origins and pre-history © john stevenson, 2011 maps by david p. barrett, used by permission

Origins and Pre-HistoryOrigins and Pre-History

© John Stevenson, 2011Maps by David P. Barrett, used by permissionMaps by David P. Barrett, used by permission

Nippur TabletNippur TabletContainingContainingFlood storyFlood story

Ennuma ElishEnnuma Elish““When on high…”When on high…”

AspuAspu TiamatTiamat

Primitive forcesPrimitive forces&&

GodsGods

MardukMarduk

TiamatTiamat

Primitive forcesPrimitive forces&&

GodsGods

MardukMarduk

Primitive forcesPrimitive forces&&

GodsGods

KinguKingu

Similarities and Differences Similarities and Differences with the Creation Accountwith the Creation Account

• World without World without form & voidform & void

• Similar order & Similar order & eventsevents

• Seven tablets & Seven tablets & seven days of seven days of creationcreation

• Polytheism versus Polytheism versus monotheismmonotheism

• Confusing of spirit Confusing of spirit & matter& matter

SimilaritiesSimilarities DifferencesDifferences

Ennuma ElishTiamat engulfs world

in a primal chaos.

Genesis AccountThe world was

unformed and unfilled.

Light comes from the gods.

God brings light into existence.

Marduk makes the stars of the zodiac and

ordains the year.

God sets sun and moon for signs,

seasons, days, and years.

Marduk makes man from the blood of

Kingu.

God creates man in His own image and

likeness.

Moses is giving to us a refutation of the Moses is giving to us a refutation of the accepted mythos that was held in accepted mythos that was held in

antiquity as he goes point by point to antiquity as he goes point by point to show that God is the true Creator of show that God is the true Creator of

heaven and earth.heaven and earth.

Ennuma Elish Genesis Account

• Mesopotamian myth containing creation and flood story

• Our oldest copy dates to age of Hammurabi

• Junior gods begin to Junior gods begin to complain because complain because their toil is too heavytheir toil is too heavy

• Man is created to Man is created to take up the slacktake up the slack

• Man makes too Man makes too much noise and much noise and flood comesflood comes

• Wise King Atrahasis Wise King Atrahasis warned so that he warned so that he can build an ark and can build an ark and escapeescape

The Book of Beginnings

Genesis 1-11Events Predominant

– Creation– Fall– Flood– Tower of Babel

Genesis 12-50People Predominant

– Abraham– Isaac– Jacob– Joseph

Race as a whole Family of Abraham

Over 2000 years 250 years

Genesis 1:1Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the

heavens and the earth.

• The “who” of creation.

• The work of creation.

• The “what” of creation.

Genesis 1:1-2Genesis 1:1-2In the beginning God created the

heavens and the earth.

And the earth was unformed and unfilled, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

Unformed UnfilledDay 1: Light Day 4: Light-bearers

(sun, moon, stars)

Day 2: Water & sky divided

Day 5: Fish & birds to fill water & sky

Day 3: Dry land & vegetation

Day 6: Land animals & man

Day 7: Sabbath Rest

Genesis 1Genesis 1

Light and darkness are made by God on

Day 1

The Israelite The Israelite ExperienceExperience

They had seen God bring light and darkness

over Egypt

A division of the waters on Day 2

They had passed through the Red Sea

The sun and moon and stars created on

Day 4

Egyptians worshiped the sun and moon and stars and had seen the sun darkened in Egypt.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

Man is created in the image of God

The Israelite The Israelite ExperienceExperience

Only the Pharaoh was thought to be in the

image of God

Man is told to rule over the earth

Only the Pharaoh had the right of rulership

Man is placed into a beautiful garden

Israelites are tempted to return to the meats of Egypt, but Canaan is

the new promised Eden.

Why are there Why are there two separate two separate accounts of accounts of creation?creation?

Genesis 1The heavens and the

earth are created in six days.

Genesis 2Creation of the man and woman (no time element mentioned).

Man in his cosmic setting

Man as central to God’s purpose

Panorama of creation as a whole

Detailed focus on one aspect of creation

Centers on God creating the heavens

and the earth

Centers on man as the crowning act of God’s

creation

Theories of CreationTheories of Creation

• Supernatural versus Evolutionary.Supernatural versus Evolutionary.

• A Superficial Appearance of History.A Superficial Appearance of History.

• The Gap Theory.The Gap Theory.

• The Day/Age Theory.The Day/Age Theory.

• The Non-Sequential Theory / Framework The Non-Sequential Theory / Framework Theory.Theory.

I personally take the view that Genesis 1 and 2 relate to each other the way Judges 4

and 5 and Exodus 14 and 15 do. In each couplet one chapter describes a historical

event and the other is a song or poem about the theological meaning of the event.

When reading Judges 4 it is obvious that it is When reading Judges 4 it is obvious that it is a sober recounting of what happened in the a sober recounting of what happened in the

battle, but when we read Judges 5, battle, but when we read Judges 5, Deborah’s Song about the battle, the Deborah’s Song about the battle, the

language is poetic and metaphorical. language is poetic and metaphorical.

When Deborah sings that the stars in the When Deborah sings that the stars in the heavens came down to fight for the heavens came down to fight for the

Israelites, we understand that she means Israelites, we understand that she means that metaphorically.that metaphorically.

I think Genesis 1 has the earmarks of poetry I think Genesis 1 has the earmarks of poetry and is therefore a “song” about the wonder and is therefore a “song” about the wonder and meaning of God’s creation. Genesis 2 and meaning of God’s creation. Genesis 2

is an account of how it happened is an account of how it happened ((The Reason for GodThe Reason for God, pg 93-94)., pg 93-94).

Theories of CreationTheories of Creation

• Supernatural versus Evolutionary.

• A Superficial Appearance of History.

• The Gap Theory.

• The Day/Age Theory.

• The Non-Sequential Theory / Framework Theory.

• The Literal Interpretation.

…general revelation in creation, as well as the

special revelation of Scripture, is also the

voice of God. We live in a “universe,” and all

truth speaks with one voice (2001:77).

Creation complete: Heavens & earth created; God finished His work (1-3)

Man created: Formed from dust (4-9)

Trees & Rivers in garden given names (9-14)

Underground River

CUSH?

Euphrates

Tigris

Havilah

TEMPTATION SEAL

The Gilgamesh Epic and the The Gilgamesh Epic and the Temptation AccountTemptation Account

• Gilgamesh, king of ErechGilgamesh, king of Erech

• People pray to Anu, the sky People pray to Anu, the sky godgod

• He fashions Enkidu, a wild He fashions Enkidu, a wild man of the forestman of the forest

• Trapper’s son gets Trapper’s son gets prostitute to entice Enkiduprostitute to entice Enkidu

• He yields, loses his power, He yields, loses his power, but gains knowledgebut gains knowledge

Gilgamesh Epic BibleGilgamesh Epic BibleAnu creates Anu creates Enkidu, the wild Enkidu, the wild man of the forestman of the forest

God creates Adam God creates Adam and puts him in the and puts him in the garden of Edengarden of Eden

Enkidu is naked in Enkidu is naked in the forestthe forest

Adam and Eve are Adam and Eve are naked in the gardennaked in the garden

Enkidu is tempted Enkidu is tempted by the prostituteby the prostitute

Adam is given the Adam is given the forbidden fruit by Eveforbidden fruit by Eve

Enkidu falls to her Enkidu falls to her charms, loses charms, loses strength, but gains strength, but gains knowledgeknowledge

Adam sins, his eyes Adam sins, his eyes are opened and he is are opened and he is removed from the removed from the gardengarden

The Gilgamesh Epic and the The Gilgamesh Epic and the Temptation AccountTemptation Account

• Enkidu and Gilgamesh Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friendsbecome friends

• Enkidu dies and Gligamesh Enkidu dies and Gligamesh goes on a quest to find a goes on a quest to find a way to bring him back to lifeway to bring him back to life

• Gilgamesh is given a plant Gilgamesh is given a plant that will let him live foreverthat will let him live forever

• A serpent comes and eats A serpent comes and eats the plantthe plant

Creation complete: Heavens & earth created; God finished His work (1-3)

Man created: Formed from dust (4-9)

Trees & Rivers in garden given names (9-14)

Man assigned task of guarding & keeping the garden (15)

Forbidden fruit (16-17)

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.“ (Genesis 2:16-17)

Creation complete: Heavens & earth created; God finished His work (1-3)

Man created: Formed from dust (4-9)

Trees & Rivers in garden given names (9-14)

Man assigned task of guarding & keeping the garden (15)

Forbidden fruit (16-17)

Man in need of a helper: not good to be alone (18)

Animals in garden are given names (19-20)

Woman created: Formed from rib (21-24)

Creation complete: Man & woman naked & unashamed in presence of God (25)

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)

What are the results from

their actions of taking and eating the

forbidden fruit?

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. (Genesis 3:15)

Seed of the WomanSeed of the Serpent

Cain & Abel

How is the Cain & How is the Cain & Abel narrative Abel narrative

related to the larger related to the larger story of Genesis?story of Genesis?

And Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, "God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel; for Cain killed him." (Genesis 4:25).

Seed of the WomanSeed of the Serpent

AbelCain

Lamech

Literally, “another SEED”

Seed of the WomanSeed of the Serpent

Abel & SethCain

Lamech

Enoch

Noah

ShemHam

AbrahamCanaan

0100200300400500600700800900

1000

Ada

m

Ken

an

Eno

ch

Noa

h

She

lah

Reu

Ter

ah

Firstborn

Death

Earliest CivilizationEarliest Civilization• CitiesCities

• PolygamyPolygamy

• Nomadic HerdsmenNomadic Herdsmen

• Musical InstrumentsMusical Instruments

• Bronze & IronBronze & Iron

Genesis 6:1-2Genesis 6:1-2Now it came about, when men

began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.

Genesis 6:3Genesis 6:3Then the LORD said, “My Spirit

shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

Genesis 6:4Genesis 6:4The Nephilim were on the earth

in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Sons of God refer toSons of God refer toAngelsAngels

• Septuagint supports this interpretation

• Sons of God are angels in Job

• Angels in heaven do not marry, but these angels were not in heaven

• The resulting offspring produced giants

• Supported in Apocryphal book of Enoch as well as in Jude 6.

Sons of God refer toSons of God refer toDescendants of SethDescendants of Seth

• Preceding chapters set forth contrast of two lines

• Men began to call on the name of the Lord

• It is mankind that is punished in the flood

• Sonship is a common theme in the Old Testament

• Marriage of godly seed to ungodly people is a common theme in Genesis

Sons of God refer toSons of God refer toKings and RulersKings and Rulers

• Aramaic lends itself to this interpretation

• Elohim refers to human judges in Ex 21:6; 22:8-9 and in Psalm 82:1, 6

• Similar use in Babylonian texts

• Kings often referred to as Elohim in east

• Actions paralleled in Lamech

• Nephilim refer to fallen ones

Noah’s three sons (6:10)

Noah’s three sons (9:18)

Covenant with Noah (6:18)• Promise to destroy the earth with a flood

Covenant with Noah (9:8-17)• Promise not to destroy the earth with a flood

Command to take food (6:21)

Command not to eat blood (9:14)

Noah & Family enter the ark (7:1)

Noah & Family come out of ark (8:14)

Flood on the earth (7:11 – 8:13)

Genesis 6:14Genesis 6:14Make for yourself an ark of

gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch.

hbhb;Te;TeSame word is used for Same word is used for

the ark into which the the ark into which the baby Moses was placedbaby Moses was placed

TebahTebah

Genesis 6:15Genesis 6:15This is how you shall make it:

the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.

Universal languageUniversal language

• The waters lifted the ark up above the The waters lifted the ark up above the earth (7:17).earth (7:17).

• The waters prevailed and increased upon The waters prevailed and increased upon the earth (7:18).the earth (7:18).

• The waters prevailed exceeding upon the The waters prevailed exceeding upon the earth (7:19).earth (7:19).

• All the high hills were covered (9:19).All the high hills were covered (9:19).

• The water rose 15 cubits above the The water rose 15 cubits above the mountains (7:20).mountains (7:20).

Universal languageUniversal language

• All flesh died upon the earth (7:21).All flesh died upon the earth (7:21).

• The waters prevailed for 150 days (7:24).The waters prevailed for 150 days (7:24).

Universal FloodThe Biblical account says that the waters covered the whole

earth.

Local FloodThe word aretz

(“earth”) is often used to describe a local

area.

The Biblical language goes out of its way to

use language of totality.

The account is given from the viewpoint of

the narrator is from his perspective the

destruction is total.

Universal FloodThe size of the ark

indicates that this was no local flood.

Local FloodThe size of the ark is

not related to the extent of the flood.

The purpose of the ark was punishment of world-wide sin. In a

local flood some could have escaped.

God could have made certain all flesh was destroyed without flooding the entire

globe.

There are world-wide traces of a flood.

The evidence is questioned as to its

universality.

Genesis 8:4Genesis 8:4In the seventh month, on the

seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat.

Gilgamesh EpicGilgamesh Epic• UtnapishtimUtnapishtim

• Boat has 7 decks & Boat has 7 decks & overlaid with pitchoverlaid with pitch

• 7 days to build it7 days to build it

• His family, relatives and His family, relatives and craftsmencraftsmen

• Storm lasted 6 daysStorm lasted 6 days

• Boat landed on Mount Boat landed on Mount NisirNisir

Terah

Three sonsThree sonsT

en G

ener

atio

nsT

en G

ener

atio

ns

Noah

Noah

Three sonsThree sons

Ten

Gen

erat

ions

Ten

Gen

erat

ions

Adam

Genesis 11:1-2Now the whole earth used the

same language and the same words. 2 It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

● Babel

Genesis 11:3-4They said to one another, “Come,

let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 11:9Therefore its name was called

Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.

lb,lb,B'B'

BabelBabel

Genesis 11:9Therefore its name was called

Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.

ll;Bll;B''

BalalBalal

lb,lb,B'B'

BabelBabel

Major Language GroupingsMajor Language Groupings

• Indo-European (corresponds to Japheth): English, Spanish, Greek, German, French, Latin, Italian.

• Semitic (corresponds to Shem): Hebrew, Arabic, Akkadian, Aramaic.

• Hamitic (corresponds to Ham): Egyptian, Berber, Cushitic, and Chadic

Genesis 11 is not a Strict Genesis 11 is not a Strict ChronologyChronology

• The Number of Years is not Totaled.The Number of Years is not Totaled.

• The Name and Years of Cainan are The Name and Years of Cainan are Absent from the Hebrew Text.Absent from the Hebrew Text.

• Genesis 5 and Genesis 11 are Genesis 5 and Genesis 11 are Symmetrical in Form.Symmetrical in Form.

• Ancestral connections between Ancestral connections between people in Biblical genealogies are people in Biblical genealogies are often abridgedoften abridged

Genesis 10:1Genesis 10:1Now these are the records of

the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood.

Genesis 10:8-9Genesis 10:8-9Now Cush became the father of

Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

Genesis 10:10-12Genesis 10:10-12The beginning of his kingdom

was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

Genesis 10:25Genesis 10:25Two sons were born to Eber;

the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

Seems to bethe source of

the term“Hebrew”

Genesis 10:25Genesis 10:25Two sons were born to Eber;

the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

What does it mean What does it mean that “the earth was that “the earth was

divided”?divided”?

Genesis 10:32Genesis 10:32These are the families of the

sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.

If we do not count the three If we do not count the three sons of Noah, there are a total sons of Noah, there are a total

of 70 names in this table.of 70 names in this table.

What is significant What is significant about this number?about this number?

……all the persons of the house of all the persons of the house of Jacob, who came to Egypt, Jacob, who came to Egypt, were were

seventy (Genesis 46:27)seventy (Genesis 46:27)

When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,When He separated the sons of man,He set the boundaries of the peoplesAccording to the number of the sons of Israel.9 For the Lord’s portion is His people,Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance. (Deuteronomy 32:7-9).

Israel is a microcosm Israel is a microcosm of the worldof the world

Jesus is the “better Israel”Jesus is the “better Israel” who came to save the world who came to save the world