NOAH'S STORY ISN'T ONLY FAMOUS FLOOOD STORY

The story of a Noah, his ark and a great flood sent to destroy the earth isn't just found in Christianity. Mythology and other religions also offer similar stories about a great flood.

The following is a summary of some selected stories:

The Babylonian flood

The gods plan to destroy humans because they have gone astray. The god Ea warns Utnapishtim to build a boat and use pitch.

Every species of animal and of skilled craftsmen are to be saved, as well as his family. The flood comes and destroys all life from the earth.

The waters subside and Utnapishtim sends out a dove, swallow and a raven.

The boat comes to rest on Mount Nisir. Utnapishtim builds an altar and sacrifices to the gods. The gods smell the sweet odor.

Enlil is reconciled with Utnapishtim and repents of his rash decision to destroy the earth.

Enlil blesses Utnapishtim and his wife with immortality on the far western isles.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

This Babylonian myth recounts the story of King Gilgamesh and his search for immortality. It was widely known during the years of 2000 to 1000 B.C., and is the most famous non-biblical account.

In the story, Gilgamesh is so much greater than his subjects that he tyrannizes them. In an attempt to divert him, a goddess makes Gilgamesh a companion, Enkidu, who is nearly as strong as he.

Enkidu was a strong fighter who was sent to confront Gilgamesh, but instead became his friend.

The two embark on a series of escapades killing a giant who guards the forest of the gods.

When he rejects goddess Ishtar's love and slays the bull of the god Anu, the gods decide that Enkidu must die.

In grief for his friend, Gilgamesh goes on a search for immortal life. He goes to the ends of the earth to find Utnapishtim, a hero of the original floods who has been given immortality by the gods. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story of the flood and how the gods blessed him for saving humanity in hopes that Gilgamesh will learn he can't hope for immortality.

The details of the Babylonian flood are similar to that of the Genesis flood, except that the point of the Babylonian version is a lesson on mortality, not one on God's saving grace and mercy.

Noah was asked to warn mankind about the impending danger of a flood. He built an ark to save his families and the animal species. The biblical flood lasted 40 days and nights before the waters receded.

The flood recounted in the Gilgamesh epic lasted six days and nights and the storm subsided on the seventh day. The gods did not want to warn mankind of the impending waters, although Utnapishtim was told to build a boat. However, he did not warn his neighbors.

Source: "Reading the Old Testament" by Lawrence Boadt