Enuma Elish: Tablet 4 Summary & Analysis

The other gods create a “princely shrine” for Marduk, and he “[takes] up residence as ruler before his fathers.” The other gods proclaim that Marduk is honored among them and that his “destiny is unequaled.” From now on, they say, his command can’t be altered, and no gods can surpass the limits set by Marduk. Marduk is their champion, with “sovereignty over all of the whole universe.”

The gods then set up a constellation in their midst and request Marduk to destroy and recreate it, through the power of his word. Marduk does—he speaks, and it vanishes; he speaks again, and it reappears. Seeing this, the gods rejoice, saying, “Marduk is King!” They give him a scepter, a throne, and a staff.

Having done this, the gods now grant Marduk weapons with which to confront Tiamat. They give him a bow and arrow, a mace, lightning, and an “ever-blazing flame” that fills his body. They also give him a net and harness seven winds to cause turmoil within Tiamat. He is also armed with a spell and a poison antidote. Marduk mounts his storm-chariot and sets off toward Tiamat, “who raged out of control.”

When Marduk draws near and tries to discern Tiamat’s strategy, he’s momentarily confused; his will and actions becoming “muddled.” Tiamat effortlessly casts a spell of falsehood that transfixes all who approach her. But Marduk isn’t hindered for long—he soon raises his “flood-weapon” and speaks to Tiamat “who feigned goodwill,” asking, “Why are you so friendly on the surface / When your depths conspire to muster a battle force?” He further accuses her of neglecting to show compassion to her own children, wrongfully granting power to Qingu, and scheming against the gods. He challenges her to single combat.

When Tiamat hears Marduk’s accusations, “she went wild” and “lost her temper.” She continues casting her spell. Finally she and Marduk come face to face in battle. Marduk encircles Tiamat with his net and blows his fierce winds at her; when she tries to swallow them, Marduk forces a more fearsome whirlwind down her throat, causing her belly to become distended. This gives him the opportunity to shoot her with an arrow, which splits her down the middle and kills her. Marduk stands atop her corpse, and Tiamat’s forces scatter in panic.

Marduk imprisons Tiamat’s allied gods and restrains the dozens of creatures who’d marched at her side. He also defeats Qingu and “wrested from him the Tablet of Destinies, wrongfully his,” which he seals with his own seal. After that, Marduk smashes Tiamat’s skull with his mace, causing the North Wind to “carry […] off [her blood] as good news.” Marduk’s fathers rejoice and greet him with gifts.

Marduk then “[creates] marvels” from Tiamat’s corpse, placing half of it up “to roof the sky” and making sure her waters are securely contained. He then constructs a greater shrine in the pattern of Apsu, his birthplace, and creates cult centers in the sky for lesser gods, including Ea.