On Gilgamesh and Genesis
Much is made by some of the similarities found in the Holy Bible and other ancient texts. For example, the flood narrative is a familiar account in the myths of various ancient civilizations, and several ancient beliefs held central a male figure born of a virgin and / or died and was returned to life. Because of this, it is suggested that the writer of Genesis as well as the early followers of Christ merely copied the traditions of other religions when coming up with their own. The assumption is that because there is evidence of cultures having their myths before the Holy Bible was written, the Holy Bible is taking information from other cultures rather than recording the original account of man's history.
That assumption is false.
After the flood, the people of the earth again multiplied greatly and became strong together. They migrated together to the east, to the plain of Shinar. There, they built a tower that would be called 'Babel' in the location that would become Babylon in what is now the nation of Iraq. The tower was called 'Babel' because it is there that God confused the languages. No longer would there be one people with one language, but many peoples speaking many languages.
As the people groups spread out from Babel, each would carry with them the traditions and stories of their past. This history was shared up to the time of the flood of Noah and the dispersion shortly thereafter. In other words, every tribe created when the people were separated into groups would have the story of the flood in their history to pass down to their children and subsequent generations.
Differences would creep in as the story was passed down. Some details would be omitted, some embellished, and some added, similar to the game of 'Chinese Whispers.' In time the details in the stories held as sacred by the nations rising up from those tribes would be quite different, though the flood would be a staple in each. The account of creation, the first man and woman, the first human blood shed, and all that led up to the time of Noah would be a shared history as well. This accounts for similarities that may exist between the Holy Bible and other traditions of creation, a lost paradise, and a serpent.
It is from this part of the history that all people on the earth shared prior to the dispersion at Babel that the various tribes would have had an understanding of a Promised One. They did not have the Word of God in written form to teach them these details, but the teachings of Adam would be sent down carefully, with integrity maintained, generation upon generation, while they were still of one tribe or nation. They would know of God, the judgment He rightfully held against mankind, and the mercy God promised to show humanity in the fullness of time.
This mercy would come through the Savior promised to the first parents, Adam and Eve. The words recorded in Genesis 3 make this clear. These words were spoken by God to Adam, Eve, and the entity within the serpent, and not one of the hearers forgot any one syllable of what were the most important words ever spoken on the earth at the time. From these pronouncements from The Most High God given while man was still in paradise, it would be understood that the promised Redeemer would come from the seed of a woman. This means that the Promised One would be the Son of the Most High God. The One who would come to save us would be, Himself, God. Also clear to the people who had received these accounts alike from Adam through Noah and for generations since would be that the Redeemer would be wounded unto death then return to have the final victory.
From this understanding of a virgin birth and conquering redeemer, various myths were concocted as nations were formed and people were deceived by seducing spirits in the various lands in which they would travel and eventually settle. It would remain this way until The Most High God chose to speak to one man, of whom He would make a nation, a people peculiar to Himself. These people would be given the Law, the history and the prophecy. Through Abraham's line the Redeemer would come in the flesh, born of the seed of a woman, by the Spirit of God, being both God and man, our Savior and King.
Therefore, it is not that the account put in writing later is copying others, but that the original account was distorted by so many until the Author chose to clarify and establish His Word in writing for mankind, as It should stand forever.
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