Difference between revisions of "Anammelech"

<p> '''''a''''' -'''''nam´e''''' -'''''lek''''' ( ענמּלך , <i> '''''‛ănammelekh''''' </i> = Assyrian <i> '''''Anu''''' </i> - <i> '''''malik''''' </i> , "Anu is the prince"): A B abylonian (?) deity worshipped by the [[Sepharvites]] in Samaria, after being transported there by Sargon. The worship of Adrammelech (who is mentioned with Anammelech) and Anammelech is accompanied by the sacrifice of children by fire: "The Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim" (&nbsp;2 Kings 17:31 ). This passage presents two grave difficulties. First, there is no evidence in cuneiform literature that would point to the presence of human sacrifice, by fire or otherwise, as part of the ritual; nor has it been shown that the sculptures or bas-reliefs deny this thesis. Much depends upon the identification of "Sepharvaim"; if, as some scholars hold, Sepharvaim and Sippar are one and the same cities, the two deities referred to are Babylonian. But there are several strong objections to this theory. It has been suggested that Sepharvaim (Septuagint, <i> '''''seppharı́n''''' </i> , <i> '''''sepphareı́mi''''' </i> ) is rather identical with "Shabara'in," a city mentioned in the [[Babylonian]] Chronicle as having been destroyed by [[Shalmaneser]] IV. As Sepharvaim and [[Arpad]] and [[Hamath]] are grouped together (&nbsp;2 Kings 17:24; &nbsp;2 Kings 18:34 ) in two passages, it is probable that Sepharvaim is a [[Syriac]] city. Sepharvaim may then be another form of "Shabara'in," which, in turn, is the Assyrian form of [[Sibraim]] (&nbsp;Ezekiel 47:16 ), a city in the neighborhood of [[Damascus]] (of Halévy, <i> ZA </i> , II, 401ff). One objection to this last is the necessity for representing ס " <i> '''''ṣ''''' </i> " by "sh"; this is not necessarily insurmountable, however. Then, the attempt to find an Assyrian etymology for the two god-names falls to the ground. Besides, the custom of sacrifice by fire was prevalent in Syria. Secondly, the god that was worshipped at Sippar was neither Adrammelech nor Anammelech but <i> '''''Šamaš''''' </i> . It is improbable, as some would urge, that Adrammelech is a secondary title of the tutelary god of Sippar; then it would have to be shown that [[Anu]] enjoyed special reverence in this city which was especially consecrated to the worship of the Sun-god. (For "Anu" see [[Assyria]] .) It may be that the text is corrupt. See also Adrammelech . </p>