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A hymn to Nungal (Nungal A) (Q000736)
Literary, Old Babylonian, Nippur · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE
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| Designation | A hymn to Nungal (Nungal A) |
|---|---|
| ID | Q000736 |
| Language | Sumerian |
| 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | e₂ ud huš an ki uŋ₃ erim₂-še₃ du₇-du₇ | House, furious storm that makes heaven and earth tremble like lightning |
| 2 | e₂ kur e₂-eš₂ diŋir-re-e-ne {ŋiš}rab₃ mah an ki-a | Temple of the mountain, temple of the intercessors, supreme scepter of heaven and earth |
| 3 | šag₄ u₂-sa₁₁-an ud-mud daŋal tag-ga ni₂ su-a ru-ru-gu₂ | (Sum) The šag-demon, the udammû-disease, the storm-dwelling storm, the terrifying storm that rages in the street (Akk) The storm-defeat storm, rage that is raging in the streets |
| 4 | ab sumur zig₃-ga kur-ku il₂-la a-ra₂-bi lu₂ nu-zu | The rising of the wild cow, the raising of the mountain, its way is unknown to anyone. |
| 5 | e₂ {ŋiš}es₂-ad erim₂-du-še₃ nu₂-a hul-ŋal₂-la su dub₂-bu | In the house of the esad-priestess lying down in a false sleep, trembling |
| 6 | e₂ sa-par₄ igi-te-en-bi galam kad₅ uŋ₃ nam-re-eš ur₄-ur₄-u₃ | The net of the house is open, the galam-drum is smashed, the udug-drum sounded. |
| 7 | e₂ zid-du erim₂-du igi ŋal₂ hul šu-bi nu-e₃ | The true house, the enemy’s house, its evil eye cannot escape |
| 8 | e₂ id₂-lu₂-ru-gu₂ si sa₂ nu-ug₇-e erim₂-e bar ak | The temple of the Idlurugu canal is not irrigated, the enemy is acting outside. |
| 9 | e₂ mu mah irigal kur {d}utu e₃-a šag₄-bi lu₂ nu-zu | House, supreme name, king of the land Utu coming out, whose inside no one knows |
| 10 | e₂ gu-la en-nu-uŋ₃ e₂ šer₇-da lu₂ nam-tag-ga kiŋ₂-kiŋ₂ | The great house, the watch, the beautiful house, a man of sin in the netherworld |
| 11 | e₂ zid-du erim₂-du bar im-ak-de₃ an-ne₂ mu-bi mu-mah | The name of this lofty house is “An made the outer wall of the enemy’s house. |
| 12 | e₂ uš ki ŋar-ra-bi ni₂ gal im-da-ri | The house, its foundations are a great fearsome place |
| 13 | kan₄-bi u₂-sa₁₁-an sig₇-ga su zig₃ il₂-la-am₃ | Its gate is a reddish green grass raised high. |
| 14 | kun₄-bi ušumgal ka du₈-a lu₂-še₃ nu₂-a | Its opening is a reed mat, opened in the mouth of a man lying down |
| 15 | zag-du₈-bi ŋiri₂ mah a₂ 2-bi lu₂-erim₂ sur-sur-ru-de₃ | Its ziggurat is a great mountain, its two sides are to be smashed by the enemy. |
| 16 | a-sal bar-bi ŋiri₂ sahar-ta im₂-ma ka ša-an-ša₅-ša₅-dam | The outside of the asal is piled up in dust and opened. |
| 17 | dub-la₂ zag e₃-bi piriŋ su-ba saŋ nu-ŋa₂-ŋa₂-dam | The scribal art is not to be equalled on its right and left. |
| 18 | nir-gam-ma-bi {d}tir-an-na-gin₇ ni₂ huš im-da-an-ri | Its nirgama ritual, like a tirana rite, was performed furiously |
| 19 | {ŋiš}nu-kuš₂-u₃-bi hu-ri₂-in{mušen} umbin-bi niŋ₂ šu ti-a | Its nukušu-vessels are ḫurin-mušen-wood, its nail is a hand of clay |
| 20 | {ŋiš}ig-bi hur-saŋ gal lu₂-erim₂-ra ŋal₂ nu-un-ta-da₁₃-da₁₃ | Its door is a great mountain that cannot be crossed by a criminal |
| 21 | lu₂ zid šu-ba la-ba-ni-in-ku₄-ku₄ ŋal₂ mu-un-ta-da₁₃-da₁₃ | The righteous man does not enter in his hand, he is carried away |
| 22 | {ŋiš}saŋ-kul-bi piriŋ huš nam-šul-ba gu₂-da la₂-a | Its sakul offerings are full of furious piri drums, clad in splendor. |
| 23 | {ŋiš}suhub₄-bi muš-saŋ-kal eme ed₂-de₃ e-ne dag si-il-si-le-de₃ | Its ebony is a mušsakal snake, whose tongue is torn out by the steppe, to make its horns sing. |
| 24 | {ŋiš}si-ŋar-bi muš-šag₄-tur₃ ki sumur-ra ni₂-bi ur₃-ur₃-ru-dam | Its horns are a muššagtur bird, whose fearsomeness is bound to the earth |
| 25 | e₂-e an ki-a igi mi-ni-in-ŋal₂ sa-par₄-ra al-la₂ | He looked at the temple, heaven and earth, he stretched out nets. |
| 26 | a₂-bi erim₂-du la-ba-ra-e₃ erim₂ al-ur₃-ur₃-re | Its weapons were not brought out, the enemy was tearing out. |
| 27 | nin-bi diŋir er₉ an ki-a me-lem₄-ma-ni dul-la | Its lady, the intercession rites of heaven and earth, her radiance ... |
| 28 | {d}nun-gal barag gal mah-bi-a zag-ge mu-un-di-ni-ib-sig₉ | Nungal, the great dais of this supreme statuette, adorned it with a crown. |
| 29 | e₂-a muš₃-bi dur₂ im-mi-in-ŋar kalam im-ta-gen₆-ne₂ | In the temple he sat on its throne and brought about the destruction of the land. |
| 30 | lugal-ra šag₄ unken-na-ka igi mu-na-ni-ŋal₂ | He looked at the king in the midst of the assembly |
| 31 | erim₂-ŋal₂-la-ni {ŋiš}rab₃ mi-ni-gen₆-ne₂ en-nu-uŋ₃-ŋa₂-ni nu-til-e | When he brought down his enemy, he did not finish his watch. |
| 32 | e₂ gal ŋiš-bur₂ erim₂-še₃ nu₂-a kalam-e na degₓ(RI) šum₂-mu | The great temple, lying down in the enemy’s sleep, the land ... |
| i-zi hu-luh-ha a-ŋi₆ gaba zig₃-ga peš₁₀ ed₂-de₃-da sumur nu-til-le gal | The terrifying izzu-demon, the rising flood that cannot be overturned, | |
| 34 | saŋ um-de₆ lu₂-ulu₃ me-lem₄-ba saŋ nu-mu-un-de₃-ŋa₂-ŋa₂ | He brought in the sa-payment, but the man in his radiance did not bring in the [sa]-payment. |
| 35 | ki di ku₅-ru-bi-še₃ diŋir an ki-a im-ši-gam-e-de₃-eš | At the place where judgments are rendered, the balancing of heaven and earth is taken away. |
| 36 | {d}nin-e₂-gal-la-ke₄ barag za-gin₃-ba dur₂ an-še₃ bi₂-ib-ŋar | Ninegala sat on the lapis dais. |
| 37 | di kud ka-aš bar-re-de₃ igi mi-ni-in-ŋal₂ lul zid-bi mu-zu | He looked at the one who had poured out bitter judgments in order to escape from the beer libation, he knew its falsehood. |
| 38 | sa-par₄-ra-ni igi-te-en he₂-a kalam-ma mu-un-na-an-la₂ | May his net be visible, he covers the land for him. |
| 39 | hul-du ŋiri₃-ni nu-mu-un-dab₅-be₂ a₂-ni la-ba-ra-e₃ | The evil one did not seize his city gate, his arm did not come out. |
| 40 | kan₄ e₂ gal-la ud huš saŋ zig₃-ga lu₂-ra su₃-su₃-da | At the gate of the great house, a furious storm rising up, covering the man |
| 41 | šul diŋir-ra-na li-bi₂-in-dug₄-ga sa₂ um-ma-ni-dug₄ | (Sum) He did not agree with him, he was agreeable to him (Akk) The one of his diŋirra temple, who does not agree (with him) |
| 42 | {d}nun-gal nin e₂ kur-ra-ra šu mah-a-ni im-si | Nungal, the lady of the temple of the netherworld, filled his supreme hand |
| 43 | lu₂-ulu₃-bi am šu si-il-la-gin₇ šu gig-ge₄ im-dab₅ | Its people have been seized like wild bulls with a sick hand |
| 44 | ŋiri₃ mu-un-dab₅ e₂ a-nir-ra-še₃ | he seized the city-wall and into the house of mourning |
| 45 | tug₂ igi-na mu-un-si šag₄-sug₄-ga mu-un-ŋen | She fills her eyes with a garment, she makes her face tremble |
| 46 | kaskal ŋiri₃-na im-ha-al-ha-al-e sila daŋal-la im-dab₅ | The road into the woods is twisted, the streets are twisted. |
| 47 | lu₂ zu-a-ni gu₃ nu-mu-un-da-ab-be₂ bar-ta im-da-gub | The one who knows him will not speak, he will stand outside. |
| 48 | {ŋiš}ig-bi ŋal₂-lu mah nu-um-zu mu₇-mu₇ niŋ₂-gig-bi | Its door-jambs are exalted, they do not know how to soothe their sickly limbs. |
| 49 | du₆-du₆-da ŋal₂ mu-un-da₁₃-da₁₃ ŋiš-hur-bi i₃-kur₂ | (Sum) The šududa-demon roamed around, (Akk) Its mounds roam around, it changes its course |
| 50 | lu₂-be₂-e-ne buru₅{mušen} {d}nin-ninna₂{mušen}-ta šu-ta šub-ba-gin₇ | The people, like the birds of Ninninna, from their hands and hands |
| 51 | ŋal₂ da₁₃-da₁₃-bi-še₃ {d}utu e₃-a-gin₇ igi-bi im-ši-ŋal₂ | As if Utu was coming out, he lifted his eyes. |
| 52 | šeš šeš-ra ud ha-lam mu-un-da-aŋ₂-e ŋalga-bi i₃-kur₂-kur₂ | (Sum) The storm, the destruction of the land, he will change its course (Akk) Its course (is) the storm, it will alter its course |
| 53 | šul-e šul-zu-ne nu-mu-un-zu-zu lu₂-kur₂ ŋen-na-me-eš | The enemy knows nothing of yours |
| 54 | lu₂ lu₂ zu-ne ŋiškim nu-mu-un-ni₁₀-ni₁₀ ulutim₂-bi i₃-kur₂ | The one who knew him did not trust him, his life changed. |
| 55 | e₂-a šag₄-bi er₂ a-nir-ra i-si-iš-bi im-gur₃-ru | The inside of the house is filled with tears and wailing. |
| 56 | šeg₁₂-bi lu₂ hul-ŋal₂ ba-an-ma₅-ma₅ lu₂ zid mu-un-u₃-tud | Its brickwork was seized by a wicked man, it gave birth to a true man. |
| 57 | šag₄ ib₂-ba-bi er₂ a-nir-ra ud mi-ni-ib-zal-zal-e | She spends the day weeping and wailing. |
| 58 | ud um-ŋen e₂ kur ezen-gin₇ ni₂-bi-a ba-an-du₃ | The storm, the lord, built the temple in the land like a festival. |
| 59 | ki en₃ tar-re {d}id₂-lu₂-ru-gu₂-da diŋir ba-sug₂-ge-eš | They stood at the place where Idlurugu inquires, |
| 60 | zid-du erim₂-du bar im-ak-de₃ si sa₂ mu-un-u₃-tud | He gave birth to the righteous, the evildoer, the one who does not act in a favorable way. |
| 61 | erim₂-ŋal₂-la-ni šu im-ri-ri-e a₂-ni la-ba-ra-e₃ | His enemy, Hand of the Imrīrī, his arm did not come out |
| 62 | ud-bi-a nin-e ni₂-te-a-ni mi₂ zid iri in-ga-am₃-me | At that time, the lady treated himself well, she is saying: "It is enough!" |
| 63 | diŋir ŋiri₃ kug {d}nun-gal-la-ke₄ ni₂ silim-eš₂ al-e | The “bīr-disease-demon, the holy tiara of Nungal, is clad in a peaceful aura. |
| 64 | nin-me-en an-ne₂ nam mu-un-tar ŋe₂₆-e dumu an-na-me-en | I am the lady, An decreed a fate for me, you are the son of An. |
| 65 | {d}en-lil₂-le nam gal ma-an-tah e₂-gi₄-a-ni-me-en | Enlil decreed a great fate for me, his bride. |
| 66 | diŋir-re-e-ne me an ki-a šu-ŋu₁₀-še₃ mu-un-ŋar-re-eš | The intertwined mes of heaven and earth are in his hands |
| 67 | ama ugu-ŋu₁₀ kug {d}ereš-ki-gal-la-ke₄ me-ni ma-ra-an-ba | The mother who bore me, the holy Ereškigal, gave me his divine powers. |
| 68 | irigal kur {d}utu e₃-a barag mah-ŋu₁₀ mi-ni-ri | The irigal priestess of the mountain Utu came out, adorned himself with a supreme dais |
| 69 | e₂-gal ki-tuš kug nam-lugal-la-ka ŋe₂₆-e diŋir-bi-me-en | In the palace, the holy residence of kingship, I am its multicoloured one |
| 70 | {d}inana-ra gal mu-un-da-ab-be₂ šag₄ giri₁₇-zal ŋal₂-la-ni-me-en | He speaks to Inana: I am the one whose heart is full of joy |
| 71 | {d}nin-tur₅-e ki nam-dumu-zid-ka mu-da-an-gub-be₂ | Nintur will stand with him at the place of the dowry. |
| 72 | gi-dur kud-da nam tar-re-da inim sag₉-ge-bi mu-zu | You know the good words of the long scepter that determines fate. |
| 73 | nin aŋrig zid {d}en-lil₂-la₂-me-en niŋ₂-gur₁₁ ma-ŋar-ŋar | I am the lady, the righteous counsel of Enlil, I am surrounded by fear |
| 74 | erim₃ niŋ₂ nu-silig-ge ŋa₂-a-kam BAD ma-da-TAB | It is a door that cannot be opened, it is the wall of MadaTAB. |
| 75 | arhuš šag₄-ne-ša₄ ŋa₂-a-kam lu₂ la-ba-ra-an-ul₄-le-de₃-en | You are the one who cannot raise a claim against one who has mercy |
| 76 | saŋ gig₂-ga igi-ŋa₂ mu-un-ŋal₂ en-nu-uŋ₃ im-ma-ak-e | He carried a bitter pill in front of him and kept watch over him. |
| 77 | im nam-til₃-la šu-ŋa₂ mu-un-ŋal₂ lu₂ zid bi₂-in-gub-be₂-en | He carried off the tablet of life in his hand, you are the righteous man. |
| 78 | erim₂-du a₂-ŋa₂ la-ba-ra-e₃ niŋ₂ ak-bi mu-zu | The evildoer does not leave his power, he knows how to do it. |
| 79 | kur-kur-re ama diŋir-bi-gin₇ igi-bi im-ši-ŋal₂ | The lands looked at the mother like a rainbow |
| 80 | nam-tag dugud šu-ta im-sig-ge-en ama arhuš-a-me-en | (Sum) I am the one who removes the heavy sin from his hand (Akk) I have been struck by a heavy sin, I am a merciful mother |
| 81 | šag₄ mir-mir-ra im-sed₄-sed₄-de₃ a sed₄ im-su₃-ud | In order to cool the incense-filled field, he washed himself with water. |
| 82 | šag₄ hul mu-sed₄ ka garaš₂-ta lu₂ ba-ra-an-zi-zi-i | He calmed the evil heart, he did not let anyone rise from the mouth of the throne |
| 83 | e₂-ŋu₁₀ šag₄-ne-ša₄ mu-un-du₃ nin lu₂ til₃-til₃-me-en | She built a house in its environs, you are the lady who lives. |
| 84 | ŋissu-bi {ŋiš}ha-šu-ur₂-ra-gin₇ ki sikil-la bi₂-in-mu₂ | Like a cypress tree it grows in a pure place. |
| 85 | nitalam-ŋu₁₀ {d}bi-ir-tum lu₂ ne₃ gal zag-ge mu-un-di-ni-ib-sig₉ | The spouse of Birtum, the one who is a great benevolent one, has set her on her side. |
| 86 | barag gal mah-bi-a dur₂ im-mi-in-ŋar a₂ gal mu-da-aŋ₂-e | He sat on the great dais, his lofty dais. |
| 87 | {d}udug e₂-ŋa₂ {d}lamma igi sag₉-me-eš lu₂ ba-an-ul₄-ul₄-e-ne | The udug priests of the temple and lamma priests, who look at each other with good eyes |
| 88 | nu-banda₃ mah-ŋu₁₀ {d}ig-alim-ma {ŋiš}rab₃ šu-ŋa₂-kam | The chief overseer, Igalima, is mine. |
| 89 | e₂-ŋu₁₀ saŋ en₃ tar-še₃ mu-un-il₂ lu₂ la-ba-an-ul₄-le-ne | (Sum) The house is encircled by a flood, no one can escape (Akk) The E-bu’u has been looked after by the flood, nobody can escape |
| 90 | ra-gaba-ŋu₁₀ niŋ₂-nam nu-ha-lam e₂-gal me-te-bi | The ra-gaba-priestess, who does not fear the palace, is its appropriate one. |
| 91 | iri {d}en-lil₂-le mu sa₄-a lul zid-bi mu-zu | The city that Enlil named with a false name, |
| 92 | {d}nin-har-ra-an-na inim-bi ba-da-de₆ igi-ŋu₁₀-še₃ bi₂-ib-dab₅-be₂ | Ninḫarrana took away the word and seized it before her. |
| 93 | kindagal-ŋu₁₀ e₂ ni₂ gur₃-ru ki-nu₂-a ma-an-ŋa₂-ŋa₂ | The kindagal-priestess, the house whose fearsomeness is spread out in the bed, lays down for me. |
| {d}ne-zi-il-la₂ šag₄ hul₂-la si ba-ab-sa₂-e niŋ₂ kal | Nezil filled the heart with rejoicing, his whole aura | |
| 95 | e₂-gal lugal-la-ke₄ saŋ um-de₆ lu₂ šer₇-da ba-šum₂-mu | The palace of the king was plundered, a man was brought in. |
| 96 | gal₅-la₂ gal-ŋu₁₀ {d}nin-dimgul-e a₂-ni mu-un-sud-e | The great galla demon Nindimgul stretched out his arms. |
| 97 | ka šer₇-da-ka lu₂ bi₂-in-šum₂-mu-e saŋ ŋiš la-ba-ab-ra-ra | (Sum) The one who opens the mouth of the enemy will not be able to escape (Akk) The man who opens his mouth to the enemy shall not escape |
| 98 | lu₂-u₁₈-lu-bi ka garaš₂-ta im-ra-an-zi-zi | This man raised his mouth from the mouth of the scepter |
| 99 | e₂ nam-til₃-la-ŋa₂ ba-ni-in-ku₄-ku₄ en-nu-uŋ₃ im-ma-ak-e | She enters the house of life and keeps watch over it. |
| 100 | sahar e₂-ŋa₂ tug₂ dan₄-dan₄-na lu₂ la-ba-an-si-si | The dust of the house, a clean garment, no one can remove it. |
| 101 | e₂-ŋu₁₀ kurun₂-ta dab₅-ba-gin₇ lu₂-ra an-ed₃-de₃ | As if it had been seized by a man in a house of grain-fed barley, |
| 102 | muš-ŋiri₂ e₂ ku₁₀-ku₁₀-ga-ka me la₂-la₂ | In the middle of the darkened house, where the mes are scattered, |
| 103 | e₂-ŋu₁₀ lu₂ si sa₂ mu-un-u₃-tud lu₂-lul mu-un-te-en-ten | She gave birth to a man in a house of four quarters, she made him lie down in falsehood. |
| 104 | šeg₁₂-bi arhuš er₂ mi-ni-in-ŋal₂ šag₄-ne-ša₄-a mu-un-du₃ | Its brickwork carried tears, it was built in its midst. |
| 105 | lu₂-ulu₃-ba šag₄ mu-un-na-ab-huŋ-e bar mu-un-na-ab-sed₄-de₃ | In order to cool the liver of that man |
| 106 | šag₄ diŋir-ra-na u₃-mu-un-na-an-huŋ | He calmed the ... of his dibir shrine |
| 107 | kug sag₉-ga-gin₇ šu u₃-mu-ni-in-su-ub sahar u₃-mu-un-ta-zalag | Like a good gold, he shook his hand, and he brightened the dust |
| 108 | kug saŋ bar kug-ge KA šu-a gub-ba-gin₇ sahar u₃-mu-un-ta-luh-luh | (Sum) Like a gold ring, like a ring that stands in the hand (Akk) Like an ear of gold, like one of silver, I dust (with it) |
| 109 | šu sag₉-ga diŋir-ra-na-še₃ im-ši-in-gi₄-gi₄ | He turned his good hand into a crossroads |
| 110 | diŋir lu₂-ba-ke₄ su₃-u₄-ra₂-še₃ me-teš₂ hu-mu-i-i | May the Ibir of that man utter a supplication. |
| 111 | lu₂-ulu₃-bi ka tar-ŋu₁₀ he₂-si-il-le nam-mah-ŋu₁₀ he₂-em-me | May that man utter a supplication, may he proclaim a greatness. |
| 112 | ar₂-ŋu₁₀ kalam-ma ak-ak-da-bi niŋ₂-me-ŋar sug₄-ga-am₃ | The arbû-demons of the land, whose utterance is terrifying, are scattered. |
| 113 | i₃ li₂ tur₃ kug-ta mi₂ he₂-em-me niŋ₂ saŋ-bi ha-ma-an-tum₃ | May he adorn himself with oil from a pure cowshed, |
| 114 | udu-i₃ amaš kug-ta mi₂ he₂-em-me niŋ₂ saŋ-bi ha-ma-an-tum₃ | May my sheep be greeted in the pure sheepfold, may its horn be brought to me. |
| 115 | lu₂-ba {d}lamma sag₉-ga-ni-me-en ŋa₂-la nu-mu-un-ta-dag-ge | That man, you are his beautiful protective deity, he cannot pass by. |
| 116 | e₂-gal-la igištu-ni ŋe₂₆-me-en en-nu-uŋ₃ im-ma-ak-en | I am the watcher of the palace. |
| 117 | nin-e nam-mah-a-ni pa e₃ ak-a | The lady made her greatness manifest, |
| 118 | e₂ kur e₂-eš₂ ki-tuš ki aŋ₂-ŋa₂-ni ni₂ me-lem₄ šum₂-ma | The temple of the mountain, the temple, the dwelling, the place of his strength, is filled with fearsomeness. |
| 119 | diŋir er₉ {ŋiš}rab₃ {d}a-nun-na-ke₄-ne nam-ma-ni lu₂ nu-zu | The Anuna gods, the weeping and wailing did not know his fate |
| 120 | saŋ-kal me-a-na šu nu-ku₄-ku₄ | The kalû-priest, how long will he not enter? |
| 121 | {d}nun-gal-la za₃-mi₂ | of Nungal, praise! |
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.