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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 83, lines 4–5 · From whom all rivers flow
83.4
The Orphic Hymns 83.4 · From whom all rivers flow
All rivers, the whole sea, and the springs under the earth come from Ocean.
· · ·
ἐξ1
ex
from
οὗπερ2
hoûper
whom
come
πάντες3
pántes
all
ποταμοὶ4
potamoì
rivers
καὶ5
kaì
and
πᾶσα6
pâsa
all
θάλασσα7
thálassa
the sea
, καὶ8
kaì
and
ἁγναί9
hagnaí
the holy
πηγόρρυτοι10
pēgórrytoi
spring-fedflowing from springs
χθόνιοι11
chthónioi
underground
ἰκμάδες12
ikmádes
watersmoistures
γαίης13
gaíēs
of the earth
. from whom come all rivers and all the sea, and the holy, spring-fed underground waters of the earth.
from whom come all rivers and all the sea, and the holy, spring-fed underground waters of the earth.
Interpretation
from whom come all the rivers and all the sea, and the holy, spring-fed waters under the earth.
The first of these lines is almost word for word a line of the Iliad. In Book 21 Achilles says that even Ocean, "from whom all rivers and all the sea" and all the springs and deep wells flow, is afraid of the lightning and thunder of Zeus. The hymn takes over Homer's line and turns it to praise: every water in the world, down to the springs that rise inside the earth, comes from Ocean.
83.6
The Orphic Hymns 83.6 · Boundary of the earth, beginning of the sky
The prayer: hear and come, Ocean, who marks the edge of the earth and the start of the heavens.
· · ·
Hear, blessed one, rich in blessings, greatest purification of the gods, dear boundary of the earth, beginning of the sky, traveler on wet paths, may you come kindly, always welcome to the initiates.