Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations eBook

Archibald Sayce
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 210 pages of information about Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations.
thy weapons be restrained!  Stand up, and I and thou will fight together.’  When Tiamat heard this, she uttered her former spells, she repeated her command.  Tiamat also cried out vehemently with a loud voice.  From her roots she rocked herself completely.  She uttered an incantation, she cast a spell, and the gods of battle demand for themselves their arms.  Then Tiamat attacked Merodach the counsellor of the gods; in combat they joined; they engaged in battle.  Then Bel opened his net and enclosed her; the evil wind that seizes behind he sent before him.  Tiamat opened her mouth to swallow it; he made the evil wind to enter so that she could not close her lips.  The violence of the winds tortured her stomach, and her heart was prostrated, and her mouth was torn open.  He swung the club; he shattered her stomach; he cut out her entrails; he divided her heart; he overpowered her and ended her life; he threw down her corpse; he stood upon it.  When Tiamat who marched before them was conquered, he dispersed her forces, her host was overthrown, and the gods her allies who marched beside her trembled and feared and turned their backs.  They fled away to save their lives; they clung to one another, fleeing helplessly.  He followed them and broke their arms; he flung his net and they are caught in the snare.  Then filled they the world with their lamentations; they bear their sin and are shut up in prison, and the elevenfold creatures are troubled with fear.  The host of spirits (?) who marched beside them (?) he throws into fetters and [binds] their hands, and [tramples] their opposition under him.  And the god Kingu who [had been made leader over] them, he bound him also and did to him as to the [other] gods.  And he took from him the tablets of destiny [that were on] his breast; he sealed them with his pen and hung them from his own breast.  From the time he had bound and overmastered his foes he led the illustrious foe captive like an ox, bringing to full completion the victory of Ansar over his antagonists.  The warrior Merodach (thus) performed the purpose of Ea.  Over the gods in bondage he strengthened his watch, and he turned backwards Tiamat whom he had overpowered.  Then Bel trampled on the body of Tiamat; with his club that spares not he smote her skull, he broke it and caused her blood to flow; the north wind bore it away to secret places.  Then his fathers beheld, they rejoiced and were glad; they bade peace-offerings to be brought to him.  And Bel rested; his body he fed; he strengthened his mind (?), he formed a clever plan, and he stripped her like a fish of her skin in two halves; one half he took and with it overshadowed the heavens; he stretched out the skin, he appointed watchers bidding them that her waters should not issue forth; he lit up the sky, the sanctuary rejoiced, and he set it over against the deep, the seat of Ea.  Then Bel measured the form of the deep; as a palace like unto it he made E-Sarra (the upper firmament).  The palace of the upper firmament, which he created as heaven, he caused Anu, Bel and Ea to inhabit as their stronghold.

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