A note on the Sumerian expression SI-ge<sub>4</sub>-de<sub>3</sub>/dam

Magnus Widell

doi:10.3989/sefarad.2002.v62.i2.565

A note on the Sumerian expression SI-ge₄-de₃/dam

Authors

Magnus Widell IHAC, Northeast Normal University, Changchun

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/sefarad.2002.v62.i2.565

Keywords:

Sumerian, Ur III, administration, economy

Abstract

The expression SI-ge₄-dam/de₃ appears in some of the loan documents of the Ur III period where it was used to establish the interest rate or the loan fee. In addition, it is sometimes preceded by ki-ba 'in its/this place/ground' or, in some cases, ma₂ -a 'in the boat'. The regular verb SI.g was closely related, perhaps even synonymous with, the reduplication verb ḡar/ḡa₂-ḡa₂ 'to put' or 'to place'. While it may be concluded that SI-ge₄-dam/de₃ had nothing to do with the verb si 'to fill' or gi₄ 'to return', the correct analysis of the expression remains somewhat uncertain. The article proposes that the SI should be read se and understood as a phonetic writing for the regular verb se₃.g 'to put', 'to place'. The combination of the verb with the ki-ba may suggest that a more parochial form of keeping products existed side by side with the large centralized granaries and storehouses of the city.

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Published

2002-12-30

How to Cite

Widell, M. (2002). A note on the Sumerian expression SI-ge4-de3/dam. Sefarad, 62(2), 393–400. https://doi.org/10.3989/sefarad.2002.v62.i2.565

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Issue

Vol. 62 No. 2 (2002)

Section

Studies

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