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Hellenistic ORIGINS of The Tower of Babel Is Shocking | 4k Documentary

MythVision Podcast・29 minutes read

The text delves into the connections between biblical stories and ancient myths, exploring the divine beings, flood narratives, genealogies, and polytheistic elements present in Genesis. Scholars analyze how Babylonian traditions and the poem of era influenced the biblical Tower of Babel story, drawing parallels between the two accounts and highlighting the cultural and geopolitical contexts of the era.

Insights

  • The text presents a unique perspective on Genesis, showcasing a world where multiple gods interact with mortals, leading to the birth of Nephilim, Giants, and Heroes, highlighting a polytheistic nature that differs from the monotheistic view commonly associated with the text.
  • The analysis of the Tower of Babel story reveals intricate connections to Mesopotamian sources like the poem of era, depicting a narrative of divine anger, floods, and restoration, influencing the biblical account and suggesting a rich interplay between ancient mythologies that shaped cultural narratives beyond mere historical events.

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Recent questions

  • How do gods interact with mortals in Genesis?

    Gods coexist, leading to Nephilim, Giants, and Heroes.

  • What is the significance of the Tower of Babel in Genesis?

    Yahweh scatters humanity due to language confusion.

  • Who is Nimrod in Genesis, and what role does he play?

    Nimrod is a giant hunter and Babylon's founder.

  • How does Psalms 82 depict divine beings in Genesis?

    El judges other gods in a divine council.

  • What parallels exist between the Tower of Babel and the poem of era?

    Both narratives involve a flood and Babylon's destruction.

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Summary

00:00

Gods, Nephilim, and Heroes in Genesis

  • The text explores a world where gods coexist with mortals, leading to the birth of Nephilim, Giants, and Heroes.
  • Genesis is analyzed through the lens of Russell Gamarkan's theory, suggesting a connection between divine beings and human vices leading to a flood.
  • The genealogy in Genesis 2:4 mirrors Greek myths, depicting Heaven and Earth as actual gods who reproduce to create other gods.
  • Post-flood, Noah's descendants are listed, including Nimrod, portrayed as a giant hunter and the founder of Babylon.
  • Genesis 10 lists 70 nations, each under the jurisdiction of a god, showcasing a peaceful coexistence among deities.
  • The text delves into the polytheistic nature of Genesis, with Yahweh ruling over one land while other gods govern various nations.
  • Psalms 82 presents a divine council where the chief deity, El, judges other gods, highlighting a polytheistic worldview.
  • The Tower of Babel narrative in Genesis 11 describes the scattering of humanity due to Yahweh's intervention in their unified language.
  • Scholarly debates surround the origins of the Tower of Babel story, with elements like the confusion of languages and scattering seen as innovative additions.
  • The narrative of Babylon's construction post-flood in Genesis 11 is analyzed, with themes like the confusion of languages and scattering considered secondary additions.

20:16

Mesopotamian Poem: Flood, Destruction, and Restoration

  • The Mesopotamian source of the Tower of Babel's story is the poem of era, describing a flood and later destruction of Babylon.
  • The poem of era was a popular work in the first millennium BCE, with at least 36 copies found in various sites.
  • The flood in the poem occurred due to Marduk's anger, leading to a cosmic catastrophe affecting Heaven, Earth, and Babylon.
  • Marduk's royal attire was ruined in the flood, prompting him to leave his throne to restore it, despite the impending second catastrophe.
  • Era, the God of destruction, would rule in Marduk's absence, causing another flood and destruction of cities, including Babylon.
  • Eventually, Marduk would return, era's wrath would be placated, and order restored in Babylonia.
  • The poem of era parallels the biblical Tower of Babel story, with Babylon repopulated by flood survivors and a subsequent catastrophe.
  • Barosis likely drew on the poem of era for his Babylonian traditions, as seen in pseudo-eupolumus' account of the Tower of Babel's story.
  • Both the poem of era and pseudo-upolumus mention Bel Marduk's survival of the flood and the destruction of Babylon's Tower due to impiety.
  • The poem of era and pseudo-upolumus share parallels in the fall of Babylon's ziggurat and the involvement of Bel Marduk in the city's fate.

39:18

Genesis Table Reflects Eastern Mediterranean Geopolitics

  • The poem of Era, dated 680 to 669 BCE, lacks interest in Babylonian architecture, unlike Barosis, which mentions Babylon as the first close-flood city with burnt brick and bitumen architecture, possibly influencing the Tower of Babylon story in Genesis.
  • Genesis 10, the Table of Nations, traces nations back to Noah's sons, but its categorization principles remain mysterious, with questions about the credibility of every nation descending from a single ancestor, possibly influenced by Greek genealogies.
  • The Table of Nations mirrors the Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics around 273-272 BCE, with Noah's sons corresponding to major regional powers like the Seleucids and Ptolemies, suggesting a reflection of the era's realities.
  • The exploration of the Table of Nations hints at a geopolitical reflection of the Eastern Mediterranean around 273-272 BCE, possibly influenced by the Greek takeover, with Noah's sons aligning with major regional powers and familiar nations known to the Jews at that time.
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