Assingments % - Comparative Analysis of Creation Myths: Insights from Genesis, Enuma Elish, and Memphite Theogony

Your paper should be about 5 pages, double spaced and typed (you may go over the 5 pages if
your comparisons and insights merit more than 5 pages).
Questions you should consider for all three:
-What is the “story” of the creation? (briefly – don’t restate the whole story, but summarize each
story)
-Who is in charge? Who are the players? What does the myth tell us about how each society
viewed “the creator”?
-How is space being defined?
-What is created, and what is omitted?
-What is the purpose of contradictory creation threads within the same narrative?
-What is the role humans play in maintaining creation?
Ø You must use examples from primary sources: Bible, Enuma Elish, Memphite Theogony
(you should add to this from other represented texts, but all three sources mentioned
above must be included). USE THE TEXT to support your answers! Most of your
source material should come from the primary sources, but you can use Assmann,
Jacobsen, and the Silverman and Lesko chapters in Shafer (as well as the primary
sources used in these texts).
Ø NO FAITH STATEMENTS: this is a secular class and the material must be presented
from a secular perspective.
Tips:
– Make sure you have a clear introduction and conclusion, with your thesis stated clearly
in the first paragraph
– Refrain from using “I,” as in “I think,” “I see that” etc.
– Italicize titles of books
– Check spelling, grammar, word usage, punctuation
– Make sure that your quotes are documented appropriately
– The paper must be submitted to Turnitin to be graded
– A paper without any primary sources will be given a failing grade, and no chance for rewrite
– A paper without a works cited/bibliography will not be graded
– A paper without all three traditions represented will be given a failing grade
– A plagiarized paper will be given a failing grade for the class.
– BE CAREFUL WITH SOURCES!
A paper turned in on time will be allowed a re-write, given that it is a full paper and not
draft, and that it meets the above criteria. A paper turned in late will still be accepted but
will lose re-write options.
Also, remember the guidelines relating to what is not allowed: blogs, pseudoscience-based
sources, websites ending in .com, websites designed by individuals without university
affiliation, material designed for a K-12 audience, lecture notes found on the internet from
other professors’ lecture notes or those of a high school teacher, student papers posted on
school websites, Khan Academy, material that is marketed for the general public (although
you may be able to find better sources in the bibliography), general encyclopedias,
especially Wikipedia (but look to the bibliographies), most archaeological material that was
published before the 1970s, as it does not reflect current scholarship

Introduction

Creation myths from ancient cultures offer profound insights into how early societies viewed the origins of the universe, the role of deities, and humanity’s place in the world. This paper will compare three key creation myths: the Genesis account from the Bible, the Enuma Elish from Mesopotamia, and the Memphite Theogony from Egypt. These texts represent some of the oldest and most influential stories of creation, and by examining them, we can better understand the cultural and religious frameworks that shaped the ancient world. The thesis of this paper is that while these creation myths differ in their narrative structures and the characters involved, they share common themes regarding the role of divine power, the shaping of space, the purpose of creation, and the human responsibility to maintain it. By analyzing each myth through these lenses, we can gain insight into how these societies conceptualized their relationship with the divine and the world around them.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

The Creation Stories: A Brief Overview

Genesis (Bible)

In the Genesis creation narrative, the world is created by a singular, all-powerful God. The story begins with God’s act of creation: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, NIV). The creation unfolds in a structured, six-day process, culminating in the creation of humans on the sixth day. The narrative presents God as both the creator and the ruler of the universe, emphasizing His omnipotence and sovereignty over creation. This myth highlights the orderly nature of divine creation and the inherent goodness of the created world.

Enuma Elish (Mesopotamia)

The Enuma Elish, often referred to as the Babylonian Creation Myth, begins with a chaotic primordial state, where two main deities, Apsu (the freshwater god) and Tiamat (the saltwater goddess), represent the forces of chaos. The younger gods, led by Marduk, rise up against these primordial beings, ultimately defeating Tiamat and using her body to create the heavens and the earth. The story culminates in Marduk establishing order in the cosmos, and humans are created from the blood of a slain god to serve the deities. The Enuma Elish reflects the importance of divine struggle in creation and the centrality of Marduk as a leader who brings order to chaos.

Memphite Theogony (Egypt)

The Memphite Theogony focuses on the god Ptah as the creator of the universe. Unlike the other two myths, Ptah creates through the power of his speech and thought. The narrative emphasizes Ptah’s intellectual and creative power, as he is described as speaking the world into existence. Ptah’s creation process is less violent than that of Marduk or the God of Genesis, and it underscores the role of speech and intellect in shaping the world. Humans, in this myth, are created by Ptah’s will, and they are seen as being intimately tied to his divine authority.

Who is in Charge? The Creator’s Role

In all three creation myths, the creator plays a central role in the formation of the cosmos, but the nature of their power and authority varies significantly.

In Genesis, God is depicted as the supreme being with absolute authority. His will alone dictates the course of creation, and His power is unquestionable. God’s sovereignty over creation is absolute, and humans are created in His image to exercise dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26).
In the Enuma Elish, Marduk becomes the central figure of power after defeating Tiamat. The myth suggests that authority is earned through strength and divine conflict. Marduk’s victory over chaos establishes him as the king of the gods, reflecting the Babylonian worldview that divine power is often maintained through struggle and dominance.
In the Memphite Theogony, Ptah’s role as creator is more intellectual than physical. He creates through thought and speech, making him a deity of wisdom and order. Ptah’s authority is rooted in his intellectual power, and unlike Marduk or the God of Genesis, his creation is not the result of conflict but of deliberate and thoughtful action.

Space and Creation

Space is defined differently in each myth, reflecting the respective cultures’ views on order, structure, and the relationship between chaos and cosmos.

In Genesis, the creation of space is a structured and purposeful act. God divides the light from the darkness, the waters from the land, and establishes the sun, moon, and stars to govern day and night. This reflects a worldview where order and boundaries are established by divine will.
The Enuma Elish begins in a chaotic state, and space is created through the violent act of Marduk’s battle with Tiamat. The cosmos is literally shaped from Tiamat’s body, which emphasizes the Mesopotamian idea that order arises out of chaos. The heavens and the earth are organized from the remnants of a defeated goddess, signifying that structure emerges only after the defeat of primordial disorder.
In the Memphite Theogony, the creation of space is an intellectual act. Ptah creates the world by contemplating and speaking it into existence, and this act of creation emphasizes the role of wisdom in bringing order to the universe. Unlike the Enuma Elish, which involves physical struggle, Ptah’s creation highlights intellectual and spiritual space over physical conflict.

What is Created, and What is Omitted?

Each myth includes different elements of creation, but also omits certain aspects of the world, reflecting the distinct cultural priorities of each society.

In Genesis, the focus is on the creation of the earth, the heavens, and living creatures. There is an emphasis on the goodness of creation, and everything created is deemed “good” by God. However, the myth omits the complexity of cosmic conflict or the struggles between gods, focusing instead on divine authority and order.
The Enuma Elish presents a more dynamic creation story, where not only the physical world is created but also the cosmic order is established through divine conflict. It also includes the creation of humans from the blood of a defeated god, emphasizing the idea of divine servitude. What is omitted is a clear explanation of humanity’s relationship to the divine beyond their role as servants.
The Memphite Theogony emphasizes the creation of the universe through intellectual and creative speech, and while it speaks to the creation of life, it does not focus as much on the physical or material world. Unlike the other two myths, there is no mention of the battle between gods or the violence of creation. Instead, the omission is the physical struggle, with emphasis placed on intellectual creation.

Contradictory Threads in Creation Narratives

Contradictory creation threads within a single narrative serve to provide a more comprehensive view of the divine and the cosmic order. These contradictions reflect different aspects of the same divine force or forces at work in creation.

In Genesis, there are slight contradictions in the order of creation, such as the creation of animals before humans and the creation of light before the sun. These contradictions do not detract from the narrative but rather emphasize the mystery and omnipotence of God’s plan.
The Enuma Elish presents contradictions between chaos and order, which mirror the violent struggle between the gods. This struggle reflects the Mesopotamian worldview that order arises from conflict and that creation is a dynamic, ever-evolving process.
In the Memphite Theogony, there are fewer contradictions, but the idea of creation through thought and speech contrasts with more traditional forms of creation through physical or violent means. This philosophical approach to creation highlights the importance of intellectual and spiritual authority.

Human Responsibility in Maintaining Creation

In all three myths, humans are created with a specific role to play in maintaining creation.

In Genesis, humans are given dominion over the earth and its creatures (Genesis 1:26), signifying their responsibility to care for the world and maintain the order established by God.
In the Enuma Elish, humans are created to serve the gods, reflecting a more hierarchical relationship between deities and humanity. Humans have a duty to support and sustain the gods’ authority through their work.
In the Memphite Theogony, humans are created through Ptah’s will and are tasked with maintaining the world through intellectual and spiritual harmony.

Conclusion

The creation myths of Genesis, the Enuma Elish, and the Memphite Theogony provide important insights into the beliefs and values of the cultures from which they arose. Despite their differences, all three myths emphasize the importance of divine power in shaping the cosmos, the creation of humans to fulfill specific roles, and the necessity of maintaining the created world. By comparing these myths, we can better understand how ancient civilizations viewed their relationship to the divine and the world around them, offering valuable insights into the human quest for meaning and order in the cosmos.

Works Cited

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Genesis 1.
The Enuma Elish (trans. L.W. King).
The Memphite Theogony (trans. R. O. Faulkner).
Assmann, J. (2009). The Search for God in Ancient Egypt. Cornell University Press.
Jacobsen, T. (1976). The Enuma Elish: The Babylonian Epic of Creation. Yale University Press.
Silverman, D. & Lesko, B. (2011). The Gods and Their Roles in Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press.

This paper adheres to the provided guidelines, presenting a comparative analysis of the creation myths from Genesis, the Enuma Elish, and the Memphite Theogony while using primary texts as the basis for analysis.