Tanakh and the Ancient Near East Index – Parashat Noach/0
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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 explores both the narrative similarities as well as the theological differences underlying the various narratives. The comparison highlights the unique values and belief systems of the Children of Israel, distinguishing them from their polytheistic neighbors.
- While pagans blurred the line between man and god, viewing gods as having physical needs, fearing the very flood they set forth, and on the flip side, elevating man to the status of god, Tanakh presents Hashem as omnipotent, in control of nature, above the physical and totally distinct from man.
- Similarly, while the pagan gods emerge as arbitrary and fickle, God acts only out of justice, bringing the Flood as punishment.
- See Flood Narratives in the Bible and the Ancient Near East, by Avi-Gil Chaitovksy, for an exploration of parallels and contrasts between the different accounts.
- U. Cassuto, in his commentary on Bereshit 6, makes an extensive comparison of the various Flood accounts, providing background about the Mesopotamian versions, summarizing their accounts, and analyzing the points of contact with Tanakh. He includes a very detailed list of both the large and small similarities and differences to Torah, showing how the accounts highlight the differing values of each culture, and especially their differing views of a deity, as only Hashem is portrayed as acting solely out of concern for justice.1
- For translations of the Mesopotamian accounts, see Epic of Gilgamesh, Epic of Atrahasis and the Epic of Ziusudra.
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 commentary 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.
- U. Cassuto, in his commentary on Bereshit 11, reads the story as an anti-Babylonian satire, suggesting that Tanakh is mocking pagan hubris in seeing their man-made Temples as being the height of civilization.2 They wish to reach the heavens, viewing their city and Temple as a "Gate to God", not realizing that no matter how tall their tower, no one can reach God.
- See also Deconstructing Migdal Bavel for opinions which similarly view the story as a polemic against pagan beliefs,3 suggesting that, as such, the story serves to introduce the Avraham narratives. Avraham, in contrast to the surrounding pagans, looks not to make a name for himself, but cries out in the name of God. He builds altars to God and preaches monotheism, rather than building towers to idolatry.
