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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 27, lines 7–10 · Called Hestia, giver of blessings
27.7
The Orphic Hymns 27.7 · Called Hestia, giver of blessings
Gods and mortals were born from her, and rivers and sea obey her. She is called Hestia, and the giver of blessings.
· · ·
δʼ1
d’
And
ἐκ2
ek
from
σέο3
séo
you
γένος4
génos
the race
ἀθανάτων5
athanátōn
of immortals
τε6
te
—
τʼ7
t’
and
θνητῶν8
thnētôn
of mortals
ἐλοχεύθη9
elocheúthē
was bornwas brought forth
; σοὶ10
soì
by you
ποταμοὶ11
potamoì
the rivers
κρατέονται12
kratéontai
are ruled
ἀεὶ13
aeì
always
, καὶ14
kaì
and
πᾶσα15
pâsa
all
θάλασσα16
thálassa
the sea
, αὐδαχθεῖσα17
audachtheîsa
called
Ἱστίη18
Histíē
Hestiathe Hearth
; δʼ19
d’
and
καλέουσι20
kaléousi
they call
σὲ21
sè
you
ὀλβοδότιν22
olbodótin
giver of blessings
, ὅτι23
hóti
because
χαρίζῃ24
charízēi
you grant
θνητοῖς25
thnētoîs
mortals
δῶρα26
dôra
gifts
παντοίων27
pantoíōn
of all kinds of
ἀγαθῶν28
agathôn
good things
. And from you the race of immortals and of mortals was born; by you the rivers are ruled always, and all the sea, called Hestia; and they call you giver of blessings, because you grant mortals gifts of all kinds of good things.
And from you the race of immortals and of mortals was born; by you the rivers are ruled always, and all the sea, called Hestia; and they call you giver of blessings, because you grant mortals gifts of all kinds of good things.
Interpretation
From you the race of immortals and of mortals was born; by you the rivers are ruled forever, and all the sea; you are called Hestia, and they call you the giver of blessings, because you give mortals gifts of every good thing.
Hestia is the hearth, the fire at the center of every Greek house, where offerings were made and guests were welcomed. The name suits a goddess who has just been seated on the throne at the center of the world, and the hymn takes it as one more name of the Mother; Hestia also has a hymn of her own near the end of the book (84). The birth of gods and mortals is told with locheuō, the ordinary verb for giving birth to a child.
27.11
The Orphic Hymns 27.11 · Come, lover of drums
The prayer: come to the rite. The titles name her as Rhea, the wife of Kronos and daughter of Ouranos.
· · ·
Come to the rite, O lady, delighting in drums, all-taming, savior of Phrygia, bedfellow of Kronos, child of Ouranos, venerable one, nourisher of life, lover of frenzy; come gladly, pleased by acts of piety.