Aysha Qureshi
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Compare and contrast the relationship between gods and humans in The
Epic of Gilgamesh and the Old Testament.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has the earliest version of the flood story that appears later in the Old Testament of the Bible (Genesis 6-9). Discuss how each version has very different emphases and draws a different moral. The Gilgamesh Epic is the oldest poem recognizable to humanity. To most scholars, it even predates the bible. The Epic was written on twelve tablets and to many communities it is the most inspiring poems of all time. The Bible and Gilgamesh share quite a number of stories. One of the stories is concerning the Great Flood and in most cases in both accounts, creation is …show more content…
People from different cultures have a common and unique relationship with water. Stories differ and in the differences the beliefs are highlighted in a given culture. This argues the difference between the Bible and the epic of Gilgamesh. Firstly, the difference is portrayed in the manner in which their gods are depicted. The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays its gods as very powerful and cruel while the Bible depicts an Omnipotence and omniscient God.
This can be recapped through the entire flood encounter. Destruction of all humanity is the reason for floods in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The protagonist in the epic; Utanapishtim survives the floods regardless. To some fact this is evidence that the god of Gilgamesh was not entirely in control of everything. In the Bible, God’s plan to save Noah and his family is not affected thus the main lesson in the story is, God is omnipotent in the Bible.
In both stories the protagonists built an ark. The differences only occur in the type of ark built. Utanapishtim’s ark is filled with gold and silver. This clarifies the materialistic nature of his people. Gold is valued over the rest of creation. A problem arises in the part where the god Ea that told Utnapishtim of the coming flood also ordered him to abandon materialistic items. The god Ea was specific when he told the protagonist to fill the boat with living things and abandon material …show more content…
On the other hand, Noah follows the instructions word by word from God. This meant that material things were not considered and what God said had to be followed. God in the Bible is in complete control and nothing goes out of plan. God’s plan was to save Noah and it happened, He also wanted to save a few forms of life it also happens, nothing happens which was not planned for by God unlike to the gods in Gilgamesh.
The duration of the biblical floods lasted for approximately three hundred and seventy days while the Gilgamesh flood lasted for only seven days. In both stories, the protagonists both send out birds to discover dry land. Utnapishtim sends out a raven, a dove, and a swallow. Both the swallow and the dove return but the raven does not. Upon this, he offers a sacrifice after leaving the ark.
From the Bible, we see Noah sending out a dove twice and a raven. The raven returns and the first dove returns with an olive leaf while the second dove does not return. Through his knowledge, Noah knows that there is dry land, but he does not leave the ark until God tells him to do so. Utanapishtim freely exits and does not wait for any god. The lesson depicted here is; the final word comes from God regardless of what you
Professor
Course/Unit
Date Submitted
Compare and contrast the relationship between gods and humans in The
Epic of Gilgamesh and the Old Testament.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has the earliest version of the flood story that appears later in the Old Testament of the Bible (Genesis 6-9). Discuss how each version has very different emphases and draws a different moral. The Gilgamesh Epic is the oldest poem recognizable to humanity. To most scholars, it even predates the bible. The Epic was written on twelve tablets and to many communities it is the most inspiring poems of all time. The Bible and Gilgamesh share quite a number of stories. One of the stories is concerning the Great Flood and in most cases in both accounts, creation is …show more content…
People from different cultures have a common and unique relationship with water. Stories differ and in the differences the beliefs are highlighted in a given culture. This argues the difference between the Bible and the epic of Gilgamesh. Firstly, the difference is portrayed in the manner in which their gods are depicted. The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays its gods as very powerful and cruel while the Bible depicts an Omnipotence and omniscient God.
This can be recapped through the entire flood encounter. Destruction of all humanity is the reason for floods in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The protagonist in the epic; Utanapishtim survives the floods regardless. To some fact this is evidence that the god of Gilgamesh was not entirely in control of everything. In the Bible, God’s plan to save Noah and his family is not affected thus the main lesson in the story is, God is omnipotent in the Bible.
In both stories the protagonists built an ark. The differences only occur in the type of ark built. Utanapishtim’s ark is filled with gold and silver. This clarifies the materialistic nature of his people. Gold is valued over the rest of creation. A problem arises in the part where the god Ea that told Utnapishtim of the coming flood also ordered him to abandon materialistic items. The god Ea was specific when he told the protagonist to fill the boat with living things and abandon material …show more content…
On the other hand, Noah follows the instructions word by word from God. This meant that material things were not considered and what God said had to be followed. God in the Bible is in complete control and nothing goes out of plan. God’s plan was to save Noah and it happened, He also wanted to save a few forms of life it also happens, nothing happens which was not planned for by God unlike to the gods in Gilgamesh.
The duration of the biblical floods lasted for approximately three hundred and seventy days while the Gilgamesh flood lasted for only seven days. In both stories, the protagonists both send out birds to discover dry land. Utnapishtim sends out a raven, a dove, and a swallow. Both the swallow and the dove return but the raven does not. Upon this, he offers a sacrifice after leaving the ark.
From the Bible, we see Noah sending out a dove twice and a raven. The raven returns and the first dove returns with an olive leaf while the second dove does not return. Through his knowledge, Noah knows that there is dry land, but he does not leave the ark until God tells him to do so. Utanapishtim freely exits and does not wait for any god. The lesson depicted here is; the final word comes from God regardless of what you