šaššūmā(i)-

This lexeme is a hapax occurring in the fragmentary Canaanite myth of Elkunirsa und Ašertu (cf. Hoffner 1998b:90).

[O.B.]

The form has been checked against the photograph in the Konkordanz (Mainzer Fotoarchiv).

[O.B.]

The meaning of Luw. šaššūmāi is obscure (cf. Laroche 1959a:87), an issue rendered intractable by the fragmentary attestation. Weitenberg 1984a:474 n. 762 assumes a link to Hitt. šeš-^(mi) ‘to sleep’ (cf. also Rieken 1999a:131 ‘beschlafen’), which may be contextually appropriate in a sexual sense (thus in García Trabazo 2002a:149). Conversely, Melchert (CLL:192) asserts that such an interpretation is “a mere guess and difficult formally”. Differently, Hoffner 1998b:91 gives a translation ‘threaten (?)’, which could likewise fit. In the CHD Š:310, it is tentatively suggested that the verb means ‘to make sorry/contrite’, also conceivable in the context of the narrative. Furthermore, a link to the verb šaššā-⁽ⁱ⁾ ‘to release (impf.)’ cannot be excluded either. In sum, many possibilities are left open and any strong claims are better left unstated pending further evidence.

[O.B.]

Given that the form šaššūmāi is an imperative, it is quite possible that it belongs to a Luwian verbal stem in -ā(i)-^(di), which in Hittite transmission often receive the 2sg. impv. act. ending -āi of the Hittite verbs in -ā(i)-^(mi) (see Melchert 2007b:3, Sasseville 2021a:81).

[O.B.]