Essay: Theories on the Gilgamesh Flood

Skeptics claim that the Gilgamesh flood was used to create the Genesis flood story. In both The Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis flood stories, a flood happens. God (Genesis) and gods (Gilgamesh) were both angered in some way which makes them want to annihilate humanity. The flood stories in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis have many similarities, proposing that they are by one means or another associated. However, there are likewise many distinctions such as the instructions given, birds they use to check for land, and what they received from the divine.
In both stories Utanapishtim and Noah were both given specific instructions to prepare for the flood. Similar task given were to save themselves, their family, and a sampling of animals. The boat in Gilgamesh was built by Utanapishtim, his family, and handyman from the city in Gilgamesh. In Genesis, Noah and his family were the only people to craft their ark, which was “length; fifty cubits, its width; thirty cubits, its height.”(Gen.6). Utanapishtim boat on the other hand was ten dozen cubits in length, width, and height. For boarding the ship, Utanapishtim was told to “forsake possessions” so he brought items such as silver, gold, and gangplank. On Noah’s Ark, he only brought his family, food, and the sampling of animals. “Come into the ark, you and all your household,”(Gen.7). Upon the storm coming, God closed the door to the Ark. Utanapishtim closed the door himself when the “appointed time” came.(XI.96).
In both an extraordinary flood wraths and wipes out everybody and everything with the exception of the everybody on the boat/ark. The length in time of which the rain lasted is one of the biggest contrast. The rain in Gilgamesh lasted 7 days and 7 nights(XI.149), while the rain in Genesis lasted for 40 days and 40 nights(Gen.7). As the waters calmed, Noah’s Ark rested at the mountains of Ararat. It is here for around more than two months until the other peaks of the mountain surface. Utanapishtim boat rested on Mount Nimush, which translates to “Mountain of Salvation.”
The two men both sent out birds while the boat/ark floated around the sea. Utanapishtim sent out three different birds and Noah only sent two. Utanapishtim first sends out a dove that left and returned because it did not find a landing-place. Next he sent out a swallow and it returned because of the same reason. Lastly he sent out a raven which did not return. Likewise, Noah sent out his raven and it did not find land. Noah sent out his dove three times and the last time it did not return.
The last few likeness between the two stories is toward the end. Utnapishtim and Noah both show respect to the divine by offering sacrifices and are remunerated. Enlil grants Utnapishtim and his wife with immortality and God says to Noah and his sons “ Be fruitful and multiply.”(Gen.9). Finally, in two forms a sign is given to prove that the divine will not destroy the earth in a flood ever again. In Genesis, God said “My bow I have set in the clouds to be a sign.”(Gen.9). In Gilgamesh, “these shall be my lapis necklace, lest I forget,”(XI.169).
In the two stories you have a similar fundamental storyline, but it is obvious the littler points of interest are vastly different. There are also many messages conveyed but the one that stands out the most is salvation. When Utnapishtim was told to build a cubical boat, he did not question the divine knowledge he just listened. In the story of Noah and the flood, “God commanded him, so he did.”(Gen.7.) They both were obedient because they also believed that God and the gods were going to get them through their situation. God and the gods showed that even through the sin humans created, that they forgave them and were going to do everything to keep the boat and ark safe.