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Nabu (Sumerian: NABIUM β€” "The Caller")

Sumerian name: NABIUM

Nabu (Akkadian: Nabu; Hebrew: Nebo) was the god of writing, wisdom, and records in the Mesopotamian pantheon. In Zecharia Sitchin's Anunnaki narrative, Nabu was the son of Marduk who served as the keeper of the ME β€” the divine decrees and knowledge of civilization.

Role in the Anunnaki Hierarchy

Attribute Detail
Father Marduk
Mother Tsarpānītu (or Tashmetum)
Domain Writing, scribes, records, destiny
Sacred Number β€”
Symbol The stylus, the wedge, the dragon
Title God of the Scribe, The Proclaimer

Nabu was associated with the planet Mercury and was the patron of scribes and scholars throughout Mesopotamia.

Sitchin's Interpretation

Sitchin regarded Nabu as an important figure in the Anunnaki administration:

  1. Keeper of Records β€” Nabu was responsible for maintaining the official records of human civilization β€” astronomical observations, king lists, legal documents, and scientific knowledge
  2. The ME β€” Nabu held or guarded copies of the ME, the divine decrees that governed all aspects of civilization
  3. The Tablet of Destinies β€” In some accounts, Nabu was associated with the Tablet of Destinies, the cosmic plan
  4. Marduk's Lieutenant β€” Nabu served his father Marduk faithfully, helping to administer Babylon's civilizational program

Cult Center

Nabu's primary cult center was at Borsippa, near Babylon, where his great temple the Ezida ("True House") stood. His symbol was the stylus β€” the writing implement used to inscribe cuneiform tablets.

The Nabu Prophecy

A text known as the Nabu Prophecy describes how Nabu traveled from Babylon to other lands, bringing civilization with him. Sitchin saw in this a reference to the spread of Anunnaki knowledge through the post-diluvian world.

Biblical Connection

Nabu appears in the Bible as the god Nebo (Isaiah 46:1), whose idol is carried into captivity. The city of Nebo in Moab may have been named after him.

Cuneiform Evidence

The name NABIUM (π’€­π’ˆΎπ’‰ˆπ’Œ, "The Caller") is attested in Sumerian and Akkadian texts as the god of writing and scribes. Nabu (Biblical: Nebo) was the son of Marduk and the keeper of the Tablet of Destinies.

  • CDLI Corpus: NABIUM β€” Browse tablets mentioning Nabu
  • Key tablet: Nabu appears in numerous Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian texts. The Nabu Prophecy (CDLI P334567) describes Nabu's travels and his role in establishing civilization. Nabu is also frequently invoked in scribal colophons and dedicatory inscriptions.
  • Nabu tablet A Neo-Assyrian tablet invoking Nabu, the god of writing and wisdom. (CDLI P334567)

See Also

  • Marduk β€” Nabu's father
  • Babylon β€” Nabu's region of influence
  • Borsippa β€” Nabu's cult center
  • ME β€” The divine decrees
  • Tablet Of Destinies β€” The Tablet of Destinies
  • Sumer β€” Sumerian writing and civilization

Sources

  • Sitchin, Z. (1985). The Wars of Gods and Men.
  • Sitchin, Z. (1993). When Time Began.
  • Black, J. & Green, A. (1992). Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia.