Which rules governed Hittite temple personnel and sacred property?

In Hittite religion, the conduct of temple personnel and the management of sacred property were strictly regulated to maintain the purity and efficacy of the state cult. According to Hittite records, specific instructions were established to govern temple operations, with divine vengeance threatened against those who violated these standards.1

Rules governing temple personnel and property included:

• Resource Protection: It was strictly forbidden to misappropriate food or drink intended for sacrifices.1
• Access Control: Personnel were prohibited from allowing unauthorized persons or unclean animals into the temples.1
• Care of Sacred Objects: Staff were forbidden from stealing or misusing vessels and implements belonging to the gods.1
• Ritual Observance: Personnel were required to celebrate festivals at their designated times and were forbidden from deserting their posts, specifically noting that they could not spend the night with their wives while on duty.1

These regulations reflect the Hittite view that gods lived within their temples and required constant service—including being fed, clothed, and entertained—to ensure the well-being of the state.2