Behind | Epic of Gilgamesh, Part 2

Among other things, death is treated differently in the epic. According to Šiduri it is deliberately “set aside” for humanity. Death in the Bible story was not something God “set aside” for us but resulted from human choice (Genesis 3). Death is never mentioned in the biblical creation story. Life, on the other hand, is something God has always intended to share—from the Tree of Life in the beginning (Genesis 2) to Jesus who is Himself the Life (John 14:6)—and whose life we are invited to partake (John 14:20). The God of the Bible has consistently set aside life for humanity, and all who seek life in Him find it. Notice the promise of Jesus: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)