Spirit in Atrahasis

Abstract

Abstract: Atrahasis is the protagonist of an 18th-century BC Akkadian epic found in various versions on clay tablets. It has many parallels with the biblical account of creation in Genesis. This paper will closely examine the meaning and usage of spirit in Atrahasis. The point is that spirit in Atrahasis plays a vital role in the creation account of human beings and the spirit performs a bridging role in the overarching narrative of rebellion, creation, and flood. Key Words: Atrahasis, Creation Account, Spirit (etemmu), Noise, Rebellion, Flood Author: Donald WANG is a Ph.D. candidate in Old Testament in Trinity International University. Mail address: 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield, IL, 60015 USA. cellphone: +18479439807 email: wuagedon@gmail.com

Atrahasis is the protagonist of an 18th-century BC Akkadian epic found in various versions on clay tablets. It has many parallels with the biblical account of creation in Genesis. This paper will closely examine the meaning and usage of spirit in Atrahasis. The point is that spirit in Atrahasis plays a vital role in the creation account of human beings and the spirit performs a bridging role in the overarching narrative of rebellion, creation, and flood.