Introduction to the Old Testament: Doublets, Contradictions, and Biblical Authorship - Lecture 4

Overview

Explore a 48-minute lecture from Yale University's "Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)" course, delving into Genesis stories like Cain and Abel and the Flood. Examine the concept of God-endowed sanctity of human life and universal moral law. Analyze contradictions and doublets in the flood narrative, leading to discussions on the Pentateuch's complex composition and authorship. Compare Mesopotamian, Semitic, and Israelite flood stories, and investigate parallels between the Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis. Discover the implications of repetitions and contradictions throughout the Bible, challenging traditional views on Mosaic authorship of the first five books.

Syllabus

- Chapter 1. The Taming of Enkidu in The "Epic of Gilgamesh".
- The Story of Enkidu as Parallel to the Second Story of Creation in Genesis.
- Major Themes in the Story of Cain and Abel .
- Comparing Mesopotamian, Semitic and Israelite Flood Stories .
- Contradictions and Doublets in the Flood Story in Genesis 6-9 .
- Implications of the Repetitions and Contradictions throughout the Bible.