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A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A) (Q000616)
Literary, Old Babylonian, Nippur · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE
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| Designation | A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A) |
|---|---|
| ID | Q000616 |
| Language | Sumerian; Akkadian |
| Period | Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE |
| Genre | Literary |
| Find spot | Nippur |
| Coordinates | 32.1271, 45.2300 |
Transliteration (ATF)
From Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618)
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) |
|---|---|---|
| Seg.A, | ||
| 1 | x X x x | |
| 2 | x X x x | |
| 3 | x X X x X x x | |
| 4 | {d}lamma sag₉-ga {d}ba-u₂ mi₂-bi X X ga-mu-u₈-de₃-en | I want to ... the beautiful protective deity Bau. |
| 5 | X X X X zu a kar-ra X x x i-qa₂-ab-bu-u₂ x | ... they say |
| 6 | X X X X ib₂-be₂-a a kar-ra X x x i-qa₂-ab-bu-u₂ X x | ... they say ... |
| 7 | X X DU ŋiškim-til₃ BI saŋ šu X x x a-la-ki-šu ta-ki-il-x | “It is the end of ..., ... his way ... |
| 8 | X X NI ki šu nu-la₂-e-da usu i₃-X x x x X X x X u₂-ul i-ša-X X x | ... when he does not grasp the hand, strength ... he will not ... |
| 9 | X NE niŋ₂-tuk-u₃ nu-x-X-du šu nu-la₂-e-da a-na ša-ri-im u₂-ul il-la-ak X x | He does not have ..., he does not hold his hand to the ground. |
| 10 | X LA₂ X nu-X X x X-da dug₃-ga DI X X u₂-ul x x KI-it-ti X ŠA NU X x | ... good ... |
| 11 | ma₂-gur₈ {d}suen sud-sud nin a-na-zu nu-zil₂-zil₂-i e-le-pu x x-tum ša i-ša-ad-de₃-hu NIN mi-in-ki la x | The barge of Sîn has been moored. The lady, what is it that makes you not rejoice? It is a ... that is torn out, the lady who does not |
| 12 | an-ti-bal ul gur₃-ru {d}lamma a-na-zu nu-sag₉ x X X x ul-ṣa na-ši-a-at {d}LAMA mi-in-ki la x | Antibal, joyful, the protective deity, what is not good for you? |
| 13 | {d}lamma sag₉-ga {d}ba-u₂ mi₂-bi X X ga-mu-u₈-de₃-en {d}LAMA da-mi-iq-tum ša {d}ba-u₂ te-ek-ni-tum | The good protective deity Bau, let us go ... the loving lammar of Bau! |
| 14 | x ŋiš-ta du-a-ni x-ši a-la-ki-ša | ... I will go to you |
| 15 | x X X X x x X X X x | |
| 16 | x x X X X X X | |
| 17 | x x X i-na i-di-šu ša-ki-in | with his right hand |
| 18 | x x ta-ad-di-ni-šum-ma | you gave to him |
| 19 | x x ta-na-ad-di | you will give. |
| 20 | x la-ba-ni₁₀-ni₁₀ in x-pa-at-su₂ X X ba-nu u₂-ul i-ik-lu₅-šu | (Sum) ... he does not sleep ... (Akk) The ... of his ... they did not sleep |
| 21 | x X TUM mu-un-da-ab-dub ik-x x X X-ak-nu-šum-ma a-na ša-a-ši-im i-ik-mi-i-is-si₂-X | (Sum) ... he ... to him. (Akk) He ... the ... and to the heavens ... |
| 22 | x ud šu₂-uš ŋiri₃ X i₃-im-X ba ak X šu šar-ru u₄-mi-ša a-na še-pi-ša ša-pi-ik | ... of the city ... ... hand of the king, his day is set on its side |
| 23 | x X dug₃-zu nin-ŋu₁₀ im-mi-in-ši-X i-na i-mi-it-ti-šu X X-ki ṭa-ba-am be-el-ti i-ZA-x | (Sum) ... your sweet ..., the lady ... (Akk) In his anger ... the word of my lady |
| 24 | x x X giri₁₇-zal sug₄ nin a-na-zu nu-zil₂-zil₂-i bi-it ni-gu-tim ša ta-ši-il-tam ma-lu-u₂ NIN mi-in-ki la x | ... joyous ..., lady, what is it that makes you not shine? |
| 25 | x x X mah kalam-ma {d}lamma a-na-zu nu-sag₉ u₄-um ri-ša-tim ṣi₂-rum ša ma-ti {d}LAMA mi-in-ki la x | The supreme ... of the land, Lamma, what is not good? In distant days, the ṣīrum-priestess of the country, the lamma-priest did not |
| 26 | {d}lamma sag₉-ga {d}ba-u₂ mi₂-bi X X ga-mu-u₈-de₃-en {d}LAMA da-mi-iq-tum ša {d}ba-u₂ te-ek-ni-tum | The good protective deity Bau, let us go ... the loving lammar of Bau! |
| 27 | munus zid nin šu tab-ba til₃ mu₂-da-ni i₃-dug₄-ga MUNUS ZID ru-ba-tum ka-mi-is-tum ša ba-la-as-sa₃ iq-x | The righteous woman, the lady whose hand is bound, whose life has been prolonged, is satisfied. |
| 28 | ud me-da |DU.DU| inim bal-bal-e-da-ni i-na ma-ti-ma i-na a-tal₂-lu-ki i-na at-wi-i-ša | When the time came for me to speak a word to me, at that time, when I came to you, in your presence |
| 29 | a₂-gu₂-zig₃-ta zur-zur-re-eš₂ zag-ga-na šub-bu-dam i-na ki-ma še-er-tim i-na ku-te-en-ni-i zu-X X a-na x x | (Sum) The aguzig priestess, the šaggana priest, is torn out from his body (Akk) In the middle of his body, in his body |
| 30 | mu-zu gug₂ i₃ ga-gin₇ ka-ge mu-na-ab-si-a šum-ki ki-ma ku-uk-ki šam-ni u₃ lil₂-di pi-a-am ma-X-X | Your name ... like butter and milk in the mouth for him. |
| 31 | niŋ₂ sila{si-la₂}-ta de₆{de}-a-na kaš sur-ra-na saŋ-bi mi-im-ma ša iš-tu su₂-qi₂-im i-na ba-ba-li-ša reₓ(SIPAD)-eš-ti x x | When he goes out from the street, when he pours beer, everything that is from the ditches, the shepherds |
| 32 | pu₂-kiri₆-na niŋ₂ saŋ-bi ha-ma-na-DU im-me-e-a ša re-e-eš |GIŠ.SAR|-ša lu-hir-ši-im i-qa₂-ab-bi | In his orchard, may he bring in abundance for him. He says: “Let my head and my garden be plundered! |
| 33 | a₂ ud-da eš₃ ŋir₂-su₂{ki} igi mu-ri-ib-du₈-am₃ u₄-mi-ša i-na bi-tim gir-ši-im i-na-aṭ-ṭa-al | The labor of the day in the shrine Birsu was seen. That day, in the house of Girsim he shall be buried. |
| 34 | ud šu₂-uš-e zalag-ga-ni igi-zu-še₃ mu-ni-ib-dib-dib-a u₄-mi-ša nam-ri-iš i-na mah-ri-ki i-ta-al-la-ak | When the sun rises brightly in front of you, the day is bright in your presence. |
| 35 | {d}lamma X lu₂-ulu₃-ba dam a-a-še₃ mu-na-e-šum₂ {d}LAMA a-na a-wi-il-tim ša-a-ti mu-tam ki-ma a-bi ta-ad-di-ni-šim-ma | Lamma ... the man’s wife to the father he gave to him. |
| 36 | dam a-a-še₃ mu-na-e-šum₂ dumu a-šag₄ šukur₂-še₃ mu-na-e-šum₂ mu-tam ki-ma a-bi ta-ad-di-ni-šim-ma x | He gave her a wife to the father, a son to the field to the nadītum he gave to her. |
| 37 | x X inim in-de₂ lu₂ i₃-DU bi-X-sa₃ u₂-X-ma mi-im-ma X X x | ... speaks ... the man ... ... everything ... |
| 38 | x X šum₂ X X X niŋ₂-su-ub ak-a MUNUS X x | ... a woman ... |
| Seg.B, | ||
| 1 | munus zid {d}utu kalam-ma diŋir-ŋa₂ me-teš₂ ga-i-i | I want to praise the true woman, Utu, in the land, the intertwined one. |
| 2 | sukkal-mah ama {d}ba-u₂ zi lugal-la u₃-tud | Great vizier, mother Bau, born by the life of the king |
| 3 | ra-gaba kug an-šag₄-ta dub nam-til₃-la an-ed₃-de₃ | The courier, the silver from the horizon, the tablet of life, to descend, |
| 4 | im an-ta ŋiri₃-a DU he₂-ŋal₂ pa e₃ | May he bring out the clay from above and below, may he make it emerge! |
| 5 | saŋ šum₂ mu-X-hi-iš-tum me-te {d}ba-u₂ itima kug-ga he₂-du₇-bi-im | It is the sa-shape of ..., suitable for Bau. It is its “Silver-in-the-Heaven’ |
| 6 | {d}lamma lu₂ sizkur-ra {d}ba-u₂ ur₂-saŋ HI ZA KA | Lamma, the one of the sizkur prayer, Bau, the lapis lazuli |
| 7 | nam-lu₂-u₁₈-lu ki aŋ₂ niŋ₂-ba-bi hul₂-le-za | Humanity, when you rejoice at the place of watering, |
| 8 | {d}lamma sag₉-ga {d}ba-u₂ mi₂-bi su₃-ud-še₃ ga-mu-e-i-i-de₃-en | I want to pacify the heart of the good protective deity Bau |
| 9 | X saŋ sig₇ hi-li gur₃-ru KIŠI₄-KIŠI₄ {na₄}za-gin₃-a | ..., reddish, full of allure, ... of lapis lazuli |
| 10 | x sig₇-ga umuš ŋar šita-e gun₃-gun₃{gu₂}-a | The yellow-green ..., the šūtu-demon, the one who is adorned with radiance |
| 11 | x DU X X MA RU X IGI X DI IB | ... ... |
| 12 | x lugal-še₃ he₂-em-ši-ni-ŋal₂ | ... may he carry for the king |
| 13 | x X gub-bu-zu lal₃ X x | Your standing ... honey ... |
| Seg.C, | ||
| 1 | x X X DAG X RU X x | ... ... |
| 2 | x X gen₆-na UD-UD MA KA | ... good ... |
| 3 | x-ra munus zid {d}lamma-ŋu₁₀ | ... the righteous woman Lammabu |
| 4 | {d}lamma sag₉-ga {d}ba-u₂ mi₂-bi su₃-ud-še₃ ga-mu-e-i-i-de₃-en | I want to pacify the heart of the good protective deity Bau |
| 5 | x HA UM MA ŠE₃ la₂-a i-im-me ZA UD DU UR₄ ak | ... he will not say ... |
| 6 | nir-ŋal₂ ki aŋ₂ {d}ba-u₂ nin X saŋ ga zid-da-ke₄ | The herald of the earth, the father of Bau, the lady of ..., the true milk |
| 7 | ha-ra-ni-ib-X he₂-em-su₃-ra nin BA AL GIM |DU.DU|-da | May he ... for you. Lady ... like a ... |
| 8 | en {d}ig-alim-ma-ke₄ ŋidru-bi hu-mu-ŋal₂ me-teš₂-bi | May the lord of Igalima carry off its scepter. |
| 9 | munus zid {d}lamma-ŋu₁₀ nin nam gu₃ de₂-a-za | The loyal woman Lamma-bu, the lady who calls out |
| 10 | {d}lamma sag₉-ga {d}ba-u₂ mi₂-bi su₃-ud-še₃ ga-mu-e-i-i-de₃-en | I want to pacify the heart of the good protective deity Bau |
| 11 | nin gu₇ naŋ KA NI X X nam-he₂-a zu₂ keše₂ i | Lady who eats ... abundance ... |
| 12 | ki-tuš he₂-ŋal₂ abzu-ta DIN-bi-a gu₃ nun di | May the dwelling be brought out from the Abzu, roaring like a wild bull |
| Seg.D, | ||
| 1 | {d}lamma-ŋu₁₀ nin x | Lamma-bu, the lady |
| 2 | munus zid giri₁₇-zal il₂-il₂-i šudu₃ inim-ma ŋiš tuku | The righteous woman who raises joy, the sheep who has a word |
| 3 | inim dug₃ eme si sa₂ nin niŋ₂-gen₆-e ki aŋ₂-X | a good word, a righteous tongue, the lady ... the earth. |
| 4 | sukkal-mah ama {d}ba-u₂ nundum kug-babbar-ra-ke₄ | the chief minister, mother Bau, the jeweller of silver, |
| 5 | X si sa₂ ŋeštug me-ze₂ UD-UD-e SI A | ... a šūtu-garment ... |
| 6 | munus zid {d}lamma-ŋu₁₀ ulutim₂ lu₂ nu-sig₁₀-ge₅-zu | The righteous woman Lamma-būšu, the one who does not trust in you |
| 7 | igi X X TI-ŋu₁₀ mi₂-bi su₃-ud-še₃ ga-mu-u₈-en-de₃-en | We want to pacify the heart of ... before ... |
| 8 | kuš X me a dadag-ga sag₉-ga gal-bi dirig-ga-am₃ | The ... of the me, a pure, beautiful, great one, is supreme |
| 9 | AD ZA X X DAG X HU NE zi-pa-aŋ₂ X x X X | ... zipāyu-disease |
| 10 | X sal-sal siki sur-sur GAR₃ mun-na SA X RA x x X | […] “(If) it is surrounded by a mole on the back of a hem, ... ... |
| 11 | unu₂ šuba sud-sud zag-še siki x | In the dining hall, the šuba stone is stretched out, the front ... |
| 12 | X ZI-gin₇ il₂-il₂-i a₂-ur₂ ud-gin₇ zalag-zalag-ga-am₃ | ... shining like daylight, |
| 13 | X X ŠE₃-la-gin₇ la-la-ŋal₂ a₂-diš-kuš₃ sal-la-am₃ | Like a ..., it is full of rejoicing and wailing. |
| 14 | X-ge KA tum₂-ma šu-si kug-babbar x | ... fitting for the mouth, hand of silver |
| 15 | {na₄}nir₇ SUM x | nir7-stone |
| 16 | x e₂-gal X UN x | the palace ... |
| 17 | munus zid {d}lamma-ŋu₁₀ ulutim₂ lu₂ nu-sig₁₀-ge₅-zu | The righteous woman Lamma-būšu, the one who does not trust in you |
| 18 | mi₂-bi su₃-ud-še₃ ga-mu-u₈-en-de₃-en | We want to spend the day in its splendor |
| 19 | sukkal niŋ₂ nu-ha-lam-e nin ki ur₅ sag₉ x | The one who does not fear the vizier, the lady, the beautiful place |
| 20 | šag₄ sud TA lu₂ GIM DU LI x | (If) a mole ... from a man like ... . |
| 21 | SIG₄ {ŋiš}ŋišnimbar ŠU RI A TUM TI TA x | (If) bricks (and) nimbar stones ... |
| 22 | ib₂-ib₂ daŋal u₂ X X MA x me-te-ŋal₂ | (Sum) The one who carries ... (Akk) He carries the ... |
| 23 | mu-zu X X-gin₇ NA MUNUS x X nu-NUNUZ-a | Your name ... like ... |
| 24 | niŋ₂ šu DI SI SAR-SAR nin X X X-gin₇ la₂ | Hand of ... lady |
| 25 | BA sal-la KA tuku₄-tuku₄-e | (Sum) The one who screams ... (Akk) He shouts loudly ... |
| 26 | munus zid {d}lamma-ŋu₁₀ alan šu-a gi₄-a-za | True woman, Lammabu, your restored statue |
| 27 | mi₂-bi su₃-ud-še₃ ga-mu-u₈-en-de₃-en | We want to spend the day in its splendor |
| 28 | x ga i₃-ti-ir-da-gin₇ TA lu-ug-ge | ... like a river ... |
Sources & licences
- Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618) · ORACC project editions, https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ ; cite the individual project (see texts.extra_json.project)
Cite the original edition and translator. Page generated by Unread Atlas from the public corpus export of 2026-10-18.