Matthew 1

[JLG]

Writing (40)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Gisur, except from the Sumerian king list?


No, information about a king named Geyser is not known outside of the Sumerian King List, and it is likely that "Geyser" is a misinterpretation or misremembering of the name Alulim or a similar mythical ruler. The Sumerian King List contains mythical reigns of thousands of years, with the first kings, like Alulim of Eridu, being regarded as mythical figures rather than historical ones. The list is a political document combining myth and history to legitimize rulers, not a purely historical record.

Details about the Mythical First King (likely not "Geyser")

• Name and Location: The Sumerian King List lists Alulim as the first king of the city of Eridu.

The Sumerian King List as a Source

• Political Document: The list was not intended as a strictly historical account but as a literary and political work.

Why You Might Be Misremembering "Geyser"

• Typo/Misinterpretation: "Geyser" could be a mishearing or misspelling of a name like Alulim or another Sumerian king's name.
  

Long Reign: Alulim is described with a reign of 28,800 years, a characteristic of the mythical, pre-flood kings on the list.

Mythological Status: Alulim is considered a mythological ruler, one of many figures from a period when kingship was believed to have descended from the gods.

Justification for Rule: It was used to provide a unified and legitimate lineage for rulers, tracing their right to rule back to the gods and the creation of kingship.

Combination of Fact and Fiction: While it includes some historical elements and names, the early portion of the list is largely composed of myth and legend, featuring characters with impossibly long reigns.

Focus on Myth: The extreme length of the reigns of the first kings can lead to confusion, as they are figures from a deeply mythologized past rather than verifiable historical kings.

 

[JLG]

Writing (41)


Sumerian king list:


Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Kullassina-bêl , except from the Sumerian king list?


Kullassina-bel of Kish was the second king in the First Dynasty of Kish according to the Sumerian king list, which adds that he reigned for 960 years (or 900 in some copies).

As the name seems to be an Akkadian phrase meaning "All(kullat) of them(šina) (were) lord(bēl)", it has sometimes been suggested that the occurrence of this name on the list was intended to denote a period of no central authority in the early period of Kish.

An alternative translation of the name is "Lord(bēl) of all(kullat) of them [the women](šina)".

 

[JLG]

Writing (42)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Nan-GIŠ-lišma , except from the Sumerian king list?


No, we do not know anything about the king of Kish, Nan-GIŠ-lišma, outside of the Sumerian King List (SKL), as there is no other contemporary historical evidence or literary sources to corroborate his existence or reign. The SKL is a literary work with a political purpose, not a purely historical document, and the figures listed, especially in the early sections like Nan-GIŠ-lišma, are considered mythological or fictional rather than actual historical kings.

Why there's no external information:

• Mythological Context: The early part of the SKL includes figures with extremely long reigns, which is a characteristic of mythical or legendary figures rather than historical kings.
  

Political Tool: The SKL was created as a tool to legitimize a unified Mesopotamian monarchy by connecting rulers to a divine past.

Limited Early Records: For the period of Nan-GIŠ-lišma, there are no other archaeological finds or written documents that confirm the existence of this king. The only historically confirmed figures from Kish, like Enmebaragesi, appear much later in the King List.

No Confirmation of Existence: The Sumerian King List is unique in combining mythological and historical accounts, but the existence of most kings, especially in the pre-diluvian section, remains unconfirmed by other sources.

 

[JLG]

Writing (43)


Sumerian king list:


meaning of the Sumerian word Nan-GIŠ-lišma:

The Sumerian term "Nan-GIŠ-lišma" appears to be a combination of elements that could suggest a meaning related to a name or a descriptive phrase, with "GIŠ" potentially referring to "tree" or "wood," and "lišma" possibly having a connection to something that "hears" or is "heard" in a broader sense. However, the lack of a direct translation for the entire phrase in the search results indicates that "Nan-GIŠ-lišma" may not be a known single word or common expression, but rather a more complex construction or a personal name.

Possible Breakdown of the Word:

• Nan: This could be a personal name or a possessive pronoun. Without more context, its exact meaning is uncertain.

Context is Key:

To understand the exact meaning of "Nan-GIŠ-lišma," more information about its context is crucial. It could be:

• A name: As a personal name or title.

In conclusion, while the search results can provide some insight into the individual components of the word, a definitive translation of "Nan-GIŠ-lišma" requires further context and scholarly analysis beyond what is available in the provided search results.

GIŠ: In Sumerian, this word generally refers to "wood" or "tree".

lišma: This element may relate to a root meaning "to hear," "to listen," or "to be heard," as well as potentially "knowledge" or "intelligence" in a broad sense.

A descriptive phrase: Perhaps describing something like "the man of the tree of hearing" or "the one with wood for listening".

A deity or mythical figure: In the ancient world, names often had symbolic meanings.

A textual or scribal error: It is possible that this word is not a standard term but rather a unique combination of existing Sumerian elements.

 

[JLG]

Writing (44)


Sumerian king list:


Meaning of the Sumerian name of the king Nan-GIŠ-lišma

The name of the king Nan-GIŠ-lišma means "He-who-has-seen-the-city-with-the-big-man" or similar, combining the elements "Nan-GIŠ" (a city, specifically En-GIŠ-za, or "The City of the Big-Man") and "-lišma" (a verb meaning "to hear" or "to see"). This interpretation suggests a name with royal significance, possibly indicating a connection to kingship, as the word for king in Sumerian, lugal, literally means "big man".

Here's a breakdown of the name's elements:

• Nan-GIŠ: This is believed to be a reference to a city, possibly En-GIŠ-za.
• GIŠ: In this context, it is often interpreted as "big" or "great," as seen in the word for king.
• -lišma: This verb means "to hear" or "to see".

Therefore, a plausible interpretation is that the name reflects a person's connection to a prominent city identified by its "big-man" (king).

- This search is incredible!

- It shows how humble we should be in terms of translation!

- Well, not only in terms of translation but for many things!

- We could say the same about archeology which deals with very long periods of time!

- Thus many things can be wrong!

- Here depending on the pieces of information we get, it may change everything!

- Same about dating!

- It reminds me about Jane Goodall who led to revolutionary discoveries in particular about tool use among chimpanzees!

- Definitely a good example to think about when we study the Bible!

 

[JLG]

Writing (45)


Sumerian king list:


Dame Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, died on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. Goodall's life was dedicated to studying chimpanzee behavior in the wild, leading to revolutionary discoveries about tool use, social structures, and emotions in chimpanzees, which blurred the lines between humans and animals. She died of natural causes in California while on a speaking tour.

Key Contributions

• Tool Use: Goodall was the first to document chimpanzees using and making tools, a groundbreaking discovery that challenged the human definition of tool use.

Legacy

• Conservation: Goodall became a global advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental protection, inspiring countless individuals through her work with the Jane Goodall Institute.
  

Social Behavior: Her research revealed complex social lives, including communication, emotional bonds, and organized warfare among chimpanzees.

Scientific Approach: She pioneered a more personal and empathetic approach to studying animals, naming the chimps she studied and attributing personality and emotions to them, though this was initially met with resistance from the scientific establishment.

Women in Science: She opened doors for generations of women in science, demonstrating that women could achieve scientific prominence.

Human-Animal Connection: Her work fostered a deeper understanding and connection between humans and the natural world, advocating for the protection of all living beings.

 

[JLG]

Writing (46)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, En-dara-ana , except from the Sumerian king list?

No, we do not know of the Sumerian king of Kish, En-dara-ana (En-tarah-ana), from any source other than the Sumerian King List. He is not mentioned in contemporary texts from the period of his supposed reign (Early Dynastic period), making his existence questionable and suggesting he may be a legendary or mythological figure rather than a historical one.

Why the Skepticism?

• Lack of External Evidence: The primary reason for skepticism is the absence of En-tarah-ana's name from other historical records or archaeological finds.

En-tarah-ana's Entry in the Sumerian King List

• He is listed as the fourth king of the First Dynasty of Kish.
  

Mythological Nature of the List: The Sumerian King List itself is a blend of mythological and historical accounts. The pre-dynastic kings, like those listed at the beginning of the list, are generally not considered historical figures unless they appear in other contemporary documents.

Focus on Other Kings: In contrast, kings from the later Early Dynastic period, such as En-me-barage-si of Kish, have been confirmed as historical figures by the discovery of inscriptions bearing their names.

His reign is given an incredibly specific duration: 420 years, 3 months, and 3 and a half days.

The Weld-Blundell Prism, a significant copy of the King List, was damaged at this point, which is why Thorkild Jacobsen restored his name.

 

[JLG]

Writing (47)


Sumerian king list:

Meaning of the Sumerian word En-dara-ana (En-tarah-ana):

The meaning of the Sumerian name En-tarah-ana is "uncertain," as the name likely refers to a legendary king on the Sumerian King List, whose historical existence is unconfirmed. The name is derived from the Sumerian word en, meaning "lord" or "ruler," along with other terms that are not definitively translated for this individual.

Breaking Down the Name:

• En- (𒂗): This is a Sumerian word meaning "lord," "ruler," or "high priest".

Significance:

• En-tarah-ana is mentioned in the Sumerian King List as the fourth king of the First Dynasty of Kish, a legendary dynasty.

In summary, the exact meaning of En-tarah-ana's name is uncertain, but the "En-" prefix indicates a "ruler" or "lord," while the full name refers to a figure whose existence as a historical king is not confirmed.

-tarah- (-琺): The exact meaning of this part of the name is unclear, but it may relate to a personal or divine name.

-ana (-𒈾): This component of the name is also of unknown meaning and purpose.

The Sumerian King List itself is a literary work, and the names listed are often considered legendary rather than historical.

His historicity is questionable, as his name doesn't appear in other texts from the period.

 

[JLG]

Writing (48)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Babum, except from the Sumerian king list?

No, the name babum, referring to the king of Kish listed in the Sumerian King List, is an Akkadian word meaning "gate". Although Babum is presented as a Sumerian king, the name is unlikely to have been his actual name as it is an Akkadian word, and he does not appear in texts from the period in which he was supposed to have lived.

• Origin of the name: The name babum is Akkadian, the language spoken by the Akkadians who lived in northern Mesopotamia.
• Meaning: In Akkadian, bābum means "gate".
• Historical context: The name appears on the Sumerian King List for a ruler in the First Dynasty of Kish. However, there is no evidence to suggest he was a real historical figure, and the name is likely an Akkadian loanword.

 

[JLG]

Writing (49)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Pu'annum , except from the Sumerian king list?


No, we do not know anything about Pu'annum, king of Kish, beyond what is stated in the Sumerian King List (SKL) because he is considered a mythical or semi-mythical figure rather than a historically verified ruler, and the SKL itself is a literary and political document, not a purely historical record. The early part of the list, which includes Pu'annum, features mythological rulers with impossibly long reigns, highlighting the list's purpose to legitimize later dynasties by connecting them to a revered, ancient, and unified past of kingship.

The Nature of the Sumerian King List

• Literary and Political Device: The SKL combines historical accounts with mythological elements to serve a political purpose, namely to create a narrative of a unified Mesopotamia under a single, legitimate ruler.

Why Pu'annum is Not Historically Verified

• Lack of External Evidence: There is no other textual or archaeological evidence to support Pu'annum's existence or reign outside of the SKL.
  

Mythical vs. Historical Figures: The earliest kings, including Pu'annum, are presented as ruling for hundreds or thousands of years, a clear indicator of their mythological or legendary status.

Legitimacy: Later kings used the SKL to claim divine right and ancestry from the earliest, god-like rulers.

Context of the SKL: The list is not a neutral historical account but a work compiled to establish a chronological framework for kingship that culminates in the scribe's own city or patron city.

Distinguishing Myth from History: Scholars consider the early portions of the SKL as fictional and mythical, with only the rulers from later periods sometimes having their existence confirmed by other sources.

The Sumerian name Pu'annum, appearing on the Sumerian King List as the sixth king of Kish, does not have a known meaning because the name and the king himself are likely fictitious, not appearing in any other contemporary texts. The king list's entries from this early period are largely mythical, and Pu'annum is considered an example of such a legendary figure rather than a historical one.

Details:

• King List Context: Pu'annum is listed as the sixth king of Kish on the Sumerian King List.
  

Mythological Nature: The early entries on the Sumerian King List, including those for the First Dynasty of Kish, are considered mythical rather than historical.

Lack of Evidence: Pu'annum's name does not appear on any texts from the period he was supposed to have ruled, suggesting he was a fictional ruler created for the list.

No Meaning: Consequently, there is no known literal meaning or translation for the name Pu'annum in Sumerian.

 

[JLG]

Writing (50)


Sumerian king list:


Sumerians were eager to use writing to tell about their civilization so why having king lists with kings who didn’t exist and sometimes with names which don’t mean anything? How is it possible to be taken seriously? It is contradictory!

Are names on Sumerian king lists only Sumerian?

No, names on the Sumerian King List are not exclusively Sumerian; the list includes names from neighboring regions and dynasties, such as Semitic names from Mari and Elamite names from Awan, to provide a broader context of ruling lineages in ancient Mesopotamia, even though the list itself is written in Sumerian.

Details on non-Sumerian names:

• The Sumerian King List (SKL) incorporates rulers from various dynasties, including those from neighboring cities and regions beyond the core Sumerian south.

Purpose of including non-Sumerian names:

• The list serves as a historical and chronological framework for Mesopotamia, not just Sumer.
  

For example, the list features several kings from Mari, a city located on the Euphrates River, and includes some kings from the Elamite region of Awan.

These names often have Semitic-sounding linguistic features.

By including rulers from other nearby areas, the list reflects the complex and interconnected political landscape of the time, showing the influence of these neighboring dynasties on Sumerian cities and vice versa.

It also demonstrates the incorporation of these groups into the concept of "official kingship".

 

[JLG]

Writing (51)


Sumerian king list:


Are names on Egyptian king lists only Egyptian?

No, not all names on Egyptian king lists are purely Egyptian, as later lists compiled by Greek historians like Manetho may contain names transcribed and adapted from Egyptian originals, or even foreign rulers like the Hyksos, who were excluded from some lists for political or religious reasons but were noted by others. The purpose of the king lists varied, with some serving cultic functions by emphasizing religious legitimacy and omitting "illegitimate" rulers, while others, like the Turin Canon, were more historically comprehensive.

Non-Egyptian Influences and Inclusions

• Greek Transcriptions: Later Greek historians who compiled king lists, such as Manetho, may have included distant descendants of Egyptian names, or even rulers of foreign origin, leading to variations in names, especially when transcribed from Egyptian to Greek.

Factors in Name Inclusion and Exclusion

• Religious and Political Purposes: King lists were often carved in stone for religious and political reasons, to honor ancestors and legitimize the reigning king.
  

Hyksos Rulers: The Hyksos Fifteenth Dynasty, who ruled in the Delta, are included in some king lists but were also seen as illegitimate by some Egyptians, and were a clear example of foreign rulers in the context of Egyptian king lists.

Exclusions: Some rulers were deliberately excluded for political reasons, such as the Amarna Period kings (like Akhenaten) or powerful female rulers (like Hatshepsut), for political propaganda or as a form of damnatio memoriae (condemnation by memory).

Varying Sources: There were multiple master lists and different scribal traditions, meaning that names and the kings included varied depending on the source and the time period it was compiled.

The Turin Canon: This papyrus list from the New Kingdom is considered the most complete and historically accurate, often including ephemeral rulers and queens that were excluded from stone lists.

 

[JLG]

Writing (52)


Sumerian king list:


Are genealogies or lists in the Bible only with Hebrew names?

No, Biblical genealogies and lists are not exclusively Hebrew names, as they include gentile individuals and names from different cultures, such as the Canaanite Rahab and Ruth. While many names are of Hebrew or Aramaic origin, the New Testament genealogies for Jesus incorporate non-Hebrew figures and reflect the diverse cultural context of the time, demonstrating God's inclusive plan for all people.

Examples of non-Hebrew names in biblical genealogies:

• Rahab: A Canaanite prostitute who becomes an ancestor of David and Jesus.
• Ruth: A Moabite woman included in the genealogy of Jesus.
• Tamar: A Canaanite woman involved in a scandalous union that results in her connection to the lineage of Jesus.
• Uriah's wife (Bathsheba): Though of Hebrew origin, her inclusion highlights God's use of flawed individuals to fulfill His plans.

Reasons for their inclusion:

• Theological significance: The inclusion of non-Hebrew and imperfect individuals underscores God's inclusive grace and plan to bless all nations, not just the Jewish people.
• Historical context: The genealogies show that the biblical narrative is not a narrow, exclusive story of one people but incorporates individuals from various backgrounds and cultures, reflecting a wider world.
• Divine purpose: By highlighting figures like Rahab and Ruth, the genealogies show that God uses all types of people, regardless of their past, to bring about His purposes.

 

[JLG]

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Surviving Earth's 5 Mass Extinctions: A Prehistoric Journey | SLICE WILD | FULL DOC

 

[JLG]

Writing (53)


Sumerian king list:


When we start reading the first chapter of the book of Revelation, the apostle John addresses the seven congregations in the province of Asia, not the congregations in Israel: why?

The apostle John addresses the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey) because they were geographically prominent, located on a circular trade route, and represented a diverse cross-section of challenges and conditions found in many churches of that era. This selection provides a tangible, grounded setting for the apocalyptic visions while serving a practical purpose: the message, once delivered to these key communities, was intended to spread throughout the region and serve as a timeless model for all churches facing hardship and persecution.

Here's a breakdown of the reasons:

• Geographic and Cultural Significance: "Asia" in this context refers to the Roman province of Asia Minor, the western third of modern-day Turkey. These seven cities—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea—were major centers in the region, and their Christian communities were known to the apostle John.
  

A Circular Trade Route: The churches were positioned along a natural, circular trade route, which made it logistically efficient for John to deliver the message. Once the letters were delivered to these prominent locations, the message would naturally disseminate to other Christian communities throughout the province.

Symbolic Representation: The specific struggles and conditions of these seven churches serve as a representative microcosm of the challenges faced by churches throughout the Roman Empire and, indeed, all Christian churches across time.

Grounding the Vision in Reality: By naming actual churches in a real region, John grounds his apocalyptic vision in tangible reality. This gives the book credibility and prevents it from being perceived as purely symbolic or detached from earthly experience.

Context of Persecution: The early Christians in these Asian cities faced significant opposition and persecution from the surrounding polytheistic and pagan culture. The messages in Revelation were designed to encourage and strengthen their faith in the face of these hardships and to remind them of their eternal allegiance to Christ.

- We should not forget that!

 

[JLG]

Writing (54)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Kalibum , except from the Sumerian king list?


Meaning of the Sumerian word kalibum

Kalibum of Kish was the seventh Sumerian king in the First Dynasty of Kish, according to the Sumerian king list. This name is written "Ga-lí-bu-um ... normalized as Kalibum", and is believed to be derived from the Akkadian for 'hound'. Kalibum is unlikely to have existed as his name does not appear on texts dating from the period in which he was presumed to have lived (Early Dynastic period).

 

[JLG]

Writing (55)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Kalumum , except from the Sumerian king list?


Meaning of the Sumerian word kalumum

Kalumum (Sumerian:𒅗𒇻𒈬𒌝) of Kish was the eighth Sumerian king in the First Dynasty of Kish, according to the Sumerian king list. Like the other members of the First dynasty prior to Etana, he was named for an animal; his name "Kalumun" is Akkadian for "lamb". Kalulum is unlikely to have existed as his name does not appear on texts dating from the period in which he was presumed to have lived (Early Dynastic period).

 

[JLG]

Writing (56)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Zuqaqip , except from the Sumerian king list?


Meaning of the Sumerian word zuqaqip

The Sumerian word zuqaqip (𒀭𒅗𒂵 doughlip) means "Scorpion". This name is associated with a semi-legendary Sumerian king of Kish, listed in the Sumerian King List, though his historicity is uncertain as his name doesn't appear in contemporary texts.

Key details about zuqaqip:

• Name Meaning: The name "zuqaqip" is believed to be a word from the ancient Kishite language meaning "Scorpion".
  

Historical Context: He is listed as the ninth king of the First Dynasty of Kish in the Sumerian King List.

Historicity: There is no evidence of his existence in texts from the period in which he was presumed to have lived, making him a semi-legendary figure.

 

[JLG]

Writing (57)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Atab, except from the Sumerian king list?

No, beyond the Sumerian King List, we know virtually nothing about the king of Kish, Atab, as he is a figure of myth and legend, with no corroborating archaeological or textual evidence outside the list itself. The early kings on the list, such as Atab, are considered mythical or unverifiable by historians, as they blend myth, legend, and historical information rather than presenting pure historical fact.

Here's why Atab is known only from the Sumerian King List:

• Mythical and Legendary Figures: The very first kings on the Sumerian King List, before Enmebaragesi, are generally understood by historians to be mythological or legendary figures, not historical rulers.

Therefore, Atab, as a king of Kish, remains a character from a mythical narrative and is not recognized as a historical figure.

Lack of Archaeological Evidence: There are no archaeological finds, inscriptions, or artifacts from the time of Atab that mention him or confirm his existence as a king.

Nature of the Sumerian King List: The Sumerian King List itself is a document that combines mythical and historical information, and it was created long after the events it purports to describe. It was used to establish historical and mythical lineage rather than providing a factual record of kings.

Later Kings are Attested: The first king on the list whose existence is supported by external archaeological evidence is Enmebaragesi. His reign is attested to by inscriptions and other literary references.


Meaning of the Sumerian word atab

The word "atab" does not appear in Sumerian dictionaries, but the closely related cuneiform sign tab (also written ṭab) has meanings including to burn, to mark, to flatten, and to partner. While "atab" itself might not be a Sumerian word, the element "tab" is a common sign in cuneiform and is often associated with these actions or states.

Possible meanings of the related root "tab":

• To burn: It can refer to the act of burning or setting fire.
  

To mark or dye: It can also mean to brand, mark, or dye something a red color.

To flatten: In some contexts, it describes the action of making something flat.

To double or repeat: The root "tab" can also indicate doubling or repeating something.

To partner or be parallel: In other contexts, it suggests forming a partnership or being in parallel.

 

[JLG]

Writing (58)


Sumerian king list:

Do we know anything about the king of Kis, Mašda , except from the Sumerian king list?

No, we do not know anything about Mašda, the king of Kish, other than what is stated in the Sumerian King List. The name Mašda appears only on this list as the son of Atab, and the list itself provides no further details about his reign beyond the length of his rule (840 years). Historical records, archaeological finds, and other texts do not offer any additional information regarding this specific ruler of Kish.

What the Sumerian King List tells us:

• Mašda is listed as the 12th king of the First Dynasty of Kish.
• His father was Atab.
• He ruled for 840 years.

Why no other information exists:

• The reigns of the early kings on the Sumerian King List, including Mašda, are considered mythical or unverifiable by many historians.
  
  
• While some later kings from Kish, like Enmebaragesi, are confirmed by archaeological evidence and literary references, Mašda is not among them.

Therefore, knowledge of Mašda is limited to the details provided in the Sumerian King List.


Meaning of the Sumerian word Mašda

The Sumerian word mašda most commonly refers to a gazelle, but it can also refer to a destitute commoner or a pole/stake. The context of its usage in Sumerian texts is crucial for determining the correct meaning of the word.

Here are the different meanings of mašda:

• Gazelle: This is the primary and most widely recognized meaning, with the term for gazelle appearing in the Oracc Sign List as part of the word for gazelle (maš₂-da₃).
  

Destitute Commoner: The word mašda can also describe a commoner who is in a state of destitution or poverty.

Pole/Stake: In some contexts, mašda can also refer to a pole or a stake, with the meaning derived from a related word describing a right-angled tool.

- Definitely instructive!