Introduction to the Hymn of Anat
Unfortunately, the panel displaying the legend (the Hymn of Anat) was damaged early on, which hindered our knowledge of many of its details, but what remains of the legend allows us to form a general picture of its content.
Baal’s Absence and the Context of the Hymn
The legend of the Hymn of Anat intersects with more than one Ugaritic myth, especiallyThose that speak of the period of Baal's absence while he accepted the wish of the god Mut to descend to him, which is spoken of in the legend of Baal and Anat.
We talked about the myth of Baal's struggle with the god Mut in a detailed article that you can refer to.
Summary of the Hymn of Anat
| Section | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Context | Linked to Baal’s absence and Ugaritic fertility rituals. |
| The Hymn | Addressed to Anat by a priest to cure infertility in a family. |
| Ritual Purpose | Part of New Year festivals, seeking fertility and blessing. |
| Symbolism | Anat as a cow, symbol of fertility and divine motherhood. |
Anat’s Hymn and the Struggle with Infertility
The bulk of this legend is devoted to a hymn addressed to the goddess Anat.It was recited by a priest at the request of a father-in-law whose son was suffering from a marital issue: infertility. And then we find that the prayer is accepted. Such prayers and answers to them are common in other cultures that emerged in the ancient Near East.
The myth shows that the couple's marital issue is infertility. The issue of infertility will be addressed by the goddess Anat.
Part of the legend was associated with the New Year's festival, which was an important ritual for the fertility of infertile women.
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| Anat and Baal -Inspired artwork generated with the help of AI |
Text of the Hymn of Anat
from the wo]mb" you are born?.ext]erminate on the second day,
fe[ll' on the third] day,
slay on [the fourth day.
Sever hands,
attach [them] to your girdle,
tie on the heads of your warriors.
And fly with your falcons
and settle on your mountain Inbubl,
come to your mountain (which) I know!!
Lo! Come yourself to your dwelling;
to the rolof]'s of the high [hea]vens go,
and run towards? the stars.
There [(your) warriors?] shall fall like poplars?',
like the trunks of ash-trees
... Penetrate the boundary...
...and altar...
...above the stars
the (most?) gracious [ ]image
Let Virgin Anat wash herself;
[let the Beloved of the] Powerful One bathe herself,
lower edge and let her go up to El [the Bull] her father,
-the dwelling of your deeds be [ ]
May he hear you, O Cow,
and understand (you), [Beloved of] the Powerful One.
May (my) voice be in your ear,
and [ ]
Because you have bound up evil".
since you have been clothed in light,
may the celestial messengers bless the prince;
may the celestial messengers send you strength".
I shall bless your son(s) as a first-bo[m],
(like) a prince I shall bless you.
Voracious was A[na]t the cow of Baal,
vo[ra]cious was Anat to bring forth,
she whose womb had not known conception,
[ ] ...suckling.
Infographic: The Hymn of Anat
- Damaged Tablet: Many lines lost, but enough survive to show Anat’s central role.
- Theme of Infertility: Hymn recited by a priest for a couple struggling with childlessness.
- Festival Link: Connected to New Year fertility rites for women.
- Anat as Cow: Symbol of nourishment, procreation, and divine motherhood.
- Cultural Insight: Reflects Ugaritic concern with heirs, rituals, and divine intervention.
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Analysis of the Hymn: Fertility, Ritual, and Symbolism
The text offers a short prayer, performed by the priest on behalf of the person in need, the husband, who is struggling with his wife's childlessness.
There are common images between the texts, as Anat takes the form of a cow in more than one myth.
The temple must be worthy of the goddess who is worshipped in it in terms of size and attention, so we find that the psalmist considers such a modest dwelling unworthy of the goddess.
Childlessness was an important issue for the people of Ugarit, especially if the childless man was a king, and thus his need and the kingdom's need for a crown prince.
Magic rituals were used in the Ugaritic kingdom to cure people of illness as well.
Requesting a need is not directly from El, the chief god, but must be done through one of the gods, who in turn transmits it to El.
The temples of Ugarit included a class of singers or minstrels who participated in ceremonies and rituals.
Key Takeaways
- The Hymn of Anat is tied to Baal’s absence and New Year fertility rites in Ugarit.
- A priest recites the hymn to Anat on behalf of a family facing infertility, reflecting lived religious practice.
- Anat’s recurring bovine imagery underscores divine motherhood, nourishment, and procreation.
- The tablet is fragmentary, but surviving lines reveal prayer patterns, ablutions, and appeals through intercessory deities.
- Requests are mediated: petitions rise via Anat rather than directly to El, the head of the pantheon.
- The text illuminates Ugaritic social concerns—heirs, royal succession, and temple performance by singers/minstrels.
What is the Hymn of Anat about?
A ritual hymn addressed to the goddess Anat, recited to remedy infertility within a household.
How is the hymn connected to Baal’s myth-cycle?
It intersects with the period of Baal’s absence and broader fertility themes in Ugaritic religion.
Why does Anat appear with bovine imagery?
The cow motif signals fertility, nourishment, and divine motherhood in West Semitic symbolism.
Who performs the ritual in the text?
A priest petitions Anat at the request of a family elder (father-in-law) seeking a remedy for infertility.
Is the tablet complete?
No. The tablet is damaged, but the preserved lines still outline prayer, washing, and intercession motifs.
Why petition Anat instead of El directly?
Ugaritic practice often used divine intercessors; Anat conveys petitions to El, the head of the pantheon.
What social concerns does the hymn reflect?
Anxiety over heirs, royal succession, and household continuity—central issues in Late Bronze Age Ugarit.
References
- Pardee, Dennis. Ritual and Cult at Ugarit. Society of Biblical Literature, 2002.
- Wyatt, Nicolas. Religious Texts from Ugarit. Sheffield Academic Press, 1998.
- Smith, Mark S. The Ugaritic Baal Cycle. Brill, 1994.
- Gordon, Cyrus H. Ugaritic Textbook. Pontifical Biblical Institute, 1965.
- Hallo, William W., and K. Lawson Younger Jr., eds. The Context of Scripture. Brill, 2003.
Written by H. Moses — All rights reserved © Mythology and History
