Some of the differences that stand out are details of measurement. In the Gilgamesh epic we are told that rain fell for six days and six nights. While in the Genesis account, Noah experienced 40 day and 40 nights of intense rain. The Amount of time it took to build the boats and the sizes of each boat also varied. Other variances become apparent when the two stories are compared back to back. Including Noah’s Ark being floated when “the flood waters increased and lifted up the Ark”; And Gilgamesh’s boat being launched then loaded before the torrential rains began to pour out of the heavens.
One of the more important differences definitely tends to affect the stories portrayal of culture and society’s worldview. The deity in the Genesis account is the one and only God. Hebrews who wrote the book of Genesis believed that the God Yahweh was the omnipotent God, and shared his throne with no other. The gods in Gilgamesh’s epic shared dominion over the Earth and Man. These conflicting portrayals of creation’s ruler(s) have cultural and religious impacts that affect our worldview- even today. I believe the Genesis story depicts the truer view of our human state today. I have not seen any evidence that the universe I live in is ruled over by a number of gods. The idea of many imperfect gods ruling over the universe is terribly frightful. Apparently Gilgamesh was not even supposed to live through the flood, but by the manipulations of other gods, he was spared- messing up the whole plan of Enlil.
The similarities include the idea of flooding the Earth to cleanse it of humanities evil influence upon it. This holds deep moral implications when we try to determine our place in the universe. Comparing ourselves to perfect deities and their judgment causes people to weigh their actions and their vast ramifications.
This important determination shapes laws, governments, and other aspects of society that concern every individual in it. The way both stories relayed the idea of paying homage and offering up sacrifices is also an important similarity that would communicate meaning about ‘human to god’ relations, to anyone who read or heard the stories.Societies views have been deeply formed by these and many others written documents. Besides our Faith and personal beliefs we can use judgment and historical evidence to determine the reality of our Universe. Some facts have not been discovered that will help us see, for once and all, our place in creation. Until then we should use all the available sources of information (as people have from the beginning of time, I suppose) to form our worldviews.
Works Cited
Hayford, Jack W., ed. Spirit Filled Life Bible, New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991
Sanders, N.K.. Epic of Gilgamesh. Ringwood, Victoria, Australia: Penguin Books Pty Ltd, 1964
Swisher, Clarice. The Ancient Near East. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1995
