Shankara Shivagana Humanities 201 Test 2 (Middle Eastern Myths) The flood myth of the Hebrews and the

Sumerians have several differences and similarities, which tells us something about their cultures. Some of the differences are: the different reasons for the flood, and who decided to save man and animals. Also, there are the similarities, such as: how the man that was saved responded after the flood. The Reasons the floods happen in the Hebrew myth and Sumerian myth are rather different. In Genesis it says Yahweh saw that human wickedness was great on earth and that his heart contrived nothing but wicked schemes all day long. Yahweh regretted having made human beings on earth and was grieved at heart. And Yahweh said, I shall rid the surface of the earth of human beings whom I created-human and animal, the creeping things and the birds of heaven-for I regret having made them (Genesis 6:5-8). So in the Hebrew flood myth God decides to destroy humans because of their evil behavior. On the other hand, in the Sumerian flood myth there is a much more whimsical reason for destroying humans. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the flood myth of the Sumerians is recounted, it says that the king of the gods, En-lil, called all the other gods into assembly and said The people who live upon the broad earth have become numerous beyond count, and they are too noisy. The earth bellows like a herd of wild oxen. The clamor of human beings disturbs my sleep. Therefore, I want Adad to cause heavy rains to pour down upon the earth, both day and night. I want a great flood to come like a thief upon the earth, steal the food of these people, and destroy their lives (Rosenberg 197). So, in the Sumerian flood myth the king of the gods, En-lil, decides to destroy humans because they have become too numerous. These distinct differences in the flood myth tell us something about the conception of god these two cultures have. In the Hebrew flood myth god is portrayed as a riotous and fair god. In contrast, in the Sumerian flood myth the king of the gods, En-lil, is a much more temperamental and unfair god. En-lil even regrets causing the flood that destroyed humans, and so does Nuntur, the goddess that supported him in his decision. This shows how the Gods are not perfect, and can make mistakes as humans do. It follows that since the Gods can make mistakes, why not humans? Still, the Sumerians do have a wise god, Ea, who warns Utanapishtim about the coming flood in a dream. In the Hebrew flood myth the reason man and animals where saved is also rather different then in the Sumerian flood myth. In the Hebrew flood myth God decides to save one good and riotous man and his family. It says in genesis Noah was a good man, an upright man among his contemporaries, and he walked with God. (Genesis 6:10-11). So, there is a specific reason why Noah was saved, he was a good man that had favor with Yahweh. In the Sumerian flood myth the god Ea without the approval of the king of the gods, En-lil, decides to warn one man of the coming disaster. Ea decides to warn Utanapishtim through a dream, after awakening Utanapishtim Ea says Listen to my words, and consider them carefully! The heavenly gods have decreed that a great rainstorm will cause a mighty flood. This flood will engulf the cult-centers and destroy all human beings. Both the kings and people whom they rule will come to disastrous end. By the command of Enlil, the assembly of the gods made this decision (Rosenberg 197). In the Epic of Gilgamesh there is no specific reason why this man, Utanapishtim, is saved. It was important to Ea that human beings be saved, and it did not seem to matter who was saved. In the Hebrew culture, being essentially monotheistic, it is very important to elevate their one god. In the Hebrew culture they attempt to make there one god perfect and wise. On the other hand, in the Sumerian culture, being polytheistic, it is not quite as important for the king of the gods, En-lil to be so

perfect. Nevertheless, the Sumerians do portray a more wise god through Ea. These differences show how these two cultures perceived the gods. One thing that is similar in both the Hebrew flood myth and the Sumerian flood myth is how man responds to being saved. In both myths the man saved gives offerings to the gods. In the Hebrew flood myth, after Noah reaches land, he gives burnt offerings to Yahweh. It says in genesis Then Noah built an altar to Yahweh and, choosing from all the clan animals and all the clean birds he presented burnt offerings on the alter (Genesis 8:20-21). Noah appeased Yahweh in this way. The same reaction to being saved happens in the Sumerian flood myth. Utanapishtim responds to being saved by giving offerings to the gods. After Utanapishtim reaches land he says I Set up fourteen cult-vessels on top of the mountain. I heaped cane, cedarwood, and myrtle upon their pot stands, and I poured out a libation to the gods (Rosenburg 199). It seems that both the Hebrew culture and Sumerian culture valued the idea that if the gods helped you, that you must give thanks. There are numerous differences and similarities in the Hebrew and Sumerian flood myths, but the most important are the ones that say something about the two cultures.