Dec. 18th 1876.
40 Cordingley Street
Otley Road
Bradford
Dear Sir,
I beg to tender you my best thanks for your kindness in favoring me with explanations of the several elements forming part of compound names – about whose meaning I could not satisfy myself. I wish in my researches to avoid hasty generalization, & hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken in again troubling you for information. –
Records of the Past, Vol. vii. contains a considerable number of names apparently analogous to Scripture Names & others sufficiently distinctive to merit careful consideration from their peculiar composition. Should my conjectures be crude or untenable, perhaps, you will favor me with corrections, as your thorough acquaintance with the cuneitic inscriptions will enable you to do so readily.
(1.) p.133.Bel-Dur, I venture to suppose means – “Bel (is) a fortress,” i.e a defence, or protection. &c…
(2) p.114 Nabu-dur-ussur, “Nebo protects the fortress.”
(3) Ib. p.114. Samas-yukin-akh, “the sun has established a brother”
(4) Ib. p.114. Dagan-milki, “Dagan (is) my king.”
(5.) Ib.p.114 Bel-malik-ili, “Bel (is) king of the gods.”
(6) Ib.p.115. Zikar-Istar, “Renown of Istar.”
(7.) Ib.p.115. Silim-Assur, “Peace &c of Assur.” The Rev. A. H. Sayce. M.A., in his Syllabary (Elementary Assyrian Grammar, p.30) gives Silim, sallim, as an Accadian word of Assyrian origin – meaning, “rest (completion, recompense), peace, (alliance. This may probably be compared with the Heb.” Shelumiel,” &c.
(8.) Ib.p.116 Ardu-Tavat, “Servant of Tarvat.”
(9.) Ib. p.116. Nur-Samas, “Light of the sun.” The Rev. J. M. Rodwell (Records of the past. Col.III. p.74) renders Samas-Nuri, “the sun is my light. This, I think is little more than a transposition of the elements, & both may be compared with the Heb. Uriel, & Urijah, or more strictly, Neriah. –
10. Ib. Vol.v.p.98. Samas-kumua, & Kima-Samas. What is the probable meaning of each name?
Ib. Vol. I. p.44. Shadu-Nakhunda, “my crown is Nakhunda,” This meaning I have inferred from your Notes in Journal of Royal Asiatic Socy Vol. xviii. p.369. where Nabiu-shadu-ussur – is explained “Nabu-protect my crown.” &c
(11.) Ib. Vol. vii.p.5. Saru-Samar, “Prince of the Sun.” The first part of this I regard as the same as that in Sar-gon, &c The late Mr. George Smith in his Assyrian Discoveries gives the same literation as Mr. Bosacwen.
(12) Ib. Vol.v. p.109 Nabi-Sin, “proclaimer of Sin, or Prophet of Sin.
(13.) Smiths Assyrian Discoveries, p.337 – Bel-edir, Bel (is) Glorious.”
I submit my conjectures with real diffidence, & shall be extremely obliged by your candid criticisms & corrections at your earliest convenience –
I am, Dear Sir, Yours very respectfully
Wm Greenwood Hird
H. Fox Talbot, Esq. F.R.S &c.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham