Nabu
Encyclopedia : N : NA : NAB : Nabu
- For the DC Comics character see Nabu (comics).
- For the obsolete microcomputer system see Nabu Network.
Originally, Nabu was a West Semitic deity introduced by the Amorites into Mesopotamia, probably at the same time as Marduk. While Marduk became Babylon´s main deity, Nabu resided in nearby Borsippa in his temple E-zida. He was first called the "scribe and minister of Marduk", later assimilated as Marduk´s beloved son from Sarpanitum. During the Babylonian New Year Festival, the cult statue of Nabu was transported from Borsippa to Babylon in order to commune with his father Marduk.
Nabu is accorded the office of patron of the scribes, taking over from the Sumerian goddess Nisaba. His symbols are the clay writing tablet with the writing stylus. He wears a horned cap, and stands with hands clasped, in the ancient gesture of priesthood. He rides on a winged dragon (mušhuššu) that is initially Marduk's.
The etymology of his name is disputed. It could be derived from nb´ for "to call or announce", meaning something like "He who has called", it could be from ne/abu for "shining or brilliant", or it could be from a quite different unknown old-Syrian root. His power over human existence is immense, because Nabu engraves the destiny of each person, as the Gods have decided, on the tablets of sacred record. Thus, He has the power to increase or diminish, at will, the length of human life.
Nabu is mentioned in the Bible as Nebo in [Isaiah 46:1] and [Jeremiah 48:1].
An interesting and very archaic connection might exist also between the old Syrian root ne/abu meaning "shining or brilliant" and the Southern Slavic 'Nebo' with meaning of 'a Sky' but also of "a paradise" or "heaven".#redirect
A statue of Nabu from Calah, erected during the reign of Tiglath-pileser III is on display in the British Museum.
In late Babylonian astrology, Nabu was connected with the planet Mercury. As the god of wisdom and writing, he was equated by the Greeks to either Apollo or Hermes, the latter identified by the Romans with their own god Mercury, hence the name of the planet.
This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.
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