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CDLI Literary 000784 (Farmer's Instructions) composite (P478970)
Literary, Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE
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| Designation | CDLI Literary 000784 (Farmer's Instructions) composite |
|---|---|
| ID | P478970 |
| Language | Sumerian |
| Period | Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE |
| Genre | Literary |
Transliteration (ATF)
From Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative · CDLI: reuse of catalogue/transliteration data with citation of CDLI; images restricted (not fetched)
Machine draft. The right-hand column is machine English from ixmon/atf-to-english (atf-en-t5base-F, 2026-10-17), generated line by line from the transliteration. It is unreviewed and is not a scholarly translation.
| Line | ATF | Machine English (draft) |
|---|---|---|
| surface a | ||
| 1 | u4-ul-ur11-ru dumu-ni na mu-un-de5-ga-am3 | The one who has sworn by the life of his child, |
| 2 | a-sza3 dib-be2-da-zu-ne | when you pass through the fields, |
| 3 | e pa5 du6 du8-u3-de3 igi kar2-kar2-ab | In order to dig canals, in order to watch them, |
| 4 | a-sza3 a de2-a-zu-ne a-bi sza3-ba nu-il2 | When you pour water into the field, its water cannot be carried away. |
| 5 | u4 a-ta im-mu-e-a-e11-de3-a | When he came out from the water, |
| 6 | a-sza3 ki duru5-bi en-nu-ug3 ak-ab ki-sze-er a-ra-ab-tuku | I will guard the field where it is raining, and I will make a pledge for it. |
| 7 | gu4-suhub2 giri3 na-ra-ab-zukum-e | “Narabzukum, the oxen-driver, |
| 8 | u2-sag11-bi u3-bi2-ze2 a-sza3 ki-gar u3-bi2-du11 | After he cleared away its ruins, he declared the field Kiŋar. |
| 9 | 1(u)-am3 {uruda}gin2 sal 2/3(disz) ma-na-ta sa2-a-ab | 10 (pieces of) copper, 2/3 mina in weight, |
| 10 | {gesz}al-szub-be2 umbin gu4? ha-ra-szu2-szu2 sa ha-ra-ab-la2-la2 | “May the hoe, the tail of an ox, be loosened for you, may it be bound for you. |
| 11 | ki ka sal-la-bi u2-tag ha-ra-tag-tag | (Sum) The place where the mouth is swollen, I want to touch it for you (Akk) May I touch the place of the mouth of the slanderer |
| 12 | gu2 a-sza3-ga ub-da 4(disz)-ba {gesz}al-e ha-ra-ni10-ni10 | On the bank of the field, on the 4th side, may the hoe tremble for you |
| 13 | en-na a-sza3-ga al-sze6-sze6-e-da tesz2 a-ra-ab-se3-ge5-a | As long as he roams around in the field, may he intercede for you together. |
| 14 | {gesz}szu-kar2-zu sa ha-ra-ab-gi4-a | May your šukar instrument be returned to you |
| 15 | {gesz}szudul-zu a2-szita4-a-bi ha-ra-kesz2 | May your yoke and your limbs be bound for you |
| 16 | {kusz}usan3 gibil-zu {gesz}gag-a ha-ra-ab-la2 | May your new bow be bound for you on the bolt. |
| 17 | {kusz}usan3 sumun-zu {gesz}mud la2-la2-a-bi | Your old sandals and mud sticks |
| 18 | dumu gaszam-ta du10 ha-ra-ab-ak-e | May the son of Gašam make sweet for you. |
| 19 | {uruda}gin2 {uruda}bulug {uruda}szum-me {gesz}szu-kar2-zu a2-zu si ha-ra-ab-sa2-e | May your šukar instrument, like a copper kettle, a tin kettle, and a bellows be arranged for you. |
| 20 | {kusz}sag-kesz2 {kusz}bar-e11-de3 {kusz}ka-du3 {kusz}usan3 sag-zu he2-ha-za | The sagkeš-garment, the bar-ede-shoot, the kadu-socket, and the suan-snake should be your head. |
| 21 | {gi}ba-an-du8-zu kab2 di hu-mu-ra-ab-ak a2 kal-ga hu-mu-ra-an-ak-e | May your bāndu-drum be opened for you, may it be poured out for you with strong arms. |
| 22 | a2-asz2 a-sza3-ga-zu da he2-en-gal2 kin-zu igi kar2-ka-ab | May there be plenty in your field, look at your work! |
| 23 | gu4-{gesz}apin gu4 dirig-ga a-ab-tuku-a | the plow oxen and the diriging bulls that have no rival |
| 24 | gu4 gu4-da dur bi2-ib-tu-lu-a | When the oxen and the bulls have grown old, |
| 25 | {gesz}apin-bi {gesz}apin-na a-ab-dirig | Its plow is a plough. |
| 26 | esz2-gar3 {gesz}apin 1(disz)-e 1(bur'u) GAN2-am3 | the ešgar of 1 plow, 10 bur3 field, |
| 27 | za-e 8(bur3) GAN2 gesz du3-ba-ab | You ... 8 bur3 field area. |
| 28 | a2? sza3 hul2-gin7 a-ra-ab-dim2-e | Like a happy heart, I will make it perfect for you |
| 29 | 1(bur3) GAN2-ba 3(asz) sze gur ba-an-ga2-ga2 | 1 bur3 field area: 3 gur barley he shall measure out; |
| 30 | usu {gesz}apin 1(disz)-e a-sza3 {gesz}bar-dili-bi u3-bi2-ak | the strength of a plow one field of single-plow he did. |
| 31 | {gesz}bar-dili-bi {gesz}apin-tug2-sag11 u3-bi2-ak tug2-gur-ra-ab | Its bardilu-trees and plows he made. The garment |
| 32 | gesz ur3-ra-ab gesz gi4-a-ab gesz pesz-bi2-ib | “Lead me, lead me! Let me go, let me go! |
| 33 | ki sumur-bi {gesz}nig2-gul-ta {gesz}gag-dag2-asz u3-bi2-ak | I made its foundations of a scepter and a bolt. |
| 34 | {gesz}mud {gesz}nig2-gul-zu sag-za he2-ha-za nig2 al di-sze3 na-du-un | May your mud and scepter be at your head, that which is to be admired. |
| 35 | kin ak-zu-a ugu-ba u3-bi2-de2 | After you have performed the work, he will bring it to an end. |
| 36 | kin ak-zu-sze3 ga2-la nam-ba-an-dag-ge | Do not neglect your work! |
| 37 | a-sza3 kin-zu ak na-an-na-ab-be2 | Do not say to him "Your work is done" in the field. |
| 38 | u4 mul-an-na szu im-ma-ab-du7-a-ta | When the stars of heaven were perfected, |
| 39 | 1(u)-am3 a2 gu4 a-sza3 zi-zi-i-da-sze3 igi-zu nam-ba-e-gid2-i | 10 talents of oxen, to the field Zizida, do not look at me! |
| 40 | {gesz}al du3-a-bi ha-ra-ab-ak-e | may its hoe be made for you. |
| 41 | a-sza3 ur11-ru-da-zu-ne | when you are to plough the field, |
| 42 | {gesz}apin-zu gu ha-ra-ab-dub2 | May your plow tremble for you |
| 43 | {gesz}ka-szu2 {gesz}apin-na-zu {kusz}im-du5-mu szub-i3 | Your kiln, your plow, your imdu-tool, thrown away |
| 44 | {gesz}dam-zu {gesz}gag sal-la szub-i3 | Your mooring pole is a “cutting-of-the-throat’ device |
| 45 | {gesz}le-um-zu a2 he2-tal2-tal2 ab-sin2-zu gub-ba?-ab | Your arrows should be spread out, your furrows should stand there |
| 46 | 1(disz) ninda us2 ab-sin2 8(disz) gub-ba-ab | 1 ninda length of furrow, 8 gur capacity |
| 47 | ab-sin2 durun-dur2-ru-na sze-bi gu2 a-ab-gid2 | In her furrows that are piled up, its barley is stretched out like a rope. |
| 48 | a-sza3 ur11-ru-da-zu-ne | when you are to plough the field, |
| 49 | lu2 sze-numun gar-ra-zu igi-zu gar-i3 | The one who has seeded barley, your eyes have grown dark. |
| 50 | 2(disz) szu-si-ta-am3 {d}ezina2 he2-en-szub | 2 fingers apart, may Ezina fall. |
| 51 | 1(disz) ninda us2-ta 1(disz) gin2 sze ha-ra-gar | 1 ninda length at 1 shekel of barley (for) Haragar, |
| 52 | tukum-bi sze-numun a-tur-ra nu-ub-suhur | If he does not return the seed corn, |
| 53 | {gesz}nig2-ku5 {gesz}eme-{gesz}apin-na-zu kur2-ra-ab | Your nigku tree and emeš tree are changed for you |
| 54 | tukum-bi dur a-ab-tu-lu dur tur-ra-ab | If he is ill, he will recover. |
| 55 | ki ab-sin2 si sa2 i3-ur11-ru-a ab-sin2 {gesz}szibir ur11-ru-ab | At the place where the furrows are arranged in a straight line, you will tie the tail of a šibir weapon. |
| 56 | ki ab-sin2 {gesz}szibir i3-ur11-ru-a? ab-sin2? si sa2 ur11-ru-ab | The place where the furrow ... the šibir weapon(?) ... furrows |
| 57 | ab-sin2 si sa2 gu2 tu-lu gu2 TAG mu-ra-ga2-ga2 | The furrows, whose horns are straight and whose necks are twisted, he placed for you. |
| 58 | ab-sin2 lug-gu2-zu si ha-ra-ab-sa2 | May your furrows be straight for you. |
| 59 | ab-sin2 ab-ki-iz-bi DU-a GAN2 ku5-ra2-zu ur11-ru-ab | ... the furrows ... your cut field! |
| 60 | lag-bi ha-ra-ri-ri | Its limbs are torn out. |
| 61 | ki-sahar us2-bi ab-sin2 ha-ra-ni-ib-ra | May the furrows, whose roots are furrow-like, be scattered for you. |
| 62 | ki-sahar ka tab-bi ab-sin2 ha-ra-sig-sig | May the furrows, whose mouths are swollen by furrow(?) |
| 63 | henbur2-sze3 a-ra-sa6 | to the Hendurše, Arasa |
| 64 | u4 henbur2-e ki im-ma-ab-dar-ra-ta | When the henbur plant grows in the earth, |
| 65 | siskur2 {d}nin-kilim-ke4 du11-ga-ab | speak the siskur prayer of Ninkilim |
| 66 | zu2 bir5{muszen}-ra bala-e-eb | I will bring back the bir bird's teeth. |
| 67 | u4 sze ka sal-la ab-sin2-na-ka a-ab-dirig | When the barley reaches the mouth of the furrows, I make it abundant. |
| 68 | a numun sag-ga2-ke4 du11-ga-ab | Speak to the water of the head seed! |
| 69 | u4 sze {gi}kid-ma2-sza3-ga-ba ab-gub-ba a du11-ga-ab | When the barley stands in its reed mats, water it! |
| 70 | sze lillan-ba a du11-ga-ab | Speak to him water from its lillan-barley. |
| 71 | u4 sze luh-ha an-su3-a a na-ab-be2-en sa-ma-na2-asz ba-gig | When the barley is swollen, do not say "Alas!" to him, he is sick. |
| 72 | u4 sze bir ak-de3 a-ab-du7-a a du11-ga-ab | When you make the barley into a pile of logs, pour water into the well! |
| 73 | {gesz}ba-an-ba 1(disz) sila3 sze ku-dun ba-tuku-tuku | a peg, 1 sila3 of barley, kudun-grain, |
| 74 | sze gur10-gur10-ru-da-zu-ne sze ur5 nam-ba-gam-e-en | When you bring in barley, do not heap up the barley! |
| 75 | u4 a2-ba-ka gur10-gur10-ra-ab | At the time of the battle, bring it to me! |
| 76 | kidx(|KID2.IM|) 1(disz)-e u3 lu2 zar kesz2-da 1(disz)-am3 | One kid and one worker, tied to a rope, each (workman) |
| 77 | u3 lu2 1(disz)-e igi-ni-sze3 zar hu-mu-ra-ab-sa2-e | and a single man before him may he scatter it for you. |
| 78 | 3(disz)-am3 hu-mu-ra-ab-gur10-gur10-re | 3 times may it be great for you! |
| 79 | lu2 sze de5-de5-ga-zu sze szu huz na-an-ak-e | Do not let the one who is bringing the barley do it in a joyful manner! |
| 80 | sze-garadin3-e sze na-an-si-il-si-il-le-e-ne | They should not grind the barley for the šegaradin. |
| 81 | kin u4-da-zu u4 tur-ra-gin7 | Your work of the storm, like a small storm, |
| 82 | usu di4-di4-la2-zu-ne u3 lu2 sze de5-de5-ga-zu-ne | strength of your little ones, and the one of your bringing barley, |
| 83 | szid-bi du6-ul-la-ab zar-re-esz2 nu2-a-ab? | “Its song is to be sung(?) in the mountains, it lies in lamentation |
| 84 | kin-zu mi2 zi ha-ra-ab-du11 | May your work be faithfully performed for you. |
| 85 | dabin sze sumun-e tuku-a-ta | because he has the flour of old barley, |
| 86 | ka-gu7-zu-sze3 lu2 sze gesz na-ab-ra-ra-an | “At your eating, the man should not cut the barley. |
| 87 | sze-zar-ra ne-ha-ab | “Let the barley grow in abundance!’ |
| 88 | siskur2 sze-zar-ra u4 szu2-usz-e ha-ra-ab-du11 | May he speak to you a siskur prayer and a šēzar prayer of distant days. |
| 89 | u4 sze al-e11-de3-en-na-zu-ne | When you bring in the barley, |
| 90 | lu2 sze la2-la2-zu-ne 3(u) gin2 ha-ra-an-ak-ak | If a man grinds barley for you at 30 shekels per shekel, |
| 91 | kislah-zu ki-gar du11-ga-ab | Say "your courtyard is set up!" |
| 92 | har-ra-an gur-zu si sa2-sa2-ab | Your road that is to be turned is straight. |
| 93 | {gesz}mar-gid2-da-zu si ha-ra-ab-sa2 | May your wagon be straight for you |
| 94 | gu4 {gesz}mar-gid2-da-zu mur gu7-bi2-ib | May your oxen eat your wagon |
| 95 | {gesz}szu-kar2-zu ha-ra-x x | May your arrows ... for you |
| 96 | sur12 du8-a-zu u4 5(disz)-am3 ha-ba-ne-ha | May your ‘cutting-of-the-throat’ rituals be performed for 5 days. |
| 97 | sur12 ba9-ra2-zu-ne nig2-ur5-ra du8-i3 | When you spread out the hair, you make a mess. |
| 98 | u4 sze ba9-ra2-zu-ne | when you bring the barley, |
| 99 | zu2 gesz-ba9-ra2-zu kusz la2-la2-bi esir2 ha-ra-ab-sub6-sub6 | May your teeth and limbs be trimmed with bitumen for you. |
| 100 | gu4 dur2-dur2-ru-da-zu-ne | When you sit down with the oxen, |
| 101 | lu2 sze ba9-ra2-zu usu? he2-en-de3-gub? | May the one who carries barley stand with strength(?) |
| 102 | u4 sze ki ba-e-ni-us2-sa | when barley was established on the ground, |
| 103 | siskur2 sze nu-nir-ra du11-ga-ab | Speak a siskur prayer for the one who does not eat barley. |
| 104 | u4 sze al-la2-e-na-zu | When you bring the barley, |
| 105 | lu2 sze ki-ta al-gub-bu-a lu2 gesztu2-ga gub-ba-ab | “If a man is standing on the ground, if he is sitting on a firm positive answer, |
| 106 | lu2 sze DU-a 2(disz)-am3 ha-ra-gub-bu-usz | The man who carries barley shall stand for you for two days. |
| 107 | u4 sze ba-e-nir-ra gidru-sze3 nu2-a-ab | When you bring the barley, you lie down at the scepter. |
| 108 | siskur2 a2 u4 te-en ge6-ba du11-ga-ab | Speak a siskur prayer for a long life. |
| 109 | u4 ba7-a-gin7 sze bur2-ra-ab | Like a storm that blew, burrow the barley! |
| 110 | na de5-ga {d}nin-urta dumu {d}en-lil2-la2-ke4 | chosen by Ninurta, son of Enlil |
| 111 | {d}nin-urta engar zi {d}en-lil2-la2 za3-mi2-zu du10-ga-am3 | Ninurta, the loyal farmer of Enlil, your praise is sweet. |
Sources & licences
- Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative · CDLI: reuse of catalogue/transliteration data with citation of CDLI; images restricted (not fetched) · Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI), https://cdli.earth/ ; cite CDLI and the P-number
Cite the original edition and translator. Page generated by Unread Atlas from the public corpus export of 2026-10-18.