Noah's Flood: A Critical Analysis of Historical and Biblical Accounts

This essay delves into the narrative of Noah's Flood, examining its origins, interpretations, and potential historical basis. It references both biblical and Quranic accounts, acknowledging Noah as a significant figure in both religious traditions. The essay explores scientific perspectives, citing research into ancient floods, including evidence from the Yellow River in China and the Black Sea region. It acknowledges the challenges in reconciling literal interpretations of the flood narrative with scientific findings, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and interpretation when engaging with such legendary events. The essay concludes by highlighting the ongoing debate between faith and science in understanding historical events, inviting readers to form their own informed conclusions. Desklib provides access to a wealth of similar academic resources for further study.

Running head: NOAH AND THE FLOOD ESSAY
Noah and the Flood Essay
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1NOAH AND THE FLOOD ESSAY
Over the course of time, as children of Adam has begun to populate the earth, humans
were already overstepping their boundaries that God had placed on everyone1. This
disobedience along with corruption is what caused the great flood, which eliminated any and
all remnant of life that had remained on Earth. This increasing disobedience is what had
caused God to initiate a strategically engineered fresh start that would mean that the human
race would be getting another opportunity at proving their obedience2. This wrath of the flood
spared the lives of eight people who were Noah and his family, and after this God had made a
promise that he would never again destroy the Earth by flood3.
According to history, there was a real flood that has been able to be recognised.
However, its depth and seriousness has been open for discussion. It is stated in the Bible that
the level of the water during the flood was enough to cover all the land on earth, and deep
enough that all mountains were under water4. If the scripture is translated into facts, there was
a flood that was almost 6 miles in depth that was able to cover the Himalayas however, that
amount of water is much more than the amount that is present on Earth at this moment. This
would have meant that God was able to suddenly manufacture all that extra water and also
make it disappear in the same manner.
In Islam, Noah is recognized as a prophet and an apostle of God, and he is called Nuh
ibn Lumik ibn Mutushalkh. Common with the Bible, Noah was sent by God to warn his
people to stop living a life consumed by greed and sin. He was charged with the authority to
preach the teachings of God to the people and advise them to only worship God and to carry
out good and pure lives. However, in the Quran, the theory of the Great Flood is debatable in
1 Genesis 6:9-22 (New International Version)
2 James Pritchard, ed., “The Epic Of Gilgamesh,” in Ancient Near Eastern Texts (Princeton: Princeton
University Press,1955), 5
3 Guy Gugliotta, “The Noah’s Flood Salvage Job,” Star (Toronto), September 14, 2000, B4
4 Rosie Mestel, “Noah’s Flood,” New Scientist, October, 1997, 24-27

2NOAH AND THE FLOOD ESSAY
the sense of it being on a global or on a local scale. This is because the preaching of Noah
and his time as a prophet on earth ranged over 950 years according to the Quran.
Old research tells shows that there were remnants found of a older civilization
residing in the location where the black sea is now5. Recent findings are proving that the
Great Flood might actually have been a correct historical occurrence. Scientists have found
that the flood had started in the Yellow River in China almost four thousand years ago. There
are various historical Chinese texts that have recorded the incident to some extent. The texts
say that the reason behind the flood was a landslide which was caused by an earthquake
causing the natural formation of a dam across the Yellow River. However, many historians
are still not yet fully convinced because it is still not clear as to how a ‘folk memory’ could
have accurately been maintained for 900 years6. There is a possibility of various floods
happening throughout that time that are not talked about in famous literature materials.
There are many instances portrayed in the Bible which, for someone with a scientific
mind will want to question or even arise the desire to investigate on the matter.
Consecutively, there are many instances which have not and cannot be proven by the modern
day technology, so it is up to the discretion of the reader what they decide to do with the
information.
5 Warren Leary, “Ruins Under Black Sea Linked to Noah’s Flood,” National Post (Toronto),
September 14, 2000, A7
6 Doug McInnis, “And The Waters Prevailed”, Earth, August 1998, 47-48, 51-54

3NOAH AND THE FLOOD ESSAY
Bibliography:
Doug McInnis, “And The Waters Prevailed”, Earth, August 1998, 47-48, 51-54
Guy Gugliotta, “The Noah’s Flood Salvage Job,” Star (Toronto), September 14, 2000, B4
James Pritchard, ed., “The Epic Of Gilgamesh,” in Ancient Near Eastern Texts (Princeton:
Princeton University Press,1955), 5
Rosie Mestel, “Noah’s Flood,” New Scientist, October, 1997, 24-27
September 14, 2000, A7
Warren Leary, “Ruins Under Black Sea Linked to Noah’s Flood,” National Post (Toronto),