Conspiracy or Coincidence the Analsis of Genesis Chapter 1 and 2 and Ennuma Elish

There has been speculation on the creation of man and the universe since the beginning of time. Upon careful examination and analysis it is not unusual to discover commonalities and irregularities in the given subject matter. This assertion can be used to asses the similarities and differences between the creation stories in the Enuma Elish and Genesis chapters 1 and 2. Comparing the Babylonian and Hebrew creation stories one gets the impression that the portrayal of the deities influences societal expectations.

Through the portrayal of the deities it is easy to compare and to contrast the difference in number and the characteristics of the gods in each account. The story of Genesis gives a monotheistic view of God. He is the single divine entity. The Genesis account characterizes God as very peaceful and kind. For example, he provides Adam with a helper, Eve (Gen. 2:18). On the other hand, Enuma Elish provides a polytheistic outlook and displays the use of many gods. The gods of the Enuma Elish are very violent and vengeful. This is seen in Apsu’s intentions to kill the young gods, his first born children, because they were disrespectful, as seen in tablet 1. Further evidence of the ruthless qualities of the gods is revealed when Tiamat, wife of Apsu, plots to kill Marduk to avenge the death of Apsu. Analyzing the cultural aspects of both accounts reveal a distinct cultural representation pertaining to the depiction of God. The biblical story points towards a cultural belief that there is one God with emphasis on his dominion over all of creation. He is a distinct and distant entity and resides in the domain of sacred. Another key characteristic of the Gods is the way in which they create. Looking at the creation process in Genesis, it is obvious that God had a clear and calculated pre-meditated plan in constructing the earth from nothing. The earth was “without form and

void” and “darkness moved upon the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2). From this point on God structurally creates for 6 days, starting with the creation of light on day 1, ending creation on day 6 with the creation of man, and resting on the seventh day. In comparison, creation in the Enuma Elish tale also evolves from a watery chaos and concludes with a creator at rest. The progression begins when “sweet and bitter mingled together, and from Tiamat and Apsu gods were created” (EE, 1) and ends with a celebration on the final day. However, the process in which creation occurs is a bit random. This can be seen in Tablet 4 as Marduk suddenly creates the heavens and the earth from Tiama’s carcass. A definite distinction can be made regarding the cause and the methods of creation, more specifically, the differences between who is doing the creating, why the creating is being done as well as how the creating is being done. Genesis 1 clearly specifies that God is the sole creator, who made the earth from nothing (Gen. 1:1). Possibly he created the earth in order to be recognized by all that exists. Genesis provides no explicit reason why the earth was created. It can be inferred that God created by verbal decree as he said “let there be light and there was light” (Gen.1:1-3). In Enuma Elish, the gods are created beings, which are part of a created process. This is illustrated by the creation of Lahmu, god of slime, and Lahamu, goddess of silt, through the union of the gods Apsu, the god of sweet water, and Tiamat, goddess of salt water (EE, 1). This is further displayed in tablet 1 by the births of Anshar, god of whole sky and Kishar, goddess of whole earth, who sprang from Lahmu and Lahamu. Marduk made the earth so that his creation would worship and exalt him. He used Tiamat’s carcass to

create the universe by splitting her in half, thus creating the heavens and the earth (EE, 4).

One must analyze the differences between Genesis and the Enuma Elish concerning the existence and purpose of humanity. Upon scrutiny of the creation of humanity in the Enuma Elish, there are vested interests interjected into how society should function. It is obvious that Marduk intended creation to serve and worship him. Evidence of this is uncovered in tablet 5 when Marduk created a temple and all the gods worshiped him in obedience proclaiming his glory shouting “In time past Marduk meant only ‘the beloved son’ but now he is king indeed, this is so!” Further motive to control the gods is shown in a conversation between the gods