Anarchist

I've heard from numerous sources that the genesis creation story is a modification of a much older, pagan style myth in a similar vein to the genesis story. could someone tell me what it is so i can compare the two. thanks

GermanHeretic

try the Gilgamesh epos (Babylonean)

I am not quite sure, for I haven't read it, but it is said it contains stories much similar to the Genesis.

MysteryProf

Basically, most mythology of the Near East is going to have some relevance here. I'd check out the Sumerians, who also influenced Hittite, Canaanite, and Akkadian literature. (Just for extra info, the Akkadian language was used all over Palestine in the second millenium BCE.)

Common themes include the Tree of Life, the Tree of Knowledge, the Serpent, disobedience, and immortality, but they're all combined in differing ways in different versions. The Egyptian Book of the Dead mentions that the serpent is "wavering by turns between loving and hating the gods." Also try the Sumerian "Garden of Paradise" story or "The Land of Dilmun." Stories can probably be found indirectly by doing searches based on names of deities: try Ninhursag and Enki.

Good luck!

~MysteryProf

spin

There are clear connections between other creation stories and the beginning of Genesis, but they are not transparent. As a starter, look at a response I gave on a similar topic recently here.


spin