The Sumerian Hypothesis

Abstract

A Sumerian Hypothesis is developed to explain the origin of the large amount of Mesopotamian material appearing in the primeval history of Genesis 1–11 (found throughout all parts of the primeval history). Various features of the primeval history are considered and compared with Sumerian/Akkadian features, including worldview, motifs, and stories as well as the literary style and historiography of the genealogies. The author argues that this Mesopotamian material can be traced back to pre-Old Babylonian sources and shows no influence from developments in Babylon thereafter. The Mesopotamian source material used in the primeval history may thus have been written down as early as in Abrahamic times.