Enuma Elish
Published on: February 7, 2025
A Scholarly Comparison of the Enuma Elish and the Genesis Creation Account
Introduction
The study of ancient creation narratives has long been a focal point in theological and historical discourse. In contemporary discussions, figures like Billy Carson and other alternative scholars argue that the Enuma Elish, a Babylonian creation myth, serves as evidence that the biblical Genesis account is derived from earlier Mesopotamian traditions. However, such claims often rely on misinterpretations, selective readings, and a failure to recognize theological and literary distinctions between these texts.
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the true nature of the Enuma Elish, compare it with the Genesis creation account, and refute the notion that Genesis is merely a retelling of earlier myths. By examining the historical, literary, and theological frameworks of both texts, this analysis aims to provide a clearer understanding of their fundamental differences.
Historical Context of the Enuma Elish
The Enuma Elish is an ancient Mesopotamian creation myth that provides insight into Babylonian cosmology and religious beliefs. Discovered in the 19th century, it remains one of the most significant texts in understanding Near Eastern mythology.
Discovery and Preservation
- The text was excavated in the Library of Ashurbanipal (7th century BCE) in Nineveh, the ancient Assyrian capital (modern-day Iraq).
- It was discovered by British archaeologist Austen Henry Layard in the mid-19th century.
- Fragments of the text are housed primarily in the British Museum, with some pieces located in Iraq and other institutions worldwide.
Composition and Language
- The Enuma Elish is inscribed on seven clay tablets in cuneiform script.
- It is written in Akkadian, the language of the Babylonians.
- While the tablets date to approximately the 12th century BCE, the story likely originates from an older oral tradition dating back to the 18th century BCE or earlier.
Summary of the Enuma Elish
The narrative describes the cosmic battle between gods, culminating in the ascendancy of Marduk, the chief deity of Babylon.
- Tiamat, a primordial goddess of chaos, is slain by Marduk.
- From Tiamat’s body, Marduk fashions the heavens and the earth.
- Humanity is created from the blood of Kingu, another defeated deity, to serve the gods.
- The text reflects a polytheistic worldview, emphasizing divine conflict, power struggles, and cosmic disorder.
Key Themes in the Enuma Elish:
- The universe emerges from violence and divine conflict.
- Multiple gods engage in a struggle for supremacy.
- Humans are created as slaves to perform menial labor for the gods.
- The gods are fallible, jealous, and power-hungry.
The Genesis Creation Account: A Theological Contrast
The Genesis creation account (Genesis 1-2) presents a monotheistic perspective, in stark contrast to the polytheistic and chaotic themes of the Enuma Elish.
Key Themes in Genesis
- One sovereign God creates the universe by His divine word.
- Creation is orderly, peaceful, and good, not born from conflict.
- Humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), endowed with dignity and purpose.
- God desires a relationship with humanity, rather than subjugating them to servitude.
- The Sabbath is instituted as a day of rest, contrasting the perpetual labor imposed by Mesopotamian myths.
Comparison Table: Genesis vs. Enuma Elish
| Category | Enuma Elish (Babylonian Creation Myth) | Bible (Genesis 1-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin of Creation | Creation emerges from a battle between gods. | God creates the universe by His spoken word, without conflict. |
| Nature of the Creator | Multiple gods; Marduk attains supremacy through battle. | One sovereign God (Yahweh) who exists eternally. |
| Method of Creation | The universe is formed from Tiamat’s slain body. | God speaks creation into existence. |
| Role of Humanity | Humans are created from the blood of a slain god to serve the gods. | Humans are created in God’s image, with dignity and dominion over creation. |
| Purpose of Humanity | To serve the gods and relieve them of their work. | To have a relationship with God, steward the earth, and enjoy His creation. |
| Concept of Chaos and Order | Creation emerges from chaos and divine warfare. | God establishes order peacefully and purposefully. |
| Creation Timeline | No clear timeline; events unfold in epic poetic form. | A structured, seven-day creation process. |
| God’s Relationship with Creation | The gods are indifferent or hostile to humanity. | God is personal, loving, and blesses humanity. |
| Moral Structure | The gods act out of selfishness, jealousy, and violence. | God is holy and just, creating a good and ordered world. |
| Sabbath Concept | No day of rest for gods or humans. | God rests on the seventh day, establishing the Sabbath. |
Possible Connection to the Tower of Babel Event
It is plausible that the Enuma Elish and other ancient creation myths trace back to a common ancestral narrative, possibly linked to the time of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) when God confused human languages and scattered people across the earth.
Divine Council and the Division of the Nations
Biblical passages such as Deuteronomy 32:8-9 indicate that God divided the nations and assigned them to the “Sons of God” (bene Elohim), spiritual beings who later became corrupt. However, God reserved Jacob as His own portion, showing His sovereign choice of Israel as the people through whom His covenant would be fulfilled.
This concept is reinforced in:
- Psalms 82:1-8 – which speaks of a divine council and the judgment of rebellious gods (elohim).
- Psalms 89:5-8 – which describes the divine assembly of heavenly beings.
- Paul’s writings – which refer to these fallen beings as spiritual powers in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
- Job 15:15 – which states that even the heavens and His holy ones are not pure in His sight, suggesting that these spiritual beings are accountable to God and subject to judgment.
These fallen spiritual authorities may have influenced pagan mythologies, leading different cultures to deify these beings and integrate them into their religious systems. The Enuma Elish, with its pantheon of warring deities, could reflect a corrupted version of the original divine order established by God before the fall of these beings.
References
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Heidel, Alexander. The Babylonian Genesis: The Story of Creation. University of Chicago Press, 1951.
- A detailed academic analysis of the Enuma Elish and its comparison to Genesis.
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Walton, John H. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Baker Academic, 2006.
- Examines how ancient Near Eastern texts, including the Enuma Elish, relate to biblical theology.
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Sarna, Nahum M. Understanding Genesis. Jewish Publication Society, 1966.
- A study of the theological and literary distinctions between Genesis and Mesopotamian myths.
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Tsumura, David Toshio. The Earth and the Waters in Genesis 1 and 2: A Linguistic Investigation. Eisenbrauns, 1989.
- A linguistic and contextual analysis of Genesis 1-2 in relation to Mesopotamian traditions.
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Smith, Mark S. The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel’s Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts. Oxford University Press, 2001.
- Explores Israel’s unique monotheism in contrast to ancient polytheistic traditions.
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Hess, Richard S. Israelite Religions: An Archaeological and Biblical Survey. Baker Academic, 2007.
- Discusses the differences between Israelite faith and surrounding pagan traditions.
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Seitz, Christopher R. The Elder Testament: Canon, Theology, Trinity. Baylor University Press, 2018.
- Addresses the concept of divine authority in the biblical narrative.
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Heiser, Michael S. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. Lexham Press, 2015.
- Explores the divine council concept and its implications for biblical theology.
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Kline, Meredith G. Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview. Two Age Press, 2000.
- Discusses the theological framework of Genesis as distinct from ancient myths.
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Collins, C. John Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. P&R Publishing, 2006.
- Provides an exegetical comparison between the biblical creation account and ancient texts.