Some scholars say that the Genesis 1 creation account is a literary “polemic” which was meant to refute Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) creation mythologies.[1] Others say the Genesis 1 creation account is radically different and that the references and apparent similarities are simply coincidental.[2] Furthermore, some even advance that the creation accounts of Babylon have influenced the narratives of the Gospels in Matthew and Mark as well as Paul’s account of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians.[3] This blog post will examine the Israelite creation account and the Ancient Near Eastern creation myths of Egypt, Babylon, Sumeria, and Canaan.
I. ISRAELITE CREATION ACCOUNT
A. Context of the Israelite Creation Account