The Flood That Gave New Life

The “Epic of Gilgamesh” and the story of “Genesis” can be trace as far back as 2000 B.C, and 400 B.C respectively, written with no knowledge that each story existed in the first place. The main focus of the stories, a flood of titanic proportion that destroys all life on earth except for a chosen few is amazingly similar at first glance. Although the central theme of the stories is the same, the details are what set each story apart from one another. Both flood stories focuses on a central figure that’s chosen as the man whom the God/Gods entrust to built and collect the necessary items to sustain life after the devastation. The stories both have God/Gods as central figures; however, Genesis focuses on only one monotheistic God while Gilgamesh has multiple Gods. The story of the flood themselves, although eerily similar, are uniquely distinctive. The theme of the life and death represents the similarities in the stories of “Gilgamesh” and “Genesis” while simultaneously showing us that they are different as well.

In looking at the stories, two prime figures are chosen respectively by the God/Gods to take on the task of preserving mankind. The story of Genesis revolves around Noah, whom God has chosen because he deem him righteous (Gen. 6:8), while the story of Gilgamesh revolves around Utnapishtim, who is forewarn by Ea of the impeding disaster. They are chosen because God/Gods sense the goodness in these men and that they are the source of salvation for the future creation of humanity. Each man is given a task of building an ark/boat to a specific specification that is design to hold all living creatures on earth for re-creation after the flood. The men perform their duties without question or query as they undoubtedly trust their God/Gods. Their faith is so strong that they’re willing to do whatever is asked of them, and that willingness is the key to humanities survival. By being able to accept responsibilities, the two men are able to succeed in protecting the human race through perseverance and that enables humanity to die but rise again.

One of the major differences of the stories is the focus of the God/Gods whom are the central initiators of the floods. Right away, you notice that the story of Genesis revolves around a monotheistic figure, a central God that Noah associates with. In Gilgamesh, numerous Gods hold authority to different positions and ultimately, a group decision was agreed upon to destroy all of mankind. The role of the God/Gods plays a major role in determining how the floods come about and what differences mark each story. Each situation, something arises that angers the Gods. Noah is told about the flood from God; God reveals that he feels mankind has grown evil, wicked and corrupt (Gen. 6:6). This obviously shows that God has put some time and thought into his decision and it was not a purely spontaneous judgment. The Gods of Gilgamesh however differ in their reasoning for eradicating all of mankind; they believe man has grown too loud and for that very reason is enough to eradicate them. It seems that the God’s decision is a bit premature for such a crucial verdict. Although the God’s choices differ in their reasoning, their ultimate goal is the same and that’s to rid man of his imperfections. They kill all life on earth except for a chosen few, and those chosen are the ones they hope will give life to a more righteous breed.

Lastly, the stories central focus is the flood disaster that covers all of the earth. The devastation that is caused by the flood is primary to both stories; however, the events of the flood itself differ slightly in each story. In Gilgamesh, the flood itself lasted for