Enuma Elish and Genesis: Paradigms for Creation in the Ancient Near East

Enuma Elish and Genesis: Paradigms for Creation in the Ancient Near East

Enuma Elish, the Mesopotamian creation myth, and the story of creation from (Genesis 1-2) the Tanach have many similarities. It is clear, due to many parallels in structure and in form, these documents were created as a result of cultural borrowing. However, within Enuma Elish and the Genesis story, there appear to be more differences than similarities. Each document represents a divergence of theology and politics within the Ancient Near Eastern world.
There are many excellent examples of similarities between Enuma Elish and Genesis 1-2. A significant paradigm found in Enuma Elish, is the order in which Marduk, ruler of the gods, creates the world. First Marduk splits Tiamat – the evil Goddess he has just vanquished – in half: “half of her he set up and sealed it as sky (Enuma Elish p. 43).” Then Marduk creates the firmament, the separation of earth and sky. He then forms the constellation...