Comparing Book Of J And The Hebrew Bible

     Another difference in the story is the instructions on how to build the ark. In the bible, God tells Noah to build the ark 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high (New International Version, Gen. 6:15). God continues to tell him to “make a roof and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top” (New International Version, Gen. 6:16a). Then “put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle, and upper decks” (New International Version, Gen. 6:16b). In Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim builds his ark 155 feet high, and the decks 175 feet wide. He also built a top deck and six lower decks (Matthews and Benjamin 26).

Prophecy, poetry, songs, and genealogy lists are just a few of the many genres found in the Pentateuch. However, the two dominant genres include biblical law and biblical narrative. In fact, 40 percent of the Old Testament is narrative (“Lecture 1,” 2015). Key to interpreting different texts within the Bible, it is critical to understand the genres themselves. Each genre possesses unique features that, when understood, assist in the interpretation of the text. Understanding the key features of biblical law and biblical narrative genres will affect how an individual interprets Scripture in the Old Testament.

Unlike Mythology, narratives of the Bible are actual events that took place dating back to the beginning of time. The conception of The Holy Bible’s compilation started thousands of years ago in the land of Egypt. Initially, the Old Testament Scriptures were written in the Hebrew language, however, they were later translated to the Greek. At the onset of the New Testament writings, they were originally recorded in the Greek language. Forty men transcribed the voice of God, which resulted in sixty-six books of the Holy Bible. The Holy Scriptures explained the creations, formation of the world, God, God’s chosen people, sin, and the plan of salvation as well.

Comparing and contrasting different written works is a key aspect to discovering truths about the Christian Bible. When we compare and contrast canonical books, we can learn many things about the theology and context in which these books were written. Today, we will be comparing two books from the New Testament: Hebrews and Revelation. While Hebrews is often referred to as an epistle, it is actually more similar to a sermon. Revelation is a book that describes a supposed “vision” from the author John. John wrote this vision down on the instruction of a heavenly figure. While we compare these books, we will specifically focus on their relation to Judaism and their positions on Judaism. We will examine three major difference and/or similarities: Their views on the relevance of Jewish History, the superiority of Christ, and, the Second coming of the Messiah.

Although the stories are similar they are not identical. In Genesis God sent the Flood to destroy humankind because of man’s wickedness. Unlike The Gilgamesha where the reason was never said however the sender of the flood was a secret council of gods the idea was brought up by Enlil , the god of earth wind and air. God favored Noah because he was a righteous man therefore, he was chosen to build the ark that was three hundred cubits long, fifty cubit wide, and thirty cubits high, about three stories. Utnapishtim was chosen out of the cleverness of Ea, the god of wisdom and crafts. God came directly to Noah to tell him about the Flood where as Ea was swore to secrecy so “he repeated their plans to the reed fence” so he would no break the oath to the group. The boat Utnapishtim was directed to build was a rectangle shaped measuring one acre and about 6 stories high. When the floor came in Gilgamesh it was only rainwater however the Flood in Genesis was rain water as well as ground water. Both floods did indeed wipe out all of humankind but the did not last equal as long. After the flood Utnapishtim was gifted the gift of eternal life where as Noah was to multiply and have rule over the animals.

In Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim is chosen to survive the great flood because he too is faithful to his lord, God Ea. They each prepare for their journey by building a large boat, and bringing with them two of every animal and their families. Noah’s ark is thirty cubits high, and three stories while Utnapishtim’s boat is two hundred feet tall, with six

God decided to wipe out mankind with a flood. In order to help repopulate the earth after the flood was over, God called upon Noah. God told Noah to build himself an ark out of cypress wood, with room inside. He told Noah to cover the ark, both inside and out with pitch to protect it from the waters. God instructed Noah as to the size of the ark, and what it was to look like. “The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Make a roof for it and finish the ark within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle, and upper decks.” (Genesis 6: 15-16)

The Tanakh is the collection of the scriptures of Judaism. It is commonly referred to as the Jewish Old Testament or the Jewish Bible, however these names are not the ones used by the Jewish people. Their Scripture that is comparable to that of the Christian Bible is the Tanakh. The name is made from an acronym of the Hebrew names of the three components of Jewish

Sadly, the Bible reports that nearly all of Adam’s descendents “had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction” (Gen. 6:12 Amplified Bible), and, as a result of this intolerable situation, God told Noah that He had determined “to make an end of all flesh [as well as] destroy … the land … by [bringing] a flood of waters upon the earth” (Gen. 6:13, 17). After the Holy Creator had uttered this apocalyptic intent, He proceeded to provide Noah with instructions on how he was to build an ark, which included information on a list of vital materials (Gen. 6:14), some details on the manner they were to be used (Gen. 6:14), basic blueprints of its structure (Gen. 6:14, 16), and, what measurements the floating vehicle was to have when it was completed, which Scriptures report was to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (Gen. 6:15).

As a descendant of Adam and Eve, Noah was both a blameless and righteous man who faithfully walked alongside the Lord. Unlike the others in his generation, Noah did not allow the wickedness to enter into his own life, and God sought favor in this. Genesis 6: 13 reveals the discussion between God to Noah, revealing his plan to destroy every living thing under the heavens due to the violence that seeps in the lives of all creations. The Lord instructed Noah to build an ark out of cypress wood, accommodating the dimensions of forty-five feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. One the construction was completed the Lord revealed the occupants of the ark.

Ea told Utnapishtim to build a boat, “Of seven stories each with nine chambers” (Gilgamesh 10). The boat was also to be cube shaped and able to hold food, wine, minerals, his family, and the “seed of living animals” (Gilgamesh 10). Similarly, God instructed Noah to build an ark of cypress with rooms. It has to be “three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high” (Genesis 6:15). The ark also contained upper, middle, and lower decks, and a door on the side. Both had been told how the boat should be built by a divine figure, but God’s instructions to Noah were different than those given to Utnapishtim.

Gilgamesh had a different way of building his ark he had everyone's help and despite knowing that almost everyone was going to be wiped from existence he threw a party.” He gave the shipwrights wine to drink as though it were river water, raw wine and red wine and oil and white wine. There was feasting then” (The Epic of Gilgamesh pg. ). Noah took the whole thing more serious the Gilgamesh ever did, but he still managed to have the boat done in seven

In both books, religious truth allows readers to perceive what they read differently. Especially comparing it to The Bible. The Bible is a very large symbol that both books use to delineate a deeper understanding of religious truth.

     The Jewish Bible or Tanakh, is the sacred book that interprets history as the Jews have experienced it. Although it is proper to think of the Bible as a single book of scriptures, it is more accurate to describe it as a library of books assembled under three major headings. The most important is the Torah, which means “devine instruction and guidance.” Torah is also known as the Five Books of Moses; the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The second portion is the Nevi’im meaning writings of the Prophets. The third section of Tanakh is referred to as Kethuvim or “the Writings.”

The structure of the Book of James begins as a letter and later vacillates between topics, at times appearing to be more of a sermon addressed to those in the congregation of Jewish Christians. Considered by some to be wisdom literature, James introduces and argues for several topics and themes. In James 2:16-26, the themes of faith, good works, and proper treatment of the poor. At times the structure of James resembles blocks of teaching and exhortation. Luther even accused the author of “throwing things together…. Chaotically.”8 Regardless of