet.

A hymn to Nibru and Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan C) (c.2.5.4.03) ·c.2.5.4.03 ·13 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The mighty lord, the greatest in heaven and earth, the knowledgeable judge, the wise one of wide-ranging wisdom, has taken his seat in the Dur-an-ki , and made the Ki-ur , the great place, resplendent with majesty. He has taken up residence in Nibru , the lofty bond (?) between heaven and earth. The front of the city is laden with terrible fearsomeness and radiance, its back is such that even the mightiest god dare not attack, and its interior is the blade of a sharp dagger, a blade of catastrophe. For the rebel lands it is a snare, a trap set with a net.

Enlil in the E-kur (Enlil A) (c.4.05.1) ·c.4.05.1 ·13 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Shrine of Nibru , shrine surpassing the abzu , shining E-kur ; your prince is the Great Mountain Enlil who surpasses the Prince ( i.e. Enki ) . Your great lady is the good woman, Mother Ninlil , excelling in refinement. Your caretaker is one whose vigour is surpassing, the hero Ninurta . The chief minister ( i.e. Nuska ) , who is worthy of your fair copper vessels, who makes your bedchamber exceedingly pleasant, is also the guardian watching over your honourable divine powers; he is the shepherd watching over your honourable divine powers. Your provider, who was engendered by the Great Mountain and was born by Ninlil -- Išme- Dagan , who was engendered by the Great Mountain, and was born by Ninlil , he who has achieved a high reputation among his numerous people, throws himself at your feet.

A hymn to Nibru and Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan C) (c.2.5.4.03) ·c.2.5.4.03 ·14 ·machine translation (etcsl)

His own mother, the lady of Nibru , speaks a prayer to the lord in his desert: "A prayer, O shepherd! A prayer! May the cows be numerous for you in the good desert. When you arrive at nightfall, may you renew the E-kur , the highly prized sanctuary."

A balbale to Suen (Nanna A) (c.4.13.01) ·c.4.13.01 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Mighty (?) one of the dais, …… good seed ……, my Ibbi- Suen , …… from holy An , lord who sanctifies the divine powers, who purifies the divine powers, who makes brilliant the purification rites, ……, with shining horns, the light of heaven, youthful Suen ……, great ……, ……. Wide-armed Nibru , …… in his holy heart by Nanna , beneficent prince over the full extent of heaven and earth, …… moonlight ……, manifest bull, as august as Enlil , …… 2 lines broken unknown no. of lines missing

A hymn to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen E) (c.2.4.5.5) ·c.2.4.5.5 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He, not eating, was stricken with illness and was languishing away (?). Having closed his mouth, he ate no food and lay famished. According to a tablet ……. The warrior, a wanderer (?), did not move a foot. From (?) his sick …… he was consumed with wailing for his children. Heart anguished, overcome by wailing, the scholar died a violent death in Nibru .

An elegy on the death of Nannaya (c.5.5.2) ·c.5.5.2 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In Isin , the royal city, Išme- Dagan , …… for you in masterly fashion a fifty-headed battle-mace to destroy the rebel lands, chosen for your great power. For you he gave it fifty names. From Isin he …… it for you into Nibru , the primeval, well-established city and …… to be marvelled at in the E-šu-me-ša , the majestic residence that …… fearsomeness, at the gate of Igi-šu-galam, the place where fates are decided.

A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan AA) (c.2.5.4.27) ·c.2.5.4.27 ·18 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… who alone surpasses heaven and earth, the exalted one, prominent among the Anuna gods, whose utterances cannot be overturned! Nunamnir , whose decisions cannot be altered, proud one imbued with terrifying awesomeness, {who alone is exalted} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) who alone is eminent, the foremost one} among the Great Princes, has taken his seat in the shrine of Nibru , in Dur-an-ki , in E-kur , the temple where the fates are determined, in the holy shining temple. When Mother Ninlil , who is equal in rank with the Great Mountain, embraces him ……, …… says to ……: "…… chosen in the heart by ……." unknown no. of lines missing

An adab to Enlil for Būr-Suen (Būr-Suen B) (c.2.5.7.2) ·c.2.5.7.2 ·7 ·machine translation (etcsl)

At that time, he wished to dig (?) in the meadows; the lord wished to dig (?) in the meadows. Lord Pabilsaĝ wished to dig (?) in the meadows; in all the meadows of Isin , my king wished to dig (?). So then my king set off for Nibru .

Pabilsaĝ's journey to Nibru (c.1.7.8) ·c.1.7.8 ·21 ·machine translation (etcsl)