During the period of land division and the era of the Judges (c. 1100–1000 BC), Israel struggled to establish political stability. Meanwhile, Babylonian civilization, particularly the Sumerian and Akkadian scribal schools, had already developed advanced systems of writing. It was during this period that Babylonian creation myths began to be written down.
At the same time, the Israelites possessed creation traditions, but largely in oral form. The Lord commanded His people, and Israel likely passed down the stories of Creation, the Patriarchs, and the Exodus orally. While the full narrative may not have been preserved word-for-word, core theological ideas were transmitted, such as creation by divine word, the purpose of humanity, and the ordered nature of creation.
While Israel struggled during the period of the Judges, the Enuma Elish began to be compiled in written form in Babylonian scribal schools on Akkadian tablets. These tablets represent the earliest extant written versions we possess today.
This leaves us with two major possibilities regarding Genesis 1: either it was written during the monarchy period, or it remained an oral tradition until later. Let us examine both views.
1. Was Genesis 1 Written Early or Later Expanded?
One possibility is that the author, scribe, or editor wrote the creation account largely as we have it now, without significant later additions aimed at countering the Enuma Elish.
The idea that Genesis 1 directly copies Babylonian material does not make much sense in such an early historical context. Rather than borrowing, the Israelites most likely preserved their own distinct theological tradition.
According to the Documentary Hypothesis, Genesis 1–2 may have been written by Priestly authors during the monarchy period (c. 1000–922 BC). During this time, the Enuma Elish was recited in Babylonian religious festivals.
It is also possible that Genesis was written or compiled during the reign of Solomon, a period marked by peace and stability. The discovery of the Book of the Law during King Josiah’s reign suggests that sacred writings were preserved in the temple. Some scholars argue that Solomon’s temple was influenced by neighboring pagan temples, which implies that the concept of preserving sacred texts in written form may already have existed.
2. If Not Written, Then Preserved Orally
If Genesis 1 was not yet written during this period, the creation tradition may not have been fully developed in its present literary structure. However, fundamental theological elements were already firmly established.
Key concepts such as creation by divine word, the seven-day structure, the image of God, and divine wisdom in creation appear repeatedly in Israelite wisdom and poetic literature.
Psalm 104 praises God as Creator who stretches out the heavens, forms the waters, and creates humans and animals. This demonstrates Israel’s understanding of creation as intentional and ordered.
Proverbs 3:19–20 states, “By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.” This indicates that the theological framework of Genesis 1 existed long before the final written form of the text.
Thus, even if Genesis 1 had not yet reached its literary completion, its core theology was already taught orally and celebrated in worship, wisdom literature, and temple traditions.
Conclusion
It is not incorrect to say that Babylon was able to record its creation account earlier due to greater political and social stability. However, this does not mean that Babylonian creation theology predates Israel’s understanding of creation.
The Israelites’ knowledge of creation is far older than often assumed. Even before the division of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the people possessed foundational theological truths about God as Creator of the universe and the world.
Historically, it is reasonable to conclude that Genesis reached its final literary form during or after the Babylonian exile. Nevertheless, the theological substance of Genesis 1 existed long before that final stage and was not fundamentally altered in its core message.
