The Bible actually has more than one creation myth, and the one you’re thinking of seems to have arisen not from ancient Israelite lore but from the central Asian steppes
The Hebrew Bible opens with an account of creation, starting with what is arguably the most memorable line in the entire tome: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
- What Is the Jewish Afterlife Like?
- Origin of Yom Kippur: Not Moses, but a Murder in the Temple?
- Did Ancient Jews Worship Trees?
But this iconic account of God creating the world is not the only account of creation in the Bible. If anything, it seems to be the most recent in a succession of creation myths held sacred by the ancient Hebrews over the eons.
Baal and the sea monsters
The oldest creation myth in the Bible isn’t in the Book of Genesis at all. It is alluded to in the Book of Isaiah, in the Book of Job and in Psalms.
The clearest and fullest biblical account of this ancient myth appears in Psalm 74: “For God… Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers. The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter” (74:12-17)
An archaeological discovery made in the 20th century shed light on this strange account of creation, revealing it for what it is: an abridged version of the Canaanite creation myth.
Among the ruins of the ancient Canaanite city of Ugarit, tablets were found in a language very similar to Hebrew, recording the many myths believed by the city’s inhabitants – including that creation began with the storm god Baal vanquishing the god of the sea Yam and his sea monster-serpent-dragon helpers.
There are striking parallels between the Ugarit text and certain biblical verses. In the Book of Isaiah, for instance, the prophet says: “In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea” (Isaiah 27:1). That is nearly verbatim to what an anonymous Canaanite bard has to say about Baal: “When you killed Litan, the fleeing serpent, annihilated the twisty serpent, the potentate with seven heads.
Generations of heaven and earth
Another completely different account of creation found in the Bible in Genesis 2, starting with the line: “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens” (Genesis 2:4).
According to this account, God created man from clay, placed him in the Garden of Eden, and only then created animals, plants and a spouse for his benefit.
The writer of this simple prose has quite an anthropomorphic conception of God, most clearly seen when the author has him taking an afternoon stroll in the Garden of Eden, where he bumps into Adam and converses with him: “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:8-10).
This creation myth evidently has a different source than the Canaanite version. Some elements of the story are familiar from ancient Mesopotamia myths, but they play out in a different way. For example, in the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, man is cheated of immortality by a snake who eats a plant. If Gilgamesh had eaten it, would have made him immortal.
Our biblical account famously has the serpent beguile Eve into eating the fruit of a tree; she persuades Adam to do likewise. They gain knowledge but get expelled from the Garden of Eden.
Another Babylonian myth has the hero Adapa being tricked by the god of wisdom Ea into refusing food offered to him by other gods, which he does. This food, the narrator tells us, would have made him immortal.
No feet, no monsters
This leads us to the creation myth that opens the Bible. It is completely different from the two discussed above. Unlike in them, God is not called by his personal name, the tetragrammaton YAHWEH, but is instead called Elohim – simply, “god.” He isn’t anthropomorphized and he doesn’t fight monsters.
If anything, the author seems to go out of his way to negate the older creation myths. For example, if the ancient Canaanite myth pits God against sea monsters before creating the world, the author of Genesis 1 has God creating them: “And God created great whales” (1:21).
However, those “great whales” are a mistranslation of the Hebrew word “taninim“, which today means “crocodile” but back in ancient times, meant “serpentine sea monster”.
In other words, Genesis 1 describes God creating the very sea-serpents that he vanquished in the ancient Canaanite myth (and that also appeared in Isaiah, Job and Psalms).
Another connection between Genesis 1 and the older Canaanite myth is the separation of the sea into the sky and the ocean.
In the Canaanite myth, God cuts the sea god Yam in two and creates the oceans and the sky. In Genesis 1: “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters” (1:6). It is the same basic idea but depersonified.
The author of Genesis 1, probably a Hebrew scribe living in Babylon during the Babylonian Exile in the 4th century BCE, was apparently creating a new version of the old creation myth that could conform with the strict monotheism which was taking hold of Judaism at the time.
The primordial sea god
It wasn’t only the Canaanites who believed in the myth that creation began with a god vanquishing a primordial sea deity and forming the seas and the sky from its remains. The Babylonians believed in this story too, only in their case, the hero creator god was Marduk, not Baal, and the sea was not male like the Canaanite Yam, but a female goddess called Tiamat. (She may be alluded to in Genesis 1:2, where the Hebrew for what is translated as “the deep” is tehom – a Hebrew cognate of Tiamat’s name.)
This basic creation myth of a god slaying serpent-like sea monsters is not restricted to the Canaanites and the Babylonians. The Middle Eastern peoples apparently adopted it from Indo-European peoples from the north, since it crops up in the ancient myths of many of the Indo-European peoples: In Greek mythology, Zeus kills Typhon; in Norse mythology Thor kills Jörmungandr; in Hindu mythology, Indra kills Vrtra; in Slavic mythology, Perun kills Veles; and in Hittite mythology; Tarhunt kills Illuyanka.
In each of these cases – and there are more – it is a weather deity that kills a monster serpent, and thus brings order to the world.
The similarities between Indo-European languages led linguists to hypothesize the existence of an ancient language, Proto-Indo-European, which was spoken in the central Asian steppes thousands of years ago and from which all Indo-European languages are descended. Similarly, scholars of comparative religion hypothesize that these are manifestations of an original Proto-Indo-European religious myth involving a weather god killing a monster snake and bringing order to the world.
Apparently, one or more of these ancient Indo-European people, perhaps the Hittites, brought the myth to the Middle East. Here it was adopted by the Canaanites – and made its way to the Bible, only to be profoundly misunderstood by latter-day translators.
Do you have a spam issue on thiss website; I also am a blogger, aand I was curious about your situation; we
have created some nioce practices and wee aree loooking too trae soolutions with others, why not shoot me aan e-mail if
interested.
нужна медицинская справка
Wonderful, what a webpage it is! This website gives useful information to us, keep it up.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on %meta_keyword%. Regards
I was very happy to discover this web site. I want to to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely liked every bit of it and I have you book marked to see new stuff on your blog.
Hello! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
I am sure this article has touched all the internet users, its really really pleasant post on building up new weblog.
I used to be recommended this blog via my cousin. I am now not positive whether this submit is written by means of him as no one else recognize such special approximately my problem. You are wonderful! Thank you!
Wow, that’s what I was looking for, what a information! present here at this website, thanks admin of this website.
Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!
Currently it seems like Expression Engine is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Wow, awesome blog format! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The total glance of your site is fantastic, let alonesmartly as the content!
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article. I like to write a little comment to support you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on %meta_keyword%. Regards
My relatives all the time say that I am wasting my time here at net, except I know I am getting knowledge every day by reading such good articles.
Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could also make comment due to this sensible piece of writing.
Wonderful post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Cheers!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of the site is also very good.
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your blog. It appears like some of the text on your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Kudos
Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Cheers
These are really impressive ideas in about blogging. You have touched some pleasant points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Can I just say what a relief to find somebody that truly knows what they’re talking about on the net. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should look at this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular since you surely have the gift.
If you are going for best contents like me, only visit this website daily because it offers quality contents, thanks
I read this piece of writing fully regarding the comparison of latest and previous technologies, it’s awesome article.
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
Hey there! I know this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask. Does operating a well-established blog like yours take a lot of work? I’m completely new to writing a blog but I do write in my diary daily. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for new aspiring bloggers. Appreciate it!
Hi there! I just want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your website for more soon.
Appreciation to my father who told me about this weblog, this webpage is actually remarkable.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great writing, have a nice morning!
I all the time emailed this weblog post page to all my friends, because if like to read it after that my friends will too.
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
whoah this blog is fantastic i love reading your articles. Stay up the good work! You realize, many individuals are hunting around for this info, you can help them greatly.
This post is really a good one it helps new web people, who are wishing for blogging.
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
I visit day-to-day some sites and information sites to read articles or reviews, but this blog gives quality based content.
What’s up Dear, are you really visiting this site regularly, if so then you will absolutely take good experience.
Шикарный частный эротический массаж в Москве – тайский спа салон
I like the valuable information you supply on your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and test again here frequently. I am rather certain I will be informed a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am inspired! Very useful information particularly the remaining part 🙂 I maintain such info a lot. I used to be seeking this particular info for a long timelong time. Thank you and good luck.
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your blog. It appears as if some of the text within your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Thanks
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i got here to go back the want?.I am trying to find things to improve my website!I assume its good enough to use some of your concepts!!
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page yet again.
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in internet explorer, may check this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a good component to other people will omit your wonderful writing due to this problem.
I like what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the good works guys I’ve added you guys to my personal blogroll.
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.
Hi there, yeah this post is actually pleasant and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks.
js安全 hello my website is js安全
omuto hello my website is omuto
edwin 99 hello my website is edwin 99
vivo4d hello my website is vivo4d
pion 88 hello my website is pion 88
elvana hello my website is elvana
dipo 4d hello my website is dipo 4d
naryo hello my website is naryo
outdoor hello my website is outdoor
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Appreciating the dedication you put into your website and in depth information you present. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material. Excellent read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Heya exceptional blog! Does running a blog like this take a massive amount work? I have virtually no expertise in programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic but I just needed to ask. Thanks!
Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!
I am curious to find out what blog system you are working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
If some one needs expert view about blogging then i suggest him/her to visit this blog, Keep up the pleasant job.
Can you tell us more about this? I’d love to find out more details.
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any solutions to help protect against content from being ripped off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Wonderful, what a blog it is! This website gives helpful information to us, keep it up.
Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this wonderful post at at this place.
For latest news you have to pay a visit world wide web and on web I found this website as a most excellent web site for latest updates.
Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!
I visit day-to-day some web pages and websites to read articles or reviews, except this blog offers quality based posts.
If some one wants to be updated with latest technologies then he must be pay a visit this website and be up to date every day.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks!
I will right away take hold of your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!
I feel this is one of the such a lot significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. However wanna remark on few general things, The website taste is ideal, the articles is in point of fact excellent : D. Just right process, cheers
Anus, This is a good website Anus
Nudity, This is a good website Nudity
Prohibited, This is a good website Prohibited
Phallus, This is a good website Phallus
Mammary, This is a good website Mammary
XXX, This is a good website XXX
Obscene, This is a good website Obscene
Urethra, This is a good website Urethra
Adult, This is a good website Adult
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
I used to be recommended this website by means of my cousin. I am now not positive whether this publish is written by way of him as no one else recognise such particular approximately my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thank you!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a great article but what can I say I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
Hey there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Hey there! I’ve been following your web site for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job!
There is definately a lot to know about this topic. I love all the points you made.
Это лучшее онлайн-казино, где вы можете насладиться широким выбором игр и получить максимум удовольствия от игрового процесса.
I really like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and coverage! Keep up the great works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
Добро пожаловать на сайт онлайн казино, мы предлагаем уникальный опыт для любителей азартных игр.
Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is great, let alone the content!
You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the article you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Highly energetic article, I enjoyed that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
I am actually thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this enormous article at here.
Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks
Nice blog here! Also your website rather a lot up fast! What host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link on your host? I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Asking questions are really pleasant thing if you are not understanding anything completely, except this piece of writing offers good understanding even.
Нужна стяжка пола в Москве, но вы не знаете, как выбрать подрядчика? Обратитесь к нам на сайт styazhka-pola24.ru! Мы предлагаем услуги по устройству стяжки пола любой площади и сложности, а также гарантируем доступные цены и высокое качество работ.
снабжение стройки
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing in your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Повышайте качество вашего ремонта с помощью штукатурка по маякам стен. Для этого есть mehanizirovannaya-shtukaturka-moscow.ru.
You really make it seem so easy together with your presentation however I in finding this topic to be really something which I feel I would never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very large for me. I am taking a look forward on your next publish, I will try to get the hold of it!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Kudos!
What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this site regularly, this website is in fact good and the people are really sharing pleasant thoughts.
What’s up to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are good for new viewers.
Нужна механизированная штукатурка стен в Москве, но вы не знаете, как выбрать подрядчика? Обратитесь к нам на сайт mehanizirovannaya-shtukaturka-moscow.ru! Мы предлагаем услуги по машинной штукатурке стен любой площади и сложности, а также гарантируем доступные цены и высокое качество работ.
hey there and thank you for your information I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this site, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again soon.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Thank you!
You can definitely see your expertise in the article you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time go after your heart.
I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i’m satisfied to express that I have a very good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I such a lot indisputably will make certain to don?t fail to remember this site and give it a look on a constant basis.
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.
Allosterik Enzim Ne Demek Tip?
4k Ultra Hd Tv Ne Demek?
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to give something back and help others like you helped me.
Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a top notch article but what can I say I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
Really no matter if someone doesn’t know after that its up to other viewers that they will help, so here it occurs.
Yes! Finally something about %keyword1%.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
You’re so cool! I don’t think I have read something like this before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this subject. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the web, someone with some originality!
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your blog. It seems like some of the text on your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Thank you
If you are going for best contents like me, simply visit this website every day as it offers quality contents, thanks