Gilgamesh and the Flood

The Gilgamesh Epic and the Biblical account of a world-wide Flood in Genesis eight, when compared, are remarkably similar.  The Genesis account is, “God-breathed,” (2 Timothy 3:16) and therefore perfect and accurate, while the Gilgamesh version is somewhat flawed and defective.  There are differences and similarities, but both enhance the true story.

Some of the information in the accounts is synonymous.  In both accounts, the Flood was intended for all mankind, the cause of the Flood was man’s sins, and the hero’s character is righteous.  The hero is ordered in both versions to build a huge vessel for the preservation of mankind and animals.  

There were many compartments in the boat in both versions, one door, and at least one window.  The vessel was covered in pitch in both versions, too.   The test for dry land was the launching of birds.  At the end of each account, the hero sacrificed to the deity and receives a blessing.

There are also differences between the two accounts.  The deity in Genesis was Yahweh, and the hero was Noah.  The deity in the Gilgamesh Epic was the assembly of “gods”, and the hero’s name was Utnapishtim.  Noah received Yahweh’s orders directly from Him, and did the work without complaining.  Utnapishtim was informed in a dream, and he complained about the job.

Differences are seen in the construction of the vessel as well.  Noah’s ark was three stories high and built in the shape of an oblong box.  Utnapishtim’s boat was seven stories high and cube shaped.  Noah and his three sons built the ark themselves, While Utnapishtim hired workers to build it for him.  In the Bible, the only human passengers were Noah and his immediate family, while Utnapishtim brought his family and the hired builders.  

The Flood itself is slightly contrasting between the two accounts.  In the Genesis account, the floodwaters were fueled by heavy rains and underwater rivers gushing forth.  The Flood itself lasted over 40 days and nights.  Utnapishtim’s Flood was caused by heavy rain, and lasted six days and nights.  In the Gilgamesh version, Utnapishtim sent out a raven, a swallow, and a dove to search for dry land.  Noah sent out a raven and three doves.  Noah’s ark landed on Mount Ararat, while Utnapishtim’s boat beached on Mount Nisir.

These differences and similarities between the Gilgamesh Epic and the Genesis account of a worldwide

Flood are numerous and versatile.  Most ancient cultures have some story about a huge flood, but the 

Gilgamesh Epic is perhaps the earliest version ever written.  When the Genesis account and the Gilgamesh 

Epic’s version are compared, the similarities make the Biblical Flood more real.