Monday, December 1, 2025

Quick Comparison: the Flood Stories in Genesis and Gilgamesh


Genesis

Gilgamesh

Extent of flood

Global

Global

Cause

Man's wickedness

Man's sins

Intended for whom?

All mankind

One city & all mankind

Sender

Yahweh

Assembly of "gods"

Name of hero

Noah

Utnapishtim

Hero's character

Righteous

Righteous

Means of announcement

Direct from God

In a dream

Ordered to build boat?

Yes

Yes

Did hero complain?

Yes

Yes

Height of boat

Several stories (3)

Several stories (6)

Compartments inside?

Many

Many

Doors

One

One

Windows

At least one

At least one

Outside coating

Pitch

Pitch

Shape of boat

Rectangular

Square

Human passengers

Family members only

Family & few others

Other passengers

All species of animals

All species of animals

Means of flood

Ground water & heavy rain

Heavy rain

Duration of flood

Long (40 days & nights plus)

Short (6 days & nights)

Test to find land

Release of birds

Release of birds

Types of birds

Raven & three doves

Dove, swallow, raven

Ark landing spot

Mountain -- Mt. Ararat

Mountain -- Mt. Nisir

Sacrificed after flood?

Yes, by Noah

Yes, by Utnapishtim

Blessed after flood?

Yes

Yes

  Source: Lorey, Frank.  “The Flood of Genesis and the Flood of Gilgamesh” 

View from the Araratian plain near the city of Artashat, Armenia; Little Ararat (left) and Greater Ararat (right); by Սէրուժ Ուրիշեան (Serouj Ourishian) Wiki

Mount Nisir? (Pir Omar Gudrun or Pira Magrun?)

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