Essay about Comparison of Flood Stories - 596 Words

Comparison of Flood Stories There have been numerous flood stories identified from ancient sources throughout the world. The Bible and the Koran both have flood stories that are similar but also share differences. The Epic of Gilgamesh also has a flood myth that is contrary to other flood accounts. Even though these stories are all dissimilar they all start because of the faults of man. The notion of the flood comes from a varied source in each story. In the Koran it was Noah who asked God to flood the Earth because of man’s sins while in the Bible, God called down upon Noah and told him of the plan to flood the Earth and destroy all that was upon it because of man’s wickedness. In Gilgamesh the flood comes to Utnapishtim in a†¦show more content†¦The Bible states that Noah took only his family members and two of each animal. In the Epic of Gilgamesh it is said that Utnapishtim took not only family members but others as well including craftsmen and a pilot for the boat. Utnapishtim also took some of every species of animal with him because he was told to do so in his dream. The source of the waters and the duration of the excursions were not the same. The Bible states that it rained for forty days and forty nights with the water coming from heavy rain and ground water. It also says that after Noah landed on a mountain it took a long time for the Earth to dry up. During this time Noah sent out a raven and three doves until the last of the three doves did not return and then he knew the land was dry. In Gilgamesh the rain only lasted for six days and six nights and after stopping on the mountain the land did not take as long to dry up. Utnapishtim also sent out birds to see if the water was still standing but he sent out a dove, a swallow, and a raven. When the raven did not return Utnapishtim knew the Earth was clean. Both Noah and Utnapishtim made sacrifices at the end of the flood and both were blessed but in different ways. Noah was told his family was blessed and to go out and multiply while Utnapishtim was made a god and given eternal life. It is believed that the flood story in the Bible occurred first although it was recorded at a later time byShow MoreRelated Comparing and Contrasting Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bibles Noahs Ark642 Words   |  3 PagesComparing and Contrasting Epic of Gilgamesh and Noahs Ark Many cultures have stories of a great flood, and probably the best known story is of Noahs Ark. The next most notable is the Sumerian story of Ut-Napishtim found in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In the ancient Babylonian depiction of the flood story, the god Enlil creates a flood to destroy a noisy mankind that is disturbing his sleep. Gilgamesh is told by another god, Ea, to build an ark (Monack 1). The Epic of Gilgamesh has broadly theRead MoreGENESIS AND ANCIENT MYTHS OF THE NEAR EAST930 Words   |  4 Pagescivilizations originated, produced a number of stories of creation and natural occurrences. 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