Johnson 2004 - CDLI - UCLA

Alster (1974, 34-35) reconstructs line 17 as gan 2 ≠ßa 3± [...] pu 2 na.an.du 3.un a.e
ßa.re.eb.˙ul.˙ul, which treats the water, a, from the well as deleterious agent rather than
people (UN > un, uœ 3) who might assemble there. Alster’s suggestion that keß 2.da is to be
translated as “taboo,” while valid in other contexts (Alster 1974, 79-80), does not seem to
make much sense here, so I have taken it as a headless relative (people) ‘tied up/together’
meaning small groups of people. Such an interpretation also fits the overall theme of the
passage that human traffic in various forms is harmful to one’s property.
(14) The Instructions of Shuruppak [5.6.1], l. 22 (Alster 1974, 34-35, 81)
[ Topic (za.e) [ Focus ki du 14.da.ka nam [ Presupposition bi 2.du.x.de 3]]]
As for you, it is not NEAR A QUARREL that you should walk, (but rather AWAY
FROM ONE)
22. ki du 14.da.ka nam bi 2.du.x.de 3
278
It is not near a quarrel that you should walk,
23. du 14.de 3 lu 2.ki.inim.ma nam Don’t let the quarrel make you a witness,
ba.e.ku 4.ku 4
24. du 14.de 3 ni 2.zu nam ≠ba±.[...] Don’t let yourself be ... in a quarrel,
25. du 14 ≠nam.ak ± .de 3.en x [...] You should not cause a quarrel, ...
(15) The Instructions of Shuruppak [5.6.1], l. 54-59 (Alster 1974, 36-38, 88)
[ Topic gi.sig.ga œiß kiri 6.ka [ Focus da.ga nam [ Presupposition bi 2.du 8.e.en]]]