Appendix 13: Spells for “his release” (namburbi)

Marco De Pietri, Stefania Ermidoro – March 2022

Appendix 13: Spells for “his release” (namburbi)

Appendix 13: Spells for “his release” (namburbi)

Sources:
     Autograph: Caplice 1965 Namburbi = Caplice, Richard I. 1965, “Namburbi Texts in the British Museum. I”, Orientalia 34/2, Plates; Caplice 1967 Namburbi = Caplice, Richard I. 1967, “Namburbi Texts in the British Museum. II”, Orientalia 36/1, Plates.
     Akkadian text (column 2): Caplice 1965 Namburbi = Caplice, Richard I. 1965, “Namburbi Texts in the British Museum. I”, Orientalia 34/2, pp. 125-130 (Text 6); Caplice 1967 Namburbi = Caplice, Richard I. 1967, “Namburbi Texts in the British Museum. II”, Orientalia 36/1, pp. 1-8 (Text 7); ABRT I 66f. + Lenormant, Choix 99; KAR 144 and Ebeling 1955 Namburbi = Ebeling, Erich 1955, “BEITRÄGE ZUR KENNTNIS DER BESCHWÖRUNGSSERIE NAMBURBI (suite), Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale 49/4, pp. 178-184 (Text 14).
     English translation (column 4): Caplice 1974 Namburbi = Caplice, Richard I. 1974, The Akkadian Namburbi Texts: An Introduction, Sources from the Ancient Near East 1/1, Malibu: Undena Publications. [the texts translated herewith correspond to Nos. 6, 7, and 14 of this edition].

NB: The portion of text included in [...] and in smaller font is omitted in gB's translation.

Appendix 13.1

Text 6: For an abnormal fetus
Caplice 1974 Namburbi = Caplice 1974, p. 16; Caplice 1965 Namburbi = Caplice 1965, pp. 125-130, Pl. 18.
Line	Akkadian text (syllabic transcription)	Akkadian text (phonemic transcription)	English translation Caplice	English translation gB
1	šum-ma ina É NA iz-bu	šumma ina bīt awīlim izbu	If there was a misformed newborn creature in a man's house [– whether (born) of cattle, sheep, ox, [goat], horse, dog, pig, or human being – in order to avert that evil, [that it may not approach] the man and his house (you perform the following ritual)].	If there is an abnormal fetus in a man's house...
6	ana ÍD GIN-ma GI.PAD ŠUB-di Ú.GIŠ.SA[R DUB-aq] (7) GI.DU₈ DU-an ina UGU GI.DU₈ 7 ŠUKU.[^dINANNA]	ana nārim illak-ma šutukkam inaddi šam[mām išarraq] (7) guḫšām tabanni ina elēn guḫšīm 7 nin[dabām]	You go to the river and construct a reed hut. [You scatter] garden plants. (7) You set up a reed altar. Upon the reed altar you pour out seven food offerings, [beer, dates, (and) fine flour. [You set out] a censer of juniper. You fill three bowls with fine beer, and [you set out] loaves of ...-bread, DIM-bread (and) "earshaped" bread (along with) one grain of silver (and) one grain of gold. You place a gold ... on the head of that misborn creature. You attach a gold breastplate to red thread. You bind it on his breast. You cast that misborn creature on garden plants. You have that man kneel and recite as follows].	6 Go to the river and build a reed hut, spread some plants, (7) install a reed altar and put seven food offerings on top...
15	ÉN ^dUTU DI.KUD AN-e KI-tim EN kit-te u me-šá-ri (16) muš-te-šir AN.TA^MEŠ u KI.TA^MEŠ (17) ^dUTU ÚŠ TI ka-sa-a DU₈ šá ŠU^II-ka-ma	šiptum Šamaš dayyān šamēm erṣetim bēl kitte u mēšari (16) muštēšir elītū u šaplū (17) Šamaš Úa balātī kasā paṭārum ša qātika-ma	Incantation: Shamash, judge of heaven and earth, lord of justice and equity, (16) director of upper and lower regions' (17) Shamash, it is in your power to bring the dead to life, to release the captive. [Shamash, I have approached you' Shamash, I have sought you out! Shamash, I have turned to you! Avert from me the evil of this misborn creature! May it not affect me! May its evil be far from my person, that I may daily bless you (and) those who see me may forever [sing] your praise!]	Spell. "O sun-god, judge of heaven and earth, lord of justice and law, (16) who guides the spheres on high and below! (17) O sun-god, it is in your power to keep the prisoner alive and free..."
23	ÉN [an-ni-tam] 3-šú DUG₄.GA É LÚ [× ×] (24) [... k]a-ma ina IGI ÍD ki-a-am [DUG₄.GA]	šiptam [annītam] šalāšīšu šubni bīt awīlim [× ×] (24) [... k]a-ma ina maḫār nāri kīam [tušabna]	You have him recite [this] incantation three times. The man's house [will then be at peace] .... (24) Before the river [you recite] as follows.	Say this prayer three times and that man's house will be unscathed. (24) In front of the river say the following:
R 1	[ÉN at]-⸢ti⸣ ÍD DÙ-at k[a-la-ma] (2) [...]-sun A ^INUMUN-u-ti šá [DINGIR-šú] ⸢^d⸣[AG] (3) [^dXV-šú] ^dKURNUN šá iz-bi ḪUL [GAR-šú-ma] (4) [pa]l-ḫu-ma i-ta-nam-[da-ru] (5) ḪUL ⸢iz-bi an⸣-ni-i šu-t[i-qa-aš-šu]	[šiptum at]-⸢tī⸣ nār bānū k[alāma] (2) [...]-sun mār Zerūti ša [ilušu] [Nabū] (3) [Tašmētu] ^dKURNUN ša iz-bi lumni [išakkām-ma] (4) [pa]lḫu-ma itanam[daru] (5) lumun ⸢iz-bi an⸣nī šut[iqāššu]	[Incantation: y]ou, River, are the creator of everything. (2) ...-sun, the son of Zerūti, whose [personal god is Nabû, (3) whose personal goddess] is Tashmētu, who [is beset by] an evil misborn creature, (4) is therefore frightened (and) terrified. (5) Avert from him the evil of this misborn creature! [May the evil not approach, may it not draw near, [may it not press upon him]! May that evil go out from his person, that he may daily bless you (and) those who see [him] may forever sing your praise! By the command of Ea and Asalluhi, remove that evil! May your banks not release it! Take it down to your depths! Extract that evil! Give happiness (and) health!]	"O river god, you are the creator of all things! (2) So-and-so, the son of so-and-so, whose personal god is Nabu (3) and whose personal goddess is Tashmetu, is under the bad omen of an abnormal fetus, (4) and is therefore in the grip of fear and terror. (5) Take away from him the evil of the abnormal fetus!

Appendix 13.2

Text 7: For a dog's evil eye
Caplice 1974 Namburbi = Caplice 1974, pp. 16-17; Caplice 1967 Namburbi = Caplice 1967, pp. 1-8, Tab. 1.
Line	Akkadian text (syllabic transcription)	Akkadian text (phonemic transcription)	English translation Caplice	English translation gB
1	[NAM.BÚR.BI] ḪUL UR.GIR_x(KU) [ša] ina É LÚ i-bak-ku-ú] (2) [i-dam-mu-mu ḪUL] UR.GIR_x š[ú-a-tu ana NA u É-šú NU TE]	[NAM.BÚR.BI] lumun kalbi [ša] ina bīt awīlim ibakku] (2) [idammumu lumun] kalbi š[uātu ana awīlim u bīssu lā iṭēḫḫe]	[Namburbi] for the evil of a dog [which howls (2) and moans in a man's house, that the evil of th]at dog [may not approach the man and his house].	Namburbi for the evil eye of a dog howling (2) and moaning in a man's house, in order that the bad omen of that dog not touch the man and his family.
3	NU UR.GIR_x šá IM DU-uš ana IGI [^dUTU É]N 3-šú ŠID	ṣalam kalbi ša ṭīdi teppuš ana maḫār [Šamaš šipta]m šalāšīšu tamannu	You make a clay image of a dog. Before [Shamash] you recite an incantation three times.	Make a clay figurine of a dog. In front of the sun-god, recite the incantation three times.
5 (= 4-5)	(4) <ana> ÍD G[IN-ma 7-šú ana ma-ḫir-ti ÍD 7-šú] ana (5) qid-da-at ÍD SIR [ḪUL UR.GI]R_x BI	(4) <ana> nārim tal[lak-ma šabīšu ana maḫīrti nīrim šabīšu] ana (5) qiddat nīrim tasannaq [lemun kal]bim ullīm	You go to the river and immerse yourself, [seven times facing upstream, seven times] facing (5) downstream. [The evil of] that dog	Go to the river and immerse yourself into the water, seven times upstream, seven times (5) downstream.
7 (= 5-6)	(5) ana NA u É-šú NU TE-e	(6) ana awilīm u bīssu lā iṭēḫḫe	(5) will (6) not approach the man and his house.	That dog's bad omen (6) will not touch the man or his family.
8 (= 6-9)	(6) én ^den.ki lugal ⸢abzu.ke₄⸣ (7) lugal NUN^KI.ga.me.en giškim ḫul ur.gir_x igi.z[u.š]è (8) ba.gil ba.ra.na.te.gá.e.dè (9) ba.ra.na.gá.gá.[dè tu₆ én]	(6) šiptum Enki šar ⸢Apšī⸣ (7) šar Irīti tuklat lumun kalbi maḫ[ri-š]u (8) ušteggir ē iṭḫišu (9) ē īrub[šu tū šiptim]	(6) Incantation: Enki, king of the Apsû, (7) king of Eridu are you. May the evil portent of the dog which (8) confronts you not come near him! (9) May it not beset him! [End formula of the incantation].	(6) Spell: "Enki, you are the king of the abyss, (7) the king of the city of Eridu. May the bad omen of the dog that (8) faces you not touch him! (9) May it not afflict him!" End of the incantation formula [...].
Vs. 19	GIM an-nam 3-šú DUG₄.GA-ma (20) NU UR₅-tu ana ÍD ŠUB-ma a-⸢mi-lu šu⸣-[a-tú] (21) ana EGIR-šú NU IGI-mar ana É LUDIN.NA TU-ma Ḫ[UL-šú DU₈]	kīma annām šalāšīšu šubni-ma (20) attunu ana nārim innad-ma a⸢mīlu šu⸣[ātu] (21) ana warkišu lā immar ana bāt aštammi irrub-ma lumun[šu ūtakkaš]	When you have recited this three times, (20) you throw that dog into the river, and that man (21) does not look behind him. He enters a tavern, and [its] e[vil (22) will be dissipated].	When you have recited this three times, (20) throw that dog in the river, and that man (goes away) (21) without looking back and walks into a tavern. His evil eye (22) will be dispelled.

Appendix 13.3

Text 14: To facilitate trade
Caplice 1974 Namburbi = Caplice 1974, pp. 23-24; Autograph: Ebeling 1955 Namburbi = Ebeling 1955.
Akkadian text: Ebeling 1955 Namburbi = Ebeling 1955, pp. 178-184.
Line	Akkadian text (syllabic transcription)	Akkadian text (phonemic transcription)	English translation Caplice	English translation gB
1	a-na iš-di-iḫ sa-bi-i lu ^amêlbârû lu ^amêlasû lu ^amêlmaš-maš [šiptu tum-]mu bîti [imanu-ma i-ra-]aš-ši-i	ana išdiḫ sabī lū bārū lū asū lū mašmaš(š)u [šiptu tum]mu bīti [im(m)ānu-ma ira]šši	That brisk trade may [not] bypass (lit. forget) the house of a tavernkeeper, or diviner, or physician, or liturgist, or baker. [Its ritual: you crush dust from a temple, dust from a god's dais, dust from a city gate, dust from a ditch, dust from an open air shrine, dust from a bridge on which Ishtar shines, dust from a crossroads, dust from a dust storm, dust from a prostitute's door, dust from the door of a ..., dust from a weaver's door, dust from a palace door, dust from a malt-grower's door, dust from a tavern keeper's door, dust from a road, dust from a gardener's door, dust from a carpenter's door, dust from the door of a nadītu-priestess, all these kinds of dust. You mix them together in river water. You smear cypress oil on them. With the paste you anoint the door of the man's house. You sweep the roof. You sprinkle pure water. You set up a reed altar before Ishtar. You arrange twelve loaves. You set out confections of honey and ghee. You scatter dates and fine Hour. You set out a censer of juniper. You bring (the afflicted person), whether male or female, up to the roof. You have him kneel down and you set a copper image to (his) right. He recites as follows: "Ishtar, Nanay, and Gazbaya help me in this matter!" He recites this, and recounts the matters which are on his mind. Then there will always be brisk trade for the tavern. That house will be prosperous in the future.]	In order that a good trade does not forget the home of an innkeeper, an exorcist, a doctor, a soothsayer, a liturgist, a baker [...]
21 (Caplice) = Ebeling 13ff.	(13) šiptu ^diš-tar li-e-it ilâni^meš rabûti^meš : šá-qú-tum šu-pú-tum ga-rit-tum (14) ^diš-tar mu-tál-la-tum šur-bu-tum : ^dir-ni-na bêltum^tum a-na ia-ši ru-ṣi (15) na-ba-at u a-di-rat : ^den-líl-at nišê^meš i-lat zi-ik-ka-ri [...] (19) [...] lim-ḫur-ki bît ^amêlsa-bi-i na-ram-ki (20) ^diš-tar ana [a-]ma-ti-ia i-ziz-zi-im-ma si-bu-tum an-ni-tum lu si-bu-ut-ki (21) ^diš-tar um-mi-di qâta-ki ina ^iṣkanni ú nam-ziti	(13) šiptu Ištar lēt ilāni rabūti : šaqūtum šupūtum gūrīttum (14) Ištar mut(t)allatum šurbūtum : Irnina bēltum ana yāši ruṣi (15) nabāt u adirat : Enlilat nišē ilat zikkarī [...] (19) [...] limḫurki bīt sabī naramki (20) Ištar ana [a]mātīya izizzim-ma sibūtum annītum lū sibūtki (21) Ištar ummidi qātaki ina kanni u namzīti	Incantation: Ishtar, most courageous of the great gods, exalted, glorious, warlike Ishtar, noble one, most great lady Irnini, help me! You are (by turns) fair and darkened. Lady-Enlil of (all) people, goddess of males, [outdoer of (all) people, mighty Ishtar, daughter of Anu, created by the great gods, giver of the scepter, the throne (and) the royal staff to all kings, lady of (all) lands, help me! Proudest of goddesses, exalted lady, I call upon you: help me! May the censer rich(ly laden) with pure juniper come before you! Ishtar, stand by me to (further) my affairs!] May this tavern trade be your tavern trade! Ishtar, lay your hand on the potstand and mixing vat! May profit come my way, and never cease! You are the one who has this office. End-formula of the incantation.	Spell. Oh Ishtar, the bravest of the great gods, exalted, glorious, warrior Ishtar, noble, supreme lady Irnini, help me! You are bright and dark. Lady Enlil of all peoples, goddess of men [...] May the trade of this tavern be your trade! O Ishtar, put your hand on the jar with its support! [...]