In The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Hebrew book of Genesis, floods occur that completely destroy the physical world and all of mankind, except for a select few people who are considered righteous people from their creator’s perspective. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the god Ea instructs a character whose name is Utnapishtim to build a large boat. According to the tablet, Ea tells Utnapishtim to make all living things go up into the boat. The only people on the boat are Utnapishtim, his family, and a few others. According to Genesis, the world is full of wickedness. God is grieved in his heart and sorry that he makes man on the Earth (NKJV Gen. 6:6). However, Genesis also states that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah is faithful and obedient
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“In both cases [Genesis and The Epic of Gilgamesh] the god Ea and God have few righteous individuals whom they use to warn the people of their pending judgment. For instance, in Gilgamesh, god Ea uses Utnapishtim while in the biblical flood; God uses his faithful servant Noah. In both cases they are used to warn the people and to construct the arks. “In both stories they are despised and mocked by the people and in the long run only a few people are rescued from the menace” (Professional Online Editing). It is evident in both stories that the two who are righteous are Noah in Genesis and Utnapishtim in The Epic of Gilgamesh. Notice that both of the righteous men try to provide a way of escape for whoever will join them. This reveals the graciousness of both characters. Both individuals seem to care about mankind in a way that they are willing to save anyone who will join them. That particular aspect of Utnapishtim and Noah is parallel to Jesus in the New Testament who gives his life for the cleansing of the sins of man. Unfortunately, no one chooses to join Utnapishtim and Noah before it is too late. This common aspect of both flood stories contributes furthermore to the fulfillment of the theme. If any the wicked and evil people of the world were to enter the ark or boat and live, then justice would not be …show more content…
“The eleventh tablet, line 180 reads, [Lay upon the sinner his sin; lay upon the transgressor his transgression.] A study of these parallels to Genesis 6-9, as well as the many others, demonstrate the non-coincidental nature of these similarities” (Lorey). This line mentioned in The Epic of Gilgamesh the gods declare that the evil and wickedness in mankind’s heart must be served justice. When the flood comes about, destroying all of mankind, the theme in The Epic of Gilgamesh is established. Justice to all of mankind is served. All evil and wickedness is conquered. Utnapishtim obeys the god Ea. This makes Utnapishtim a righteous man from Ea’s perspective, and later on to Enlil. The fact that Utnapishtim and his wife are rewarded with eternal life after the flood prove this. Enlil does not reward eternal life to Utnapishtim and his wife for no reason. Utnapishtim’s obedience and success at saving mankind proves his righteousness which results in Enlil rewarding his wife and himself eternal life. Justice is also served likewise in Genesis when God releases his wrath on mankind that results in the destruction of every human. Only eight people are saved in a large arc along with two of every animal (Manser “The Flood in the Bible). Justice is served, and evil and wickedness are conquered. Noah’s obedience to God proves
“In both cases [Genesis and The Epic of Gilgamesh] the god Ea and God have few righteous individuals whom they use to warn the people of their pending judgment. For instance, in Gilgamesh, god Ea uses Utnapishtim while in the biblical flood; God uses his faithful servant Noah. In both cases they are used to warn the people and to construct the arks. “In both stories they are despised and mocked by the people and in the long run only a few people are rescued from the menace” (Professional Online Editing). It is evident in both stories that the two who are righteous are Noah in Genesis and Utnapishtim in The Epic of Gilgamesh. Notice that both of the righteous men try to provide a way of escape for whoever will join them. This reveals the graciousness of both characters. Both individuals seem to care about mankind in a way that they are willing to save anyone who will join them. That particular aspect of Utnapishtim and Noah is parallel to Jesus in the New Testament who gives his life for the cleansing of the sins of man. Unfortunately, no one chooses to join Utnapishtim and Noah before it is too late. This common aspect of both flood stories contributes furthermore to the fulfillment of the theme. If any the wicked and evil people of the world were to enter the ark or boat and live, then justice would not be …show more content…
“The eleventh tablet, line 180 reads, [Lay upon the sinner his sin; lay upon the transgressor his transgression.] A study of these parallels to Genesis 6-9, as well as the many others, demonstrate the non-coincidental nature of these similarities” (Lorey). This line mentioned in The Epic of Gilgamesh the gods declare that the evil and wickedness in mankind’s heart must be served justice. When the flood comes about, destroying all of mankind, the theme in The Epic of Gilgamesh is established. Justice to all of mankind is served. All evil and wickedness is conquered. Utnapishtim obeys the god Ea. This makes Utnapishtim a righteous man from Ea’s perspective, and later on to Enlil. The fact that Utnapishtim and his wife are rewarded with eternal life after the flood prove this. Enlil does not reward eternal life to Utnapishtim and his wife for no reason. Utnapishtim’s obedience and success at saving mankind proves his righteousness which results in Enlil rewarding his wife and himself eternal life. Justice is also served likewise in Genesis when God releases his wrath on mankind that results in the destruction of every human. Only eight people are saved in a large arc along with two of every animal (Manser “The Flood in the Bible). Justice is served, and evil and wickedness are conquered. Noah’s obedience to God proves