9] presence.
Ea[720] was afraid and took to flight.
Marduk has stepped forward, the chief of the gods, your son,
To proceed against Tiamat, he has set his mind.

Marduk's declaration is then repeated.

Upon hearing the message Lakhmu and Lakhamu and "all the Igigi"[721] are
distressed, but are powerless to avert the coming disaster. The formal
declaration of war having been sent, the followers of Anshar assemble at
a meal which is realistically described:

They ate bread, they drank wine.
The sweet wine took away their senses.
They became drunk, and their bodies swelled up.

With this description the third tablet closes.

The meal symbolizes the solemn gathering of the gods. At its conclusion,
so it would seem, Marduk is formally installed as the leader to proceed
against Tiamat. The gods vie with one another in showering honors upon
Marduk. They encourage him for the fight by praising his unique powers:

Thou art honored among the great gods,
Thy destiny is unique, thy command is Anu.[722]
Marduk, thou art honored among the great gods,
Thy destiny is unique, thy command is Anu,
Henceforth thy order is absolute.
To elevate and to lower is in thy hands,
What issues from thee is fixed, thy order cannot be opposed,
None among the gods may trespass upon thy dominion.

...

Thy weapons will never be vanquished; they will shatter thy enemies.
O lord! grant life to him who trusts in thee,
But destroy the life of the god who plots evil.

As a proof of the power thus entrusted to Marduk, the gods give the
latter a 'sign.' Marduk performs a miracle. A garment is placed in the
midst of the gods.

Command that the dress disappear!
Then command that the dress return!

Marduk proceeds to the test.

As he gave the command, the dress disappeared.
He spoke again and the dress was there.

This 'sign,' which reminds one of Yahwe's signs to Moses as a proof of
the latter's power,[723] is to be regarded as an indication that
"destruction and creation" are in Marduk's hands. The gods rejoice at
the exhibition of Marduk's power. In chorus they exclaim, "Marduk is
king." The insignia of royalty, throne, sceptre, and authority are
conferred upon him.

Now go against Tiamat, cut off her life,
Let the winds carry her blood to hidden regions.[724]

Marduk thereupon fashions his weapons for the fray. Myth and realism are
strangely intertwined in the description of these weapons