The Northwest Semitic Fertility Cult Text of the Big Rödeby Stone

The Northwestern Side of the Stone - Side A

In the past the present author correctly identified the first five runes of the inscription ("o-r-A th-A u).

The sequences "w e-l-o-A j-A A-r-A-r" and "s-A-b-o-A b-A-A-l-A" were also seen in the past. 

However, many of the other runes were previously not identified correctly.

But after careful study of additional photos, the author has now arrived at a more certain interpretation of all the runes of the big Rödeby stone. The runes of this side are indicated in the following picture.

Thus, we have the following sequence written in 11 lines on side A - the northwestern side of the stone:

o-r-A

th-A

u z-u-A A-z-A

w e-l-o-A j-A

A-r-A-r A-t

o-r-A b-A

s-A-b-o-A

b-A-A-l-A

o-r-A A-z-A

w e-l-o-A j-A

z-u-A

The Southwestern Side of the Stone - Side B

In the past the present author correctly identified the first three runes of that side (o-l-A).

The sequence s-A-b-o-A was also seen previously.

Apart from that most of the other runes of side B were not correctly interpreted in the past by the present author.

But after careful study of additional photos, the author has now arrived at a more certain interpretation of all the runes also of side B. The runes of this side are indicated in the following picture.

Thus, we have the following sequence written in 9 lines on side B - the southwestern side of the stone:

o-l-A

o-r b-A

s-A-b-o-A

A-r-u-A

o-r-A

s A-d-A f-A

w e-l-A

o-r u

z-u-A

The Northeastern Side of the Stone - Side C

In the past the present author claimed that the southeastern side was side C - i.e. the side to be read as the third side. However, later considerations led him to the understanding that the northeastern side is instead side C.

It was recognized also before that o-r-A A-z-A, i.e. "the strong light/fire" is mentioned on the northeastern side of the stone.

Apart from that most of the other runes of side C were not correctly interpreted in the past by the present author.

But after careful study of additional photos, the author has now arrived at a more certain interpretation of all the runes also of side C - now understood as the northeastern side. The runes of this side are indicated in the following picture.

Thus, we have the following sequence written in 7 lines on side C - the northeastern side of the stone:

o-r-A

A-z-A

z-u-A

o-r-A

A-z-A

j-A-o

z-u-A

The Southeastern Side of the Stone - Side D

In the past the present author claimed that the northeastern side was side D - i.e. the side to be read as the fourth side. However, later considerations led him to the understanding that the southeastern side is instead side D.

Earlier it was claimed that the inscription on the southeastern side starts with "A-r-A". Further study has however, led the author to conclude that the inscription on side D instead starts with "h-A-r-A".

Apart from that most of the other runes of side D were not correctly interpreted in the past by the present author.

But after careful study of additional photos, the author has now arrived at a more certain interpretation of all the runes also of side D - now understood as the southeastern side. The runes of this side are indicated in the following picture.

Thus, we have the following sequence written in 8 lines on side D - the southeastern side of the stone:

h-A-r-A

u g-A-f

j-A-o

h-A-e-d

z-r-u-A

o-r-o-n-u

b-A z-z

A-r-u-A