The beginning of the world and human existence have always mystified people. Human nature compels human beings to understand, put things in order, and explain the unexplainable. In ancient times creation stories answered the questions that confounded and bewildered the people living in those societies. Modern science and technology did not exist to help; no scientific experiment could be performed. Ancient societies used myth instead of analysis to answer the questions of existence and purpose; the creation stories were their truths. The purpose of man, the workings of nature, and man’s relationship to a creative power are addressed in these creation stories. The Mesopotamian creation story, the Enuma Elish, and the Hebrew creation story, Genesis,
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The violence in the Enuma Elish, illustrated by the activity of the gods and nature is a reflection of the Mesopotamian society and an explanation for the unpredictability of the flooding of the Tigress and Euphrates rivers. Mesopotamian society viewed nature as violent and unpredictable because it was what they experienced. The why of this experience is addressed by their creation story, there is war among the gods. Violence is a large part of the society; the act of creation is a direct result of it. The role of women in the society is also reflected in the Enuma Elish. Tiamut, the female entity, represents chaos and creation, even though she has great power, she is killed and dismembered by Marduk (he then becomes god of the gods). The earth is created from her body. Women had power but were lesser. This acknowledgment can be seen in how laws for women differ than the ones for men in the Mesopotamian code of law put into effect by King …show more content…
This difference distinguishes each society’s worldview and discourse. The Mesopotamian society has a subservient, fearful relationship with their creator (Marduk) and the other gods; the Hebrew society has a personal relationship with their God (Yahweh) and dominion over the Earth. We can see that God created man to live, not serve in Genesis 1, “And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” In the Enuma Elish, Marduk has dominion. In the fourth tablet, other gods gave Marduk ultimate power, “We give thee sovereignty over the whole world.” Man is created from the blood of the defeated god, Kingu, the material itself representing a lesser, conquered life. Marduk created man for service to the gods, “I will create man who shall inhabit the earth, That the service of the gods may be established, and that their shrines may be built.” Man’s purpose was to work not for himself but for the glory of Marduk and the gods. In Genesis, man is created in God’s image, making him somewhat an equal. Conversation between God, man and woman is frequent. Man’s purpose was simply to exist, that is until Genesis 2 where both man and woman disobey the one request God had made of
The violence in the Enuma Elish, illustrated by the activity of the gods and nature is a reflection of the Mesopotamian society and an explanation for the unpredictability of the flooding of the Tigress and Euphrates rivers. Mesopotamian society viewed nature as violent and unpredictable because it was what they experienced. The why of this experience is addressed by their creation story, there is war among the gods. Violence is a large part of the society; the act of creation is a direct result of it. The role of women in the society is also reflected in the Enuma Elish. Tiamut, the female entity, represents chaos and creation, even though she has great power, she is killed and dismembered by Marduk (he then becomes god of the gods). The earth is created from her body. Women had power but were lesser. This acknowledgment can be seen in how laws for women differ than the ones for men in the Mesopotamian code of law put into effect by King …show more content…
This difference distinguishes each society’s worldview and discourse. The Mesopotamian society has a subservient, fearful relationship with their creator (Marduk) and the other gods; the Hebrew society has a personal relationship with their God (Yahweh) and dominion over the Earth. We can see that God created man to live, not serve in Genesis 1, “And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” In the Enuma Elish, Marduk has dominion. In the fourth tablet, other gods gave Marduk ultimate power, “We give thee sovereignty over the whole world.” Man is created from the blood of the defeated god, Kingu, the material itself representing a lesser, conquered life. Marduk created man for service to the gods, “I will create man who shall inhabit the earth, That the service of the gods may be established, and that their shrines may be built.” Man’s purpose was to work not for himself but for the glory of Marduk and the gods. In Genesis, man is created in God’s image, making him somewhat an equal. Conversation between God, man and woman is frequent. Man’s purpose was simply to exist, that is until Genesis 2 where both man and woman disobey the one request God had made of