ANE Similarities and Differences E.A.Harper 2008 as part of research for a PhD at Durham University, please acknowledge use. Index 1. The main Flood Stories 2. A Comparison of the Structure of Story 3. A Common Structure with mapping for all 4 stories 4. The Structure of Each Story by Common Elements The Main Flood Stories 1. Sumerian Flood Story (Eridu )- Ziusudra Earliest account written in Sumerian (although Akkadian/ Babylonian in origin) c?? Fragmentary story found at Nippur Translations Kramer 1961, Jacobsen 1987 2. Atrahasis Tablets date c1650bce. Tablet III deals with the flood. Best preserved copy found at Nineveh Ashurbanipal's library c600bce Translations Lambert and Millard 1968, Dalley 1989, Foster 1996 3. Gilgamesh Tablet IX deals with flood story dates to: although earlier versions of the Gilgamesh epic without the flood story have been found. Copies found all round the ANE First of the stories to be discovered. Translations are numerous including: Smith 1876, Dalley 1989, George 1999 as well as many retellings of the story for general reading Sandars 1960. 4. Dating of the Story is hotly debated between 900-200BCE The best preserved flood story having been incorporated into sacred literature Translations innumerable 5. Berosus Dates to 300BCE Berossus, a historiographer at Cos Originals have not been uncovered but there are quotes in Josephus Antiquities 1.3.9 and Eusebius Praeparatio Evangelica ix 11-2 05 11 ANE Structural Comparison.doc 1 05/08/2010
A Comparison of the Structure of the Main Flood Stories Plain Text = Structure in "normal order", Italic text = structural elements exist but have been rearranged in some manner J P Gilgamesh (Std version) Atrahasis Sumerian - Ziusudra The heroic exploits of Gilgamesh The work and rebellion of the and Enkidu which outwit and lesser gods I:1-150 spurn the goddess. A divine council convened and The death of Enkidu because gods decides to create humans I riled by their exploits. Creation of people from clay G. in grief searches for eternal life and god force after further exploits he seeks Role of people work ground U. the only human to gain Marriage and birth rituals eternal life instituted I: The population of the world I: Prior Narrative Creation of the world Gen 1 Creation of people from dust and breath of God Gen 1-2 Marriage instituted Role of people to work garden Expulsion from utopia Gen 3 Work becomes a burden Gen 3 The first murder Gen 4 The population of the world 4-5 Genealogies Gen 5 Immediately Preceding Story A divine decision to send a flood is made. introduced warned of the impending deluge and instructed to make a boat (other instructions may be given) Marriage of 'sons of God' 'Daughters of men' 1 The days of the heroes. Gen 6:1-4 God sees wickedness is grieved and decides on a flood 6:5-7 Noah is found righteous 6:8 Noah is found righteous 6:9 reprise: wickedness 6:11-12 God explains flood & reasons for it 6:13 Instructions for creating ark 6:13-16 Reprise intention to destroy6:17 Covenant to protect 6:18-20 Instructions to load food. 6:21 G with the help of U's ferryman crosses the waters of death to U He tells U his story and U warns him against seeking immortality G asks how U got eternal life, and U tells him a 'secret & mystery' The gods decided to send a Deluge U has already been introduced, U is told to listen Reed wall is addressed Instructions for building boat U seeks instructions and Ea answers on what to tell the people. "Noise" causes Enlil to attempt 3x to wipe out humanity by disease & famine. Enki instructs Atrahasis thus thwarting Enlil. II Divine Council convened II Decides on a flood II Gods fall out over this II A already introduced but std catch line here III:1-2 Already interceded to Enki A has dream, is told to listen III:15-19 Reed wall addressed III:20 Instructions for creating boat III:22-35 A rain of birds and fish Clock filled for 7 days A receives message Creation of people, animals, man's sad plight, no irrigation canals, no clothes, no fear of animals incl snakes 1-36 Goddess Nintur's plan to end human nomadism 37-50 Failure of Nintur's plan Establishment of kingship, 1 st cities, worship List of antediluvian kings 101-134 gods weep over creatures gods swear an oath Z a king and priest Z's piety Z praying sees oath taking He is called to the wall Is told of the decision 1 It is much debated whether Gen 6:1-4 is connected to the Flood story. For the moment the paper shall remain agnostic as to its origin and original intention. However from a final form literary perspective the passage is sandwiched between references to Noah in 5:28 and 6:8, which tips the balance towards its connectedness at this final stage. 05 11 ANE Structural Comparison.doc 2 05/08/2010
J P Gilgamesh (Std version) Atrahasis Sumerian - Ziusudra A gathers elders Gives reason for boat building The people help out The boat is made Noah obeys 6:22 U tells in detail how he built the boat, feasted workers, launched it The hero enters the boat with his family and the animals to be preserved The flood comes and those not in the boat die There is a divine reaction to the flood The flood abates & boat opens (Sending out of birds) The hero disembarks The hero offers a sacrifice/feast that is smelt by the gods There is a divine decision to resolve the problem in a less drastic way in future blessed Y tells N to load up the ark with family & animals 7:1-4 Noah's obedience 7:5 Noah, family and animals enter 7:7-9 The flood comes 7:10,12 Door shut 7:16b Ark floats 7:17b All flesh dies 7:23-24 The flood comes 7:11 Reprise entering 7:13-16 Rising of water 7:17-20 All flesh dies 7:21-22 God remembers Noah and sends a wind 8:1 Flood receded 8:3 Flood receded 8:2 Boat grounds 8:4-5 Noah sends raven & 2 doves over 2-3 weeks 8:6-12 Sees land is dry 8:13b Sees land is dry 8:13-14 God instructs him to disembark 8:15-17 All disembark 8:18-19 Altar built and sacrifice 8:20 God's reaction 8:21 U loads all he has wealth, animals, family, craftspeople The storm comes, thunder, lightening, noise, darkness Door is shut Mentioned in grief of gods and U. Gods take fright, Belet-ili grieves and repents 7 th day flood ends all is flat Boat grounds U sends out dove, swallow, raven at intervals Sacrifices offered Gods react Promise never again 8:21--22 Covenant, promise, sign 9:8-18 Gods blame each other Ea suggests less drastic ways of reducing the population Blessing and Law giving 9:1-7 Enlil takes them by the hand Blessed, given eternal life and a new home 05 11 ANE Structural Comparison.doc 3 05/08/2010 Animals loaded Then family put on board There is a feast A's unease Storm and wind causes flood Door shut Mentioned in grief (?) Nintu grieves and repents Gods starve A puts down food Gods react Gods blame each other Enki and Nintur instructed to find a new solution Repopulation Repopulation of earth 9:18-19 Birth control instituted Following Narratives Curse of Canaan 9:20-28 Genealogies 10:1-32 Tower of Babel 11:1-9 Genealogies 11:10-32 G is put to the test and fails to overcome sleep. He is given yet another chance to gain immortality but looses it Storm and winds cause flood Sun comes out Z drills an opening and sees sun Z slaughters lavishly and does something barley cakes and juniper wood Instruction to Enlil to save Z and disembark animals Granting of eternal life Homage to An and Enlil
A Common Structure 1. A divine decision to send a flood is made (with or without reason) J P Sumerian Atrahasis Gilgamesh 6:5-7, 11-12 2. introduced (if not already known) 6:8-10 3. warned of the decision and instructed inter alia to make a boat 6:13-21 (3A The elders and people are informed) 4. The boat is made 6:22 5. The hero enters the boat with his family and the animals to be preserved 7:1-9 6. The flood comes and those not in the boat die 7:10-12,17-22 8:1 8. The flood abates and the boat is opened 8:2-5,13-14 (8A Birds are sent out) 8:6-12 9. The hero disembarks 8:15-19 10. The hero offers a sacrifice and/or a feast that is smelt by the gods 11. There is a divine decision to resolve the problem in a less drastic way in future 8:21b-22, 9:8-17 12. blessed 9:1-9 05 11 ANE Structural Comparison.doc 4 05/08/2010
The Structure of by Common Elements Final Form 6:5-7, 1. A divine decision to send a flood is made (with reason) 6:8-10 2. introduced 6:11-12 1. Reason for divine decision to send a flood is reiterated 6:13-21 3. warned of the decision and instructed inter alia to make a boat (3A The elders and people are informed - absent) 6:22 4. The boat is made 7:1-5 5. The hero enters the boat with his family and the animals to be preserved 7:6-9 5. The hero enters the boat with his family and the animals to be preserved reiterated 7:10-12 6. The flood comes 7:13-16 5. The hero enters the boat with his family and the animals to be preserved reiterated 7:17-24 6. The flood comes and those not in the boat die reiterated 8:1a-b 8:1c-6 8. The flood abates and the boat is opened 8:7-12 8A Birds are sent out 8:13-14 8. The flood abates and the boat is opened reiterated 8:15-19 9. The hero disembarks 8:21b-22 11. There is a divine decision to resolve the problem in a less drastic way in future 9:1-7 12. blessed 9:8-17 11. There is a divine decision to resolve the problem in a less drastic way in future Note: Order is followed exactly but there are frequent repetitions of earlier structural items thus the 2 source theory. There may be other answers e.g. repetition occurs in oral works and in the ANE texts. The Structure of J 6:5-7 1. A divine decision to send a flood is made (with reason) 6:8 2. introduced 3. warned of the decision and instructed inter alia to make a boat- absent 3A The elders and people are informed - absent 4. The boat is made- absent 7:1-5, 7-9 5. The hero enters the boat with his family and the animals to be preserved 7:10,12,16b,17b,23 6. The flood comes and those not in the boat die 8:2b-3,6 8. The flood abates and the boat is opened 8:7-12 8A Birds are sent out 8:13b 8. The boat is opened reiterated 9. The hero disembarks- absent 8:21b-22 11. There is a divine decision to resolve the problem in a less drastic way in future 12. blessed - absent The Structure of P 1. A divine decision to send a flood is made - absent 6:9-10 2. introduced 6:11-12 1. Reason for divine decision to send a flood 6:13-21 3. warned of the decision and instructed inter alia to make a boat (3A The elders and people are informed - absent) 6:22 4. The boat is made 7:6,11 6. The flood comes 7:13-16a 5. The hero enters the boat with his family and the animals to be preserved 7:17a, 18-22,24 6. The flood comes and those not in the boat die 8:1a-b 8:1c-2,3b-5,13a,14 8. The flood abates the boat is opened - absent 8:15-19 9. The hero disembarks 9:1-7 12. blessed 9:8-17 11. There is a divine decision to resolve the problem in a less drastic way in future 05 11 ANE Structural Comparison.doc 5 05/08/2010