Listen:  96 Question 5

While the Gilgamesh Epic is very ancient, and even may pre-date the actual writing down of the book of Genesis, there is no reason to think that Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Bible, copied anything from this ancient text.  In fact, the details of the flood in the Gilgamesh Epic are very different than the account written in the Bible.  It is not surprising to find that the story of the flood was passed from generation to generation, and that some would adapt this story to apply to their own mythological gods.

We are assured in the Word Of God, that God Himself inspired the things that were written.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  We also read in 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  We can absolutely trust the accounts given to us in the scriptures for truth and accuracy because they were inspired of God, or more literally, they were ‘God breathed.’  (96.5)