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Updated: June 9, 2025
A consort is given to the god by adding a feminine termination to his name, thus Bel receives Belit, Anu has Anat. Finally Babylonian religion is more and more directed to the heavenly bodies. It is Astral religion carried to its furthest point. This fixed the arrangement of its temples, the occupations of its priests. We rapidly pass in review the principal Gods.
To Marduk and Sarpanitum the 16th day is assigned, besides the 3d and 7th days as above set forth; to Ramman and his consort the 6th, to the old Bel and Belit the 5th, the 12th, the 25th, and to Nergal and Bau the 27th. At times two male deities are in association.
Lastly, it is interesting to note that Samsu-iluna, the son of Hammurabi, refers to Belit of Nippur as Nin-khar-sag, which we have seen was one of her oldest titles. Such an 'etymology' is, however, merely a play upon the name, similar to the plays upon proper names found in the Old Testament. The real etymology is unknown. The form Marduk is Semitic, and points to an underlying stem, rdk.
He appears to have been specially fond of temple building, and, besides the one to Nin-ib, he tells us of sanctuaries to 'Belit of the land, i.e., Ishtar, Sin, Gula, Ea, and Ramman, that he erects or improves.
The Assyrians were rather fond of introducing Anu by himself in their prayers, and the Babylonians were prompted to a frequent mention of Ea by virtue of his relationship to Marduk, but when this was done Anu and Ea meant something different than when mentioned in one breath along with Bel. Belit.
Similarly, Ashurbanabal regards Belit as the wife of Ashur, and himself as the offspring of Ashur and Belit. At the same time he gives to this Belit the title of 'mother of great gods, which of right belongs to the consort of the Babylonian Bel. In the full pantheon as enumerated by him, Belit occupies a place immediately behind her consort Ashur.
The last two phases can best be set forth when we come to the period, marked by the political supremacy of the city of Babylon. It is sufficient, at this point, to have made clear his position as god of Nippur. Nin-lil or Belit. The consort of En-lil is Nin-Lil, the 'mistress of the lower world. She is known also as Belit, the feminine form to Bel, i.e., the lady par excellence.
Rassam, Cylinder viii. 98, 99. 'Belit of Babylonia, honored among the great gods. Annals, iii. 135. The name of the temple. See IIR. 66, ll. 1 and 10. The title 'belit matâti, 'lady of the lands' is evidently introduced in imitation of 'bel matâti, 'lord of lands, belonging to Bel and then to Marduk. VR. pl. 33. Delitzsch, Die Kossaer, pp. 25, 27.
To Sin, the great god, he offers sacrifices. His prayer to the god is acceptable. On the 3d day, a day of supplication to Marduk and Sarpanitum, a favorable day. At night, in the presence of Marduk and Ishtar, the king brings his gift. Sacrifices he is to offer so that his prayer may be acceptable. On the 6th day, sacred to Ramman and Belit, a favorable day.
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