A Comparative Study of the Flood Accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis
A Comparative Study of the Flood Accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis explains the relationship between the similar, yet distinct, flood accounts found in the Gilgamesh Epic and the book of Genesis.
Significance of This Study
Written by Nozomi Osanai, A Comparative Study of the Flood Accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis explains the relationship between the similar, yet distinct, flood accounts found in the Gilgamesh Epic and the book of Genesis. Why is this a concern? The author states:
It is indispensable for Christians to have faith in the authority of the Bible. Without trusting the Bible, no one can have confidence for one's salvation and sanctification. Needless to say, it is an important thing for a pastor to proclaim the trustworthiness of the whole Bible. Today, Christians who do not believe the Bible as the truth, or who cannot distinguish the true and false are increasing in number. Especially, Genesis is regarded as a mere myth by some Christians. However, if someone loses his faith in one part of the Bible, it will be difficult to believe other parts of the Bible. Therefore, it is important for the authority of the Bible to investigate the theory that the Flood account in Genesis was derived from the Gilgamesh Epic. Some Christians may weaken or lose their faith because of this theory. It is fatal for Christians to lose faith in the authority of the Bible. Thus, it is evident that there is need for examining the relationship between the flood accounts of the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis in order to distinguish the true and the false and to demonstrate that the Epic cannot be used to deny the authority of the Bible.
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TechnicalIntroductionAug. 3, 2005
Comparing the flood stories in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis, one is impressed with the numerous similarities between the two accounts.
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TechnicalThe Background of the Gilgamesh EpicAug. 3, 2005
The Sumerian story of Ziusudra, the Akkadian Atrahasis Epic, and the Gilgamesh Epic are the renowned flood accounts written in the Ancient Near East, in addition to the Genesis account.
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TechnicalThe Flood AccountsAug. 3, 2005
It is important to compare the differences in these two flood accounts in order to examine their relationship.
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Technical Book ChapterA Comparison of EthicsAug. 3, 2005
An examination of ethical considerations in the Gilgamesh Epic and the Genesis flood accounts.
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TechnicalA Comparison of SpecificsAug. 3, 2005
In the Gilgamesh Epic, the survivors are Utnapishtim, all of his family and kin, and the craftmen (XI 84–85), and yet their exact number is not mentioned.
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TechnicalA Comparison of Scientific ReliabilityAug. 3, 2005
The source of the flood, the duration of the flood, and the structure of the ark in the flood accounts are examined for scientific reliability.
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TechnicalA Comparison of Internal ConsistencyAug. 3, 2005
An examination of the internal consistency of the flood accounts on the basis of the magnitude of the flood and the test flights.
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TechnicalA Comparison from Secular Historical RecordsAug. 3, 2005
Examines the flood accounts in light of secular history, including ancient man's theology, the record of the descendants of the survivors, the various flood traditions, and the search for the ark.
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TechnicalConclusionAug. 3, 2005
After examination, the Genesis account of the flood is verified as the historically valid flood account.
About the author
earned her M.A. writing "A comparative study of the flood accounts in the Gilgamesh Epic and Genesis" as her thesis while attending Wesley Biblical Seminary in the USA, where she also studied Akkadian. She has also studied at Japan College of Social Work, where she earned her Bachelor of Social Welfare, and Tokyo Biblical Seminary and Kobe Lutheran Theological Seminary where she earned her M.Div. She graciously agreed to allow us to publish this on the Answers in Genesis website as a study helpful for refuting the claim that Noah's Flood was derived from the Gilgamesh Epic.
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