A Biblical Parallel to a Sumerian Temple Hymn? Ezekiel 40–...

This scholarly article undertakes a comparative analysis of a biblical prophetic vision and a Sumerian temple hymn, focusing on their shared themes, structures, and symbolic elements. Both texts depict a divinely inspired architectural blueprint delivered through visionary experiences, emphasizing the sacred nature of temple construction. Central motifs include the temple as a source of abundance, particularly symbolized by water, and a detailed concern with ritual purity and consecration. The comparison centers on Ezekiel’s temple vision and a hymn associated with Gudea, the ruler of the Sumerian city-state of Lagash, known for his pious temple-building activities. By exploring these parallels, the study illuminates the cultural and religious continuities between ancient Near Eastern traditions and biblical literature, offering insights into the theological significance of temple imagery in both contexts.