Personally I am convinced but Chat GPT tells me scholars are not all convinced that one of the authors mentioned in the Book of Enoch by his biblical name Methuselah, is Sumerian king and scholar of the art of literature, Ubara-tutu, grandfather of Sumerian Noah, Utnapishtim. Chat GPT, the artificial intelligence app, says: “There is no scholarly consensus that Ubara-Tutu was Methuselah. In fact, the two figures belong to different mythological and historical contexts.
Ubara-Tutu was a legendary king of the Sumerian city of Shuruppak who appears in several Sumerian myths and legends, including the Deluge myth. Methuselah, on the other hand, is a biblical figure who is said to have lived for 969 years and is best known as the grandfather of Noah.
While some scholars have attempted to draw parallels between Ubara-Tutu and Methuselah, there is little concrete evidence to support this connection. Moreover, the two figures belong to distinct cultural and historical traditions, and there is no direct or indirect evidence that suggests they are the same person.
Therefore, it is not accurate to say that scholars are convinced that Ubara-Tutu was Methuselah.”
I responded, “Both names are associated with writing, Methuselah in the Book of Enoch and Book of Jubilees and Book of Jasher, which compares with Ubara-tutu mentioned as scholar and grandfather of Sumerian Noah, Utnapishtim, in the Instruction of Sharappak, extant text. ”
Chat app replied: “ You are correct that both Methuselah and Ubara-Tutu are associated with writing in their respective traditions. In the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees, Methuselah is described as a wise man who taught his descendants various skills and knowledge, including writing. Similarly, Ubara-Tutu is said to have been a scholar and teacher in the Sumerian tradition, and he is associated with several literary works, including the Instructions of Shuruppak.
However, it is important to note that while there are similarities between the two figures, they belong to different cultural and historical contexts. Methuselah is a biblical figure who is part of the Jewish and Christian traditions, while Ubara-Tutu is a legendary king of the Sumerian city of Shuruppak who appears in Sumerian myths and legends.
Furthermore, while some scholars have attempted to draw connections between the two figures, there is no definitive evidence to support the idea that Ubara-Tutu and Methuselah are the same person. Therefore, while there are similarities in their associations with writing and wisdom, it is not accurate to say that scholars are convinced that Ubara-Tutu was Methuselah.”
Anyway, I’m convinced. So undeterred, aware there are implications making the comparison problematic for scholars, I pressed further, putting it to the AI app that: “There are strong comparisons between father or predecessor of Ubara-tutu, Enmenduranki, and biblical father of Methuselah, Enoch.”
The AI replied: “You are correct that there are some similarities between Enmeduranki and Enoch. In the Sumerian tradition, Enmeduranki was a king of Sippar who was renowned for his knowledge and wisdom. He was also said to have been taken up to heaven by the gods, where he was instructed in various arts and sciences. Similarly, in the biblical tradition, Enoch was a righteous man who walked with God and was taken up to heaven without experiencing death.
These similarities have led some scholars to suggest that Enmeduranki and Enoch may have been based on a common archetype or cultural motif, although this is a matter of debate among scholars. Some scholars have also suggested that there may have been a historical connection between the two figures, although this is difficult to prove.
However, it is important to note that while there are some similarities between Enmeduranki and Enoch, they are also distinct figures who belong to different cultural and historical contexts. Enmeduranki is part of the Sumerian tradition, while Enoch is part of the Jewish and Christian traditions. Therefore, while there may be some parallels between the two figures, it is not accurate to say that Enmeduranki is the same as Enoch, or that Ubara-tutu is Methuselah.”
So the matter is still open and eventually a consensus might be reached.
Next point I made: “Counting back seven generations or successions from each of these you come to Alulim in the Sumerian tradition (king lists) and Adam in the biblical tradition. Both of these are traditionally on record as being origins creations with no human parentage.”
AI replied: “You are correct that according to Sumerian king lists, Alulim was the first king of Eridu and the first ruler in a line of seven antediluvian kings who were said to have reigned for an incredibly long time. Similarly, in the biblical tradition, Adam is described as the first man, created by God in his own image and without human parentage.
These parallels have been noted by some scholars, who have suggested that there may be a common cultural motif of a primordial ancestor figure who is divinely created and without human parentage. However, it is important to note that the stories of Alulim and Adam belong to distinct cultural and historical contexts and should be understood on their own terms.
Furthermore, while there may be some similarities between Alulim and Adam, it is also important to recognize that the two figures have distinct characteristics and play different roles in their respective traditions. Therefore, while it is interesting to note the parallels between these two figures, it is important to approach them with a nuanced and culturally sensitive perspective.”
I added: “The New Testament Epistle of Jude also calls Enoch ‘the seventh from Adam’.”
Chat GPT AI replied: “You are correct that the New Testament Epistle of Jude refers to Enoch as "the seventh from Adam" (Jude 1:14). This reference underscores Enoch's place in the genealogy of the biblical tradition, tracing his lineage back to Adam.
However, it is important to note that the reference to Enoch as the seventh from Adam does not necessarily suggest a direct historical or genealogical connection between the two figures. Rather, this reference is part of a broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the continuity of God's plan of salvation throughout history, from the creation of Adam to the redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, while the reference to Enoch as the seventh from Adam is significant in the biblical tradition, it does not necessarily imply a direct connection between Enoch and Adam in the same way that the Sumerian king lists connect Alulim to subsequent antediluvian kings.”
Like Abraham noted in Jesus Christ’s lesson titled The Rich Man and Lazarus, “If they do not listen to the scriptures, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead”. I rest my case. For now.
#Enmeduranki #Enoch #Ubaratutu #Methuselah #SumerianMythology #BiblicalTradition #AncientHistory #ComparativeMythology #CulturalMotifs #ScholarlyDebate
