LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Biblical record on flood came first

OPINION:

The great flood occurred more than 4,000 years ago, but it’s more likely that the Gilgamesh Epic is based on the Biblical account than vice versa (“How ’Noah’ and life imitate art,” Web, April 2).

Suzanne Fields assumes that the Genesis account was written during the time of Ezra. The assumption is that the Jews borrowed the flood tale while in exile in Babylon in the 6th century B.C. However, Noah is mentioned in the Old Testament prior to the 70-year exile (in Isaiah 54). It’s more likely that this cuneiform tablet substantiates the biblical record of the flood.

JILL M. HEINS

Lenexa, Kan.