The Neo-Babylonian Law Enforcement Official rab qanâte

This paper argues that the hapax spelling rab SI.MEŠ (YOS 6 144: 8) should be associated with the title of a Neo-Babylonian law enforcement official hitherto rendered as rab qannāte. Based on this association, the article seeks to establish the long-puzzling etymology of rab qannāte. It further examines the mounting evidence regarding the tasks and competences of this functionary.