Texts in Conversation
In Luke, Jesus refers to the disciples' names written in a heavenly book of life, echoing ancient Near Eastern traditions, such as the Hymn to Nungal, where the Sumerian goddess writes the names of the righteous on heavenly tablets.
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A Hymn to Nungal
Manungal
Ancient Near East
Mercy and compassion are mine. I frighten no one. I keep an eye upon the black-headed people; they are under my surveillance. I hold the tablet of life in my hand and I write the names of the righteous ones on it. The evildoers cannot escape my arm; I learn their deeds. All countries look to me as to their divine mother. I temper severe punishments; I am a compassionate mother. I cool down even the angriest heart, sprinkling it with cool water. I calm down the wounded heart; I snatch men from the jaws of destruction.
Date: 1900 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Luke 10:20
New Testament
16 “The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” 17 Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!” 18 So he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.” 21 On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.
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Notes and References
"... there are several references to judges of the netherworld. We already mentioned the moon-god and the sun-god. Next to them also the Anunnaki were known in that function. Their judgment, however, is not a decision on moral grounds about the future state of the dead. It is merely the definitive sentence of death ... In the Sumerian hymn to Nungal the judgement on the righteous and evil by the goddess of the netherworld refers to life on earth. The evil persons are sentenced to death, whereas the righteous and "cleaned" sinners are blessed in this life ..."
Spronk, Klaas
Beatific Afterlife in Ancient Israel and in the Ancient Near East
(p. 103) Butzon und Bercker Neukirchener Verl, 1986
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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