Tanakh and the Ancient Near East Index – Parashat Noach/0
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
This topic has not yet undergone editorial review
Tanakh & the Ancient Near East Index – Parashat Noach
Flood Narratives
- The flood story has several parallels in Ancient Near Eastern literature. See The Mabbul and Mesopotamian Myths, which explains both points of narrative similarity as well as the theological differences underlying the various narratives. The comparison highlight the unique values and belief systems of the Children of Israel, distinguishing them from their polytheistic neighbors
- See Flood Narratives in the Bible and the Ancient Near East, by Avi-Gil Chaitovksy, for an exploration of parallels and contrasts between these different accounts.
Tower of Bavel in its Ancient Near Eastern Context
- Olam Hamikra provides images of ancient ziggurats, which may give context for understanding the significance of the tower of Bavel.
- See Noach: And Man’s Loftiness Will Be Bowed by R. Elchanan Samet for an exploration of how knowledge of Mesopotamian ziggurats interacts with traditional commentray on the intentions of the builders of the tower.
- See The Mock Building Account of Genesis 11:1-9: Polemic Against Mesopotamian Royal Ideology by Dr. Andrew Giorgetti, which argues that the Biblical account of Migdal Bavel intentionally subverts the messages and motifs of Mesopotamian legends about royal building.