01 February 2025
Walton opens the chapter by pointing to the Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis. There is nothing like this in the ANE literature available. While he doesn't use the terminology, it seems he is referring to the everyday life of people in those times. Instead, he notes that there are some interesting parallels between the Patriarchal Narratives and two types of literature: private records and personal epics in the ANE.
For private records, he mentions the Nuzi Archives -- 14th-15th Century BC. Some 4000 tablets were found in Yorghan Tepe starting in 1925, though locals had found some even earlier.
The epics are generally considered historical figures used in stories that are meant to teach about the ways of the gods. In Mesopotamia we have Adapa in four fragments, 3 from the Amarna tablets in Egypt (1360 BC) and one from Ahurbanipal's library at Ninevah. The main character is a priest of Ea in Eridu famous for his wisdom.
An Egyptian epic is the Tale of Sinuhe taking place around 1950 BC in a manuscript that appears around 1800 BC; multiple copies have been found. A priest flees political instability in Pharaoh's court and travels to Byblos where he is warmly received and has quite a career at court. Eventually he returns home to honor.
Another Egyptian story is the Report of Wenamun -- 11th Century BC. The only copy is on papyrus and incomplete. Not really an epic; it's the report of a temple official who traveled to Byblos for a load of lumber. The account is loaded with details that demonstrate the decline of Egypt at the time.
We also have a Canaanite epic: Keret -- the only copy is from 1360 BC. It's a handful of tablets relating the challenges facing King Keret. Another Canaanite story is Aqhat, also 1360 BC -- Danel prays for a son and names him Aqhat. There is some intrigue and the boy is killed. The bloodshed provokes a drought and the people mourn. The remains are found, but the story ends abruptly after Aqhat's sister vows revenge.
Walton mentions in passing a few other examples about royal figures in particular. Our next installment will cover Walton's explanations of these and similar materials.
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