Water Water Everywhere! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Both

In the Bible the reason given for the flood was the wickedness of humanity. According to the King James version, Noah was selected to survive because "for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation." Gilgamesh was told by Utanapishtim that "The hearts of the Great Gods moved them to inflict the Flood."

Answer: Noah's Ark

I hope I didn't trick you! In both stories the hero has been told to build a boat or an ark, however, only the Hebrews believed in a monotheistic God. Gilgamesh was visited by the pagan god Ea (a god of the water) in a dream, and was told to "tear down the house and build a boat!"

Answer: Noah's Ark

The Bible says that Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth were on the ark, as well as his wife and the three wives of his sons. Utanapishtim, however, loaded his "kith and kin. . .and the craftsmen. . . ."

Answer: Gilgamesh Epic

No mention is made in the Bible of Noah bringing anything in the ark except for his family and animals, however, 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' mentions the inclusion of the silver and gold Utanapishtim possessed, as well as living things.

Answer: Both

The Bible says Noah included his family, "all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every 'sort." Utanapishtim includes "all the beasts and animals of the field. . . ."

Answer: Neither

After God shut Noah in the ark, "the rain was upon the earth for forty days and forty nights." After seeing the sign described by Ea (the heavens began to darken with terrible storm clouds) Utanapishtim boarded the ship and sealed the entrance with clay. "For six days and seven nights came the wind and flood, the storm flattening the land. . . ."

Answer: Gilgamesh Epic

Noah's ark finally came to rest on Mt. Ararat "in the seventh month on the seventeenth day of the month" after the flood had begun. Utanapishtim says that his ship floated in the water for twelve days after the rain stopped. "On Mt. Nimush (also called Nisir) the boat lodged firm."

Answer: Both

Noah first sent out a raven and then a dove to see if the "waters were abated from off the face of the earth." After the dove returned he waited seven more days before sending it again. Finally the dove returned with an olive leaf. He waited seven more days before sending the dove again. That time it did not return. According to 'Epic of Gilgamesh', the hero waited on Mount Nimush for seven days before sending out a dove.

The dove returned, and he sent a swallow. When the swallow also returned, Utanapishtim sent a raven.

The raven did not return.

Answer: Both

"And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar." Utanapishtim says, "Then I sent out everything in all directions and sacrificed (a sheep)."

Answer: Noah's Ark

God produced a rainbow and promised Noah that he would never "smite any more every thing living. . .and the bow shall be in the cloud and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant. . . ." Utanapishtim and his wife were given a blessing and were made immortal that they "become like us, the gods!"