Enki and Adapa: Mesopotamian Myths of Magic, Gods, and Secrets

Q: Why is Enki’s plan called “deceptive” in the Adapa story?

Enki warns Adapa against the 'bread/water of death,' but Anu presents 'life.' The advice protects Adapa in court yet costs him immortality.

In Mesopotamian myth, no god was more skilled in trickery and hidden knowledge than Enki. He was the one who knew the secret paths to the underworld, the ways to bargain with gods, and the words that could change fate itself. Whenever mortals or deities faced the peril of death or the land of no return, it was Enki’s clever advice that offered hope—though not always without a cost.

Adapa and the Lost Chance of Immortality

However, it's best to consider the story of Adapa, the man who was offered the life of a god but missed his chance. This is Ea's plan for Adapa. At the beginning of the novel, Adapa commits a great sin. He had broken the wing of the south wind while Adapa was fishing. To make amends with Anu, Ea seems to be counseling Adapa. Adapa must make the arduous journey to heaven to appease Anu.

Enki, Adapa, and the Mysteries of Mesopotamian Magic and Religion

Myth / Story	Enki (Ea)’s Role	Key Outcome
Adapa and the Lost Immortality	Gives deceptive advice on what to accept and refuse from Anu	Adapa misses the chance for eternal life
Oannes the Fish-Man	Associated with wisdom and civilizing knowledge	Introduces writing, laws, and crafts to humanity
Enkidu’s Descent	Allows Enkidu’s spirit to return briefly through a “hole”	Gilgamesh learns secrets of the underworld
Inanna’s Descent	Creates the being Atsushunamir to trick Ereshkigal	Ishtar restored to life with the Water of Life
Nergal and Ereshkigal	Advises Nergal how to resist the temptations of the underworld	Nergal fails, becomes bound to Ereshkigal as her consort

Enki (Ea)’s Trick: The Deceptive Plan for Adapa

Here Ea, who knows the higher things, touched Adapa, made him put on unkempt hair and a dirty garment, and gave him this plan: “So, Adapa, you are going before Anu the king. Take the road to heaven.

When you ascend to heaven, at Anu's door as you approach the sky, at Anu's door the gods Damozi and Jishzida will stand. When they see you, they will ask you, “Man, for whom have you changed in this way, Adapa, for whom are you wearing a dirty garment?”

Two gods have disappeared from our land. Who are the two gods who have disappeared from our land, the two gods Damozi and Jechzeda? They will look at each other and laugh.

A kind word will be spoken to Anu, and Anu's kind face will be seen. While you are standing before Anu, when they offer you the bread of death, you will not eat it.

If they offer you the water of death, do not drink it. If they give you a garment, do not wear it. If they offer you oil, anoint it.The plan I give you, don't neglect it. The words I have spoken to you, hold on to them! Ea gives his instructions or “plan”: The advice is twofold.

First, Ea tells Adapa to put on the garment of sorrow, which is a shabby or dirty garment, to make his hair unkempt, and to take the “way” to heaven.

The gatekeepers at the gate are two gods usually associated with the underworld. The first, Damozi (or Tammuz), is most famous in literature for his often-tempestuous love affair with the goddess Inanna (Ishtar). The second is Ghishzida.

The guardian gods call attention to Adapa's human condition, because it is strange for a human to approach the house of the gods. Ea's advice is a kind of psychological trick to win them over. He will say that his human condition has changed, because the two gods have disappeared from the earth.

Adapa ascends to Heaven

Adapa’s Ascent to the Heavenly Court

With the “good word” of the guardian gods, Adapa will be ushered into the presence of Anu himself. Ea’s second bit of advice is how to act when Anu offers Adapa hospitality. When he is offered bread and water, he is not to eat or drink.

He is, however, to take the garment offered him and the oil for anointing his body. Only the context will show how tricky the second part of Ea’s planreally is. Ea emphasizes that Adapa “seize” the words he has spoken. When the plan is actually put into effect, though, Adapa misses his chance at immortality.

Where Ea had warned Adapa against eating the “bread of death” (akala sa muti) and drinking the “water of death” (mé muti), what Anu offers Adapa instead is the bread of life and the water of life.

Otherwise, the advice on the oil and the garment is followed in the proper way. No sooner does Adapa make his mistake, when Anu laughs at him.

The Price of Refusal: Consequences for Adapa and Mankind

If the Middle Babylonian version of “Adapa,” from which Ea’s speech here is taken, is the same in its ending as the Neo-Assyrian version that has also sur vivid, Ea’s cryptic advice has a variety of consequences, good and bad.

Anu laughs and sends Adapa back to earth. (It is possible that Anu was trying to trick Adapa.) Had he drunk of the water of life and eaten the food of life, Adapa would have gained immortality for himself and for humankind generally.” As it is, Adapa’s mistake has lost the chance for immortality.

But the human has seen the “being- Nant face” of Anu, and the Neo-Assyrian text points to the awful gift Adapa has been granted: “As Adapa from the horizon of heaven to the zenith of heaven - Cast a glance, he saw its awesomeness.

Anu on throne & Adapa

A Glimpse of Heaven: What Adapa Saw

In the vision given to Adapa, the gulf between man and God is revealed. Adapa's failure to see through Ea's cunning words had already signaled this very difference. In addition to the vision of heaven that was opened to Adapa, other things follow in the Neo-Assyrian narrative.

Anu imposed something on Adapa; but the city of Eridu, where Adapa served, was given a special status, and its priests were given great honor. The last lines of the story go back to the beginning.

At the beginning of the work, Adapa offended Anu, and in order to reconcile with Anu, Ea seems to have given advice that makes Adapa immortal. In the end, we observe the consequences of Adapa's crime in “Me!” that he brought to humans, and the disease he brought to human bodies.

The text eventually turns into a plea to the gods of healing to divert the disease away.

Adapa’s Legacy in Babylonian Thought

Who is the Adapa of this story of crime and restitution, of immortality offered and lost? Adapa may mean “humankind.” The word adapu means “wise.” The third-century B.c. Babylonian priest, Berossus, wrote about a certain “Oannes” or uma-an-na, who is none other than Adapa

Oannes the Fish-Man: Bringer of Knowledge

According to W. J. J. Lambert: In the first year a monster named Oannes appeared out of the sea in a place near Babylon.

Its whole body was that of a fish, but a human head grew under the fish's head and a human foot grew from the fish's tail. It also had a human voice.

This beast spent its days with the men but did not eat any food. He gave the men knowledge of letters, sciences, and crafts of all kinds. He also taught them how to found cities, establish temples, make laws, and measure the earth.

He also revealed to them seeds and fruit gathering, and in general gave mankind everything that relates to civilized life. Since the time of that monster, nothing else has been discovered.

But when the sun went down, this monster Oannes dived into the sea and spent his nights in the depths, because he was an amphibian. Once again, what the philosopher Heidegger called the “existence-death” of the human race is confirmed through the cunning of Ea.

Enkidu in the Netherworld: Gilgamesh’s Plea to Enki

The curious Tablet 12 of Gilgamesh contains advice on how to enter the nether world, but the advice is given by Gilgamesh, not Ea. The friend of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, is trapped in the nether world because he had managed to ignore every piece of advice Gilgamesh had given him for a descent and safe return.

When Enkidu is trapped, Gilgamesh turns to Ea for help. Ea does not release Enkidu from the world of the dead. Presumably, once a human is caught by the nether world, there is no return to life. But Ea does find a way so that Enkidu’s “spirit” can escape through a “hole” to the nether world.

The Father Ea gave him satisfaction. To the warrior, the strong Nergal, he said: “Listen, Nergal, warrior, hero! Open up now a hole to the underworld so the spirit of Enkidu will issue from the underworld and tell all the ways of the underworld to his brother, Gilgamesh.

Enki-Gilgamesh

Inanna’s Descent: Enki’s Cunning Rescue

There is an Akkadian version of Inanna's descent where the goddess (Ishtar) finds herself trapped in the realm of the dead, and only Ea can find a way to bring her back to life. Ishtar is dead in the land ruled by her sister, the goddess of death, Ereshkigal. Ea finds a way to introduce a new alien creature into the Land of No Return.

Once there, the creature will entertain Ereshkigal, and she will be tricked into making a reckless oath. The creature, Atsushunamir, will ask for the “Bag of Water of Life” whose waters will save Ishtar. Ea's advice is not as detailed as the parallel account in the Sumerian version, but it demonstrates his familiarity with the ways of the underworld:

Ea created a character in his cunning heart and created Atsushunamir, the silent priest: “Arise, Atsushunamir, turn your face to the gate of the Land of No Return.

The seven gates of the Land of No Return will open before you! Ereshkigal will see you and delight in your presence! When her heart is calm and her mood is bright, have her swear the oath of the great gods. Raise your head, and mark the water bottle: “No, ma'am! Make them give me the water bottle. I'll drink the water from that! In this case, too, Ea's advice succeeds in reviving the goddess

Inanna's Descent into the Underworld

Enki (Ea) and the Secrets of the Underworld

Master of Secrets

Enki knows the hidden ways in and out of the underworld, guiding gods and mortals alike.

Adapa’s Advisor

His cunning plan caused Adapa to reject the food of life, losing immortality for mankind.

Bringer of Knowledge

As Oannes, he emerges from the sea to teach humanity writing, laws, and crafts.

Savior of Inanna

He sends a magical being to trick Ereshkigal and recover the Water of Life.

Guide of Nergal

He warns Nergal against the temptations of the dead, but the god still succumbs to Ereshkigal.

Nergal and Ereshkigal: Love, Power, and the Underworld

Finally, in another story involving the goddess of death, Ea gives advice to a god who wants to make the journey and then to escape the land of no return. The god is Nergal: How Not to Act in the Land of the Dead And he called out to give him advice: “Traveler, do you want to...?

Whatever oracles I give you, take them to heart: “Whenever they bring a throne for you do not go and sit on it! “If she goes to the bath If the baker brings you bread do not go and eat his bread! If the butcher brings you meat.do not go and eat his meat! If the brewer brings you beer.do not go and drink the beer! If someone brings wash-water for your feet.do not go and wash your feet! to put on her... -garment and bares her body to you— for your pari, do not lift your eyes to her in the way of a man and a woman!”

The “she” who will enter the bath, put on a special garment, and expose her beauty to Nergal is none other than Ereshkigal. (Recall that she is the sister of the beautiful Ishtar).

The “oracles” (tértu) Ea pronounces are expressed in terse com- mands. What is normal for the upper regions is forbidden in the nether world. If Nergal expects to survive, he must turn down all those things offered by a good host—throne, bread, meat, beer, even wash-water. Nergal is warned to avoid the gifts of the nether world, and he follows Ea’s advice except for the last.

The revealing of Ereshkigal’s body has something of a deep mystery about it, certainly.

a deep allure. The most difficult test for Nergal is Ereshkigal herself, and he is unable to keep away from her. Nergal is trapped forever in the world of the dead.

Ea’s advice comes in a Neo-Assyrian version of “Nergal and Ereshkigal.” In an earlier, Middle Babylonian version, Ea suggested that Nergal take with him four teen disease demons, and with their help Nergal is able to attack the court of Ereshkigal and bring her around with great violence to the point where she offers him lordship of the nether world. Here, Nergal has insulted the goddess, and must make amends.

When he succumbs to her charm, the lovers embrace for a week.

Nergal returns to the world above, but only temporarily.

He is found there and returned to the nether world. He no sooner sees Ereshkigal, but they embrace again (for a week) and Nergal’s fate is sealed, forever.

Key Takeaways

Enki (Ea) was revered as the god of wisdom, cunning, and secret knowledge.
In the Adapa myth, his deceptive advice caused mankind to lose the gift of immortality.
As Oannes, he was remembered as the civilizing figure who taught humanity writing, laws, and crafts.
He played a key role in underworld myths, from aiding Inanna’s revival to guiding Gilgamesh through Enkidu’s ghost.
Even powerful gods like Nergal relied on Enki’s counsel when facing the perils of the Land of No Return.
These myths reflect the Mesopotamian view of Enki as both protector and trickster, shaping the destiny of gods and mortals alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Enki (Ea) in Mesopotamian myth?

He is the god of wisdom, cunning, magic, and hidden knowledge—often the one who knows secret paths to and from the underworld.

What is the Adapa myth about?

Adapa is offered the food and water of life before Anu. Following Enki’s advice, he refuses and loses the chance at immortality for humankind.

Why is Enki’s plan called “deceptive” in the Adapa story?

Enki warns Adapa against the “bread/water of death,” but Anu presents “life.” The advice protects Adapa in court yet costs him immortality.

Who is Oannes, and how is he linked to Enki?

Oannes is a fish-man culture hero described by Berossus who teaches writing, law, and crafts—often associated with Enki’s civilizing wisdom.

What happens in Enkidu’s descent to the netherworld?

Enkidu ignores descent rules and is trapped; Enki arranges a “hole” so his spirit may speak to Gilgamesh about the underworld.

How does Enki help in Inanna’s Descent?

He creates the being Atsushunamir to comfort Ereshkigal and obtain the Water of Life, reviving Inanna from the Land of No Return.

What counsel does Enki give Nergal about the underworld?

He forbids normal courtesies—seat, bread, meat, beer, foot-wash—warning against temptations. Nergal still yields to Ereshkigal.

Is Enki a protector or a trickster?

Both. He protects gods and mortals with clever plans, but his tricks can carry costs—as in Adapa’s lost immortality.

What does “Land of No Return” mean?

The Mesopotamian underworld—guarded, walled, and joyless—where return to life is rare or impossible for mortals.

What themes link these myths together?

Hidden knowledge, limits between gods and humans, risks of the underworld, and the double edge of clever counsel.

References

Dalley, Stephanie. Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. Oxford University Press, 2000.
Kramer, Samuel Noah. History Begins at Sumer. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1981.
Jacobsen, Thorkild. The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion. Yale University Press, 1976.
Black, Jeremy, and Anthony Green. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. University of Texas Press, 1992.
Lambert, W. G. Babylonian Wisdom Literature. Oxford University Press, 1960.
Leick, Gwendolyn. A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology. Routledge, 1991.