...The Bible is our source of information about God—who He is and what He has done for us. The Bible is an exposure of man—his character, history, and divine needs. The Bible also tells us about God’s plan of redemption, which provides forgiveness and renewal for man in his sinful situation. The Bible reveals what God’s standards of right and wrong are and what His will is for His men. Unlike other books, the Bible was written by about forty authors who lived during a 1,500-year period beginning with Moses in the fifteenth century B.C.E. The Bible was written in two major languages—Hebrew and Greek, with a few parts of the Old Testament written in Aramaic. No other book has ever been composed in quite the same way as the Bible. Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, was probably the most educated man of his day, having studied under tutors in the royal palace of Egypt. The human authors also included those who were great leaders, such as Joshua, and those who were chosen of God to be prophets, such as Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Some of the authors were like David, who began as a shepherd but became king of Israel. David wrote many of the Psalms, forming a rich poetic background for much of the biblical truth. Some of the writers were farmers, some were warriors, some were fishermen. There was little that tied them together except that they all wrote a portion of the biblical truth as said in the Bible. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible Gilgamesh...
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...Running head: THE TWO FLOODS 1 Noah and Gilgamesh the Two Great Floods Jonathan Bailey Oakland City University English 201 World Lit. The Two Floods 2 The History The epic story of Gilgamesh has been an interest of religious patrons since it was found in the ruins of the great library of Nineveh in the mid-nineteenth century, along with its substantial similarities to the great flood in Noah’s day. The remaining portion of this epic story, which very possibly dates back to the third millennium B.C., and holds little if almost no Christian values, as it distresses the typical beliefs in the myths related with the pagan societies of the period in time. Nevertheless, a number of religious patrons have deliberated on the notion of creation and the hereafter introduced in the epic story. There are even select researchers that have accepted the similarities in the Babylonian and Hebrew findings, while all are not ready to make the connection in the two floods. (Keller, 1956) (anonymous, 2013) There are countless stories telling of floods that have come from ancient sources strewn around the globe. The accounts that were translated from the cuneiform tablets were comprised of some of the most primitive remaining text, having recognizable associations. Cuneiform script was created by the Sumerians and passed on by the Akkadians. Babylonian as well as Assyrian are dialects of Akkadian, and both have instances of floods in them. Despite the fact that there...
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...Neessa Fleurant 04/27/12 ENGL 175 Major influence Although the narrative or story of Noah and the flood is one of the great stories in the Bible, many question its originality. The biblical version of the flood in Genesis 6-10 is “quite close in many respects to the Mesopotamian flood stories” (The New Oxford Annotated Bible pg 19), which were written beforehand. As much as they are similar, there are significant differences that distinguish the two tales and their reliability. The epic of Gilgamesh, written by the Sumerians between 2700 B.C. and 600 B.C., is the most famous parallel to the story of Noah in the bible. It focuses on the king of Uruk Gilgamesh, and his quest for immortality after the death of his friend. This quest leads him to Utnapishtim, (character equivalent to the biblical Noah) who is the “immortal flood hero” (Wikipedia). Utnapishtim then recounts to Gilgamesh the story of how he survived the flood. There are seven main similarities between the flood in the epic of Gilgamesh and that of Genesis. The foremost and obvious is that both of the characters were warned to build a boat to escape a flood. Secondly families of both Noah and Utnapishtim were saved along with the sampling of animals they were instructed to gather. Third, both floods are believed to have occurred on or in the Mesopotamian plain. Next come the fact that both boats were sealed with tar, and during the flood both men sent out a dove and raven to determine...
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...The Epic of Gilgamesh is known to be the oldest recorded story in human history that is over 4000 years old. The story introduces “the first hero” ever known. A cruel Sumerian king who ruled the city of Uruk and did not care for his people but himself, he thought too highly of himself because he was half god, very strong, and had never found an equal. Although no one could defeat him, the people and gods were tired of his selfishness and decided to end his cruelty. They created a human named Enkidu who was as strong as him and both fought a fiercely battle where Gilgamesh had defeated Enkidu but realized that he had finally found an equal. The story follows Gilgamesh on a quest with Enkidu who becomes his friend. They both go out and fight different obstacles to save the world but before they can do that Enkidu dies in a battle leaving Gilgamesh with great sorrow, and seeks on a new quest to find eternal life for him and to bring his friend back to life. His selfishness to gain immortality leaves him with nothing but to realize that eternal life is not just given that easy. This old story continues to influence modern storytelling. There are different connections to this story like the Bible’s Old Testament and Greek mythology that still have a role in today’s society. The Bible’s Old Testament has many stories in common with the Epic of Gilgamesh. Since there are many followers of the Bible, it is very interesting to know how people would react to the similarities that both...
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...Hebrew Society – Comparison with Hebrew Stories The Old Testament, which is also called the Hebrew Bible, adapts from The Torah, which is a religious document of the Hebrews. It has been said that The Torah symbolizes events and life of the Jewish people, their experiences, laws, legends and the meaning and expressions of their gods. With the Bible, there has been a rough debate of many hundreds of years about the roots of it. The Bible has been written by the beginning of the tenth century, which was by the time the Hebrews have settled in Canaan. The Jewish religion declares that The Torah represents the history of Hebrew people. But scholars tend to argue that the stories that are apparently the creation of Moses and the Hebrew language, are off by more than five hundred years from Torah. Comparing the Hebrew flood story of Noah’s Ark, of 2348 B.C, there are many similarities found with the Epic of Gilgamesh. Both of these stories start out with God getting furious at the people. They, in his mind, were becoming more and more sinful, and because of that, he regretted of ever having to create the human race. So he goes to a man he chooses, Noah, and asks him to build a boat because he wants to get rid of humans. God then gives accurate measurements to Noah for the building of the boat. He then tells Noah to get animals on the boat, two of each, so they could survive. God reminds Noah that a great flood will occur that is to destroy all living things, but save Noah’s...
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...Bridgett Traylor ENGL 2111- 12 Mrs. Schmitt 18 February 2016 The Same or Just Coincidence? One may wonder how a biblical narrative and an ancient Mesopotamian epic could have anything in common, as biblical narratives, such as the Flood in Genesis, are written by divine inspiration and ancient Mesopotamian writings, such as "The Epic of Gilgamesh," are steeped in mythology and written solely by human hand. Although fundamental differences are present in the two, the Flood in Genesis and "The Epic of Gilgamesh" also feature distinct parallels. At first glance, the discrepancies between "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and the Flood in Genesis appear to overpower any resemblances perhaps perceived as coincidences. However, further inspection uncovers startling similarities in these two accounts of the Great Flood, leading many to believe that the parallels are not coincidences at all. The story of the Flood in Genesis was first written as part of the Old Testament by the Jewish people. However, it is predated by far by the story "The Epic of Gilgamesh," a story that originates in the same area that holds many striking similarities to the tale of the Flood in Genesis. Though the story is modified to accommodate new characters, many properties of the story are similar, from small details like the creatures that are used as scouts to the religious purpose of the flood itself. For example, both the flood stories start with the characters receiving specific building instructions for a ship...
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...The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Book of Job can be thoroughly analyzed containing many similarities and differences. These two works of literature were written in different time periods. Fiero states that The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem that precedes the Hebrew bible (19), while The Book of Job is religious text that is an actual excerpt from the Hebrew bible. Both originated from the region, Mesopotamia where it was common for people to have negative views on everything and believe that the evil in the world outweighs the good. Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Job in The Book of Job shows these views in both works. Utnapishtim says to Gilgamesh, “There is no permanence” (Fiero 37). This shows how Utnapishtim believes that good things won’t last forever. God blesses the main characters in both works. Gilgamesh is blessed with a perfect body, beauty, and courage. “Two thirds they made him God and one third man” (Fiero 19). Job was blessed with flocks of animals, a large family, and protected land. Job is said to be “blameless and upright” (Fiero 34). Although blessed both men were pushed to their mental and physical limits to see what they were made of. “Job and Gilgamesh are tested by superhuman forces, and both come to realize that misfortune and suffering are typical of the human condition” (Fiero 37). Gilgamesh is tested when Ishtar, the Goddess of love, takes the life of his companion Enkidu for rejecting her affections for him. “Because I am afraid of death...
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...Similarities and Differences between Th story of the Fall in Genesis and Enkidu in the Epic of Gilgamesh Read all about Enkidu and The Fall in the book Genesis we can find some similarities but also Differences between the tow that capture the reader’s attention, here are some of them: In The Fall in the book Genesis. It talks about the Garden of Eden. Lived a man named Adam who was created by God in his name and likeness, Adam lived in the garden next to the animals, as one of them, without any knowledge. The Epic of Gilgamesh tells us that the goddess Ururu created Enkidu. Enkidu was created half human and half animal. He lived in the woods with animals as a beast. Hunters and farmers feared the strange beast, as well Adam. Enkidu was created to stop the excesses of the king of uruk Gilgamesh. Between these two characters a great friendship was born that lead them to undertake great adventures. In The Fall in Genesis tells us about God.He decided to create companion for Adam. Then God created Eve as the companion of Adam. Adam and Eve lived together in the garden without feeling ashamed of their nakedness. However in the garden lived a snake. He tells Eve that God had deceived than about the fruit of the tree of knowledge. He tempts her to taste the tree fruit of the tree of knowledge, and she convinces Adam to do the same. Adam and Eve are expelled from the garden and give knowledge of their nakedness. As in the Fall Genesis, Enkidu was a primitive...
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...Robert William Silvers II Professor Pamela Magrans English 2030-38A 10 February 2015 The Great Floods from around the World If you are alive today living in America, odds are that you have heard of Noah and his Arch. You may not know the specifics of it but you likely have a general idea of what is being talked about. However, his story is not unique to the bible. Strikingly similar stories show up in fables and other works of literature all across the globe. There are many similarities between these stories which makes a strong argument that these stories all originated from one story, or that there really was a great flood that covered the earth. The first and oldest story documented is the Epic of Gilgamesh. The flood in this story was...
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...Several intriguing similarities between two ancient literary texts are addressed in Esther Hamori’s “Echoes of Gilgamesh in the Jacob Story.” Though fundamentally different, these texts have a series of elements that are quite unusual to other literature of the time which Hamori indicates throughout the article. She discusses a group of seemingly unique features that appear in both The Epic of Gilgamesh and in the scene of the wrestling match between Jacob and God in Genesis 32:22-32. Her argument is that the author of Genesis knew some form of Gilgamesh and used it as a framework while writing the wrestling scene in Genesis. Some of the arguments Hamori makes are solid and defend her initial statements. However, there are several small...
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...business and reading my Bible, when out of nowhere, a jogger comes up to me and asks me what I find so interesting about the Bible and if I consider the Bible to be authoritative in any way. The first thing you are supposed to do in any kind of intelligent conversation is to define what you are talking about, so I start out by defining what I mean when the Bible is authoritative. For me, the Bible is authoritative in the sense that it holds the words of God, meaning that all the words in this book came straight from God himself, and that God literally breathed into this book. I also tell the jogger what I mean by God breathed into the book by showing her a passage in the Bible. In 2 Timothy 3:16, it says that all scripture is God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16, NIV). I tell her that through various means and purposes, God used people, from apostles to tax-collectors, to write down His words. It was through his inspiration in those people that this book was written down in this collective form. She then asks me that if the Bible is indeed inspired by God, how can I trust that the Bible is free from any error these men made when making the Bible? I start by telling her that it was not just a small group of people who made the people, but that the Bible has been seen, edited, and collective discussed by millions of people from scholars and teachers, to church clergy members and even high religious officials like the Pope. I tell the jogger that I firstly believe the Bible is correct because it...
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...A Perspective on Traditional Literature • Traditional literature can provide a window on cultural beliefs and on the spiritual and psychological qualities that are part of our human nature. The Origin of Folk Literature • Children sometimes identify these stories as “make-believe,” as contrasted with “true” or “stories that could really happen.” • The origin of the myths has fascinated and puzzled folklorists, anthropologists, and psychologists. • Folktales are also of special interest to scholars of narrative theory because of the way the tales are honed by many generations of telling; only the most important elements of the story survive. The Value of Folk Literature for Children • When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first volume of their Household Stories in 1812, they did not intend it for children. • Originally folklore was the literature of the people; stories were told to young and old alike. • Traditional literature is a rightful part of a child’s literature heritage and lays the groundwork for understanding all literature. Folktales • Folktales have been defined as “all forms of narrative, written or oral, which have come to be handed down through the years.” • Questions often arise about which of the available print versions of a tale is the “correct” or authentic text. Types of Folktales • There will be features of these stories that are unique to each culture...
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...Epic of Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh is epic poetry from Mesopotamia and is among the earliest known works of literature. Scholars believe that it originated as a series of Sumerian legends and poems about the protagonist of the story,Gilgamesh, which were fashioned into a longer Akkadian epic much later. The most complete version existing today is preserved on 12 clay tablets from the library collection of 7th-century BC Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. It was originally titled He who Saw the Deep (Sha naqba īmuru) or Surpassing All Other Kings (Shūtur eli sharrī). The story revolves around a relationship between Gilgamesh (probably a real ruler in the late Early Dynastic II period ca. 27th century BC)[1] and his close companion, Enkidu. Enkidu is a wild man created by the gods as Gilgamesh's equal to distract him from oppressing the citizens of Uruk. Together they undertake dangerous quests that incur the displeasure of the gods. Firstly, they journey to the Cedar Mountain to defeat Humbaba, its monstrous guardian. Later they kill the Bull of Heaven that the goddess Ishtar has sent to punish Gilgamesh for spurning her advances. The latter part of the epic focuses on Gilgamesh's distressed reaction to Enkidu's death, which takes the form of a quest for immortality. Gilgamesh attempts to learn the secret of eternal life by undertaking a long and perilous journey to meet the immortal flood hero, Utnapishtim. Ultimately the poignant words addressed to Gilgamesh in the midst...
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...Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible written by John H. Walton. It includes five main sections. Along with these sections there are historical pictures that consist of over 20 images. Each one of those images are included in a complete appendix at the beginning of the book. Walton gives acknowledgements, which are followed by a list of abbreviations. Part 1- Comparative Studies In this first section it includes the first two chapters. Chapter one is appropriately named history and methods. The resolution of this part of the book is to protect the Bible from the harm done by comparative studies which warped evidence to work against the historicity, canonicity, and divine revelation of the Bible. Chapter 1- History and Methods This chapter opens up with the rediscovery of Egypt and Mesopotamia, dating back to the 1800s and the mid 1900s. The author states that archeologists were very quickly discovering that the Bible in its entirety was completely and wholly accurate and true. It was during this time that evolution and the scientific movement was at its prime. Science was progressing. IT was during this time that science and theology began to clash. The truth of the Bible was being fought against on all sides and was quickly being twisted. New data that confirmed the themes of parallel theologies to the Old Testament were being uncovered by archeologists. For people who have an interest in understanding the Bible, it...
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...Compare and contrast the Biblical creation myths with other creation myths from Greece and the Ancient Near East. This essay will compare and contrast the Biblical creation myths with other creation myths from Greece and the Ancient Near East. It will first discuss the initial creation of the universe followed by the creation of mankind and finally the recreation of man whilst drawing parallels to Sumerian and Babylonian texts, The Old Testament and Hesiods Theogony. In paying particular attention to the chronology of each myth it will be shown that the creation myths regarding the universe and mankind evolved from as far back as the Sumerian stories. From the fragmented Sumerian tablets discovered throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries , (that date back as far as the third millenium B.C.) Sumerologists, such as Samuel Noah Kramer, have deciphered the oldest cosmogonic concepts ever found . Kramer explains that because the Sumerians lacked "scientific methods of definition and generalization " to make sense of the origins and the working of the universe they attempted to provide explanation through the use of poetry, epic tales and hymns . The only scientific information they had access to was what could be seen around them, that being Earth, Air, Heaven and Water , and according to the Ancient Sumerians it was through these essential elements that the universe came to be and it begins with Nammu, the primeval sea. From the primeval sea was born...
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