Justin Martyr, speaking of the Jewish exorcists, says "They use magic ties
or knots." A similar usage prevailed among the Babylonians. [Footnote 7:
Ibid., p. 54.] The god Marduk wishes to soothe the last moments of a dying
man. His father Hea says: Go my son!
1 Take a woman's linen kerchief
2 bind it round thy right hand! loose it from the left hand!
3 Knot it with seven knots: do so twice:
4 Sprinkle it with bright _wine_:
5 bind it round the head of the sick man:
6 bind it round his hands and feet, like manacles and fetters.
7 Sit down on his bed:
8 sprinkle holy water over him.
9 He shall hear the voice of Hea,
10 Davkina[1] shall protect him!
11 And Marduk, Eldest Son of heaven, shall find him a happy
habitation![2]
[Footnote 1: One of the principal goddesses, the wife of the god Hea.]
[Footnote 2: "Trans. Soc. Bib. Arch.," vol. ii. p. 84.]