The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest known works of literature, dating back over 4,000 years. Written on clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia, it tells the story of Gilgamesh, a mighty king of Uruk, and his struggle with power, friendship, loss, and the meaning of life. Although it comes from a polytheistic culture, many themes in this epic resemble stories found in the Bible, especially in the book of Genesis.
This article presents a complete version of the epic and then compares it with major biblical themes and accounts.
PART 1: The Complete Story of the Epic of Gilgamesh
1. Gilgamesh: The Mighty King of Uruk
Gilgamesh is introduced as:
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Two-thirds god and one-third human
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Powerful, wise, and unmatched in strength
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A ruler who built the walls of Uruk and restored its temples
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But also a tyrant, burdening his people with forced labor and arrogance
The people cry out to the gods for help.
2. Creation of Enkidu: The Wild Man
To teach Gilgamesh humility, the gods create a rival: Enkidu, a wild man formed from clay.
Enkidu:
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Lives with animals
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Runs freely in the wilderness
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Destroys hunters’ traps
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Represents innocence and nature
A temple woman named Shamhat is sent to tame him. After spending time with her, Enkidu becomes civilized but loses his natural strength. He learns about Gilgamesh and travels to Uruk to confront him.
3. The Great Fight and the Birth of Friendship
Finally:
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Gilgamesh defeats Enkidu
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But respects his strength
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They become closest friends, united like brothers
This friendship changes Gilgamesh from a selfish king into a heroic leader.
4. The First Quest: Defeating Humbaba
Gilgamesh proposes a dangerous mission:
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Travel to the Cedar Forest
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Face Humbaba, the monstrous guardian appointed by the god Enlil
Enkidu warns him, but Gilgamesh is determined to gain eternal fame.
After a long journey:
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Gilgamesh prays to the sun god Shamash
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The gods send powerful winds
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Humbaba is defeated
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Humbaba pleads for mercy, but they kill him anyway
This act angers the gods.
5. Ishtar’s Proposal and the Bull of Heaven
Enraged, Ishtar asks her father, Anu, to send the Bull of Heaven to punish him.
The bull brings famine, earthquakes, and destruction. Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill the bull, further angering the gods.
6. The Death of Enkidu
The gods decide someone must pay for killing the Bull and Humbaba.
They choose Enkidu.
Enkidu:
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Falls sick
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Has dreams of the underworld
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Suffers for days
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Finally dies in Gilgamesh’s arms
Gilgamesh is devastated. His grief is so great that he refuses to bury Enkidu until his body begins to decay.
7. Gilgamesh’s Search for Immortality
Terrified by death after losing Enkidu, Gilgamesh embarks on a new quest:
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To find Utnapishtim, the only man granted eternal life
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Utnapishtim survived the great flood and was rewarded by the gods
Gilgamesh travels through:
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Desert wastelands
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Mountains guarded by scorpion-men
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12 leagues of complete darkness
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The Garden of the Gods
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Waters of death
He finally reaches Utnapishtim.
8. Utnapishtim’s Story of the Great Flood
Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh how:
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The gods decided to destroy humanity with a flood
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The god Ea secretly warned him
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He built a massive boat
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Took animals, craftsmen, and his family
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The flood covered the world
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After 7 days the waters calmed
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The boat rested on a mountain
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Utnapishtim released a dove, swallow, and raven
This is the strongest parallel to the Bible’s account of Noah’s Flood.
9. The Test of Staying Awake
Utnapishtim challenges Gilgamesh:
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“If you want immortality, do not sleep for six days and seven nights.”
Gilgamesh immediately falls asleep and fails.
10. The Plant of Youth
Feeling compassion, Utnapishtim’s wife convinces him to give Gilgamesh a second chance:
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A plant that restores youth
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Found at the bottom of the sea
Gilgamesh obtains the plant, planning to share it with the elders of Uruk.
But as he stops to bathe:
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A serpent steals the plant
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Shedding its skin as it slithers away (symbol of rebirth)
Gilgamesh cries in despair, accepting that immortality belongs only to the gods.
11. Gilgamesh Returns a Wiser King
He returns to Uruk and realizes:
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True immortality comes from good deeds and legacy
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His city, his leadership, and his impact on people will outlive him
The epic ends with Gilgamesh proudly showing the walls of Uruk—his lasting achievement.
PART 2: Comparison Between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible
While written in different cultures, both works deal with universal human themes like death, justice, creation, and the divine.
Below are the major similarities and differences.
Similarities
1. The Great Flood Narrative
Epic of Gilgamesh
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The gods become angry
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Utnapishtim is warned
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Builds a large boat
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Saves animals and family
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Waters cover the earth
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Boat rests on a mountain
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Releases birds
Bible (Genesis 6–9)
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God judges humanity
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Noah is warned
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Builds an ark
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Saves animals and family
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Waters cover the earth
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Ark rests on the mountains of Ararat
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Noah releases birds
Similarity level: Very strong
2. Serpent and Loss of Immortality
Gilgamesh
A serpent steals the plant of youth.
Bible
A serpent causes humans to lose access to the Tree of Life.
3. Human Mortality
Both texts explore:
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Why humans die
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The desire for eternal life
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Humanity’s relationship with the divine
4. Virtues of Friendship and Loyalty
Gilgamesh & Enkidu resemble:
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David & Jonathan (1 Samuel 18–20)
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Ruth & Naomi
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Discipleship relationships in the New Testament
Differences
1. Monotheism vs. Polytheism
Epic of Gilgamesh
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Many gods
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Gods are emotional, inconsistent, and often fight
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Decisions are unpredictable
Bible
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One God
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Morally perfect, sovereign, and just
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Decisions follow a clear moral purpose
2. Purpose of the Flood
Gilgamesh
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The gods are annoyed with humans
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No moral reason
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Decision is chaotic
Bible
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Humanity is evil and violent
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God judges sin
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God is consistent, righteous, and merciful
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The rainbow is a covenant
3. Character of the Divine
Gilgamesh
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Gods show jealousy, fear, and revenge
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They disagree and trick each other
Bible
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God is constant, holy, and loving
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His actions align with justice
4. Concept of Eternal Life
Gilgamesh
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Humans cannot become immortal
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Even the plant of youth is temporary
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Only gods live forever
Bible
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Eternal life is promised through God
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Resurrection is central (Daniel 12, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15)
5. Afterlife
Gilgamesh
The underworld is dark, dusty, hopeless.
Bible
Two destinations:
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Life with God
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Separation from God
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Hope of resurrection and new creation
Conclusion
The Epic of Gilgamesh stands as one of humanity’s greatest ancient stories. It presents the journey of a king who learns that:
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Power cannot defeat death
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Friendship gives meaning
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Wisdom comes through suffering
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Immortality is found in legacy, not in the body
While the narrative shares striking similarities with the Bible, especially in the Flood story, their worldviews are very different. The Bible emphasizes a single God, moral purpose, and eternal hope, while Gilgamesh portrays a world ruled by emotional, unpredictable gods.
Together, these ancient texts give us remarkable insight into:
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Humanity’s earliest questions
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The search for meaning
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The struggle with mortality
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The desire for relationship with the divine
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