Summary page for Enlil, the supreme Sumerian god. Ruler of air, wind, storms, earth, and agriculture. Controller of fate and destiny.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Air, Earth, Storms, Wind, Agriculture, Fate, and Destiny
Archetype:
Creator: Separated heaven and earth; created mankind.
Destroyer: Author of the Great Flood, droughts, and plagues.
Sky God: Ruled over the skies and wind.
Storm God: Controlled destructive and beneficial storms.
Protector: Granted kingship and ensured order.
Group:
Ruler of the Anunnaki, gods of authority.
Member of the divine triad with Anu (heavens) and Enki (wisdom).
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Asai, Bel, Bel-Marduk, Bel-Merodach, Great Mountain, Illil, Illilos, Ilu, Lord Air, Lord of the Storm, Narru, Nunammir, Old Bel, Rimm, Rimn, Windlord, Zulummar
Other Pantheons:
Paralleled with El in Canaanite mythology and Zeus in Greek mythology.
Known as Ellil in the Akkadian pantheon.
Babylonians called him either Bel or Marduk.
Equated with Kumarbi in Hurrian mythology.
Enlil initially emerged as the supreme deity of the Sumerian pantheon and was subsequently venerated by the Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Hurrians. Following the conquest of Sumer by the Babylonian king Hammurabi, Enlil’s prominence started to diminish. In Babylonian culture, Enlil was revered under the appellation “Bel,” while the Hurrians integrated him with their god Kumarbi through a process of syncretism.
Supreme Deity and Decreer of Fates: Controlled destinies of gods and humanity. Granted kingship and authority.
Creator of Heaven and Earth: Separated heaven and earth, allowing life to flourish.
God of Air, Wind, and Storms: Controlled gentle winds and destructive storms. Influenced weather and seasons.
Author of the Great Flood: Sent the Great Flood and disasters to punish humanity.
Holder of the Tablets of Destiny: Possessed the sacred tablets, symbolizing his supreme cosmic power.
Patron God of Nippur: His temple, Ekur, was a major religious center.
Gifter of Pickaxe: Gave mankind the pickaxe to aid in constructing cities, including Nippur.
Parents:
An – god of Sky, Heaven
Ki – goddess of Earth
Some sources say Namma – goddess of Primordial Salt Waters is Enlil’s mother
Siblings:
Enki – god of Water, Fish, Justice, Wisdom, Magic, Shipmenders, Crafts, Healing, Fertility, Art, Exorcism
Gatumdug – goddess of Fertility, Healing
Ninhursaga – goddess of Earth, Animals, Wildlife, Birth, Fertility
Nunbarshegunu – goddess of Flood, Justice, Grain, Scribal Arts, Writing, Accounting, Surveying, Wisdom
Consorts:
Ninlil – goddess of Grain, Air, Healing
Ninhursaga – goddess of Earth, Animals, Wildlife, Birth, Fertility
Children:
Emes – god of Summer, Vegetation
Enten – god of Winter, Fertility, Farming
Ninurta – god of Law, Scribal Arts, Writing, War, Healing, Hunting, Farming
Enbilulu – god of Canals, Rivers, Irrigation, Farming
Nanna – god of Moon, Calendars, Fertility, Cattle
Nergal – god of War, Pestilence, Fire, Battle, Desert, Death, Underworld
Ninazu – god of Boundaries, Magic, Healing
Birdu – god of Shackles
Emmer – goddess of Grain
Lahar – god of Cattle
Namtar – god of Fate, Underworld, Plague
Horned Helmet: Depicted wearing a horned helmet, symbolizing divine power and authority. In some depictions the helmet was made of up to seven pairs of ox horns.
Winds and Storms: His imagery included elements of storms and winds, reflecting his domain over these forces.
Celestial Throne: At times was portrayed seated on a throne, symbolizing his status as a chief god.
Temple of E-kur: Associated with the towering ziggurat “Mountain House” in Nippur, symbolizing his power. His temple was described as “glistening” and “dazzling” in ancient hymns.
Tablets of Destiny: Represented holding the sacred Tablets of Destiny, symbolizing control over fate.
Awe-inspiring Presence: Described as too powerful to behold, commanding respect from gods and humans.
Weapons:
Storm and Wind: Used as destructive forces to punish humanity. Seen as his powerful tools.
Pickaxe: Though not necessarily a weapon, but more of a tool. Created by Enlil, symbolizing agriculture and city-building. Promoted civilization and growth.
Sacred Animals:
Bull: Symbol of strength and fertility. Represented Enlil’s power and life-giving force.
Anzu Bird: Mythical creature half lion half eagle associated with Enlil, symbolizing storms and divine authority. A rival seeking the Tablets of Destiny.
Symbolism:
Number 50: Represented Enlil’s divine authority in Mesopotamian cuneiform.
Tablets of Destiny: Symbolized his control over fate and cosmic order.
Mountains: Symbol of supreme power. His temple was called the “Mountain House.”
Wind and Storms: Represented his command over natural forces as both creator and destroyer.
Pickaxe: Emblem of civilization and creation, symbolizing his role in agriculture and human development.
Celestial Associations:
Skies and Atmosphere: Ruled over the air and wind, connecting him to the heavens.
Divine Triad: Part of the triad with Anu (heavens) and Enki (earth), governing the cosmos.
Constellation Boötes: Linked to the Boötes constellation, representing his cosmic influence.
Northern Sky Star Constellations: Associated with all constellations in the northern sky.
Moon: Associated with the moon through his son, Nanna (Sin), the moon god.
Realms:
Skies: Controlled the winds and storms, ruling the skies and atmospheric forces.
E-kur (Mountain House): His sacred temple in Nippur, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth.
Dur-an-ki: Symbolized the “bond of heaven and earth,” reflecting Enlil’s mediating role.
Nippur: Religious capital of Mesopotamia, where Enlil was worshipped as the chief god.
Underworld: Temporarily exiled to the underworld, where his son Nanna was born.
Worship Places:
E-kur (Mountain House), Nippur: Enlil’s main temple, the religious center of Mesopotamia.
Babylon: Worshiped during the Old Babylonian period, with temples dedicated to him.
Assur: Temple built by King Šamši-Adad I, emphasizing his importance in Assyria.
Dur-Kurigalzu: Ziggurat and temple complex in the Kassite capital.
Elam: Possible temple, showing his influence beyond Mesopotamia.
Kish, Lagash, Other Cities: Worshiped in various cities across Sumer and Akkad.
Dur-an-ki, Nippur: Ziggurat symbolizing the “bond of heaven and earth.”
Rituals & Divinations:
First-Fruit Offerings: Gods and humans gave offerings to honor Enlil’s supreme authority.
Praise Hymns: Ritual hymns declared Enlil’s role as the provider of abundance.
Sacrificial Offerings: Sacrifices, such as after the Great Flood, were made to appease Enlil. People offered food and prayers at the E-kur to honor their supreme god. This food was later distributed among priests.
Divination with Tablets of Destiny: Enlil held the Tablets of Destiny, key in determining fates and guiding divination practices.
Temple Rituals at E-kur: Likely included offerings, hymns, and sacrifices to ensure prosperity. Priests conducted ceremonies and took care of Enlil’s statue in the temple.
Festivals:
Akitu Festival (New Year): Likely honored during the Akitu Festival, a major Mesopotamian New Year celebration. This festival ensured the renewal of the land and the king’s divine authority.
Offerings at E-kur: His temple in Nippur likely hosted festivals involving offerings and sacrifices, aligning with seasonal agricultural cycles.
Seasonal Festivals: Related to harvest and agriculture, celebrating Enlil’s role in ensuring crop abundance.
Biblical References:
Prince of the Power of the Air (Ephesians 2:2): This reference to prince of the power of air uses imagery similar to Enlil’s control over air but contrasts with his more benevolent portrayal.
Bel (Marduk): Enlil was later associated with Marduk, referred to as “Bel” in the Bible (Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 50:2). These passages critique Babylonian gods.
Babylon’s Idolatry: Indirect references to Marduk in Babylonian idol worship, especially in Jeremiah and Daniel.
Mythology Themes Related to Enlil
Creation of the World: Enlil separated heaven and earth, creating space for life to thrive.
Creation of Humans: He helped create humans, sometimes described as his offspring with the earth.
Flood Myths: Enlil sent the Great Flood to destroy noisy humanity, later sparing a few survivors.
Descent to the Underworld: Exiled to the underworld for his actions, where his son Nanna was born.
War and Destruction: He created the monster Labbu and held the Tablets of Destiny, controlling cosmic fate.
Mythology Stories with Mentions of Enlil
Enlil and Sud (Ninlil): Enlil, disguised, met and courted Ninlil, leading to the birth of important gods.
Tablets of Destiny: He held the tablets of destiny, controlling the fate of all beings. And used these to order the cosmos and decree fates.
The Myth of Anzu: The Anzu bird stole Enlil’s Tablets of Destiny, leading to a divine battle.
Atrahasis and the Great Flood: He sent a flood to destroy humans, but Atrahasis survived with Enki’s help.
Creation of the Hoe: He created the hoe and separated heaven and earth to allow crops to grow.
Enlil and Namzitara: Depicted Enlil’s wisdom and leadership.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Adam Stone, ‘Enlil/Ellil (god)’, Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses (Oracc and the UK Higher Education Academy, 2016)
- Arthur Cotterell, Oxford Dictionary of World Mythology (Oxford University Press, 1997)
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Joshua J. Mark, Enlil (World History Encyclopedia, January 24, 2017)
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019)
- Multiple Authors, Enlil (New World Encyclopedia, August 22, 2017)
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Enlil Mesopotamian God (Britannica Encyclopedia, January 12, 2024)