Difference between revisions of "The Mabbul and Mesopotamian Myths/Table"

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<h1>The Mabbul and Mesopotamian Myths</h1>
  
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<h1>The Mabbul and Mesopotamian Myths</h1>
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<div style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold" class="header"><aht subpage="Table" class="btn" style="color:#832525">Open Comparison Table</aht><!-- &#160; <aht subpage="Outline" class="btn" style="color:#832525">Open Outline</aht>--><br/></div>
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<p>Flood stories have survived in many cultures from the Central American Maya to the Hindu in India.  The closest parallels to the Biblical account, not surprisingly, are the Mesopotamian versions.  These are similar to the Biblical story not only in the general concept of a divinely wrought flood wiping out mankind, but also in many of the particulars describing the event.  It is the differences between the versions, though, that are most telling as they highlight the unique values and belief systems of the Children of Israel, distinguishing them from their polytheistic neighbors.</p>
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<category>Mesopotamian Accounts
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<li><b>Epic of Gilgamesh</b> – The most widely known Babylonian version of the flood story is that found in the 11th tablet of the Epic of Gilgamesh. The hero of this account is Utnapishtim, or, "Finder of eternal life".<fn>The epic has survived in several versions.  The fullest version, known as the "Standard Babylonian" version, dates from the 13th to the 10th centuries BCE while the "Old Babylonian", shorter version, dates to the 18th century BCE.  The former contains 12 tablets of which about two thirds have been recovered.  One of the best copies was discovered during excavations in the 1850's in Nineveh, in the ruins of the 7th century library of King Ashurbanipal. The epic as whole is about the story of two friends, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and their daring adventures.  After Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh begins to think about his own mortality leading him to search for his ancestor, Utnapishtim, who has attained the status of gods and eternal life.  The 11th tablet of the epic details Utnapishtim's story in which he is saved from the flood and achieves immortality. To read the full text as translated by E.A. Speiser, see <a href="http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/gilgamesh.html">here</a>.</fn></li>
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<li><b>Epic of Atrahasis</b> – This version is also Babylonian in origin.  It has survived in several fragments but the oldest and fullest known copy dates to the 17th century BCE.<fn>It contains a colophon dating it to the reign of Ammisaduqa, who ruled in 1646-1626, during the 1st Babylonian dynasty. W.G. Lambert and A.R. Millard published a critical edition in 1969.  The three tablets recount the creation of man and then tell how the gods decree upon them a series of disasters which culminate in the flood. A copy of the translated epic can be found <a href="http://jewishchristianlit.com/Texts/ANEmyths/atraha2-3.htm">here</a>.</fn></li>
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<li><b>Epic of Ziusudra</b> – This Sumerian account focusing on the hero Ziusudra, is known from a single fragmentary tablet, excavated at Nippur, dated to the 17th century BCE.  The tablet contains an account of both creation and the flood and is sometimes called the Eridu Genesis.<fn>The epic was published in 1914 by Arno Poebel.  Only the bottom third of the tablet's 6 columns have survived, making it difficult to reconstruct the entire narrative.  Other relevant Sumerian material includes the Sumerian king lists (several versions have been recovered) which divide the recorded kings into ante and post-diluvian listings. In the WB-62 Sumerian king list recension, Ziusudra is listed as having reigned right before the flood, in the 3rd millennium BCE.  Click <a href="http://www.gatewaystobabylon.com/myths/texts/enki/eridugen.htm">here</a> to read the text as translated by T. Jacobsen.</fn></li>
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<category>Comparison to the Biblical Account
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<p>The many parallels and contrasts between the different accounts are discussed at length in the commentary of <multilink><aht source="CassutoBereshit6-9">U. Cassuto</aht><aht source="CassutoBereshit6-9">From Noach to Avraham, Introduction, p.1</aht><aht source="CassutoBereshit6-10"></aht><aht source="CassutoBereshit6-10">From Noach to Avraham, Introduction, p.18-19</aht><aht parshan="Umberto Cassuto">About U. Cassuto</aht></multilink>.  For extended analysis see his work.</p>
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<li><b>Overall plot</b><ul>
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<li>A deity decides to destroy the world via a flood.</li>
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<li>A particular individual, his family, and representatives of other living things are saved on a boat.</li>
 
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<li><b>Hero</b> – The flood hero is the tenth generation from Creation.<fn>None of the fragments from the three Mesopotamian flood stories mention the hero's placement explicitly but according to the WB 62 version of the Sumerian king list, and in the flood version of the 3rd century BCE Babylonian priest, Berossus (as quoted by later Greek historians), the hero is the tenth in the royal line. Other versions of the Sumerian king list record just eight kings before the deluge.</fn></li>
 
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<li><b>Preparations for the flood</b><ul>
 
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<li>Both Tanakh and the Babylonian versions describe the building of the boat which is depicted as multi-leveled, compartmented, and covered in pitch.</li>
 
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<li>There is an explicit mention of the sealing of the door before the flood begins.<fn>This whole section is missing from the Sumerian version.</fn></li>
 
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<li><b>Waning of the flood</b><ul>
 
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<li>After the flood, the boat rests on a mountain.<fn>There is a lacuna in this section of the story in both the Epic of Ziusudra and Atrahasis.</fn></li>
 
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<li>In both Bereshit and the Gilgamesh Epic, the flood hero send birds (including a raven and dove) to determine if the waters have receded.  A seven day interval is mentioned.</li>
 
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<li><b>Post-flood sacrifices and blessings</b><ul>
 
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<li>The heroes give sacrifices upon exiting the boat, and the deity smells the fragrance.<fn>The Sumerian version does not mention the deity smelling the sacrificial odor.</fn></li>
 
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<li>The hero is blessed at the end of the story.<fn>In the Epics of Ziusudra and Gilgamesh the hero is blessed with eternal life, while, in Tanakh, Noach is blessed with progeny.  In the surviving fragments of the Atrahasis Epic, no blessing is mentioned.</fn></li>
 
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<subcategory>Contrasts
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<li><b>Gods</b>
 
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<li><b>Motivations of the deities</b> – In the Mesopotamian versions, the flood is brought either for no explicit reason or because mankind's noise is bothering the gods.  In the Torah, Hashem sends the flood because of man's corrupt behavior.  Similarly, while no explanation is proffered to explain why the flood hero is saved in the Mesopotamian epics,<fn>In the Sumerian version, Ziusudra is described as a priest serving the gods, but no direct connection is made.</fn> in Bereshit, Noach is saved due to his righteousness.</li>
 
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<li><b>Polytheistic pantheon</b> – The gods in the Mesopotamian epic disagree regarding the decision to bring the catastrophe and act in deceit to thwart each other's plans. All of this is not found in the Biblical narrative in which the sole God determines what will be, with no one to disagree.</li>
 
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<li><b>Gods and nature</b> – The Babylonian gods are described as frightened by the raging waters and the flood storm.  In the Torah, Hashem is depicted as in control of nature, not fearful of it.</li>
 
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<li><b>Hungry gods</b> – In the Babylonian epics, the gods are depicted as hungry and thirsty during the flood, having been deprived of sacrificial sustenance.  Similarly, they rush to partake of the sacrifices brought afterwards. No such parallel exists in Bereshit.</li>
 
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<li><b>Hero</b><ul>
 
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<li><b>Status</b> – Whereas the other heroes are kings, Noach is a simple human.<fn>Noach is further portrayed as a much more passive character. While the other flood heroes speak, portray emotions and act, Noach says nothing throughout the narrative and hardly acts except to obey Hashem's commands.</fn></li>
 
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<li><b>Names</b> – The Mesopotamian heroes have more glamorous names than the Biblical Noach. Both the names of Ziusudra and Utnapishtim refer to one who has found long life, while Atrahasis means one who is very wise.  Noach, in contrast, simply means rest.<fn>Tanakh suggests that it might connote comfort, explaining the etymology of the name: "וַיִּקְרָא אֶת שְׁמוֹ נֹחַ לֵאמֹר זֶה יְנַחֲמֵנוּ מִמַּעֲשֵׂנוּ וּמֵעִצְּבוֹן יָדֵינוּ מִן הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר אֵרְרָהּ ה'&#8207;".</fn></li>
 
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<li>At the end of the epics, both Ziusudra and Utnapishtim are raised to the status of gods.  Noach, though, remains a mere mortal.</li>
 
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<li><b>Preparations for the flood</b><ul>
 
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<li><b>Revealing the plan</b> – In the epics, the gods mean to keep their plan a secret from mankind while in Bereshit, Hashem shares his plan (and the reasoning behind it) with Noach.  Similarly, the Mesopotamian heroes are told to hide the reasons for their boat-building from the general public,<fn>This part of the narrative is lost from the Sumerian account.</fn> while Noach is given no similar command.</li>
 
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<li><b>The boat</b> – In Tanakh the saving vehicle is referred to as an ark, while in the other versions it is referred to as a boat. Where mentioned, the dimensions also differ, with the Biblical boat being much smaller.</li>
 
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<li><b>Who is saved?</b> Noach brings just his family and animals aboard the ark.  Atrahasis and Utnapishtim gather also their friends, craftsmen, boatmen and possessions.<fn>Another difference relates to the numbers of animals brought. While Noach is told to bring pairs and sevens of animals, the other heroes do not receive such specifics.</fn></li>
 
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<li><b>The door</b> – While Hashem personally seals Noach inside the ark, in the epics, the heroes close themselves in.</li>
 
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</ul></li>
 
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<li><b>Description of the flood</b><ul>
 
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<li>The Mesopotamian version describes a windy, thundering storm  while the Torah mentions only water, coming from both the heavens and depths.<fn>In the epics, it rains for just 7 days while in Bereshit the downpour lasts for 40 days.</fn></li> 
 
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<li>The storm seems to wane naturally in the epics<fn>The Atrahasis Epic is missing this section of the narrative.</fn> while the Torah describes Hashem's explicit decision to end the flood. Similarly, the Mesopotamian heroes decide on their own when to exit the boat while Hashem commands Noach when to exit.</li>
 
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</ul></li>
 
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<li><b>Post-flood promises of life</b><ul>
 
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<li>Only in the Biblical account is there a covenant made never to bring another flood to destroy mankind and blessings given to be fruitful and multiply.  This contrasts sharply with the anger of the Mesopotamian gods over the fact that there were survivors<fn>In the Sumerian version this section has not survived.</fn> and the new plans made in the Atrahasis Epic for population control.</li>
 
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<li>In its telling of the flood and its aftermath, the Torah makes many parallels to the story of creation.<fn>Almost every day of creation is alluded to.  The wind of 8:1 recalls the wind of 1:2.  The closing of the waters of the depths and heavens parallels the separation of waters by the firmament.  The tops of the mountains are seen, much like the land is seen in 1:9 and the dove's olive branch might represent the vegetation. The setting of seasons in 8:22 parallels the setting of luminaries and times in 1:14.  The birds and animals are mentioned explicitly and the people are blessed just as they had been in Parashat Bereshit.</fn> The text seems to suggest that, though the flood itself reversed creation, afterwards there was a recreation. The allusions reinforce the image of a caring God who has no desire for total destruction.  He, rather, wants to rid the world of evil so as to create an improved world.</li>
 
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<subcategory>Analysis<!-- of Points of Contrast or Understanding the Differences-->
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<p>Many of the differences between the Mesopotamian and Biblical accounts of the flood reflect the cultures' differing belief systems and notions of a deity:</p>
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<li><b>Polytheism versus monotheism</b> – As the Torah believes in just one God, there is obviously no room for disagreements amongst other gods regarding His decisions.</li>
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<li><b>Divide between man and God</b><ul>
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<th colspan="3">Mesopotamian Accounts</th>
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<li>Polytheistic societies viewed their gods as similar to humans, with physical needs and emotions.  This explains the description of hungry gods, in need of sacrifices to sustain themselves, or fearful gods worried about being hurt in the deluge. Hashem, in contrast, is above the physical, in control of nature,<fn>Cassuto points out that in the Biblical account the storm takes the form of just water and not winds, to emphasize this control. If He so decides, God can use the same forces of nature that are normally viewed as a blessing, in order to curse and destroy. </fn> and, thus, not susceptible to hunger or storms.</li>
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<li>The Mesopotamian anthropomorphizing of its gods serves to blur the lines between man and god.  In such a system, a man can be raised to the status of gods (and vice versa.) This is not so in a culture that sees God as separate and supreme.</li>
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<li>Noach's obeisance to God, relatively less glorified stature, and passive character all further underscore the divide between man and God.</li>
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<li>God's omnipotence in the Biblical account is also emphasized in some of the smaller details:  his personal sealing of the boat, his explicit decision to end the flood,<fn>In the Torah  the flood ends not due to a natural waning of the storm but to God's remembering of Noach .</fn> and his command of when to exit the ark.<fn>Cassuto also notes that in the Biblical account the vehicle is an ark and not a technically engineered boat and there is no one to professionally steer it, further emphasizing that all is in Hashem's hands.</fn></li>
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<th>Sumerian Account<br/>Epic of Ziusudra</th>
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<li><b>Arbitrary or just</b> – The Mesopotamian gods emerge as arbitrary gods, acting capriciously or looking to serve themselves rather than their creations.<fn>The one exception in the Epic of Gilgamesh is Ea, who when blamed for divulging the gods' plans to Utnapishtim, protests against the injustice of the gods in punishing those who have not transgressed any sins.</fn>  The Israelite God stands in stark contrast. His actions (to destroy or save) come to serve justice. He has no desire to hide his actions or deceive his creatures, for that would be immoral.<fn>In fact, <multilink><aht source="BavliSanhedrin108b">Bavli Sanhedrin</aht><aht source="BavliSanhedrin108b">Sanhedrin 108b</aht><aht parshan="Talmud Bavli">About the Bavli</aht></multilink> and <multilink><aht source="BereshitRabbah30-7">Bereshit Rabbah</aht><aht source="BereshitRabbah30-7">30:7</aht><aht parshan="Bereshit Rabbah" /></multilink> depict Noach sharing Hashem's plans with the people, trying to convince them to repent.</fn> In contrast to the gods of the other stories, He wants to rebuild the world after the flood, promising never to bring another all-devastating flood and blessing Noach with progeny.<fn>This differs greatly from the ending of the Atrahasis Epic which has the gods contemplating other methods of population control. See Tikva Frymer-Kensky, "The Atrahasis Epic and its Significance for our Understanding of Genesis 1-9", Biblical Archaeologist (Dec. 1977): 147-155.</fn></li>
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<th>Babylonian Account<br/>Epic of Atrahasis</th>
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<th>Babylonian Account<br/>Epic of Gilgamesh</th>
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<subcategory>Summary Chart
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<th>Hero</th>
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<td>Ziusudra (meaning: finder of long life)</td>
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<td>Atrahasis (meaning: exceedingly wise)</td>
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<td>Utnapishtim (meaning: finder of eternal life)</td>
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<td>Noach (meaning: rest)<fn>Tanakh explains the etymology of the name differently: "וַיִּקְרָא אֶת שְׁמוֹ נֹחַ לֵאמֹר זֶה יְנַחֲמֵנוּ מִמַּעֲשֵׂנוּ וּמֵעִצְּבוֹן יָדֵינוּ מִן הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר אֵרְרָהּ ה'&#8207;".</fn></td>
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</tr>
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<th>Placement in Primeval History</th>
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<td>Hero is the 9th or 10th king from Creation.<fn>According to the WB 62 version of the Sumerian King list, the flood hero is the tenth king. Other versions list 8 kings before the deluge, not including the flood hero, making him the ninth. In the flood version of the 3rd century BCE Babylonian priest, Berossus (as quoted by later Greek historians) the hero is the 10th in the royal line as well.</fn></td>
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<td></td>
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<td></td>
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<td>Hero is the 10th generation of humans from Creation.</td>
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</tr>
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<th>Reason for flood</th>
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<td>Missing section<fn>One of the fragmented versions of the Sumerian King List (K 11624) also mentions the bothersome noise of humans.</fn></td>
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<td>Mankind is too noisy<br/>"The land was bellowing like wild oxen, and the god was disturbed by their uproar.  Enlil heard their noise and addressed the great gods: The noise of humankind is too loud for me..."</td>
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<td>No reason given<br/>"The hearts of the great gods moved them to inflict the Flood."</td>
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<td>Corruption of mankind<br/><div dir="rtl">"כִּי רַבָּה רָעַת הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ וְכָל יֵצֶר מַחְשְׁבֹת לִבּוֹ רַק רַע כָּל הַיּוֹם."</div></td>
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</tr>
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<th>Reason for salvation of hero</th>
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<td>Ziusudra is described as a priest serving the gods but no direct connection to his salvation is made.</td>
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<td>No reason given</td>
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<td>No reason given</td>
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<td>Righteousness of Noach<br/><div dir="rtl">"נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה בְּדֹרֹתָיו אֶת הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֶּךְ נֹחַ."</div></td>
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<th>Telling the Hero</th>
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<td colspan="3" style="text-align:center">Head god wants to keep the flood a secret; flood hero is told furtively by a lesser god.</td>
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<td>Direct Divine command to build the ark.  Hashem explains why He is about to destroy mankind.<br/><div dir="rtl">"וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים לְנֹחַ קֵץ כָּל בָּשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי כִּי מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְּנֵיהֶם וְהִנְנִי מַשְׁחִיתָם אֶת הָאָרֶץ. עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי גֹפֶר..."</div></td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<th>Hero telling others</th>
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<td>[missing]</td>
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<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Hero lies to others about the reason for his building.</td>
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<td>No mention.<fn>According to <multilink><a href="BavliSanhedrin108b" data-aht="source">Bavli Sanhedrin</a><a href="BavliSanhedrin108b" data-aht="source">Sanhedrin 108b</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="BereshitRabbah30-7" data-aht="source">Bereshit Rabbah</a><a href="BereshitRabbah30-7" data-aht="source">30:7</a><a href="Bereshit Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bereshit Rabbah</a></multilink>, Noach warned the people of the upcoming flood and tried to get them to repent.</fn></td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<th>Description of Boat</th>
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<td>[missing]</td>
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<td>Boat, roof, pitch, and bitumen.</td>
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<td>Boat, square dimensions given, roof, 7 levels, 9 compartments per level, covered with bitumen and pitch.</td>
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<td>Ark, non-square dimensions given, 3 levels, compartments (קנים), covered with pitch.</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<th>Who is brought to the boat and saved?</th>
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<td>[missing]</td>
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<td>Told to bring grain, goods and chattels, family, craftsmen, animals, and birds.</td>
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<td>Hero brings gold, silver, animals, craftsmen, and his own family to the boat.</td>
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<td>Hero brings pairs of impure animals, sevens of pure animals, and his own family.</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<th>Closing of Door</th>
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<td>[missing]</td>
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<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Hero seals the door.<br/>"I boarded the ship and battened up the gate." (EG)</td>
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<td>Hashem seals the door.<br/><div dir="rtl">"וַיִּסְגֹּר ה' בַּעֲדוֹ."</div> </td>
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<th></th>
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<th>Description of Flood</th>
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<th>Torah</th>
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<td>Stormy winds and flood<br/>"All the evil winds, all stormy winds gathered into one and with them, then, the flood was sweeping over the cities"</td>
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<th>Mesopotamian Versions</th>
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<td>Ferocious winds, roaring, darkness<br/>"Adad was roaring in the clouds; the winds became ferocious… People could not see one another; The flood bellowed like a wild ox,while the wind howled like a whinnying wild ass. The darkness was thick…"</td>
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<td>Storm with winds and thunder, darkness<br/>"A black cloud rose up from the horizon. Inside it Adad thunders… Turning to blackness all that had been light… No one can see his fellow… Six days and six nights blows the flood wind, as the south-storm sweeps the land."</td>
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<td>Rain from heavens and springs<br/><div dir="rtl">"בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה נִבְקְעוּ כָּל מַעְיְנֹת תְּהוֹם רַבָּה וַאֲרֻבֹּת הַשָּׁמַיִם נִפְתָּחוּ."</div></td>
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<th rowspan="5">Description of Deity</th>
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<th>Length of Rain</th>
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<td>Sole God</td>
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<td>7 days and nights</td>
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<td>Pantheon of gods</td>
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<td>7 days and nights</td>
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</tr>
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<td>6 days and nights<fn>Some translations read 6 days and 7 nights.</fn></td>
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<td>40 days and nights (water remains high for 150 days)</td>
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<td>Just and moral</td>
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<th>Reaction of Gods during flood</th>
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<td>Capricious</td>
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<td></td>
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</tr>
+
<td>Trembling, hungering, and thirsting<br/>"The noise of the flood caused the gods to tremble... The Anunnaki, the great gods, sat hungering and thirsting."</td>
 +
<td>Fearful, weeping, and thirsting<br/>"The gods were frightened by the Flood... The gods were cowering like dogs... the gods humbly sat weeping... their lips burning, parched with thirst."</td>
 +
<td></td>
 +
</tr>
  
−
<tr>
+
<tr>
−
<td>Omnipotent and omniscient</td>
+
<th>Ark rests</th>
−
<td>Neither omnipotent nor omniscient</td>
+
<td></td>
−
</tr>
+
<td>[missing]</td>
−
+
<td>Mt. Nimush</td>
−
<tr>
+
<td>Ararat</td>
−
<td>Above physical desires</td>
+
</tr>
−
<td>Physically needy</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>In control of nature</td>
 
−
<td>Afraid of nature</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<th rowspan="4">Description of Hero</th>
 
−
<td>Layman, simple name</td>
 
−
<td>King, glorified name</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">10th generation<fn>According to the WB 62 version of the Sumerian King list, the flood hero is the tenth king. Other versions list only eight kings before the deluge.</fn></td>
 
−
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>Passive; simply obeys God</td>
 
−
<td>Active</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>Remains mortal</td>
 
−
<td>Raised to status of gods</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<th rowspan="4">Pre-Flood Preparations</th>
 
−
<td>Explicit sharing of plan</td>
 
−
<td>Secret divulging of plan</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Building of boat/ark</td>
 
−
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>Salvation of family and animals</td>
 
−
<td>Salvation of family, animals, craftsmen, and possessions</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>Sealing of door by Hashem</td>
 
−
<td>Sealing of door by hero</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<th rowspan="5">The Flood</th>
 
−
<td>Water from heavens and depths</td>
 
−
<td>Windy storm</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>40 days and nights of rain</td>
 
−
<td>7 days and nights of rain<fn>The Epic of Gilgamesh mentions 6 rather than 7.</fn></td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td style="text-align:center">---</td>
 
−
<td>Gods tremble and cower in fear</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Boat rests on mountain and sending of birds</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>Divine command to exit</td>
 
−
<td>Hero exits boat on own</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<th rowspan="4">Post-flood</th>
 
−
<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Bringing of sacrifices</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td style="text-align:center">---</td>
 
−
<td>Gods swarm over sacrifices</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>Blessing of progeny </td>
 
−
<td>Blessing to be like gods</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
<tr>
 
−
<td>Promise not to being another all devastating flood</td>
 
−
<td>Deity angry that there are survivors; new solutions for population control</td>
 
−
</tr>
 
−
 
−
 
  
−
</table>
+
<tr>
−
</subcategory>
+
<th>Sending of Birds</th>
−
+
<td></td>
−
</category>
+
<td>[missing]</td>
 +
<td>Dove, swallow, and raven sent 7 days after landing.</td>
 +
<td>Raven and 3 doves sent at 7 day intervals.</td>
 +
</tr>
  
−
</page>
+
<tr>
 +
<th>Leaving Boat</th>
 +
<td>Ziusudra drills a hole.</td>
 +
<td>[missing]</td>
 +
<td>Gilgamesh determines when to leave.</td>
 +
<td>Naoch leaves upon Hashem's command.</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 
 +
<tr>
 +
<th>Sacrifices</th>
 +
<td>Hero brings sacrifices</td>
 +
<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Hero brings sacrifices, gods smell fragrance and swarm over them like flies.<br/>"The gods smelled the savour, The gods smelled the sweet savour, The gods crowded like flies about the sacrifice." (EG)</td>
 +
<td>Hero brings sacrifices and Hashem smells fragrance.<br/><div dir="rtl">"וַיָּרַח ה' אֶת רֵיחַ הַנִּיחֹחַ."</div></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 
 +
<tr>
 +
<th>Post–flood reaction of gods</th>
 +
<td>[missing]</td>
 +
<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Head god furious that some have survived.<br/>"As soon as Enlil arrived, And saw the ship, Enlil was wroth, He was filled the wrath against the Igigi gods: 'Has some living soul escaped? No man was to survive the destruction!'" (EG)</td>
 +
<td>Hashem makes a covenant never to send another all-devastating flood.<br/><div dir="rtl">"וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת בְּרִיתִי אִתְּכֶם וְלֹא יִכָּרֵת כָּל בָּשָׂר עוֹד מִמֵּי הַמַּבּוּל וְלֹא יִהְיֶה עוֹד מַבּוּל לְשַׁחֵת הָאָרֶץ."</div></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 
 +
<tr>
 +
<th>Hero's end</th>
 +
<td>Ziusudra given eternal life, like the gods.<br/>"And An and Enlil after honoring him were granting him life like a god's..."</td>
 +
<td></td>
 +
<td>Utnapishtim given eternal life, like the gods.<br/>"Thereupon Enlil… touched our foreheads to bless us: ‘Hitherto Utnapishtim has been but human. Henceforth Utnapishtim and his wife shall be like unto us gods'."</td>
 +
<td>Noach remains mortal.</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 
 +
<tr>
 +
<th>Blessing of Progeny</th>
 +
<td>none</td>
 +
<td>New solutions reached for population (and thus noise) control.</td>
 +
<td>none</td>
 +
<td>Hashem blesses Noach to be fruitful and multiply.<br/><div dir="rtl">"וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת נֹחַ וְאֶת בָּנָיו וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ."</div></td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 
 +
</table>
 +
</div>
 +
<br/>
 +
 
 +
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Latest revision as of 22:30, 6 July 2019

The Mabbul and Mesopotamian Myths

Mesopotamian Accounts Torah
Sumerian Account
Epic of Ziusudra		 Babylonian Account
Epic of Atrahasis		 Babylonian Account
Epic of Gilgamesh
Hero Ziusudra (meaning: finder of long life) Atrahasis (meaning: exceedingly wise) Utnapishtim (meaning: finder of eternal life) Noach (meaning: rest)1
Placement in Primeval History Hero is the 9th or 10th king from Creation.2 Hero is the 10th generation of humans from Creation.
Reason for flood Missing section3 Mankind is too noisy
"The land was bellowing like wild oxen, and the god was disturbed by their uproar. Enlil heard their noise and addressed the great gods: The noise of humankind is too loud for me..."		 No reason given
"The hearts of the great gods moved them to inflict the Flood."		 Corruption of mankind
"כִּי רַבָּה רָעַת הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ וְכָל יֵצֶר מַחְשְׁבֹת לִבּוֹ רַק רַע כָּל הַיּוֹם."
Reason for salvation of hero Ziusudra is described as a priest serving the gods but no direct connection to his salvation is made. No reason given No reason given Righteousness of Noach
"נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה בְּדֹרֹתָיו אֶת הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֶּךְ נֹחַ."
Telling the Hero Head god wants to keep the flood a secret; flood hero is told furtively by a lesser god. Direct Divine command to build the ark. Hashem explains why He is about to destroy mankind.
"וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים לְנֹחַ קֵץ כָּל בָּשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי כִּי מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְּנֵיהֶם וְהִנְנִי מַשְׁחִיתָם אֶת הָאָרֶץ. עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי גֹפֶר..."
Hero telling others [missing] Hero lies to others about the reason for his building. No mention.4
Description of Boat [missing] Boat, roof, pitch, and bitumen. Boat, square dimensions given, roof, 7 levels, 9 compartments per level, covered with bitumen and pitch. Ark, non-square dimensions given, 3 levels, compartments (קנים), covered with pitch.
Who is brought to the boat and saved? [missing] Told to bring grain, goods and chattels, family, craftsmen, animals, and birds. Hero brings gold, silver, animals, craftsmen, and his own family to the boat. Hero brings pairs of impure animals, sevens of pure animals, and his own family.
Closing of Door [missing] Hero seals the door.
"I boarded the ship and battened up the gate." (EG)		 Hashem seals the door.
"וַיִּסְגֹּר ה' בַּעֲדוֹ."
Description of Flood Stormy winds and flood
"All the evil winds, all stormy winds gathered into one and with them, then, the flood was sweeping over the cities"		 Ferocious winds, roaring, darkness
"Adad was roaring in the clouds; the winds became ferocious… People could not see one another; The flood bellowed like a wild ox,while the wind howled like a whinnying wild ass. The darkness was thick…"		 Storm with winds and thunder, darkness
"A black cloud rose up from the horizon. Inside it Adad thunders… Turning to blackness all that had been light… No one can see his fellow… Six days and six nights blows the flood wind, as the south-storm sweeps the land."		 Rain from heavens and springs
"בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה נִבְקְעוּ כָּל מַעְיְנֹת תְּהוֹם רַבָּה וַאֲרֻבֹּת הַשָּׁמַיִם נִפְתָּחוּ."
Length of Rain 7 days and nights 7 days and nights 6 days and nights5 40 days and nights (water remains high for 150 days)
Reaction of Gods during flood Trembling, hungering, and thirsting
"The noise of the flood caused the gods to tremble... The Anunnaki, the great gods, sat hungering and thirsting."		 Fearful, weeping, and thirsting
"The gods were frightened by the Flood... The gods were cowering like dogs... the gods humbly sat weeping... their lips burning, parched with thirst."
Ark rests [missing] Mt. Nimush Ararat
Sending of Birds [missing] Dove, swallow, and raven sent 7 days after landing. Raven and 3 doves sent at 7 day intervals.
Leaving Boat Ziusudra drills a hole. [missing] Gilgamesh determines when to leave. Naoch leaves upon Hashem's command.
Sacrifices Hero brings sacrifices Hero brings sacrifices, gods smell fragrance and swarm over them like flies.
"The gods smelled the savour, The gods smelled the sweet savour, The gods crowded like flies about the sacrifice." (EG)		 Hero brings sacrifices and Hashem smells fragrance.
"וַיָּרַח ה' אֶת רֵיחַ הַנִּיחֹחַ."
Post–flood reaction of gods [missing] Head god furious that some have survived.
"As soon as Enlil arrived, And saw the ship, Enlil was wroth, He was filled the wrath against the Igigi gods: 'Has some living soul escaped? No man was to survive the destruction!'" (EG)		 Hashem makes a covenant never to send another all-devastating flood.
"וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת בְּרִיתִי אִתְּכֶם וְלֹא יִכָּרֵת כָּל בָּשָׂר עוֹד מִמֵּי הַמַּבּוּל וְלֹא יִהְיֶה עוֹד מַבּוּל לְשַׁחֵת הָאָרֶץ."
Hero's end Ziusudra given eternal life, like the gods.
"And An and Enlil after honoring him were granting him life like a god's..."		 Utnapishtim given eternal life, like the gods.
"Thereupon Enlil… touched our foreheads to bless us: ‘Hitherto Utnapishtim has been but human. Henceforth Utnapishtim and his wife shall be like unto us gods'."		 Noach remains mortal.
Blessing of Progeny none New solutions reached for population (and thus noise) control. none Hashem blesses Noach to be fruitful and multiply.
"וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת נֹחַ וְאֶת בָּנָיו וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ."


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