What is the correlation between Gilgamesh and the bible?

Answer 1

There is a very close correlation between the version of the flood story preserved in the standard version of Gilgamesh and the biblical flood story in Genesis. It is generally accepted by scholars and historians that the Gilgamesh epic was written first. This does not automatically imply direct dependence - both could derive from an earlier version of the story for example. The most likely explanation, however, is that Genesis polemically modifies the Mesopotamian tale to present the story in a unique way. Typically, The Bible introduces a moralistic perspective - God destroys humanity because of wickedness - and is monotheistic.

One scholar has also suggested that the story of Nebuchadnezaar's madness in Daniel chapter four draws on elements found in the description of Enkidu as "wild man" in the early sections of Gilgamesh.