Unit ThreeUnit ThreeMyths of CreationMyths of Creation

Genesis 1:1 to 22:24Genesis 1:1 to 22:24

Hesiod, Hesiod, TheogonyTheogony

Rogers, pp. 71-96 Rogers, pp. 71-96

Goals and Objectives of Unit Goals and Objectives of Unit Three Three

Students who complete this unit will be able to Students who complete this unit will be able to

1.1. Identify mythopoeic elements in literature. Identify mythopoeic elements in literature.

2.2. Understand the power of mythopoeic logic Understand the power of mythopoeic logic

3.3. Understand how the authors of “Enuma Understand how the authors of “Enuma Elish”, Elish”, GenesisGenesis and and TheogonyTheogony used used mythopoeic logic to convey their meaningsmythopoeic logic to convey their meanings

4.4. Compare and contrast the elements of Compare and contrast the elements of “Enuma Elish”, “Enuma Elish”, GenesisGenesis, and , and TheogonyTheogony. .

The analysis of any text The analysis of any text is not an arbitrary is not an arbitrary guessing game. It is guessing game. It is based upon close based upon close consideration of what consideration of what one can know about the one can know about the author and his context. author and his context.

See the next slide for the most See the next slide for the most important elements of the author important elements of the author and his context.and his context.

Before reading any text Before reading any text remind yourself of the remind yourself of the

following 5 items.following 5 items. Who is the author?Who is the author? What is his audience?What is his audience? What is the environment of author What is the environment of author

and text?and text? What is the author’s purpose? What is the author’s purpose? What do the study questions ask What do the study questions ask

about this text?about this text?

Creation EpicCreation Epic“Enuma Elish” “Enuma Elish”

““Enuma Elish” (Eleesh) Name comes from theEnuma Elish” (Eleesh) Name comes from the

first words of the text meaning “When on High”first words of the text meaning “When on High”

Sumerian Creation Epic---Known to us inSumerian Creation Epic---Known to us in

numerous repetitive and incomplete fragmentsnumerous repetitive and incomplete fragments

from throughout the Middle East. from throughout the Middle East.

Earliest fragments date from about 2000 BCE. Earliest fragments date from about 2000 BCE.

““Enuma Elish” Enuma Elish”

Performed yearly by temple priests at the New Performed yearly by temple priests at the New Year’s Festival. Year’s Festival.

Originated in the Sumerian Originated in the Sumerian Culture which flourished at Culture which flourished at the northern end of the the northern end of the Persian Gulf in the delta of Persian Gulf in the delta of the Tigris and Euphrates the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.Rivers.

““Enuma Elish” Enuma Elish” Perpetuated in Babylonian, Akkadian, Perpetuated in Babylonian, Akkadian,

Assyrian and several other Middle Eastern Assyrian and several other Middle Eastern cultures until well after 1000 BCE. cultures until well after 1000 BCE.

Considered by scholars to be the literary and Considered by scholars to be the literary and conceptual grandfather of Genesis 1:1 to 2:3.conceptual grandfather of Genesis 1:1 to 2:3.

For Example, Consider the For Example, Consider the Order of Creation in “Enuma Order of Creation in “Enuma

Elish”Elish”Divine Spirit and cosmic matter are coexistent and Divine Spirit and cosmic matter are coexistent and

coeternalcoeternalPrimeval chaos; Ti’amat enveloped in darknessPrimeval chaos; Ti’amat enveloped in darknessLight emanating from the godsLight emanating from the godsThe creation of the firmamentThe creation of the firmamentThe creation of dry landThe creation of dry landThe creation of luminaries (lights in the heavens)The creation of luminaries (lights in the heavens)The creation of manThe creation of manThe gods rest and celebrate The gods rest and celebrate

Compare this to the next slide:

Order of Creation in Order of Creation in GenesisGenesis

Divine Spirit exists independent of cosmic matter.Divine Spirit exists independent of cosmic matter. The earth a desolate waste, with darkness The earth a desolate waste, with darkness

covering the deepcovering the deep Light createdLight created The creation of firmamentThe creation of firmament The creation of dry landThe creation of dry land The creation of luminaries (lights in the heavens)The creation of luminaries (lights in the heavens) The creation of manThe creation of man God rests and sanctifies the seventh day God rests and sanctifies the seventh day

Following a similar order, the Following a similar order, the pro-ducts of the same pro-ducts of the same environment, do “Enuma environment, do “Enuma Elish” and Elish” and Genesis Genesis 1-2.3 have 1-2.3 have similar audiences and a similar audiences and a similar purpose? similar purpose?

Does the mythopoeic process Does the mythopoeic process help us understand? help us understand?

The Creation Epic The Creation Epic (Enuma Elish)(Enuma Elish)

When on high the heaven had not been named.Firm ground below had not been called by name,

Naught but primordial Apsu,1 their begetter,(and) Mummu2 -Tiamat,3 she who bore then all,

Their4 waters commingling as a single body;No reed hut had been matted, no marsh land had appeared,

When no gods whatever had been brought into being,Uncalled by name, their destinies undetermined.

Creation in “Enuma Elish”Creation in “Enuma Elish”is not just about how the is not just about how the

world came to be world came to be The beginnings noted in The beginnings noted in Enuma Elish are not obviously Enuma Elish are not obviously divine.divine.

Names are direct application Names are direct application of terms for aspects in nature of terms for aspects in nature that are seen and experienced that are seen and experienced

Aspu (male)= sweet water Aspu (male)= sweet water

Ti’amat (female)= salt waterTi’amat (female)= salt water

From direct observation life first seems to spring From direct observation life first seems to spring and develop from the barren waters.and develop from the barren waters.Reasoned mythopoeicly, from the combination of Reasoned mythopoeicly, from the combination of two bodies of water the elements of nature form two bodies of water the elements of nature form

Elements of “Enuma Elements of “Enuma Elish”Elish”

The focus on naming in the first tablet of the “Enuma The focus on naming in the first tablet of the “Enuma Elish” reflects the experience of how elements came to Elish” reflects the experience of how elements came to be known to the author. be known to the author.

Authors make deliberateAuthors make deliberate

choices in the content choices in the content

and images that they use.and images that they use.

Because he emphasizes names and naming, there is Because he emphasizes names and naming, there is the question: “what does ‘creation’ mean to the author the question: “what does ‘creation’ mean to the author of “Enuma Elish”? of “Enuma Elish”?

Elements of “Enuma Elements of “Enuma Elish”Elish”

Much of the story line of the “Enuma Elish” Much of the story line of the “Enuma Elish” concerns a family conflict among the gods. concerns a family conflict among the gods.

The deliberate choice of using the intimate The deliberate choice of using the intimate experience of family conflict helps us to experience of family conflict helps us to understand that the author of “Enuma Elish” understand that the author of “Enuma Elish” likens creation to the intimate conflicts that likens creation to the intimate conflicts that permeate human life.permeate human life.

Through the use of images of Through the use of images of naming and instances of naming and instances of family conflict, the author of family conflict, the author of “Enuma Elish” is emphasizing “Enuma Elish” is emphasizing something he considers to be something he considers to be far more im-portant to life far more im-portant to life than the process of things than the process of things coming into existence. coming into existence.

What life experience is soWhat life experience is so important to this author? important to this author?

Genesis: Textual Genesis: Textual HistoryHistory

The Book of Genesis is a complex The Book of Genesis is a complex accumulation of different stories from accumulation of different stories from different authors at different places and different authors at different places and times. times.

The story of Genesis 2:4-25 is known to The story of Genesis 2:4-25 is known to have existed in the 8have existed in the 8 thth century BCE. century BCE.

The story of Genesis 1:1-2:3 is first The story of Genesis 1:1-2:3 is first known in the 5known in the 5 thth century BCE. century BCE.

Genesis 2:4-25Genesis 2:4-251. Written and codified as a reaction to the 1. Written and codified as a reaction to the

deportation and subsequent deportation and subsequent disappearance of the ten “lost” tribes of disappearance of the ten “lost” tribes of Israel by the Assyrians at the end of the Israel by the Assyrians at the end of the 88thth century BCE. century BCE.

2. The codification was one of the first 2. The codification was one of the first attempts to preserve the long traditions attempts to preserve the long traditions of the Hebrews from destruction and of the Hebrews from destruction and preserve a guide for future action. preserve a guide for future action.

Genesis 1:1-2:3Genesis 1:1-2:3

Composed in the midst of the Babylonian Composed in the midst of the Babylonian Captivity of the 5Captivity of the 5 thth century BCE. century BCE.

The seventh day of rest was an The seventh day of rest was an affirmation of the day of Hebrew affirmation of the day of Hebrew community that fostered the identity of community that fostered the identity of the Hebrew people in exile. the Hebrew people in exile.

Are there two creation Are there two creation stories in Genesis ???stories in Genesis ???

Genesis 1:1-2:3 the Hebrew God creates Genesis 1:1-2:3 the Hebrew God creates by a verbal command (perlocution). by a verbal command (perlocution).

Genesis 2:4-25 the Hebrew God creates Genesis 2:4-25 the Hebrew God creates more as a craftsman, making Adam from more as a craftsman, making Adam from clay and Eve from Adam’s rib. clay and Eve from Adam’s rib.

Is Genesis a Myth ??Is Genesis a Myth ??

Is Genesis drawn from experience? Is Genesis drawn from experience?

Consider E. A. Speiser’s translation of Consider E. A. Speiser’s translation of Genesis 1:1.Genesis 1:1.

““When God set about to create heaven and When God set about to create heaven and earth—the world being then a formless earth—the world being then a formless waste, with darkness over the seas and waste, with darkness over the seas and only an awesome wind sweeping over the only an awesome wind sweeping over the water—water— “ “

Genesis starts from the Genesis starts from the basic physical supposition basic physical supposition drawn from experience drawn from experience that the earth already that the earth already existed at the point when existed at the point when God began to create.God began to create.

It is impossible to It is impossible to experience nothing.experience nothing.

Genesis Order of Genesis Order of CreationCreation

Divine Spirit exists independent of cosmic matter.Divine Spirit exists independent of cosmic matter. The earth a desolate waste, with darkness The earth a desolate waste, with darkness

covering the deepcovering the deep Light createdLight created The creation of firmamentThe creation of firmament The creation of dry landThe creation of dry land The creation of luminaries (lights in the heavens)The creation of luminaries (lights in the heavens) The creation of manThe creation of man God rests and sanctifies the seventh day God rests and sanctifies the seventh day

Where are the author’s Where are the author’s deliberate choices leading his deliberate choices leading his readers?readers? Clue: the earth was without form and void.Clue: the earth was without form and void.

An exposé of how order came from chaos?An exposé of how order came from chaos?

Is this the act of a rational mind—one at Is this the act of a rational mind—one at work to explain human associations “order work to explain human associations “order out of chaos”?out of chaos”?

Genesis as rationalized Genesis as rationalized myth:myth:

“we keep the word in “we keep the word in earthenearthenvessels,” vessels,” (Kennicott).(Kennicott).

Dual creation stories is one example. Dual creation stories is one example.

Story of Noah is example two, and there Story of Noah is example two, and there are many others. are many others.

The Story of NoahThe Story of Noah Gen 6:19 Noah told to take two of every animal Gen 6:19 Noah told to take two of every animal

with him into the arkwith him into the ark

Gen. 7:2 the order is restated to 7 pairs of the Gen. 7:2 the order is restated to 7 pairs of the clean animals and 1 pair of the unclean animals clean animals and 1 pair of the unclean animals (sacrifice of clean and unclean at 8:20-22)(sacrifice of clean and unclean at 8:20-22) Presumes a much later knowledge of dietary laws Presumes a much later knowledge of dietary laws

formulated much later in the composition of formulated much later in the composition of Leviticus at the time of the Exodus from EgyptLeviticus at the time of the Exodus from Egypt

SeptuagintSeptuagint

The many traditions and editions The many traditions and editions exemplified in the multiple stories of exemplified in the multiple stories of creation and the story of Noah were creation and the story of Noah were compiled into the Greek tradition that is compiled into the Greek tradition that is now the tradition of Western Christianity now the tradition of Western Christianity some time in the second century BCE. A some time in the second century BCE. A legend has it that a group of 70 scholars legend has it that a group of 70 scholars did this in 72 days in Alexandria for the did this in 72 days in Alexandria for the Jewish community in exile.Jewish community in exile.

What holds all of the What holds all of the traditions and editions of traditions and editions of

the Old Testament the Old Testament together?together?

The CovenantThe Covenant

Covenant is a Covenant is a Contract:Contract:

Ber’itBer’itIt containsIt contains

1.1. PreamblePreamble Who speaks to whom, it is also a statement of the Who speaks to whom, it is also a statement of the

standing of the participantsstanding of the participants

1.1. Historical PrologueHistorical Prologue Reminder of past favors to enhance obligationReminder of past favors to enhance obligation

1.1. StipulationsStipulations Demands of loyalty to the oath—unlike law there is no Demands of loyalty to the oath—unlike law there is no

specific obligation on the overlord (God)specific obligation on the overlord (God)

1.1. Provisions for public readings or noticeProvisions for public readings or notice2.2. Invocation of witnessesInvocation of witnesses3.3. Threats and promises if the oath is brokenThreats and promises if the oath is broken

All of the elements, All of the elements, stories and directions of stories and directions of the Old Testament hold the Old Testament hold one of the above one of the above positions in the positions in the Covenant and help Covenant and help provide direction and provide direction and identity to an insecure identity to an insecure people seeking its way people seeking its way in the world.in the world.

TheogonyTheogony : : Creation of the Human Creation of the Human

ImageImageHesiod: (pg. 23) learned the story he tellsHesiod: (pg. 23) learned the story he tellsfrom the muses from the muses

The same might be true of how the nobleman achieves justice: The same might be true of how the nobleman achieves justice: ““And when the daughters of great Zeus would bring Honour And when the daughters of great Zeus would bring Honour upon a heaven-favored lord/ And when the daughters of great upon a heaven-favored lord/ And when the daughters of great Zeus would bring/ Hounour upon a heaven-favoured lord/ And Zeus would bring/ Hounour upon a heaven-favoured lord/ And when they watch him being orn, they pour/ Sweet dew upon when they watch him being orn, they pour/ Sweet dew upon his tongue, and from his lips/ Flow honeyed words. All people his tongue, and from his lips/ Flow honeyed words. All people look to him. . .”(pg. 25-26)look to him. . .”(pg. 25-26)

Talent is somehow an object divorced of Hesiod’s person:Talent is somehow an object divorced of Hesiod’s person:this is mythopoeicthis is mythopoeic. .

TheogonyTheogony : : Creation of the Human Creation of the Human

ImageImage The The TheogonyTheogony is really the tale of the birth of is really the tale of the birth of

the gods the gods Man is definitely a minor character or minor Man is definitely a minor character or minor

aspect of this workaspect of this work These deities are really substantialized These deities are really substantialized

entities of what we think of as human entities of what we think of as human attributesattributes Aphrodite (sexual love) pg. 29Aphrodite (sexual love) pg. 29 Eros (desire) p.29Eros (desire) p.29 The Muses (talent) The Muses (talent)

TheogonyTheogony : : Creation of the Human Creation of the Human

ImageImage Older deities are personified natural Older deities are personified natural

phenomenaphenomena Night (pg. 30)Night (pg. 30)

Other deities are principles of good or evilOther deities are principles of good or evil Hecate- economic prosperity/ she is goddess of Hecate- economic prosperity/ she is goddess of

the householdthe household Metis- goddess of wisdom/ justiceMetis- goddess of wisdom/ justice

Creation is through sexual reproduction and Creation is through sexual reproduction and birthbirth An aspect of pure myth in thisAn aspect of pure myth in this

The Elements of The Elements of TheogonyTheogony

Chaos was first (pg. 27)Chaos was first (pg. 27) In Greek the word means formless, In Greek the word means formless,

without orderwithout order

Hesiod sees the inception of the Hesiod sees the inception of the world as similar to the discord world as similar to the discord envisioned in Genesis.envisioned in Genesis.

The Elements of The Elements of TheogonyTheogony

Out of Chaos came Ouranos (sky) and Gaia (earth)Out of Chaos came Ouranos (sky) and Gaia (earth) From their union is born the natural worldFrom their union is born the natural world

But Ouranos prevents the birth of most of his But Ouranos prevents the birth of most of his childrenchildren

For this, Kronos was designated to get revenge (pg. For this, Kronos was designated to get revenge (pg. 29)29) Castrates OuranosCastrates Ouranos

Kronos as chief of the gods now consorts with RheaKronos as chief of the gods now consorts with Rhea Because of a prophecy that his offspring will Because of a prophecy that his offspring will

replace him he too disrupts natural order—replace him he too disrupts natural order—prophecy of son succeeding his father represents prophecy of son succeeding his father represents natural progressionnatural progression But he too swallows his offspring (pg. 38)But he too swallows his offspring (pg. 38)

Zeus in TheogonyZeus in Theogony

Zeus hidden from his father survives. Zeus hidden from his father survives. Once grown Zeus over powers Kronos Once grown Zeus over powers Kronos

(pg. 39)(pg. 39) Then Zeus wars on the Titans (Titans Then Zeus wars on the Titans (Titans

generation of Kronos pg. 44)generation of Kronos pg. 44) Zeus ends the cycle of violence and Zeus ends the cycle of violence and

disorder by:disorder by: Marrying then ingesting Metis (pg. 52)Marrying then ingesting Metis (pg. 52) Thus becoming the container of justiceThus becoming the container of justice

TheogonyTheogony : Order of : Order of CreationCreation

Chaos was first of allChaos was first of all From Chaos came black Night and ErebosFrom Chaos came black Night and Erebos Night in turn gave birth to DayNight in turn gave birth to Day And SpaceAnd Space Then she brought forth long hills…mountain Then she brought forth long hills…mountain

clefts… the barren seaclefts… the barren sea And Earth bore starry Heaven… to cover herAnd Earth bore starry Heaven… to cover her Mortal man appear only in passing (“Of Mortal man appear only in passing (“Of

goddesses who lay with mortal men”)goddesses who lay with mortal men”) Aegis-bearing Zeus consolidates power and Aegis-bearing Zeus consolidates power and

reignsreigns

Consider how the images Consider how the images in in TheogonyTheogony are self- are self-referenced by the author referenced by the author because they are the because they are the result of personal result of personal experience.experience.

Is the author of Is the author of TheogonyTheogony concerned with how concerned with how things came into being or things came into being or with how to sanction just with how to sanction just and fair action? and fair action?

Reality as MythReality as Myth Because mythology seems fantastic by modern Because mythology seems fantastic by modern standards of reality and because it is often a standards of reality and because it is often a very simple explanation of experience, modern very simple explanation of experience, modern readers are too often distracted by what they readers are too often distracted by what they consider important---the fantastic and the consider important---the fantastic and the divine. In reality mythology is more often a very divine. In reality mythology is more often a very clear and common sense based description of clear and common sense based description of how to deal with a world that is often harsh and how to deal with a world that is often harsh and far too powerful for the ordinary person to far too powerful for the ordinary person to overcome. Hurricane Katrina over-powered our overcome. Hurricane Katrina over-powered our ability to control our existence. Primitive man ability to control our existence. Primitive man lived in a world full of Katrina’s at every turn. lived in a world full of Katrina’s at every turn.