- Nibiru (Babylonian astronomy)
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For other uses, see Nibiru.
Nibiru (also transliterated Neberu, Nebiru) is a term in the Akkadian language, translating to "crossing" or "point of transition", especially of rivers[1], i.e. river crossings or ferry-boats. In Babylonian astronomy, nibiru (in cuneiform spelled dné-bé-ru or MULni-bi-rum) is a term of the highest point of the ecliptic, i.e. the point of summer solstice, and its associated constellation. The establishment of the nibiru point is described in tablet 5 of the creation epic Enûma Eliš"
As the highest point in the paths of the planets, nibiru was considered the seat of the summus deus who pastures the stars like sheep, in Babylon identified with Marduk. This interpretation of Marduk as the ruler of the cosmos suggesting an early monotheist tendency in Babylonian religion by various authors.[3][4]
The corresponding constellation was in the area of Libra. The Nibiru constellation rose in the month of Tišritum, around autumnal equinox, and Nibiru was also a name for the planet Jupiter when observed in the month of Tišritum.
In the enumerations, Nibiru is mentioned at different astronomical locations in conjunction with the positions of stars and planets,[2] mostly as the "star of Marduk", as in the Enuma Elish: "Nibiru is [Marduk's] star, which he made appear in the heavens . . . [130-131] The stars of heaven, let him [Nibiru] set their course; let him shepherd all the gods like sheep."[5]
The various stars or planets were not subject to any fixed interpretation. The "star of Ea", for example, was described at various "revelation spots" including Vela, Fomalhaut, and Venus. Similar interpretations were made for the other "stars of the gods", so certain celestial coordinates where the "stars of the gods" appeared must be considered.[2]
Nibiru is described more closely on a complete cuneiform tablet:[6]
Nibiru, which is said to have occupied the passageways of heaven and earth, because everyone above and below asks Nibiru if they cannot find the passage. Nibiru is Marduk's star which the gods in heaven caused to be visible. Nibiru stands as a post at the turning point. The others say of Nibiru the post: "The one who crosses the middle of the sea (Tiamat) without calm, may his name be Nibiru, for he takes up the center of it". The path of the stars of the sky should be kept unchanged.Böhl calls the text "objectively the most difficult passage, although it has been handed down in its entirety. The Nibiru tablet does not provide any essential help for the clarification."[7]
In the MUL.APIN, Nibiru is identified as Jupiter:
- "When the stars of Enlil have been finished, one big star – although its light is dim – divides the sky in half and stands there: that is, the star of Marduk (MUL dAMAR.UD), Nibiru (né-bé-ru), Jupiter (MULSAG.ME.GAR); it keeps changing its position and crosses the sky."
Conversely, Tablets K.6174:9’ and K.12769:6’ refer to it as Mercury: "If Mercury (MULUDU.IDIM.GU4) divides the sky and stands there, [its name] is Nibiru."[5]
References
- ^ Akkadian Dictionary: nēbertu * , nēburu in Akkadian Dictionary
- ^ a b c (German) Ernst Weidner in: Reallexikon der Assyriologie, vol. 2, de Gruyter, Berlin 1978, p. 381
- ^ Alfred Jeremias, Babylonisches im Neuen Testament (1905), p. 106; Monotheistische Strömungen innerhalb der babylonischen Religion (1904 lecture, printed in 1905).
- ^ Levenson, Jon Douglas (November 1994 Reprint edition). Creation and the persistence of evil: the Jewish drama of divine omnipotence. Princeton University Press. p. 131. ISBN 978-0691029504. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VzaW_Du6N74C&pg=PA131&dq=Marduk+monotheism&hl=en&ei=SO_iS8LRApLgnAOQ5qlA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Marduk%20monotheism&f=false.
- ^ a b Michael S. Heiser. "The Myth of a Sumerian 12th Planet". http://www.michaelsheiser.com/nibiru.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ^ Translated from the German translation of Wolfram von Soden in: Zeitschrift für Assyriologie (ZA), no. 47, p. 17.
- ^ (German) F.M.T. Böhl in: Die 50 Namen des Marduk, Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO) no. 11, 1936, p. 210.
Literature
- (German) A. Schott, Marduk und sein Sterm, Zeitschrift für Assyriologie 43 (1936), 124-145.
- (German) Johannes Koch, Der Mardukstern Neberu, Welt und Oriens 22 (1990), 48-72.
Categories:- Babylonian astronomy
- Mesopotamian deities
- Enûma Eliš
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