FOREWORD As noted in the Preface, the inferences drawn by different scholars, when they compare the Bible with the records brought to light by exploration, diverge according as their critical and theological views differ. In the comments made throughout Part II, as in Part I, the writer has endeavored to maintain a neutral attitude and impartially to report in each case the principal inferences drawn by the most important groups of scholars, that the reader may know something of the latitude of opinion that prevails. To have recorded every opinion would have expanded the work far beyond the limits prescribed, and would have burdened the reader with many views that are mere vagaries. The temptation is always strong to declare that the interpretation of an ancient record which accords with one's own views must be right, but unfortunately problems in ancient history that are thus dogmatically settled do not remain settled. A deeper faith, confident in the ultimate triumph of truth, patiently awaits further light. CHAPTER I AN EPIC OF THE CREATION WHICH CIRCULATED IN BABYLON AND ASSYRIA IN THE SEVENTH CENTURY BEFORE CHRIST1 TEXT OF THE EPIC. COMPARISON OF THE EPIC WITH THE FIRST Chapter of Genesis. THE EPIC AND OTHER PARTS of the Bible. 7. Time was when gods 8. No name was named, had not been made, no destiny [determined]; 9. Then were created the gods in the midst [of heaven]. 10. Lakhmu and Lakhamu 11. Ages multiplied, were formed [together]. 12. Anshar and Kishar were created, and over them. Other translations of this epic have been made. The most important are as follows: Zimmern, in Gunkel's Schöpfung und Chaos, pp. 401, ff.; Delitzsch, Das Babylonische Wellschöpfungsepos (Abhandlungen der sächsischen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften, Bd. XVII, 1896); Muss-Arnolt, in Assyrian and Babylonian Literature, Aldine ed., edited by R. F. Harper; Jensen in Schrader's Keilinschriftliche Bibliothek, Bd. VI; L. W. King, The Seven Tablets of Creation; Dhorme, Choix de textes religieux assyrobabyloniens; Ungnad, in Gressman's Altorientalische Texte und Bilder zum Alten Testament; Rogers, Cuneiform Parallels to the Old Testament. A fragment of this tablet is shown in Fig. 290. 'That is, Sea and Abyss, mentioned in lines 3 and 4. Apsu was the waters underneath the dry land and Tiâmat the salt sea. 28. Their way was not good; they themselves prospered. 29. Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods, 30. Cried to Mummu, his minister, and said, 31. O Mummu, my minister, who delightest my heart, 32. Come, unto Tiâmat [let us go]. 33. They went, before Tiâmat they lay down, 34. A plan they formed against the gods [their offspring]. 35. [Apsu] opened his mouth, [he said to her], 36. Unto Tiâmat, the brilliant, a word he spoke: 37. "[Intolerable to me] is their advancement, 38. By day I have no rest, at night, no peace. 39. But I will destroy their way, an end will I make. 40. Let there be a cry, then we may be at peace!" 41. When Tiamat heard these words, 42. She was angry and spoke against them [a curse]; 43. [She was] grievously [pained] she raged.. 44. A curse she let fall, unto [Apsu she spoke]: 45. "What are we that we [should perish]! 46. Let their way become difficult.' 47. Mummu answered, Apsu [he counseled] 48. .not favorable was the counsel of the Roarer: 49. "Their way is strong, but do thou confound [it], 50. By day thou shalt be calm, by night thou shalt lie down." 51. Apsu heard and his face brightened, 52. [Since] he planned evil against the gods, his sons, 53. ...[clasped. his neck], 54. [He took him on] his knees and kissed him. 55. [They undertook. the evil which] together they had planned. (More than thirty lines here are too broken for connected translation.) 109. They separated themselves, to the side of Tiâmat they came; |