WRW Mattfeld

Scholars are not in agreement on any single explanation for the Sabbath's Origins, although a nmber of varying proposals have been advanced. My research on ths subject suggests that ancient Mesopotamian myths about the Gods needing to rest and their creation of man to do their labor, has been INVERTED by the Hebrews into a God needing to rest and making man, not as a slave but as the pinnacle of creation. In other words Genesis is a POLEMIC against Mesopotamian notions about how man came to be made and why. Cf. the folowing urls
on the Sabbaths Origins

<a href="http://www.bibleorigins.net/sabbathorigins.html" target="_blank">http://www.bibleorigins.net/sabbathorigins.html</a>
Sabbath Origins and the Epic of Gilgamesh

<a href="http://www.bibleorigins.net/ShabbatShapattu.html" target="_blank">http://www.bibleorigins.net/ShabbatShapattu.html</a>
The "Sabbath/Shabbat as an Eternal Memorial" and its Derivation from the "Lunar Shupattu Memorial

All the best, Walter

Walter R. Mattfeld, M.A. Ed.
<a href="http://www.bibleorigins.net" target="_blank">http://www.bibleorigins.net</a>

Toto

Hi Walter - I just looked at your website. I would like to recommend a recently published book that tracks your interests:

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0965504786/internetinfidelsA/" target="_blank">The Secret Origins of the Bible</a> by Tim Callahan

Callahan is, like you, a self-educated amateur in Biblical studies, without a formal degree, but with a keen interest. I heard him lecture at the <a href="http://www.skeptic.com" target="_blank">Skeptics Society</a> recently, and got his book, but have not had time to read much of it.

WRW Mattfeld

I have his book, bought it a couple of years ago on a vist from Heidelberg, Germany (where I have lived for the past 20 years) to the United States (in a "Borders book shop"). His research is top notch for an amateur, I was very impressed. He helped me see some errors I was doing in my research, which turned me "around" and got me back on the "right" track in my efforts to establish a date for the various Books of the Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Haggai, etc.). I am in his debt. Cf. my listing of books reccomended for research on the Bible's Pre-biblical Origins at the following url, in which, you will see Callahn's book listed-

<a href="http://www.bibleorigins.net/booksreccomended.html" target="_blank">http://www.bibleorigins.net/booksreccomended.html</a>

All the best, Walter

<a href="http://www.bibleorigins.net" target="_blank">http://www.bibleorigins.net</a>

Toto

You list his old book on Prophecy. His book on Bible origins was just published this month, and is about 4 times a long (one reason I haven't read it yet.)

WRW Mattfeld

The book is on my "shopping List," I am curious to see what he has to say and the "spin" he puts on the research.

All the best, Walter