Keš was a city in the heartland of Sumer, its temple dedicated to Nintur — the birth goddess, mother of kings — and her warrior son Ašgi. The Keš Temple Hymn is among the oldest literary compositions ever found: tablets copying it date to around 2600 BCE, and internal evidence suggests it may be considerably older. It was part of the canonical curriculum of Sumerian scribal schools, memorized by generations of student scribes.
The hymn moves through eight sections, each a different angle on the temple's glory: its cosmic scale, its divine inhabitants, the rites performed within its walls, the awe it inspires in those who approach. Each section ends with the same refrain — an apostrophe to Keš, a question about its warrior, a question about its mistress. The answer is always silence. No one compares. No one can even look.
ETCSL c.4.80.2. Translated from Sumerian by the New Tianmu Anglican Church.
I
Out from this house comes the noble —
out from this house, Enlil's own noble —
out from this house, the king's nobility.
Enlil lifted his eye across all the lands.
Before him, the lands raised themselves of their own accord.
The four corners of the world turned green as orchards before Enlil.
Keš stood raising its head.
Keš the city — head raised above all lands —
and Enlil sang the praises of Keš.
Nisaba — in her hands there is no hesitation.
The words flowed out from her like cords of flax.
She set the tablets in order, placed them in her hands.
The house — the awe of the land, the raging bull of Aratta!
The house of Keš — the awe of the land, the raging bull of Aratta!
Growing up from the mountains, neck stretched toward the sky —
growing from the E-kur, head raised above the mountains —
green as the Abzu and the hills together.
Like Keš — who can compare?
Its hero is as great as a lion, mother!
Its mistress Nintur is so great — who can even look at her?
II
The house built in the good place —
the house of Keš built in the good place.
Like the great processional boat of the prince sailing above —
like the holy processional boat, its gates set perfectly in order —
like the heavenly boat spreading its awe across all lands —
like the lesser boat's cabin dripping in the flood season —
the house bellows like a great bull, its bread-hall filled with sound.
Its heart is the heart of Sumer.
From within it rises the life of Sumer.
The house — its great ib-instrument reaching to heaven!
The house standing at the right hand of heaven!
The house — its great crown reaching to heaven!
The house — its rainbow reaching to heaven!
Its headdress hangs in the heart of the sky.
Its foundations sink into the Abzu below.
Its shadow covers all the mountains.
The house set upon the earth, praised by Enlil —
Mother Nintur who gives the great judgments —
the house of Keš bearing ripe fruit.
Like Keš — who can compare?
Its hero is as great as a lion, mother!
Its mistress Nintur is so great — who can even look at her?
III
Above: ten šar-measures — below: five.
Above: ten bur-measures — below: five.
Above: the stag — below: the deer.
Above: the fallow deer — below: the ibex.
Above: the dappled fallow deer — below: the green ibex.
Above: green as a diving bird — below: floating as a waterbird.
Above: shining like the sun — below: glowing like the moon.
Above: the warrior's mace — below: the battle-axe.
Above: the mountain — below: the spring.
The house, its third measure: that is what it is.
Like Keš — who can compare?
Its hero is as great as a lion, mother!
Its mistress Nintur is so great — who can even look at her?
IV
The city — the city! Who knows its heart?
The house of Keš — who knows its heart?
Within: the heroes are set right.
Within: the great decrees are perfectly ordered.
The house where perfect bulls are fattened —
where a thousand bulls feed!
Where a thousand sheep feed —
the sheep washing their flanks in the folds!
The lords seated with heads raised —
crowned with boxwood, their crowns touching the sky —
spreading like poplars into the sky —
growing from the mountains, green against the heavens.
Like Keš — who can compare?
Its hero is as great as a lion, mother!
Its mistress Nintur is so great — who can even look at her?
V
The house where lion's young are born!
The house of Keš where lion's young are born!
Within: the heroes are set right.
Ninhursag the dragon sits within.
Nintur, the great mother, births and nurtures.
Shulpae the governor performs the lordship.
Ašgi the warrior devours the sacred offerings.
Urumash, the great herald of the steppe, dwells within.
The house where the stag bows his neck —
Like Keš — who can compare?
Its hero is as great as a lion, mother!
Its mistress Nintur is so great — who can even look at her?
VI
The house standing like the sun on its great base —
like the white wild bull standing in the open steppe —
the house of the prince, set in place to the sound of the tigi —
its heart is the heart of Sumer,
and from within it rises the life of Sumer.
At its gate a lion lies in wait.
At its gate a great one speaks decrees.
At its door — the great mountain that cannot be turned back.
Its great bull: charged and perfect.
Its storehouse — foundation of heaven and earth.
Its inner chambers resting on the La-ḫama.
Its great wall, bound to the shrine of Ur, the moon city.
Like Keš — who can compare?
Its hero is as great as a lion, mother!
Its mistress Nintur is so great — who can even look at her?
VII
The house — its holy inner chamber!
The house of Keš — its holy inner chamber!
Its lord is of the Anunnaki.
Its nueš-priests carry knives at the shrine of An.
The lord of the house stands by the great vessel.
The good lord sets the netcord in order.
The libation priest spreads the rush mat.
He carries the gathered water forward.
Honey is set down in the sacred place.
The enkum-priests sound the šeg11 in the place below.
The pašeš-priests beat the drum.
They cry uruuru.
They clash the si-drum.
They beat the ĝišal-ĝar instrument.
The singer with the hide-drum makes the šeg11 resound.
The tigi-hymn is played in sweetness.
The house is built — its beauty is good!
The house of Keš is built — its beauty is good!
Its mistress has taken her seat in joy.
Ninhursag, its mistress, has taken her seat in joy.
Like Keš — who can compare?
Its hero is as great as a lion, mother!
Its mistress Nintur is so great — who can even look at her?
VIII
You who approach a city — draw near!
You who approach Keš — draw near!
You who approach its hero Ašgi — draw near!
You who approach its mistress Nintur — draw near!
Keš — built in glory. Praise to Ašgi.
Keš — tended with care. Praise to Nintur.
Colophon
Translated from Sumerian (ETCSL c.4.80.2, Old Babylonian composite) by the New Tianmu Anglican Church with AI assistance, March 2026.
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Source Text: The Keš Temple Hymn (ETCSL c.4.80.2)
The Keš Temple Hymn — ETCSL c.4.80.2
Old Babylonian composite transliteration (selected, 133 lines across 8 sections):
Section I (lines 1–20):
- nam2 nun-e nam2 nun-e e2-ta nam-ta-ab-e3
- den-lil2 nam2 nun-e e2-ta nam-ta-ab-e3
- nam2 nun-e nam-lugal-la e2-ta nam-ta-ab-e3
- den-lil2 kur-kur-ra igi mi-ni-in-il2-il2-i
- den-lil2-ra kur ni2-ba mu-na-il2-il2-i
- an ub-da 4 den-lil2-ra ĝiškiri6-gin7 mu-na-sig7
- keš3ki saĝ il2 mu-na-ni-in-ĝal2
- keš3ki kur-kur-ra saĝ il2-bi
- den-lil2-le keš3ki za3-mi2 am3-ma-ab-be2
- dnisaba nu-ka-aš-bi-im
- inim-bi-ta sa-gin7 im-da-an-sur
- dub-ba sar-sar šu-še3 al-ĝa2-ĝa2
- e2 muš3 kalam-ma gud ḫuš aratta
- e2 keš3ki muš3 kalam-ma gud ḫuš aratta
- ḫur-saĝ-da mu2-a an-da gu2 la2-a
- e2-kur-da mu2-a kur-ra saĝ il2-bi
- abzu-gin7 ḫur-saĝ-gin7 sig7-sig7-ga
- keš3ki-gin7 rib-ba lu2 ši-in-ga-tum2-mu
- ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-gin7 rib-ba ama ši-in-ga-u3-tud
- nin-bi dnin-tur5-gin7 rib-ba-ra a-ba-a igi mu-ni-in-du8
Section II (lines 22–43):
22. e2 dug3 ki dug3-ga du3-a
23. e2 keš3ki ki dug3-ga du3-a
24. ma2-gur8 nun-gin7 an-na dirig-ga
25. ma2-gur8 kug-gin7 kan4 si ri-a
26. ma2 an-na-gin7 muš3 kur-kur-ra
27. u5 ma2 ban3-da-gin7 peš10-ta sur-sur-ra
28. e2 gud-gin7 mur ša4 ninda2-gin7 gu3 nun di
29. e2 šag4-bi-ta lipiš kalam-ma
30. a-ga-bi-ta zi ki-en-gi-ra
31. e2 ib-gal an-ne2 us2-sa
32. e2 zid-da gal an-ne2 us2-sa
33. e2 men gal an-ne2 us2-sa
34. e2 dtir-an-na an-ne2 us2-sa
35. e2 suḫ10-bi an-šag4-ga la2-a
36. te-me-bi abzu-a sig9-ga
37. ĝissu-bi kur-kur-ra dul-la
38. e2 an-ne2 ki ĝar-ra den-lil2-le za3-mi2 dug4-ga
39. ama dnin-tur5-ra eš-bar kiĝ2 dug4-ga
40. e2 keš3ki gurun-na sig7-ga
41. keš3ki-gin7 rib-ba lu2 ši-in-ga-tum2-mu
42. ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-gin7 rib-ba ama ši-in-ga-u3-tud
43. nin-bi dnin-tur5-gin7 rib-ba-ra a-ba-a igi mu-ni-in-du8
Section III (lines 45–57):
45. e2 an-še3 10 šar2 ki-še3 5 šar2
46. e2 an-še3 10 bur3 ki-še3 5 bur3
47. e2 an-še3 alim ki-še3 lu-lim
48. e2 an-še3 šeg9-bar ki-še3 taraḫ-maš
49. e2 an-še3 šeg9-bar gun3-a ki-še3 taraḫ-maš sig7-ga
50. e2 an-še3 muš-gu7mušen-gin7 sig7-ga ki-še3 u5mušen-gin7 a-e šu2-a
51. e2 an-še3 ud-gin7 e3-a ki-še3 iti6-gin7 barag2-ga
52. e2 an-še3 šita2 šul ki-še3 ĝištun3-am3
53. e2 an-še3 kur-ra-am3 ki-še3 idim-ma-am3
54. e2 an-še3 3-kam-bi na-nam
55. keš3ki-gin7 rib-ba lu2 ši-in-ga-an-tum2-mu
56. ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-gin7 rib-ba ama ši-in-ga-u3-tud
57. nin-bi dnin-tur5-gin7 rib-ba-ra a-ba-a igi mu-ni-in-du8
Section IV (lines 59–73):
59. iriki ga-am3 iriki ga-am3 šag4-bi a-ba mu-zu
60. e2 keš3ki iriki ga-am3 šag4-bi a-ba mu-zu
61. šag4-bi ur-saĝ-ur-saĝ-e-ne si mu-un-si-sa2-e-ne
62. eš-bar kiĝ2 dug4-ga šu gal mu-un-du7-du7
63. e2 gud du7-du7-dam gu2 am3-ma-gur-re
64. e2 gud šar2-a al-gu7-e
65. e2 udu šar2-a-am3 al-gu7-e
67. barag-barag-e-ne gu2-ne am3-ma-ĝal2-le-ne
68. ĝištaškarin-da men an-da-gur3-ru
69. ĝišasal2-gin7 an-da-tal2-tal2 sal-la
70. ḫur-saĝ-da mu2-a an-da-sig7-sig7-ga
71. keš3ki-gin7 rib-ba lu2 ši-in-ga-an-tum2-mu
72. ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-gin7 rib-ba ama ši-in-ga-u3-tud
73. nin-bi dnin-tur5-gin7 rib-ba-ra a-ba-a igi mu-ni-in-du8
Section V (lines 75–86):
75. e2 piriĝ u3-tud šag4-bi ur-saĝ su3-ud
76. e2 keš3ki piriĝ u3-tud šag4-bi ur-saĝ su3-ud
77. šag4-bi ur-saĝ-ur-saĝ-e-ne si mu-un-si-sa2
78. dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2 ušumgal-am3 šag4 im-mi-in-tuš
79. dnin-tur5 ama gal-la tud-tud mu-un-ĝa2-ĝa2
80. dšul-pa-e3 ensi2-ke4 nam-en mu-un-na-ak
81. d ašaš7-gi4 ur-saĝ pisaĝ3 mu-un-gu7-e
82. duru3-maš niĝir gal edin-na mu-un-da-an-til3
83. e2 lulim gu2 am3-ma-gur-re
84. keš3ki-gin7 rib-ba lu2 ši-in-ga-tum2-mu
85. ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-gin7 rib-ba ama ši-in-ga-u3-tud
86. nin-bi dnin-tur5-gin7 rib-ba-ra a-ba-a igi mu-ni-in-du8
Section VI (lines 88–102):
88. e2 ud-gin7 ki-gal-la gub-ba
89. am babbar-gin7 edin sug2-da
90. e2 nun-e ki ĝar-ra tigi-da ar2-ra
91. e2 šag4-bi-ta lipiš kalam-ma
92. a-ga-bi-ta zi ki-en-gi-ra
93. kan4-bi-ta piriĝ šu-ba nu2-a
94. kan4-bi-ta UN-gal inim ĝar-ra
95. e2 ig-bi-ta kur gal gaba nu-gi4-gi4
96. am gal-la du7-a
97. ĝa2-nun ĝar-ra-bi an-ub ki-ub
98. gi-gun4ki-na-bi la-ḫa-ma ki us2-sa
99. bad3 nun-na-bi eš3 urim2ki zu2 keše2-da
100. keš3ki-gin7 rib-ba lu2 ši-in-ga-an-tum2-mu
101. ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-gin7 rib-ba ama ši-in-ga-u3-tud
102. nin-bi dnin-tur5-ra-gin7 rib-ba-ra a-ba-a igi mu-ni-in-du8
Section VII (lines 104–126):
104. e2 kug KU-bi agrun
105. e2 keš3ki kug KU-bi agrun
106. e2 en-bi da-nun-na-me-eš
107. nu-eš3-bi ĝiri2 la2 e2-an-na-me-eš
108. e2-e lugal bur-ra am3-mi-gub
109. en dug3 šag4 eš2 la2 am3-mi-in-la2
110. a-tu-e ešgiri2 šu bi2-in-du8
111. TU-e a ur4-a am3-mu-e-de6
112. lal3-e ki kug-ga am3-mi-in-tuš
113. enkum-e-ne šeg11 ki am3-ma-ĝal2-le-eš
114. pa4-šeš-e-ne kuš mu-un-sag3-ge-ne
115. u18-ru u18-ru mu-ni-ib-be2-e-ne
116. si am-ma-ke4 gum2-ga mi-ni-ib-za
117. ĝišal-ĝar-sur9-ra suḫ3-saḫ4 mi-ni-ib-za
118. nar kuša2-la2-e šeg11 mu-ni-ib-gi4
119. tigi nun dug3-ge mu-na-du12-a
120. e2 al-du3 giri17-zal-bi al-dug3
121. e2 keš3ki al-du3 giri17-zal-bi al-dug3
122. nin-bi DIN-bi-a mu-un-tuš
123. dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2 nin-bi DIN-bi-a mu-un-tuš
124. keš3ki-gin7 rib-ba lu2 ši-in-ga-an-tum2-mu
125. ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-gin7 rib-ba ama ši-in-ga-u3-tud
126. nin-bi dnin-tur5-ra-gin7 rib-ba-ra a-ba-a igi mu-ni-in-du8
Section VIII (lines 128–133):
128. iri-še3 iri-še3 lu2 te-a na-te
129. e2 keš3ki iri-še3 lu2 te-a na-te
130. ur-saĝ-bi d ašaš7-gi4-še3 lu2 te-a na-te
131. nin-bi dnin-tur5-še3 lu2 te-a na-te
132. keš3ki du3-a d ašaš7-gi4 za3-mi2
133. keš3ki mi2 dug4-ga dnin-tur5-ra za3-mi2
Source Colophon
Source: ETCSL (Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature), University of Oxford. Text c.4.80.2 — 'The Keš temple hymn'. Freely available at etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk.
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