In later Akkadian mythology, Ninshubur was syncretized with the male messenger deity Papsukkal.[2][3] In older sources, Ninshubur herself is usually referred to as a male god as well;[4] more recent sources have recognized this portrayal as erroneous.[4] The gender of a sukkal always matches the gender of the deity it serves.[4] Thus, Enki's sukkal Isimud is male, but Ninshubur is female.[4] In her primary aspect as the sukkal to Inanna, Ninshubur was female,[5] but, when she served as the sukkal to An, he was male.[3]