The ZuoceCeling Gui(作冊夨令簋) is a bronze ware from the early Western Zhou Dynasty, and its inscription records the king’s stay in the Yan(炎) area during the conquest of Chu(楚). As for the passage “乍冊夨令阝尊宜于王姜” shown at the beginning of the inscription, there have been different views over the exact meaning of “zunyi(阝尊宜)” and who the subject of the action is. This study therefore analyzed the passage in comparison with oracle bone scripts, handed down literature, and other bronze inscriptions to draw the following conclusions.
First, “zun(阝尊)” is a letter identical with “zun(尊)” and represents “the act of holding something up with both hands and then placing it in a certain position or offering it to someone.”
Second, “yi(宜)” can be used as a verb meaning “to slaughter a sacrifice in a rite or to perform a rite in this manner” and also as a noun meaning “a sacrifice placed on a meat-chopping block.”
Third, if “zunyi(阝尊宜)” is used in relation to a deceased person with the structure of “verb + object,” it means “to perform a rite by offering a sacrifice.” However when this expression is used in the context of a banquet, it has the meaning of “to offer abundant food.” In this case, “abundant food” is a meaning derived from “yi(宜).”
Fourth, in the passage “乍冊夨令阝尊宜于王姜,” the subject of the act of “zunyi (阝尊宜)” is Zuoce Celing; it thus means “Zuoce Celing offers abundant food to Wangqiang(王姜).” This inference is valid given that all the figures associated with “zunyi(阝尊宜)” were alive according to this inscription, and that “zunyi(阝尊宜)” refers to an act that a subordinate performs to a superior in all usages. In addition, a comparison with the Ehou Ding(噩侯鼎) inscription created in a similar background can also serve as the basis for this inference.