The Old Testament In the Light of The Historical Records and Legends Part 55

P. 480. On account of the Greek words, I give here a transcription of the late Babylonian text of the extract printed on this page:-

_An(tiukkusu) arru ina alani a mat Melu??a al?ani itta-luku-ma ...

(amelu) puli?e puppe u epetam a kima u?urtu (amelu) Yawannu...._

_U?urtu_ may be translated "bas-relief" instead of "shrine," but the rendering would not be materially changed thereby.

The remainder of the inscription, which is exceedingly interesting, is rather mutilated, and a trustworthy translation of it is at present exceedingly difficult. Certain thieves (_arraqa_), however, seem to be mentioned, and had to all appearance stripped (_iqlubu_) the image of Uru-gala and another, "a deity whose name was called Ammani'ita." On the 10th of Marcheswan these thieves were captured and imprisoned, and on the 13th to all appearance judged and condemned. _umu uati ina iati qalu_, "That day they were burnt in the fire"-such is the end of the story.

This seems not to be in accordance with the laws of sacrilegious theft, as stated in sections 6 and 8 of ?ammurabi's code. Perhaps the law had changed in the 1800 years which had elapsed since the time of that ruler; or stripping a sacred image was a much more heinous crime than mere theft from a temple, which, in the first degree, was punishable with death.

It is noteworthy that refusal to wors.h.i.+p the image set up by Nebuchadnezzar was visited, in Dan. iii, with the same penalty, probably as showing contempt for the divinity.

P. 484, l. 13. The river ?il?u is probably the Sellas in Messinia, where one of the numerous cities named Apameia (Apam'(i)a) lay.

Pp. 489-491. Not the least interesting of this long list of temples and cities are Aur and Nineveh, of which we have here the earliest mention.