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Translation Disputes

The translation disputes between Zecharia Sitchin and mainstream Assyriologists are at the heart of the controversy surrounding his work.

Key Disputed Terms

Term Sitchin's Translation Scholarly Translation
SHEM Rocketship Name, reputation
MU Sky vehicle Name
Nibiru Planet of the Crossing A celestial body (Jupiter or a point)
Anunnaki Those who from heaven came The great gods
Nefilim Those who came down Giants, fallen ones
E.DIN The righteous abode Steppe, plain

Methodology

Scholars argue that Sitchin: - Cherry-picked definitions from lexicons - Ignored context and grammar - Created false etymologies - Misread cuneiform signs

See Also