2000-1300 BCE

From Abraham to Moses

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Abraham Knew The Story of Noah
2000-1800 BCE

Genesis 8:6-12

At the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; it went to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth.

Then he sent out the dove to see whether the waters had decreased from the surface of the ground. But the dove could not find a resting place for its foot, and returned to him to the ark, for there was water over all the earth…

He waited another seven days, and again sent out the dove from the ark. The dove came back to him toward evening, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the waters had decreased on the earth. He waited still another seven days and sent the dove forth; and it did not return to him any more.

As we explore the story of Abraham, let us first examine the world in which he lived and consider the things he might have known, based on archaeological evidence that has been found.

We start with the epic and apocalyptic story of the Flood. Abraham was well acquainted with Noah and the flood. Moreover, many myths around the world tell the tale of an ancient flood. The Book of Genesis records it in detail: Genesis 8:6-12

“At the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; it went to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove to see whether the waters had decreased from the surface of the ground. But the dove could not find a resting place for its foot, and returned to him to the ark, for there was water over all the earth… He waited another seven days, and again sent out the dove from the ark. The dove came back to him toward evening, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the waters had decreased on the earth. He waited still another seven days and sent the dove forth; and it did not return to him anymore.”

The British Museum

Mesopotamian Flood Story

Gilgamesh Epic Tablet XI
“When a seventh day arrived I sent forth a dove and released it. The dove went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me.

I sent forth a swallow and released it. The swallow went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me.

I sent forth a raven and released it. The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back. It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me."

The story of the flood is confirmed by the Mesopotamian account etched into the Gilgamesh Epic Tablet number 11, which is on display at the British Museum.

“ When the seventh day arrived I sent forth a dove and released it. The dove went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me. I sent forth a swallow and released it. The swallow went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me. I sent forth a raven and released it. The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back. It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me."

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Babylonian Flood Tablet from Megiddo, Israel
c. 15th Century BCE

You are now looking at the Babylonian Flood Tablet from Megiddo, circa 15th Century BCE. The tablet was found by a shepherd from Kibbutz Megiddo in a pile of excavated soil and includes a portion of the narrative found on the Gilgamesh Epic Tablet.

2000-1300 BCE

From Abraham to Moses

Abraham Knew The Story of Noah2000-1800 BCE

Mesopotamian Flood Story

Babylonian Flood Tablet from Megiddo, Israelc. 15th Century BCE

Noah's Ark by Rembrandt The Art Institute of Chicago

Genesis Flood Story

The Ark Tablet, 1700 BCE

“An Eye for an Eye” The Code of Hammurabi, 1772 BCE

Abraham Might Have Known the Pythagorean Theorem

Abraham Enters the Land of Israel2000-1800 BCE

Canaan At the Time of Abraham

Sample Headline

The Sojourn of Abram into Egypt

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Jacob's Ladder by Rembrandt

Jacob Scarab Seal1730 BCE

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Joseph Accused by Potiphar's Wife by Rembrandt

Joseph in Prison Interpreting the Dreams of Pharaoh's Baker and Butler by Rembrandt

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Jacob Allows Benjamin to Leave for Egypt by Rembrandt

Jacob Hears that Joseph is Alive

Jacob Blessing the Children of Joseph by Rembrandt

Thutmose I of Egypt,1506-1493 BCE

תְּחוּתְמֶס הַשְּׁלִישִׁי שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם, אֶלֶף אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שִׁבְעִים וְתֵשַׁע עַד אֶלֶף אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת עֶשְׂרִים וְחָמֵשׁ לִפְנֵי הַסְּפִירָה

Jerusalem, 1350 BCE

Twelve Tribes of Israel

Abraham Knew The Story of Noah
2000-1800 BCE

Babylonian Flood Tablet from Megiddo, Israel
c. 15th Century BCE

Noah's Ark by Rembrandt
The Art Institute of Chicago

“An Eye for an Eye”
The Code of Hammurabi, 1772 BCE

Abraham Enters the Land of Israel
2000-1800 BCE

Jacob's Ladder
by Rembrandt

Jacob Scarab Seal
1730 BCE

Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob
by Rembrandt

Joseph in Prison Interpreting the Dreams of Pharaoh's Baker and Butler
by Rembrandt

Jacob Blessing the Children of Joseph
by Rembrandt

Thutmose I of Egypt,
1506-1493 BCE

תְּחוּתְמֶס הַשְּׁלִישִׁי שֶׁל מִצְרַיִם,
אֶלֶף אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שִׁבְעִים וְתֵשַׁע עַד אֶלֶף אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת עֶשְׂרִים וְחָמֵשׁ לִפְנֵי הַסְּפִירָה