Flood Narrative ( Genesis 6-9 ) Vs. Epic Gilgamesh And...
Flood Narrative (Genesis 6 9) vs. Epic Gilgamesh, Tablet XI The Flood Narrative
(Genesis 6 9) and the Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet XI have certain parallels that are
undeniable, yet many noticeable differences. The parallels are strange yet oddly
common in any flood narrative and the differences often lie behind the reasons,
responses, and decisions made by the main characters. In both texts, each of the
main characters, Noah and Uta napishti, were ordered to build an ark or a boat due
to an incoming flood. In Genesis, Godtells Noah, Make yourself an ark of cypress
wood, make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch (Genesis 6:14).
Noah obeys God s orders and indeed builds an ark. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Uta
napishti... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This is logical to due to the fact that Noah only had his family and animals on the
ark, while Uta napishti has his family, friends, animals, silver and gold, and all
valuables needed to reestablish the earth once the floods had passed. Once the
floods did indeed pass, the Noah s ark stopped in the mountains of Ararat and Uta
napishti s boat stopped at Mount Nimush. However, both Noah and Uta napishti had
to wait and make sure that the floods had truly stopped. Genesis reads, The waters
continued to abate until the tenth month...on the first day of the month, the tops of
the mountains reappeared (Genesis 8:5). Similarly, Epic Gilgamesh reads, One day
and a second, Mount Nimush held the boat fast, allowed it no motion, a third day
and a fourth, Mount Nimush held the boat fast, allowed it no motion (Gilgamesh, XI,
143 145). It s a coincidence that both of these mountains are located in the Middle
East. After enduring a catastrophic flood, Noah and Uta napishti had to remain in
their shelter for days on end. Nevertheless, these men are admirable for their
dedication and perseverance. Unfortunately, Noah had to persevere significantly
longer time than Gilgamesh. In the Epic Gilgamesh, the flood only lasted six days
and seven nights: For six days and nights, there blew the wind, the downpour, the
gale, the Deluge, it flattened the land. But the seventh day when it came, the gale
relented, the Deluge ended