Dear steemit friends,
We know that Israel was in exile in Babylon between 586 BC – 530 BC. We also know that Enuma Elish was one of the most important myths of this time and was an integral part of Babylonian society, politics and religious cult. However, the myth was a part of the Middle Eastern region long before then. Copies have been found dating back to thousands of years BC. It is therefore highly likely that the authors of the Genesis creation accounts knew the story of Enuma Elish.
Jewish teachers often used myth in order to debunk myth. Familiar entities and story lines were employed to propose the very opposite ideas of what the original myth declared. Within its literary context, the Genesis origin narratives are brilliant replies to the popular stories of their day. These Biblical narratives deliberately allude to the myths in order to subvert the very message they were meant to communicate.
The hierarchy of gods and humans in Enuma Elish corresponds to the social structures in Babylon at that time. The position of slaves corresponds to the creation of man. Their purpose is to serve. The gods don’t have much interest in humanity, except that humanity should serve them. Humanity does not have much inherent value; we were more of an afterthought.
In this context, Genesis 1 is a radical irreligious text! For it declares a God who highly values humans. In fact, for God you are an expression of his own image and likeness. Your existence was joyfully anticipated! You were desired into existence. This universe welcomes me. A God who values every human being is very dangerous in the social structures of Babylon.
