A Comparison of Noah and Utnapishtim’s Floods
The stories of “Noah and the Flood” and “Gilgamesh” can compare fairly similarly. On the other hand they have their fair share of differences. Both stories can be traced back to ancient times. These stories come from the same idea of a flood wiping out the human race. The stories have two different styles of text, one with a Hebrew scriptural text and one is an ancient Mesopotamian epic. That’s just the start of the comparisons of these two tales.
“Noah and the Flood” is a unique story because it uses a Hebrew style of text. The story is still used religiously across the world, and I think something is to be said about that. One thing that this story includes that the Epic of Gilgamesh does not, is the inclusion of animals. Noah brings along one type of each animal that are different sexes. Before the flood even happens two humans named Adam and Eve ruin the trust of God by eating from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Another unique detail about the story is the fact that Noah brings his wife, his three sons, and their wives. God tells Noah to build this boat because he is a righteous man. The flood last for 40 days on earth, …show more content…
First of all, they both carry three of their sons as well as all their wives. Another similar detail is the fact that a god of some sort sends a flood to wipe out humans because they are irritated with humans. Noah and Utnapishtim pray toward their god. Noah’s god being the one and only God, compared to Utnapishtim who also prays, but has more than one god to talk to. These stories contain situations of betrayal. Humans betray God in the story of Noah by crossing their Lord with the consumption of forbidden fruit. Enlil is enraged by humans in the story of Utnapishtim due to their obnoxious behavior, restricting Enlil to sleep. Ultimately both of these characters overcome their respective floods and live for a very long time
The stories of “Noah and the Flood” and “Gilgamesh” can compare fairly similarly. On the other hand they have their fair share of differences. Both stories can be traced back to ancient times. These stories come from the same idea of a flood wiping out the human race. The stories have two different styles of text, one with a Hebrew scriptural text and one is an ancient Mesopotamian epic. That’s just the start of the comparisons of these two tales.
“Noah and the Flood” is a unique story because it uses a Hebrew style of text. The story is still used religiously across the world, and I think something is to be said about that. One thing that this story includes that the Epic of Gilgamesh does not, is the inclusion of animals. Noah brings along one type of each animal that are different sexes. Before the flood even happens two humans named Adam and Eve ruin the trust of God by eating from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Another unique detail about the story is the fact that Noah brings his wife, his three sons, and their wives. God tells Noah to build this boat because he is a righteous man. The flood last for 40 days on earth, …show more content…
First of all, they both carry three of their sons as well as all their wives. Another similar detail is the fact that a god of some sort sends a flood to wipe out humans because they are irritated with humans. Noah and Utnapishtim pray toward their god. Noah’s god being the one and only God, compared to Utnapishtim who also prays, but has more than one god to talk to. These stories contain situations of betrayal. Humans betray God in the story of Noah by crossing their Lord with the consumption of forbidden fruit. Enlil is enraged by humans in the story of Utnapishtim due to their obnoxious behavior, restricting Enlil to sleep. Ultimately both of these characters overcome their respective floods and live for a very long time