Similarities Between Gilgamesh And Hebrew Bible

Throughout the course of history, millions of texts have been recorded. The term intertextuality has permeated the vast array of ancient texts creating a web of interconnected thoughts, values, stories, and ideas. Traditionally, there has been a divide between the sacred and secular world. In this paper, there will be a comparison of two texts, one sacred and one secular. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Hebrew Bible both arose from a strong oral tradition during the same time and area. I argue that The Epic of Gilgamesh, particularly the flood scene, heavily influenced the story of Noah’s ark in the Hebrew Bible. While the exact origins of these stories may never be known, it can be assumed that they arose from the same source. The texts themselves, their origin stories, and physical historical evidence will all be analyzed. Furthermore, the writings and findings of prominent scholars will be used to support my arguments. This research is important because it proves intertextuality can even bridge the divide between sacred and secular texts.
The origins of The Epic of Gilgamesh are somewhat unknown. According to Puchner, “Gilgamesh was not written by one specific author but evolved gradually over the long span of a millennium” (Puchner 95). Furthermore, the story was passed down orally from one generation to the next. Each time it was told, new material would be added and exaggerations would occur. While the story is difficult to trace, the earliest known texts appear