シュメールの死後の世界の信仰と葬儀の習慣の権威であるディーナ・カッツは、イナンナの降臨の物語は、メソポタミアの宗教の広い文脈に根ざした、二つの異なる既存の伝統の組み合わせであるとみなしている。
ある伝承では、イナンナはエンキの術によってのみ冥界を去ることができたとされ、身代わりを見つける可能性については言及されていない<ref>Katz, 2015, p65</ref>。この部分は、権力や栄光などを得るために苦闘する神々を描いた神話(『ルガルエ』や『エヌマ・エリシュ』など)のジャンルに属し<ref>Katz, 2015, p65</ref>、周期的に消滅する星霊体の擬人化としてのイナンナの性格を表現する役割を果たした可能性もある<ref>Katz, 2015, p66</ref>。カッツによれば、イナンナのニンシュブルに対する指示には、彼女を救出する手段も含めて、最終的な運命が正確に予言されていることから、この神話の目的は、イナンナが天界と地下世界の両方を行き来できる能力を強調することに他ならず、あたかも金星が何度も復活するのと同じことだという<ref>Katz, 2015, p66</ref>。
In one tradition, Inanna was only able to leave the underworld with the help of Enki's trick, with no mention of the possibility of finding a substitute. This part of the myth belongs to the genre of myths about deities struggling to obtain power, glory etc. (such as [[Lugal-e]] or [[Enuma Elish]]), and possibly served as a representation of Inanna's character as a personification of a periodically vanishing astral body. According to Katz, the fact that Inanna's instructions to [[Ninshubur]] contain a correct prediction of her eventual fate, including the exact means of her rescue, show that the purpose of this composition was simply highlighting Inanna's ability to traverse both the heavens and the underworld, much like how Venus was able to rise over and over again.{{sfn|Katz|2015|p=66}} She also points out Inanna's return has parallels in some [[Udug-hul]] incantations.{{sfn|Katz|2015|p=66}}
Another was simply one of the many myths about the death of [[Dumuzi]] (such as Dumuzi's Dream or Inana and Bilulu; in these myths Inanna is not to blame for his death),{{sfn|Katz|2015|p=68}} tied to his role as an embodiment of vegetation. She considers it possible that the connection between the two parts of the narrative was meant to mirror some well attested healing rituals which required a symbolic substitute of the person being treated.{{sfn|Katz|2015|p=67-68}}