:For the Canaanite sun goddess, see Shemesh Shamash was the common Akkadian name of the sun god and god of justice in Babylonia and Assyria, corresponding to Sumerian Utu. History and meaning The name simply means "sun" (cognate to Hebrew shemesh and Arabic shams). Both in early and in late inscriptions Shamash's designated as the "offspring of Nannar"; for example of the moon-god, and since, in an enumeration of the pantheon, Sin generally takes precedence of Shamash, it's in relationship, pres… (More on Shamash)