Most contain both an epilogue and a prologue, which usually explain the purpose of composing the laws, invoke divine authority, and command the reader to abide by them.
While many of these codes are only partially known, they still paint a fairly clear picture that enables us to learn what issues pertaining to rules were considered significant by the societies they governed in the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st millennia BC.
These cases are sometimes arranged in a seemingly random order, though this may be the result of an inability to properly interpret them today as they would have been at the time they were enforced.
The Middle Eastern communities that made use of cuneiform law were generally all in contact with one another, and developed similar cultures.
Akkadian, a cuneiform language, was used throughout the entire area and beyond, reaching Egypt as a means of diplomatic communication during the Amarna Period.