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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
It is true that the Genesis flood account shares many striking similarities with the Babylonian Gilgamesh epic, and with the Babylonian Atrahasis epic, for that matter. In fact, literally hundreds ...
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Jyotish Mishra
Supporter
The universal flood abounds in every culture by way of legend or otherwise. This is because the present generation of humanity has come out of Noah's family tree who alone survived the flood. But for the Bible no other account directly traces the cause of the flood as a result of universal sin and exhibition of God's grace to carry on His covenant relationship with Adam's race. Those who hesitate to accept universality of sin, guilt,andGod's judgement on sin try to dilute the Biblical account of flood. But for those of us who accept Bible as the inspired word of God the account of flood as recorded in the Bible is correct because God gave an accurate account of the flood to Moses while others may be handed down to other races through folklores as other families of the earth gendered from three sons of Noah and their families who survived the flood. For details please refer to the family tree of Noah as recorded in Genesis 9:18&19 read with Genesis 10(whole chapter). Verse 32 of chapter 10 of Genesis clearly mentions that --"from these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood" NIV.
Chris Button
Supporter
To add to the answers above, also read Genesis 11:1-9. This gives the account of the tower of Babel. Before this, everyone had the same language. God confused their language so they couldn't complete the tower. As a result, everyone scattered over the whole face of the earth. They naturally grouped together based on language. A once common people, with a common set of oral traditions and history, are now living all over the earth speaking different languages. It would make sense that each people group would naturally retain some of the same historical stories as their common ancestors who now have descendants in different people groups.
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
Did the Bible copy the Flood account from other myths and legends? The short answer: No — the evidence does not support the idea that the Bible "copied" the Flood account, even though the Genesis Flood shares similarities with other ancient Near Eastern stories. Ancient Mesopotamian texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh, Atrahasis, and Eridu Genesis contain flood stories with parallels to Genesis: • a divine warning • a chosen survivor • a boat • animals • a global or large-scale flood • sending out birds These similarities are well documented in archaeology and comparative literature. But similarity does not automatically imply borrowing. Many cultures worldwide have flood traditions, including Greek, Hindu, Chinese, and Mesoamerican accounts. This suggests a shared ancient memory of a catastrophic flood rather than literary plagiarism. When you compare the texts closely, the Genesis account stands apart in ways that make direct borrowing unlikely. Key differences (supported by sources): • Worldview: Genesis is strictly monotheistic; Mesopotamian accounts are polytheistic with quarrelling gods. • Moral purpose: In Genesis, the flood is a moral judgment on human wickedness. In Mesopotamian myths, the gods act out of annoyance, noise, or arbitrary whims. • Character of the deity: Yahweh is consistent, sovereign, and purposeful. Mesopotamian gods panic, regret their decisions, and contradict each other. • Ark design: Genesis gives realistic engineering dimensions; Mesopotamian boats are often cubes or circles. • Tone and style: Genesis is sober, historical, and restrained. Mesopotamian accounts include magic, mythic exaggeration, and divine conflict. • Theological message: Genesis emphasises covenant, grace, and moral renewal. Pagan accounts lack covenant theology and moral transformation. These differences are so deep that Genesis reads like a corrective to pagan myths rather than a copy of them. Conclusion The Bible's Flood account is not a copy of older myths. The Bible did not copy the flood story. Instead: • All ancient cultures likely preserved memories of a real catastrophic flood. • Mesopotamian versions reflect a polytheistic, mythological worldview. • Genesis presents a theologically refined, morally coherent, historically grounded account. The Genesis narrative is unique in purpose, theology, and tone, even while sharing broad structural similarities with other ancient stories. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV: "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness." What This Comparison Shows - Genesis -V - Gilgamesh The surface parallels (boat, birds, flood, survivor) are real and well-documented. But the big differences in theology, morality, tone, and narrative structure show that Genesis is not a copy of Gilgamesh. Scholars note that the two accounts reflect shared ancient memory of a catastrophic flood, interpreted through very different worldviews.
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