1. Flood - Parallels God(s) deciding to destroy humans due to their behaviour (Gen. 6: 5-7, 11-13; MfM, p. 28 (A)) Pious man chosen by deity to be saved (Gen. 6: 8-10; MfM, pp. 29-30 (A) and 110 (G)) Instructions for building and loading ark (Gen. 6: 14-7: 9; MfM, pp. 30-31 (A) and 110-12 (G))

2. Flood - Parallels Use of birds, esp. dove and raven, in determining end of flood (Gen. 8: 6-12; MfM, p. 114 (G)) Sacrifice with pleasing smell for God(s) (Gen. 8: 20-21; MfM, pp. 33 (A) and 114 (G)) God’s bow in heavens as parallel to Marduk’s (Gen. 9: 13-17; MfM, p. 263 (EoC))

3. One decisive god, rather than bickering group (Gen. 6: 5-13 vs. MfM, pp. 28-29 (A)) God shows no qualms, unlike Mesopotamian gods (MfM, p. 113 (G)) Fault clearly lies with humans in Genesis But…

4. God’s forbearance and reassurance (Gen. 8: 22) The first covenant (Gen. 9: 1-17) Rules: animals as food. Were antediluvian humans vegetarians? Use of animals elsewhere (Gen. 3: 21 and 4: 4). Also rules on murder and retribution Universal covenant, but later hints of chosen people, primacy of younger sons (Gen. 10) Epilogue (Gen. 8: 20-9: 17)

5. Aetiology of different languages What is the fault? “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” (Gen. 9: 1) Polemic against polytheism, with Babylon as target. Pun on Bab-ilani/Babel (Gen. 11: 9) Tower of Babel (Gen. 11: 1-9)

6. Further polemic against polytheism/Babylon: Comment on building materials (Gen. 11: 3) “The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built” (Gen. 11: 5, vs. MfM, p. 262 (EoC)) “Come, let us go down.” (Gen. 11: 7) Consider also Gen. 11: 3-4 and 8-9. Tower of Babel (Gen. 11: 1-9)