The Song of the Hoe

Wheel of Heaven Translation

The Sumerian hymn to the hoe: Enlil sunders heaven from earth, sets the pickaxe to the soil at Uzu-e-a, and humankind breaks through the ground to bear the gods' labor

An English translation of the Sumerian composition 'The Song of the Hoe' (ETCSL 5.5.4), produced from the ETCSL composite transliteration. The hymn opens with Enlil, lord who brings forth what is fitting, resolving to make the seed of the Land sprout from the ground: he sunders heaven from earth and earth from heaven, sets the bond of heaven and earth at Uzu-e-a (the 'flesh-grower'), and fashions the hoe (Sumerian al) to break the hard ground — whereupon the first humans push up through the soil like plants. The remainder is a tour de force of scribal wordplay, threading the syllable /al/ through scores of words as it praises the hoe as the tool that builds cities, temples, canals, and the whole order of civilization. The composition is a Sumerian counterpart to the human-creation accounts of Enki and Ninmah and Atraḫasīs (humans made to relieve the gods of toil) and to Genesis 2:7 (the human formed from the ground, ʾadam from ʾadamah). Per-line commentary documents lexical decisions, ETCSL philological options, the /al/ paronomasia, and cross-corpus links to the Hebrew Bible, the Sumerian creation cluster, and Atraḫasīs. The Wheel of Heaven's translation of the Sumerian humanity-from-the-ground hymn.

The Song of the Hoe — Enlil sunders heaven and earth, fashions the hoe, and humankind sprouts from the soil

1
Not only did the lord cause what is fitting to come forth,
𒂗𒂊 en-e 𒃻𒌌𒂊 niĝ2-du7-e 𒉺 pa 𒈾𒀭𒂵𒈪𒅔𒌓𒁺 na-an-ga-mi-in-e3
2
the lord whose decreed destinies cannot be overturned —
𒂗 en 𒉆 nam 𒋻𒊏𒈾 tar-ra-na 𒋗 šu 𒉡𒁄𒂊𒉈 nu-bal-e-de3
3
Enlil, who makes the seed of the Land sprout up from the {earth} {alternate manuscript: shrine} —
𒀭𒂗𒆤 ^den-lil2 𒆰 numun 𒌧𒈠 kalam-ma 𒆠𒋫 {ki-ta} {() 𒀊𒋫 eš3-ta} 𒌓𒁺𒉈 {ed2-de3} {() 𒇯𒁺𒉈 ed3-de3} ◑
4
hastening to part heaven from earth, he set to it,
𒀭 an 𒆠𒋫 ki-ta 𒁁𒁺𒉈 ba9-re6-de3 𒊕 saĝ 𒈾𒀭𒂵𒈠𒀭𒋧 na-an-ga-ma-an-šum2
5
hastening to part earth from heaven, he set to it.
𒆠 ki 𒀭𒋫 an-ta 𒁁𒁺𒉈 ba9-re6-de3 𒊕 saĝ 𒈾𒀭𒂵𒈠𒀭𒋧 na-an-ga-ma-an-šum2
6
So that flesh might sprout forth at {Uzu-ea (‘Where Flesh Came Forth’)} {alternate manuscript: Uzu-mua (‘Where Flesh Grew’)},
𒍜𒌓𒁺𒀀 {uzu-e3-a} {() 𒍜𒊬𒀀 uzu-mu2-a} 𒊕 saĝ 𒊬𒊬𒉈 mu2-mu2-de3 ◑
7
at Dur-an-ki he {fixed} {alternate manuscript: raised up} the cosmic bond.
𒄙𒀭𒆠𒅗 dur-an-ki-ka 𒁑 bulug 𒉆𒈪𒅔𒇲 {nam-mi-in-la2} {() 𒉆𒅍𒂊 nam-il2-e} {() 𒉆𒅍𒆷 nam-il2-la} ◑
8
He set the hoe (al) to work, and daylight broke forth (al-e3).
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒈬𒌦𒃻 mu-un-ĝar 𒌓 ud 𒀠𒌓𒁺 al-e3 ◑
9
He instituted the work-roster, and decreed (al-tar-re) the daily tasks.
𒂠𒃼 eš2-gar3 𒈬𒌦𒆕 mu-un-du3 𒉆 nam 𒀠𒋻𒊑 al-tar-re
10
For the hoe (al) and the carrying-basket he set the wages in good order.
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒂊 ^ĝišdusu-e 𒀉 a2 <phr type="VP" lemma="si sa2" label="to make straight"> 𒋛 si 𒁀𒀊𒁲𒂊 ba-ab-sa2-e </phr> ◔
11
Then Enlil sang the praise (za3-mi2) of his hoe (al),
𒀭𒂗𒆤𒇷 ^den-lil2-le 𒀀𒉌 ^ĝišal-a-ni 𒍠𒊩 za3-mi2 𒁀𒀭𒅗 ba-an-dug4 ◑
12
his hoe (al) of gold, its head of lapis lazuli,
𒀀𒉌 ^ĝišal-a-ni 𒆬𒄀𒂵 kug-sig17-ga 𒊕𒁉 saĝ-bi 𒎎𒍝𒆳𒈾 ^na4za-gin3-na ◑
13
his hoe (al) whose blade was lashed on with cord, of silver and gold,
^ĝišal 𒊓 sa 𒇲𒀀𒉌 la2-a-ni 𒆬𒈨 kug-me 𒆬𒄀𒂵 kug-sig17-ga ◑
14
his hoe (al), the tip of whose arm was a plough of lapis lazuli,
𒀀𒉌 ^ĝišal-a-ni 𒀉 a2 𒁑𒁀 bulug-ba 𒀳 apin 𒎎𒍝𒆳𒈾𒄰 ^na4za-gin3-na-kam ◑
15
whose tooth was a battering-ram {standing up to a great wall} {alternate manuscript: born for a great person},
𒅗𒁉 zu2-bi 𒄞𒋛𒀸 gud-si-AŠ 𒂦 {bad3 𒃲 gal 𒌓𒁺𒉈𒁮 ed2-de3-dam} {() 𒊕 saĝ 𒃲 gal 𒅇𒌅𒁕 u3-tud-da} ◑
16
The lord reckoned up the hoe (al) and decreed (mi-ni-ib-tar-re) its destiny;
𒂗𒂊 en-e ^ĝišal 𒈬𒌦𒋃 mu-un-šid 𒉆 nam 𒈪𒉌𒅁𒋻𒊑 mi-ni-ib-tar-re ◑
17
upon its head he set a shining crown of earth.
𒆠𒅔𒁺 ki-in-du 𒃞 men 𒆬 kug 𒊕𒂷 saĝ-ĝa2 𒈬𒉌𒅔𒅅 mu-ni-in-ĝal2
18
There, {at Uzu-ea (‘Where Flesh Came Forth’) he set this very hoe (al) to work;} {alternate manuscript: at Uzu-mua (‘Where Flesh Grew’), the unassailable,}
𒍜𒌓𒁺𒀀 {{uzu-e3-a} {() 𒍜𒊬𒀀 uzu-mu2-a} ^ĝišal 𒀀𒀭𒈪𒉌𒅔𒆕 am3-mi-ni-in-du3} ◑
18A
so as to settle a head (the first of mankind) at Uzu-mua,
𒍜𒊬𒀀 uzu-mu2-a 𒊕 saĝ 𒉡𒂷𒂷𒉈 nu-ĝa2-ĝa2-de3
19
he placed the first of humankind in the brick-mould.
𒊕 saĝ 𒉆𒇽𒍇 nam-lu2-ulu3 𒅇𒊒𒁀 u3-šub-ba 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒃻 mi-ni-in-ĝar
20
Before Enlil, his Land began to break up through the soil.
𒀭𒂗𒆤𒂠 ^den-lil2-še3 𒌧𒈠𒉌 kalam-ma-ni 𒆠 ki 𒈬𒌦𒅆𒅔𒁯𒊑 mu-un-ši-in-dar-re
21
He looked with favour upon his black-headed people.
𒊕 saĝ 𒈪𒂵𒉌𒂠 gig2-ga-ni-še3 𒅆 igi 𒍣 zid 𒈬𒅆𒅔𒁇 mu-ši-in-bar
22
Now the Anuna gods stepped forward to him,
𒀭𒀀𒉣𒈾 ^da-nun-na 𒈬𒌦𒈾𒁻𒁻𒄀𒌍 mu-un-na-sug2-sug2-ge-eš
23
and laid their hands upon their noses (in obeisance) before him.
𒋗𒁉 šu-bi 𒅗𒁀 giri17-ba 𒈬𒌦𒉈𒅅 mu-un-ne-ĝal2
24
With a prayer they soothed Enlil,
𒀭𒂗𒆤 ^den-lil2 𒀀𒊏𒍪𒀀 a-ra-zu-a 𒈬𒉌𒅔𒂊𒉈 mu-ni-in-ḫuĝ-e-ne ◑
25
for they were demanding (al ... be2-ne) the black-headed people from him.
𒌦 uĝ3 𒊕 saĝ 𒈪𒂵 gig2-ga <phr type="VP" lemma="al dug4" label="to desire"> 𒀠 al 𒈬𒌦𒁕𒁉𒉈 mu-un-da-be2-ne </phr> ◔
26
To give birth to a lady, to give birth to an en-priest, to give birth to a king —
𒎏 nin 𒂗 en 𒅇𒌅𒉈 u3-tud-de3 𒈗 lugal 𒅇𒌅𒉈 u3-tud-de3
27
Ninmena set going (al-ĝa2-ĝa2) the begetting of mankind.
𒀭𒎏𒃞𒈾𒆤 ^dnin-men-na-ke4 𒌅𒌅 tud-tud 𒀠𒂷𒂷 al-ĝa2-ĝa2
28
The leader of heaven and earth, Lord Nunamnir,
𒈦𒋢 mas-su 𒀭 an 𒆠𒀀 ki-a 𒂗 en 𒀭𒉡𒉆𒉪𒊏 ^dnu-nam-nir-ra
29
called out the rightful persons, the precious persons,
𒊕 saĝ 𒍣 zid 𒊕 saĝ 𒆗𒆷 kal-la 𒈬𒉌𒅁𒄷𒈿𒄷𒈿 mu-ni-ib-sa4-sa4
30
and those persons he {brought forth} {alternate manuscript: led up} {alternate manuscript: laid out} on a single thread,
𒊕𒁉 saĝ-bi 𒄖 gu 𒀸𒀀 dili-a 𒈬𒌦𒌓𒁺𒉈𒀀 {mu-un-ed2-de3-a} {() 𒈬𒌦𒉈𒇯𒁺𒉈𒀀 mu-un-ne-ed3-de3-a} {() 𒈬𒌦𒉌𒅁𒂃 mu-un-ni-ib-du8} ◑
31
and took them up to provide rations for the gods.
𒀭𒊑𒂊𒉈𒊏 diĝir-re-e-ne-ra 𒉻𒂠 šukur2-še3 𒈬𒌦𒆪𒁉 mu-un-dab5-be2
32
Then Enki sang the praise (za3-mi2) of his hoe (al),
𒀭𒂗𒆠𒆤 ^den-ki-ke4 𒀀𒉌 ^ĝišal-a-ni 𒍠𒊩 za3-mi2 𒁀𒀭𒅗 ba-an-dug4 ◑
33
and the maiden Nisaba was set over the keeping of the records.
𒆠𒂖 ki-sikil 𒀭𒊺𒉀 ^dnisaba 𒌍𒁇𒊏 eš-bar-ra 𒁀𒀭𒁺 ba-an-gub
34
So the people took the radiant hoes (al), the holy hoes (al), into their hands.
^ĝišal 𒀯 mul ^ĝišal 𒆬𒁀 kug-ba 𒋗 šu 𒈬𒌦𒉈𒅅 mu-un-ne-ĝal2 ◑
35
The E-kur, the house of Enlil, was founded with the hoe (al).
𒂍𒆳 e2-kur 𒂍 e2 𒀭𒂗𒆤𒇲 ^den-lil2-la2 𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒃻𒊏𒀀𒀭 ĝar-ra-am3 ◑
36
By day it built it up (al-du3-e); by night it made it grow (al-mu2-mu2).
𒌓𒉈 ud-de3 𒀠𒆕𒂊 al-du3-e 𒈪 ĝi6 𒀠𒊬𒊬 al-mu2-mu2
37
In well-founded Nibru, in the women’s quarters of the Tummal —
nibru^ki 𒆠 ki 𒃻𒊏 ĝar-ra 𒃣 ama5 𒌈𒈠𒀀 tum-ma-al^ki-a ◑
38
the Tummal, the {bread-basket} {alternate manuscript: masterwork raised by the craftsman} of Mother Ninlil —
𒌈𒈠𒀠 tum-ma-al {^gipisaĝ 𒃻 ninda} {() 𒉣𒈨𒋳 gašam 𒅔𒆕 in-du3} 𒂼 ama 𒀭𒎏𒆤𒇲𒄰 ^dnin-lil2-la2-kam ◑
39
from the women’s estate at Tummal, with everything set in order,
𒂍𒈪 e2-mi 𒌈𒈠𒀀 tum-ma-al^ki-a 𒃻 niĝ2 𒁲 sa2 𒅗𒂵𒋫 dug4-ga-ta ◑
40
the hero Ninurta entered in before Enlil,
𒌨𒊕 ur-saĝ 𒀭𒎏𒅁 ^dnin-urta 𒀭𒂗𒆤𒊏 ^den-lil2-ra 𒈬𒈾𒁕𒀭𒆭𒆭 mu-na-da-an-ku4-ku4
41
with a black kid and a first-fruit offering for the lord.
𒈧 maš2 𒈪 gig2 𒉠 nesaĝ 𒂗𒈾𒋫 en-na-ta
42
Holy Ninisina entered in before Enlil.
𒆬 kug 𒀭𒎏𒉌𒋛𒅔𒈾 ^dnin-i3-si-in-na 𒀭𒂗𒆤𒊏 ^den-lil2-ra 𒈬𒈾𒁕𒀭𒆭𒆭 mu-na-da-an-ku4-ku4
43
Next the Abzu, with the lions before it, where the powers (me) may not be demanded (al ... di-da):
𒍪𒀊 abzu 𒅆 igi 𒊌𒂷 piriĝ3-ĝa2 𒈨 me <phr type="VP" lemma="al dug4" label="to desire"> 𒀠 al 𒉡𒁲𒁕 nu-di-da </phr> ◔
44
the hoe-wielder (al-tar), the rightful man, Lord Nudimmud —
𒀠𒋻 al-tar 𒇽 lu2 𒍣𒉈 zid-de3 𒂗 en 𒀭𒉡𒁶𒄷𒄭𒂊 ^dnu-dim2-mud-e
45
he was building (al-du3-e) the Abzu, Eridug being chosen for the construction-work (al-tar-ra).
𒍪𒀊 abzu 𒀠𒆕𒂊 al-du3-e eridug^ki 𒀠𒋻𒊏 al-tar-ra ◑
46
The mother of the gods, Ninhursaga,
𒂼 ama 𒀭𒊑𒂊𒉈 diĝir-re-e-ne 𒀭𒎏𒊕𒂷𒆤 ^dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2-ke4 ◑
47
had the mighty (al-tar) light of the lord dwell with her in Kesh,
𒌓 ud 𒀠𒋻 al-tar 𒂗𒈾 en-na 𒀀 keš3^ki-a 𒈬𒁕𒀭𒋾 mu-da-an-til3 ◑
48
and Shul-pa-e, none other, stood by her at the construction-work (al-tar).
𒀭𒂄𒉺𒌓𒁺𒀀 ^dšul-pa-e3-a 𒈾𒉆 na-nam 𒋻 ^ĝišal-tar 𒈬𒁕𒀭𒁺 mu-da-an-gub ◑
49
The shrine E-ana was made holy by means of the hoe (al).
𒀊 eš3 𒂍𒀭𒈾 e2-an-na 𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒆬𒂵𒀀𒀭 kug-ga-am3 ◑
50
For the lady of E-ana, the rightful {wild cow} {alternate manuscript: woman} —
𒎏 nin 𒂍𒀭𒈾 e2-an-na { 𒅎𒈠𒀠 im-ma-al } {() 𒊩 munus} 𒍣𒁕 zid-da ◑
51
The hoe (al) deals with ruin-mounds; the hoe (al) deals with the weeds.
^ĝišal 𒇯𒇯𒁮 du6-du6-dam ^ĝišal 𒁮 ^u2KI.KAL-dam ◔
52
In the city of Zabalam, the hoe (al) is Inana’s workman.
𒆠 ki 𒀀 zabalam^ki-a ^ĝišal 𒇽 lu2 𒀭𒈹𒄰 ^dinana-kam ◑
53
She decreed (mi-ni-ib-tar-re) the destiny of the hoe (al), bringing forth its projecting {beard} {alternate manuscript: tooth} of lapis lazuli.
^ĝišal 𒉆 nam 𒈪𒉌𒅁𒋻𒊑 mi-ni-ib-tar-re 𒅾 {sun4} {() 𒅗 zu2} 𒍝𒆳 za-gin3 𒌓𒁺𒉈 ed2-de3 ◑
54
At her construction-work (al-tar), Utu stood by her;
𒋻𒊏𒉌𒀀 ^ĝišal-tar-ra-ni-a 𒀭𒌓 ^dutu 𒈬𒁕𒀭𒁺 mu-da-an-gub ◑
55
the celebrated construction-work (al-tar) is that of youthful Utu.
𒋻 ^ĝišal-tar 𒅗 ka 𒋻𒊏 tar-ra 𒂄 šul 𒀭𒌓𒄰 ^dutu-kam ◑
56
The lady of broad understanding, Nisaba,
𒎏 nin 𒄑𒌆𒉿 ĝeštug2 𒂼𒆷 daĝal-la 𒀭𒊺𒉀𒆤 ^dnisaba-ke4
57
ordered the survey of E-ana for the construction-work (al-tar),
𒋃 šudum 𒂍𒀭𒈾𒅗 e2-an-na-ka 𒋻 ^ĝišal-tar 𒁀𒀭𒅗 ba-an-dug4 ◑
58
and laid out, none other, her own E-hamun for the construction-work (al-tar).
𒂍𒁵 e2-ḫa-mun 𒈾𒉆 na-nam 𒋻 ^ĝišal-tar 𒈬𒁕𒀭𒁺 mu-da-an-gub ◑
59
The king who reckoned up the hoe (al), who passes his days in its tracks —
𒈗 lugal ^ĝišal 𒋃𒁕 šid-da 𒍑𒀀 us2-a 𒌓 ud 𒉌𒆷 zal-la ◑
60
the hero Ninurta introduced the construction-work (al-tar) into the rebel land.
𒌨𒊕 ur-saĝ 𒀭𒎏𒅁 ^dnin-urta 𒆠𒁄𒀀 ki-bal-a 𒋻 ^ĝišal-tar 𒁀𒀭𒁺 ba-an-gub ◑
61
He brings to hand (al-ĝa2-ĝa2) any city that will not submit to its lord.
𒌷 iri 𒂗𒂠 en-še3 𒉡𒊺𒂵 nu-še-ga 𒋗𒂠 šu-še3 𒀠𒂷𒂷 al-ĝa2-ĝa2
62
Toward heaven he roars (al-gi4-gi4) like a storm;
𒀭𒂠 an-še3 𒌓𒁮 ud-dam 𒅝 šeg11 𒀠𒄄𒄄 al-gi4-gi4
63
toward earth he strikes down (al-ĝa2-ĝa2) like a dragon.
𒆠𒂠 ki-še3 𒃲𒁔𒀀𒀭 ušumgal-am3 𒀠𒂷𒂷 al-ĝa2-ĝa2
64
Shara {sat down} {alternate manuscript: was set} upon Enlil’s knees,
𒀭𒇋 ^dšara2 𒀭𒂗𒆤𒇲 ^den-lil2-la2 𒄭𒁀 dub3-ba 𒉆𒈪𒅔𒆪 {nam-mi-in-tuš} {() 𒉆𒈪𒅔𒃻 nam-mi-in-ĝar} ◑
65
and Enlil granted him whatever he desired (al-dug4-ga-ni):
𒃻 niĝ2 𒀠𒅗𒂵𒉌 al-dug4-ga-ni 𒈬𒈾𒁕𒀊𒋧𒈬 mu-na-da-ab-šum2-mu
66
he {mentioned the mace, the weapon, the arrow and quiver, and the hoe (al)} {alternate manuscript: desired (al ... dug4) the mace, the weapon, the arrow and quiver}.
𒋖𒄑 šita2 ^ĝištukul 𒋾 ti 𒈥𒋽 mar-uru5 {^ĝišal} {() <phr type="VP" lemma="al dug4" label="to desire"> 𒀠 al} 𒀀𒀭𒈠𒀭𒅗 am3-ma-an-dug4 </phr> ◔
67
Dumuzid is the one who makes the upper land thrive (al-lum-lum-ma).
𒀭𒌉𒍣 ^ddumu-zid 𒀠𒈝𒈝𒈠 al-lum-lum-ma 𒅆𒉏𒈠𒅗 igi-nim-ma-ka
68
Gibil made his hoe (al) lift its head toward heaven;
𒀭𒉈𒄀 ^dgibil6 𒀀𒉌 ^ĝišal-a-ni 𒊕 saĝ 𒀭𒂠 an-še3 𒈪𒉌𒅍 mi-ni-il2 ◑
69
he had the holy hoe (al) refined with fire.
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒆬𒂵𒀀𒀭 kug-ga-am3 𒉈 izi 𒉆𒈪𒅔𒇲 nam-mi-in-la2 ◑
70
The Anuna were rejoicing (al-ḫul2-ḫul2-le-de3-eš).
𒀭𒀀𒉣𒈾 ^da-nun-na 𒀠𒇷𒉈𒌍 al-ḫul2-ḫul2-le-de3-eš ◑
71
The house of Geshtin-ana resembles the al-gar-sur drumsticks —
𒂍 e2 𒀭𒃾𒀭𒈾𒅗 ^dĝeštin-an-na-ka 𒃻𒊏𒀀𒀭 ^ĝišal-ĝar-surx(UZ3×BALAĜ)-ra-am3 ◑
72
the al-gar-sur drumsticks of Mother Geshtin-ana, sweet of sound.
𒂼 ama 𒀭𒃾𒀭𒈾𒅗 ^dĝeštin-an-na-ka 𒃻 ^ĝišal-ĝar-surx(UZ3×BALAĜ) 𒅗 gu3 𒄭𒂵𒅗 dug3-ga-ka ◑
73
The lord bellowed at his hoe (al) like a bull.
𒂗𒂊 en-e 𒀀𒉌 ^ĝišal-a-ni 𒄞𒁶 gud-gin7 𒄯 mur 𒅎𒁺 im-ša4 ◑
74
As for the grave: the hoe (al) carries the head down into the earth;
𒀍𒀀𒀭 irigal-am3 ^ĝišal 𒊕 saĝ 𒆠𒀀 ki-a 𒁺𒈠 tum2-ma ◑
75
by the hoe (al) the corpse is carried down into the ground.
𒁁𒇽 adx(BAD.LU2) 𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒆠𒋫 ki-ta 𒁺𒈠𒀀𒀭 tum2-ma-am3 ◑
76
As for the mighty youth of An, the younger brother of Nergal —
𒂄 šul 𒅂 idim 𒀭𒈾 an-na 𒋀𒌉𒁕 šeš-ban3-da 𒀭𒊊𒀕𒃲𒅗𒄰 ^dnergal-ka-kam
77
the hero Gilgamesh: by the hoe (al) he is a hunting-net.
𒌨𒊕 ur-saĝ 𒀭𒄑𒉋𒂵𒎌 ^dgilgameš2 𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒊓𒆦𒀀𒀭 sa-par4-am3 ◑
78
The {(one manuscript adds: sage)} son of Ninsumun is foremost at the oar (ĝisal).
𒌉 dumu 𒀭𒎏𒄢𒅗 ^dnin-sumun2-ka {() 𒉣𒈨𒋳 gašam} 𒂊 ^ĝišĝisal-e 𒁾𒊕𒂷 dub-saĝ-ĝa2 ◑
79
By the hoe (al) he is the chief barber of the watercourses.
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒀀𒇉𒁕 id2-da 𒃳𒀀𒀭 kindagal-am3 ◑
80
In the {residence} {alternate manuscript: place} of the cella, by the hoe (al) he is the minister.
𒁖 {dag} {() 𒆠 ki} 𒂍𒉣𒈾𒅗 agrun-na-ka 𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒈛𒀀𒀭 sukkal-am3 ◑
81
The evil ones who lie about in the daylight are sons of the hoe (al);
𒅅 ḫul-ĝal2 𒌓 ud 𒈿𒀀 nu2-a 𒌉 dumu 𒈨𒌍 ^ĝišal-me-eš ◑
82
born from heaven after sleep had been spoken of.
𒌓𒁲 u4-sa2 𒅗𒂵𒋫 dug4-ga-ta 𒀭𒋫 an-ta 𒅇𒌅𒉈𒌍 u3-tud-de3-eš
83
In heaven there is the al-tirigu bird, the bird of the god;
𒀭𒂠 an-še3 𒀠𒋾𒌷𒅥 al-ti-ri2-gu7 𒄷 mušen 𒀭𒊏𒀀𒀭 diĝir-ra-am3
84
on earth there is the hoe (al): a dog in the reedbeds, a dragon in the forest.
𒆠𒂠 ki-še3 𒀀𒀭 ^ĝišal-am3 𒄑𒄀𒀀 ĝiš-gi-a 𒌨𒊏 ur-ra 𒌁𒊏 tir-ra 𒃲𒁔𒀀𒀭 ušumgal-am3 ◑
85
On the field of battle there is the dur-allub battle-axe.
𒆠 ki 𒀞𒅗 me3-ka 𒊿𒀠𒈜𒀀𒀭 dur10-al-lub-am3
86
By the city wall there is the al-luhab battle-net.
𒆠 ki 𒂦𒅗 bad3-ka 𒈜𒀀𒀭 ^ĝišal-lu5-ḫab2-am3 ◑
87
On the offering-table there is the maltum bowl.
𒆠 ki 𒊏 ^ĝišbanšur-ra 𒀠𒌈𒈠 ^ĝišma-al-tum-ma ◑
88
In the chariot-shed there is the mayaltum sledge.
𒆠 ki 𒅗 ^ĝišgigir-ka 𒀀𒀀𒀠𒌈𒈠 ^ĝišma-a-a-al-tum-ma ◑
89
In the donkey-stable there is the argibil rack.
𒂍 e2 𒀲𒅗 anše-ka 𒋙𒀾𒀀𒀭 ^ĝišar-gibil2-am3 ◑
90
The hoe (al) — sweet is its name — is present too on the hill-country:
𒀀𒀭 ^ĝišal-am3 𒈬𒁉 mu-bi 𒄭𒂵 dug3-ga 𒊕𒂷 ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2 𒈬𒌦𒅅 mu-un-ĝal2 ◑
91
the tree of the hill-country is the allanum oak;
𒄑 ĝiš 𒊕𒂷 ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2 𒆷𒉡𒌝𒈠 ^ĝišal-la-nu-um-ma ◑
92
the fragrance of the hill-country is the arganum balm;
𒋆 šim 𒊕𒂷 ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2 𒂵𒉡𒌝𒈠 ^ĝišar-ga-nu-um-ma ◑
93
the stone of the hill-country is the algamesh stone.
𒎎 na4 𒊕𒂷 ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2 𒎎𒌓𒊩𒄸𒀀𒀭 ^na4algameš-am3 ◑
94
The hoe (al) makes things thrive (lum-lum-ma); the hoe (al) makes things flourish (lam-lam-ma).
^ĝišal 𒈝𒈝𒈠 lum-lum-ma ^ĝišal 𒇴𒇴𒈠 lam-lam-ma ◑
95
The hoe (al) is good barley; the hoe (al) is {a hunting-net} {alternate manuscript: an overseer […]}.
^ĝišal 𒊺 še 𒄭𒂵 dug3-ga ^ĝišal 𒊓𒆦𒀀𒀭 {sa-par4-am3} {() 𒉺𒀠 /šabra\-[…]} ◑
96
The hoe (al) is the brick-mould; the hoe (al) is what made mankind exist.
^ĝišal 𒅇𒊒𒁀 u3-šub-ba ^ĝišal 𒊕 saĝ 𒅅𒆷𒀀𒀭 ĝal2-la-am3 ◑
97
The hoe (al) is the strength of young manhood.
𒀀𒀭 ^ĝišal-am3 𒀉 a2 𒉆𒄨𒀀𒄰 nam-ĝuruš-a-kam ◑
98
The hoe (al) and the carrying-basket are the tools for building cities.
^ĝišal ^ĝišdusu 𒃻 niĝ2 𒌷 iri 𒆕𒆕𒁮 du3-du3-dam ◑
99
It builds (al-du3-e) the rightful house; it lays out (al-ĝa2-ĝa2) the rightful field.
𒂍 e2 𒍣 zid 𒀠𒆕𒂊 al-du3-e 𒃷 gana2 𒍣 zid 𒀠𒂷𒂷 al-ĝa2-ĝa2
100
It is you, hoe, who broaden the rightful field!
𒃷𒉌 gan2-ne2 𒍣𒉈 zid-de3 𒋗 šu 𒂼𒆷𒈨𒂗 daĝal-la-me-en
101
As for the field that rebels against its owner,
𒃷𒉌 gan2-ne2 𒈗𒁉𒅕 lugal-bi-ir 𒁄𒂊 bal-e
102
the field that will not bow its neck to its owner,
𒃷𒉌 gan2-ne2 𒈗𒁉𒅕 lugal-bi-ir 𒄘 gu2 𒉡𒃻𒊏𒂊 nu-ĝar-ra-e
103
the hoe (al) makes that field bend its neck to its owner.
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒈗𒁉𒅕 lugal-bi-ir 𒄘 gu2 𒈬𒈾𒀊𒂷𒂷 mu-na-ab-ĝa2-ĝa2 ◑
104
It makes the heads of the vile esparto-grass, the vile esparto-grass, tremble;
^u2numun2 ḫul ^u2numun2 𒂊 ḫul-e 𒊕 saĝ 𒂀𒂀𒁉 dub2-dub2-be2 ◔
105
it tears them out by their roots and rips away their stalks.
𒌫𒁀 ur2-ba 𒈬𒌦𒁍𒊑 mu-un-bur12-re 𒉺𒁉 pa-bi 𒈬𒌦𒍢𒂊 mu-un-ze2-e
106
The hoe (al) also brings the hirin-weed to hand (al-ĝa2-ĝa2).
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒌷𒅔 ^u2ḫirin^ḫu-ri2-in 𒋗𒂠 šu-še3 𒀠𒂷𒂷 al-ĝa2-ĝa2 ◑
107
The hoe (al), the implement whose destiny Father Enlil decreed —
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒄑 ĝiš 𒉆 nam 𒋻𒊏 tar-ra 𒀀𒀀 a-a 𒀭𒂗𒆤𒇲 ^den-lil2-la2 ◑
108
the celebrated hoe (al) be praised (za3-mi2)!
𒂊 ^ĝišal-e 𒍠𒊩 za3-mi2 𒅗𒂵 dug4-ga ◑
109
Nisaba be praised (za3-mi2)!
𒀭𒊺𒉀 ^dnisaba 𒍠𒊩 za3-mi2
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