The Pre-Biblical Origins of Noah's Flood

Summary

This video explores the theological and narrative differences between the flood stories in the *Epic of Gilgamesh* and the *Genesis* account. It contrasts the capricious gods of Mesopotamian myths with the just and righteous God of Genesis, who acts with clear standards of justice. The video also discusses the implications of these differences in understanding divine justice, human wickedness, and population growth. By comparing the two stories, the video highlights the enduring themes of divine justice and suffering across cultures, and concludes with a sponsor message promoting impactful career opportunities through 80,000 Hours.

Takeaways

• 😀 The flood myths in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Atrahasis depict the gods as capricious, using floods as a form of punishment for humanity's wickedness.
• 😀 In both Mesopotamian stories, there is a theological critique of divine actions, with the gods jeopardizing their own livelihood by destroying human support.
• 😀 The story in the Epic of Gilgamesh involves a discussion among gods about the fairness of the flood, with Ea advocating for individual punishment rather than collective destruction.
• 😀 In contrast to the Mesopotamian myths, the Bible's Genesis story presents God as both the instigator of the flood and the savior, focusing on human wickedness and divine justice.
• 😀 Genesis emphasizes the righteousness of Noah, presenting him as worthy of salvation, and positions humanity's evil as the primary cause of the flood, justifying God's wrath.
• 😀 According to scholar Christine Hayes, the writers of Genesis aim to portray God as having clear standards of justice, rather than being capricious like the gods in the Mesopotamian myths.
• 😀 A significant difference between Genesis and the Babylonian myths is the focus on humanity's growth. Genesis encourages human multiplication and repopulation, unlike the Mesopotamian gods who see human proliferation as a problem.
• 😀 The Mesopotamian gods, including Ea, suggest alternate ways to limit human population, like famine or plagues, instead of using a flood, which they view as disproportionate.
• 😀 The story of the flood in Genesis attempts a more ethical interpretation of the Babylonian story by placing the blame on human evil, not population growth, as the cause of God's wrath.
• 😀 Despite their differences, these ancient flood myths address universal themes of divine justice, divine capriciousness, and the tension between righteousness and evil, making them enduring and relevant across cultures and generations.

Q & A

How do the flood myths in Mesopotamian texts and Genesis differ in terms of divine justice?

In Mesopotamian texts, such as the *Epic of Gilgamesh* and *Atrahasis*, the flood is seen as a result of the gods' capriciousness, with some gods critiquing the unfairness of the mass destruction. In Genesis, God is depicted as just, using the flood to punish human wickedness while saving Noah, portraying the flood as a deserved punishment for evil rather than a divine whim.

What role does the concept of divine capriciousness play in Mesopotamian flood myths?

Divine capriciousness is central to Mesopotamian flood myths, where the gods are shown as acting without clear or consistent reasoning. In these stories, the gods' decision to send a flood is portrayed as unjust, and even the gods themselves question the fairness of such extreme punishment, highlighting the arbitrary nature of their actions.

What does the *Epic of Gilgamesh* say about human suffering and divine actions?

In the *Epic of Gilgamesh*, the flood is presented as a theological critique of the gods. The gods' decision to destroy humanity in a flood is seen as a senseless and unjust action, and the story raises questions about the causes of suffering, making it a philosophical reflection on divine justice and human suffering.

How does the Genesis flood narrative differ in its depiction of God's role compared to the Mesopotamian myths?

In Genesis, God is both the initiator and the savior of the flood. God is portrayed as just, sending the flood to punish humanity for its wickedness while saving Noah because of his righteousness. This contrasts with the Mesopotamian myths, where the gods' actions are portrayed as capricious and often unjust.

What theological shift is suggested by the flood story in Genesis compared to the Babylonian myths?

Genesis shifts the focus from divine capriciousness to divine justice. While the Babylonian myths critique the gods for their unjust actions, Genesis emphasizes the wickedness of humanity as the cause for the flood, framing the disaster as a deserved punishment and positioning God as operating with clear moral standards.

What is the significance of God's command to humans to multiply after the flood in Genesis?

In Genesis, God's command for humans to multiply and repopulate the earth after the flood signifies a positive view of human growth, contrasting with the Mesopotamian myths where the gods view human proliferation as a problem. This reflects Genesis' focus on humanity's potential to fulfill divine purpose, rather than the need for limitation.

How do the Mesopotamian gods view the growth of human population, and how is this addressed in Genesis?

In the Mesopotamian myths, the gods see the growth of humanity as problematic, which is often addressed through catastrophic events like floods. In Genesis, however, God's command for humanity to multiply is an affirmation of human growth, reflecting a direct response to the Babylonian myths and emphasizing the importance of populating the earth.

What is the core theological critique presented by the flood stories in both *Atrahasis* and *Gilgamesh*?

The core theological critique in both *Atrahasis* and *Gilgamesh* is that the gods' actions in bringing about the flood are disproportionate and unjust. The gods' motivations are questioned, with some gods advocating for less extreme measures, such as limiting human growth or causing famine, rather than destroying humanity altogether.

Why does Genesis focus on the wickedness of humanity rather than divine capriciousness?

Genesis focuses on the wickedness of humanity to justify the flood as a deserved punishment. Unlike the Mesopotamian myths, where divine capriciousness is central, Genesis presents a narrative in which God's actions are seen as righteous and justified, aimed at addressing human sin rather than the unpredictable whims of the gods.

What role does the concept of divine justice play in the flood narrative in Genesis?

Divine justice in Genesis plays a crucial role in the flood narrative. The flood is depicted as a just punishment for the evil of humanity, with Noah's righteousness contrasting with the widespread wickedness. This emphasizes God's moral standards and the idea that divine retribution is deserved based on human actions.