hat should be useful.Biblical GenesisEridu GenesisAtra-hasis Epic1. The Flood was brought upon mankind by a decision of the God/gods + + +2. This information was relayed to the Flood hero by God/a god + + +3. The Flood hero was selected because he was righteous or a devotee of the gods + + +4. The purpose of the Flood was to destroy mankind in general + + +5. The Flood hero was given instructions on how to build his boat for escape + ? +6. After completing the boat, the hero took his family and animals aboard + + +7. The boat was caulked with pitch + ? +8. The boat was roofed over in such a way that it limited the amount of sunlight admitted to it + + +9. A special period of 7 days occurred just before or right at the beginning of the Flood + + +10. Upon exiting from the boat the hero sacrificed to God/gods and his sacrifice was accepted + + +It is obvious from this comparison chart that there is an astounding number of similarities between these different Creation/Flood accounts. It is important also to realize that the majority of this paper has dealt with the similarities and not many of the contrasts of the narrative accounts. Also, while there may be differences, there is no reason to think each is speaking of a different flood, but rather of the same flood, interpreted through each groups own theology and worldview As we enter into our study of the Biblical Genesis account of the flood, this understanding of other literature at the time, helps us make sense of the authorial intent. I think it is clear after looking at the similarities that the author had a theological purpose rather than a scientific one. Many times we interpret this portion of Genesis haphazardly. If we spend a litt...
