The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-28
nabvlonian story of Paradise.

With every new find made in the cunel-
form libraries in the Buphrates and Tigris
valleys, the number of parallels 10 Blon-
cal thought and expression increases,
showing how closely interviewer was the
life Of Israel with that OF their Kin IN
Mesopotamia. This has again been mace
apparent in the recent pamphlet OF Dr.
Alfred Jeremias, leadins ,Seriaan s
want entitled .Holle ind Paradies bel
den Babyloniern." One OF the most note
worthy parallels between Biblical and
Rabylonian ideas is found in the concep-
lions of Paradise. We quote from Dr
Jeremias an account of the abode or the
blessed as furnished by the tablets of the
Babylonians:
The chief sources of our informa ton on
this subject are the fragments preserved
from the famous twelve-tablet epic, IN
which is described the journey which Gil
gamesh, a hero who has delivered his
city (Uruk) from the oppression OF
tyrant makes to the island of the
blessed. p This abode he finds at the
outlet of the streams. e., where at one
time the Euphrates and the Tlgrls, as
separate rivers, emptied into the sea-
Here, too. was the place where the
sacred water was secured which was
used in the work of sorcery. But near
this place was also situated at one time
Rata of the Ptolemies). the city Of Ea,
the chief Of the magi among the gods.
Here in these sacred precincts was to be
found the garden of the gods, which con-
tanned wonderful tree, the fruits OF
which were rich gems and Jewels and
near by was the palace of the sea-
nymphs, who watched the passageway
across to the waters of death. Neal, this
place was also the Altman who ferried
zGilgamesh across, and who led him 10
the fountain. of health and assisted him
In pluckine the branches from the tree
Of life The boatman is called Arabia
i. e., the servant of the god Ea-and 1t
is this same E,a who saves the prosenitor
OF mankind and his wife at the time OF
the Deluge.
This Eridu is pictured by the Baby
linians as "a Paradise. Thus. in an ac-
count in which the god of fire asks Ea,
the wise son of Eridu, for help. we read:
Elm Eridu grows the dark palm tree In
a pure spot.
sits growth is as magnificent as
1azure stone; It overshadows the ocean.
1.-THE abode&of Ea is in Eridu, full OF
abundance. "a
@..Hls dwelling IS IN the place Of. the
lower world.
..His abode is in the camp OF the god
dess Ba,u.
In the innermost parts OF a magnfncent
house, where there is shade. as in a
wood, and here nobody dare enter.'Sss
A recently discovered inscription shows
that this Eridu was also the place where
Adapa was created by the god eEa. The
account OF this act Of creation is not pre-
served, but from parallel reports in cunet-
form literature we learn that Ea, the
divine potter.'.sf formed his creature out
iof. .clay.@The fra gment also reports that
the god endowed his 8creatu with df-
vine power, a. thorough capacity for es-
tablishins order q by laws in the world.
and also wisdom, but did not give him
eternal life, but that he did make him
the master and the shepherd OF man-
kind. Z. Then. too, It IS said thatshe was
entrusted with all kinds Of prtestIy func-
lions and was made the baker and the
cup-bearer for the gods. DAILY It was
his duty to prepare the necessary bread
and provide the drink and secure the
Ash for Ersdu. Anot Their fragment re-
ports that Anu the sod of the heavens.
contemplated gran inG 10 & this creature,
who I is gexpressiy called = "ths sprout OF
aank!nd e the gift ofstsrnaIsli life. But
this plan not cousummassd.a Once
when sAdapa was In the presence OF the
god OF tho heavens. Ann the lattsr Of
Tered him bread aud drink but hssrs-
3usod. q :takAsdt bsoa11e. O. shaAs Nat1