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Tablet II (KTU 1.2) — Column IV

Ilimilku the Scribe · a new plain-English translation from the original language

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[. . . my ha]nd(?) shook, I wilted(?) . . .

[. . .] 'While there is li[fe] in me, I will surely drive him out. Even so I sai[d it:]

[. . .] and in the sea is rest(?), surely he will perish in the sea; in the double breast(?) — whatever(?) —

[. . .] River . . . they devour(?). There with two swords I will finish it(?); I will kiss(?) —

to the earth let our strong one fall, [in] both temples; into the dust, our mighty one!'

Scarcely had the word left [his] mouth, his utterance his lips — scarcely had she given voice — when he sank

beneath the throne of Prince Yam. And Kothar-and-Hasis spoke: 'Did I not tell

you, O Prince Baal — did I not repeat it, O Rider of the Clouds? Now your enemy,

O Baal — now your enemy you will strike, now you will destroy your foe!

You will take your everlasting kingship, your dominion for ever and ever!'

Kothar brought down a double mace, and he proclaimed its names: 'Your name — yours — is

Yagrush, "Driver." Yagrush: drive out Yam! Drive Yam from his throne,

River from the seat of his dominion! Leap from Baal's hand like an ea-

gle from his fingers! Strike the shoulders of Prince Yam, between the arms of

[Jud]ge River!' The mace leapt from Baal's hand, like an eagle

from his fingers; it struck the shoulders of Prince Yam, between the arms of Judge

River. Yam was strong — he did not sink; his joints did not buckle; his frame

did not collapse. Kothar brought down a double mace, and he proclaimed its names:

'Your name — yours — is Ayyamur, "Expeller." Ayyamur: expel Yam! Expel Yam

from his throne, River from the seat of his dominion! Leap

from Baal's hand like an eagle from his fingers! Strike the sku-

ll of Prince Yam, between the eyes of Judge River! Let Yam collapse

and fall to the earth!' And the mace leapt from Baal's hand,

like an eagle from his fingers; it struck the skull of Prince

Yam, between the eyes of Judge River. Yam collapsed and fell

to the earth; his joints buckled and his frame gave way.

Baal dragged him off and set to rending Yam; he was finishing off Judge River —

when by name Athtart rebuked him: 'Be ashamed, O Mightiest B[aal!]

Be ashamed, O Rider of the Clouds! For Pri[nce] [Yam] was our captive; [for]

Judge River was our captive.' And he went out . . . [. . .]

And Mightiest Baal was ashamed(?), and . . . [. . .]

'Yam is surely dead! Baal shall be ki[ng(?) . . .]

heat(?), surely, and . . . [. . .]'

He answered: 'Yam is surely dead! [. . .]

surely . . .' And [she(?)] answ[ered: . . .]

'O Baal . . . them(?) [. . .]

surely . . . set(?) [. . .]

on his head [. . .]

his enemies . . . [. . .]

between his eyes(?) [. . .]

[...]

An original translation made in 2026 by Scriptorium Press, working directly from the original language text (never from another English translation), in one consistent modern voice. Free to read, download, and listen — no accounts, no ads, nothing for sale.

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