Comparison Of Genesis And Gilgamesh

When I read Gilgamesh I had a feelings I had heard the story somewhere before. I soon realized the story of Gilgamesh was like the story of Noah and his Ark. Both stories dealt with a major global flood. When I examined the stories closely I thought maybe they were the same story, but when they were retold the details were changed. In actuality they were two different stories. One story dealt with the bible and the other dealt with Greek mythology. Besides their historical background there were many obvious differences in the cause of the flood, whom it was intended for, the length of the flood, and the time period in which each story was written. Also there were obvious similarities in the boats, the extent/means of the flood and the actions used to find land.

As we all know in both stories there were major floods. Although both stories dealt with major floods they both had different causes. In Gilgamesh the cause of the flood was man's sin. The gods in Gilgamesh felt that all of man's sins needed to be washed away. In Genesis--Noah's Ark--the cause of the flood was man's wickedness. A sender named Yahweh told Noah that it was time for man to stop being wicked to one another. As a result of sin and wickedness the people in both stories had to suffer.

In Gilgamesh and Genesis the flood was intended for almost the same people except in Gilgamesh it was mainly directed at one group. In Gilgamesh the flood was intended for a particular city and all mankind. The flood in Genesis with Noah was intended for all mankind. Although both of the floods were intended for mankind the flood in Gilgamesh was mostly directed at one city.

Both floods swept across the globe but one lasted longer than the other. In Genesis Noah's boat trip was much longer than Utnapishtim's in Gilgamesh. Noah's boat trip lasted for a long forty days and nights. Utnapishtim's boat trip was much shorted than Noah's by a long shot. Utnapishtim's trip only lasted six days and nights. Although both had a good purpose for flooding it seems like Noah had to go through a longer struggle than Utnapishtim.

Both Utnapishtim and Noah were informed of a flood so it's obvious they would be informed to build a boat. Although Noah's trip was longer his boat was only three stories tall while Utnapishtim's boat was a humongous seven stories tall. Both of the boats had numerous compartments for the animals and family members they brought along with them. Also both boats had one door and at least one window.

The floods in both stories lasted different amounts of time. Although the floods lasted different amounts of time they both extended over the same amount of land. The flood in Gilgamesh and the flood in Genesis both extended over the whole globe. In both stories they wanted to make sure everyone was punished for their sin and wickedness. Also the means of both floods were somewhat similar. Both of the floods received most of their floodwater from heavy rains.

Although both stories may seem