088 Liver Omen Model

Museum Description: Inscribed Model of a Sheep's Liver

Room: 56/Case: 22/Number: ME 92668

Scripture: Ezekiel 21:21

The Bible accurately records that the Babylonians would use the liver of a dead animal to try to look for omens or foretell the future.  This clay model of a liver was found in a temple school in Babylon.  It was evidently used to teach students the different signs in the liver and their significance.  They considered the liver a miniature reflection of the heavens, so could use it to see what omens the gods were revealing to them.  While this practice may not continue today, it is still common for people to be superstitious and trust in good luck.  They also try to know the future by various bizarre means, such as horoscopes, which is based on the same principle of the stars having an influence over our lives.