The Epic of Gilgamesh TABLET XI THE STORY OF THE FLOOD   Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim, the Faraway: “I have been looking at you, but your appearance is not strange–you are like me! You yourself are not different–you are like me! My mind was resolved to fight with you, (butContinue Reading

The Flood narrative as a composite text The Flood narrative is an account of two sources, something that is explained by what biblical scholars call the Documentary Hypothesis. This hypothesis explains that two of the sources for this flood narrative are the Priestly and the Yahwist (P and J) –Continue Reading

What did the Deuteronomist reform? How did Josiah’s reign change the religion of the Israelites/The Kingdom of Judah? King Josiah changed the religion of Israel in the mid-seventh century BCE in several significant ways. According to the Old Testament account in 2 Kings 23, he removed all of the thingsContinue Reading

Date (BC) Israel (Northern Kingdom) Twenty monarchs, all were wicked.  Five dynasties were set up in Israel, all were short lived and ended by assassination or violence.  Seven monarchs were murdered, and 1 died of suicide. Judah (Southern Kingdom)  Twenty monarchs, twelve were wicked.  Only 4 advanced their nation economicallyContinue Reading