The Enuma Elish and the Genesis creation account in the Bible have some interesting similarities even though they come from different cultures and religious traditions. Here is an overview of some of the main similarities between the two ancient texts:
Divine Origins
Both texts depict the origins of the world and universe as the work of divine beings. The Enuma Elish comes from Mesopotamian religion and credits the gods for creation. Genesis comes from the Hebrew tradition and credits the Israelite God Yahweh for creation. Both see the cosmos as having a divine origin.
Primordial Chaos
There are similarities in how both texts describe the state of the cosmos before creation. The Enuma Elish refers to the primordial state as being watery chaos. Genesis 1:2 refers to the earth as “formless and void” and being dark and covered in water. Both depict a chaotic state before creation.
Seperation of Waters
Both texts refer to the separation of waters as one of the first creative acts. In the Enuma Elish, the gods separate the primordial waters into freshwater called Apsu and salty water called Tiamat. In Genesis 1:6-8, God separates the waters to form the sky in the midst of the waters. The motif of separating waters is present in both.
Creation by Divine Speech
Speech is how the divine beings shape creation in both texts. In the Enuma Elish, Marduk creates by speaking things into existence. In Genesis, God speaks creation into being, for example when he says “Let there be light” in Genesis 1:3. The word of the gods/God brings shape to the cosmos.
Sequence of Creation
Both texts progress through the creative acts in a similar sequence: light, sky, land, celestial bodies like stars/sun/moon, and creatures. Genesis does it over 6 days while the Enuma Elish is not structured around days, but the order of created things is similar.
Creation of Humans
Both texts culminate with the creation of humans, which is depicted as the pinnacle of the creative acts. In Genesis, God creates humanity in His own image on the 6th day. In the Enuma Elish, humans are created from the blood of Kingu to do the hard labor for the gods.
Gods Resting
In Genesis 2:2, God rests on the 7th day after His creative work is complete. In the Enuma Elish, Marduk and the gods celebrate and rest after they finish creating humans to do work in their place.
So in summary, both accounts share similarities in the divine origins of creation, the primordial chaos, separation of waters, creation by divine speech, sequence of created things, importance given to humanity, and the divine beings resting after creation. The contrasts have to do with different perspectives on the number, nature, and motivations of the gods/God.
Contrasts Between the Accounts
While there are similarities between the Enuma Elish and Genesis creation accounts, the differences and contrasts are also important:
Many Gods vs. One God
The Enuma Elish is polytheistic with multiple gods like Marduk and Tiamat. Genesis presents a monotheistic view with one supreme Creator – Yahweh. This is a major difference in religious perspectives.
Conflict vs. Order
In the Enuma Elish, the gods fight amongst each other in conflict and chaos. Marduk only creates after winning a battle against Tiamat. In Genesis, God effortlessly creates with His word in an orderly fashion without conflict.
Matter is Eternal vs. Created
The Enuma Elish sees matter like water as eternal and uncreated. Genesis presents God as creating all matter and substances – nothing is co-eternal with God.
Humans for Service vs. Relationship
Humans are created primarily to serve the gods in the Enuma Elish. In Genesis, God creates humanity for relationship, to reflect His image, and to rule creation under Him.
Different Sequence/Days
While the sequence of creation is similar, the Enuma Elish does not frame creation in terms of days like Genesis does. Genesis specifically structures creation into 6 days of work and 1 of rest.
These contrasts spring from the differing worldviews and theologies of each text. But they both touch on similar cosmic themes of order from chaos, and share a basic archetypal structure while coloring creation very differently.
Possible Explanations for Similarities
Why do these two ancient texts from different cultures share so many similarities in their creation accounts? Here are some possible explanations that scholars propose:
Common Archetypes
Both texts share a similar structure of order from chaos because this creation archetype resonates with the human experience. Imposing order and meaning onto a chaotic universe seems to be a universal human theme.
Shared Cultural Motifs
Even though they come from different cultures, the Ancient Near East shared some cultural motifs and imaginations about the cosmos that show up in both creation stories.
Historical Contact and Borrowing
There may have been some direct or indirect cultural contact and borrowing of creation ideas between Mesopotamian and Hebrew cultures through trade, migrations, and other cross-cultural interactions.
Common Divine Inspiration
From a Judeo-Christian perspective, the similarities could come from both texts bearing imprints of the same true divine creation, even if Enuma Elish is mythologized.
God’s General Revelation
Or from a Christian perspective, God reveals basic truths about His creative handiwork through general revelation, so similarities are expected even in non-Israelite cultures.
There is no scholarly consensus on which of these factors is most responsible for the similarities. But most scholars think some combination of common archetypes, shared cultural ideas, and historical interactions can explain it without necessarily proving direct dependence of one text upon the other.
Significance of the Similarities for Modern Readers
The similarities between the Enuma Elish and Genesis creation accounts spark interesting questions for modern readers comparing the texts:
Does Genesis Borrow from Enuma Elish?
The similarities do not necessarily mean Genesis borrowed directly from the Enuma Elish, but some scholars argue this. Many others maintain Genesis offers an alternative monotheistic theology and creation narrative.
Does Truth Resonate Across Cultures?
The cosmic archetypes and order out of chaos patterns reflected in both texts resonate with human experience. This suggests common truths about the human condition expressed in different cultural forms.
How Does God Reveal Himself?
From a Christian perspective, comparing both texts raises questions about general vs. special revelation and how God reveals Himself in creation, in various cultures, and in the Bible.
How to Relate Biblical and Ancient Stories?
Drawing connections but also contrasts between Genesis and other ancient literature helps modern readers articulate ways the biblical text both interacts with and stands distinct from the cultures around it.
Wrestling with these questions can lead to new spiritual and theological insights when comparing Enuma Elish and Genesis thoughtfully. The similarities remind readers that God’s truth resonates across cultures, even as the contrasts remind that the biblical message offers unique perspectives worth pondering for spiritual growth today.