How Did Gilgamesh Influence The Biblical Flood

One may argue that the flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh did not have an influence on the biblical flood in the book of Genesis. Denying the fact that the story of the floods in both pieces of literature share many parallels is outrageous. When compared side by side, the two pieces of literature are almost identical. Between the two pieces, there are some differences but they do not outweigh the similarities. Now, how would this influence the biblical story? As found by many sources, the story of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest pieces of literature ever recorded. This being said, the occurrence of the Gilgamesh flood happened before Genesis. The recorded dates of the two pieces of literature show the ideal connection for the Epic of Gilgamesh to directly influence the biblical story in Genesis. The story of the flood in Genesis was influenced by the story of the flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh because of the many direct similarities. …show more content…
Enlil, god of the storm, was upset at mankind for being unbearable. Enlil states, “The uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason of the babel”. After he said this, the council of the gods agreed to exterminate all of mankind. Ea, the god of water, warned Utnapishtim in a dream to tear down his house and use the wood to build a boat, saving him and the passengers from the flood. He loaded gold, his family, his kin, wild and tame animals, and all of the craftsmen of the area. The nasty storm lasted for seven days until it finally dwindled and the weather turned calm. Unable to find land, Utnapishtim sent off birds and followed them. As said in the Akkadian story, “Utnapishtim ended up at ‘The mouth of the rivers.” (Dalley 43). Enlil was enraged when he gazed upon Utnapishtim, seeing that he did not get destroyed by the