The Babylonian Genesis: The Story of the Creation

by Alexander Heidel

Book Overview

Here is a complete translation of all the published cuneiform tablets of the various Babylonian creation stories, of both the Semitic Babylonian and the Sumerian material. Each creation account is preceded by a brief introduction dealing with the age and provenance of the tablets, the aim and purpose of the story, etc. Also included is a translation and discussion of two Babylonian creation versions written in Greek. The final chapter presents a detailed...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226323994
• ISBN13: 9780226323992
• Release Date: September 1963
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 161 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Good overview for the uninitiated.

The book is not intended for students of Akkadian as there is no cuneiform or transcripted Akkadian. Everything is in translation. The book centers around the Enuma Elish (the biggest creation account), but has many other smaller creation legends. There is a synopsis of the Elish as well as various theories about its dating, composition, etc. There is also a lengthy (58 page) article showing parallels to the Old Testament creation account. The author does a good job of being objective, but leans toward showing the uniqueness of the Genesis account and contrasts it quite a bit against the remaining semitic literature.