shamash

Shamash is a major deity in Mesopotamian religion, known as Utu in Sumerian and as Shamash in Akkadian. He is the sun god, associated with light, life, and justice. As a wise judge who upholds truth and the oath, Shamash figures prominently in Mesopotamian myth as a mediator among gods and humans and as a source of royal authority and fair judgment.

Worship of Shamash was centered in ancient Mesopotamian cities, notably Sippar, where temples housed his cult statue and offerings. In Mesopotamian art and literature, Shamash is linked to the sun’s illumination of truth and justice, and he is often regarded as a benefactor who assists heroes by providing guidance or favorable winds in difficult tasks. In early law codes, the prologue to the Code of Hammurabi presents Shamash as the god who granted Hammurabi the authority to rule and to administer justice.

Iconography of Shamash typically emphasizes his solar nature, with depictions that evoke light and the sun. He is sometimes shown with symbols associated with judgment and divine authority, underscoring his role as a supreme source of justice in the Mesopotamian world.

In Jewish tradition, shamash is a different use of the term. It denotes the attendant or servant candle used to light the other candles on a Hanukkah menorah or on Shabbat menorahs. The term means “attendant” or “servant” in Hebrew, reflecting its liturgical function rather than a deity.

Overall, Shamash encompasses both an ancient Mesopotamian sun god of justice and, in Jewish practice, the helper candle used in ceremonial lighting.