Compare and contrast the flood story Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Birds are used to determine whether the flood waters have been abated enough to reveal dry land anywhere, in both accounts. Nevertheless, it is important to note that there are differences between Hebrew Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh. The difference is seen in the persons of the chief actors and initiators of the plan. In the Hebrew Bible, Jehovah is the only One who tells Noah concerning the impending flood and tells him to make an ark. Conversely, in the Epic of Gilgamesh, a pantheon of gods acts. The mode of communication concerning the flood also differs. In the Hebrew Bible, God speaks to Noah directly while in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim is spoken to through a dream. Despite the fact that both Noah and Utnapishtim find salvation from the flood in the ark, Utnapishtim’s ark is a square, while Noah’s a rectangle. The descriptions of the flood in the two accounts also differ from each other. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the flood which covers mountains and the entire land with water is solely rain water. We will write a custom essay sample on Compare and contrast the flood story or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now In Genesis 6:7-11, besides the great rain, some water also violently emerge from beneath the earth. There is also time disparity in the two accounts. For instance, according to Genesis 7: 12 the flooding took 40 days and night. On the contrary, the Epic of Gilgamesh portrays the flood as having taken 6 days and nights. According to Heidel, there are also differences in detail between the two accounts, following the cessation of the outpour. While in both accounts, birds are released to help find land, in the Biblical account (as is seen in Genesis 8: 6-12), a raven and three doves are released. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, a dove, a raven and a swallow are sent. Secondly, although both arks rest on a mountain, there are still prevailing differences between the two accounts. In Noah’s case (according to Genesis 8: 4), the ark rests on Mount Ararat. Utnapishtim’s arc rests on Mount Nisir. These mountains are approximately 300 miles apart (Heidel, 75). After coming out of the ark, both Noah and Utnapishtim are portrayed as having found favor before God, or gods, respectively. It is for this that both characters received benedictions from god(s). However, Noah’s blessing is commensurate with his mandate of populating the earth and having dominion over all creation, according to Genesis 9: 1-3. On the other hand, Utnapishtim is granted eternal life. Conclusion: The Significance of the Similarities and Differences It is a matter of significance that there are similarities and differences between the two aforementioned accounts.