Mesopotamia’s
canonical version of cosmic origins is found in the so-called
Babylonian Creation Epic, or Enuma elis "When on
High" (ANET, pp.60-72). The numerous points of contact
between it and the opening section of Genesis have long been
noted. There is not only a striking correspondence in various
details, but - what is even more significant – the order
of events is the same, which is enough to preclude any likelihood
of coincidence. The relationship is duly recognized by all informed
students, no matter how orthodox their personal beliefs may
be. I cite as an example the tabulation given by Heidel, The
Babylonian Genesis, p.129:
|
Enuma
elish
|
Genesis |
| Divine
spirit and cosmic matter are conexistent and coeternal |
Divine
spirit creates cosmic matter and exists independently of
it |
| Primeval
chaos; ti’amat enveloped in darkness |
The
earth a desolate waste, with darkness covering the deep
(tehom) |
| Light
emanating from the gods |
Light
created |
| The
creation of the firmament |
The
creation of the firmament |
| The
creation of dry land |
The
creation of dry land |
| The
creation of luminaries |
The
creation of luminaries |
| The
creation of man |
The
creation of man |
| The
gods rest and celebrate |
God
rests and sanctifies the seventh day |
Derivation from Mesopotamia in this instance means no more and
no less than that on the subject of creation biblical tradition
aligned itself with the traditional tenets of Babylonian “science”.
The reasons should not be far to seek. For one think, Mesopotamia’s
achievements in that field were highly advanced, respected,
and influential. And for another, the patriarchs constituted
a direct link between early Hebrews and Mesopotamia, and the
cultural effecs of that start persisted long thereafter.
In ancient
times, however, science often blended into religion; and the
two could not be separated in such issues a cosmogony and the
origin of man. To that extent, therefore, “scientific”
conclusions were bound to be guided by underlying religious
beliefs. And since norms, we should expect a corresponding departure
in regard to beliefs about creation. This expectation is fully
borne out. While we have before us incontestable similarities
in detail, the difference in over-all approach is no less prominent.
The Babylonian creation story features a succession of various
rival deities. The biblical version, on the other hand, is dominated
by the monotheistic concept in the absolute sense of thee term.
Thus the two are both genetically related and yet poles apart.
From The
Anchor Bible by E.A. Speiser
