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The Sumerian King List records eight rulers before the flood with reign lengths totaling 241,200 years. Genesis 5 follows a similar pattern, listing ten patriarchs with lifespans in the hundreds of years before the flood destroys the earth.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Sumerian King List 1:1
Ancient Near East
When kingship had come down from heaven, kingship was at Eridu. At Eridu, Alulim was king; he reigned 28,800 years. Alalgar reigned 36,000 years. At Bad-tibira, Enmenluanna reigned 43,200 years. Enmengalanna reigned 28,800 years. The divine Dumuzi, the shepherd, reigned 36,000 years. At Larak, Ensipaziana reigned 28,800 years. At Sippar, Enmenduranna was king; he reigned 21,000 years. At Suruppak, Ubartutu was king; he reigned 18,600 years. Five cities; eight kings ruled 241,200 years. The flood swept over.
Date: c. 2100 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Genesis 5:1
Hebrew Bible
4 The length of time Adam lived after he became the father of Seth was 800 years; during this time he had other sons and daughters. 5 The entire lifetime of Adam was 930 years, and then he died. 6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 Seth lived 807 years after he became the father of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters. 8 The entire lifetime of Seth was 912 years, and then he died. 9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 Enosh lived 815 years after he became the father of Kenan, and he had other sons and daughters. 11 The entire lifetime of Enosh was 905 years, and then he died. 12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived 840 years after he became the father of Mahalalel, and he had other sons and daughters. 14 The entire lifetime of Kenan was 910 years, and then he died.
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Notes and References
“… The only occurrence of suspected borrowing between historiographic sources is found in the close relationship between Genesis 5 and the antediluvian section of the Sumerian King List. Genesis 5 presents a list of ten patriarchs in genealogical format that bridges the gap from creation to the flood; i.e., Adam to Noah. The ages attributed to these men are unusually high, many being in the 900s. The Sumerian King List preserves the names and length of reign of eight Mesopotamian kings bridging a similar gap—from the time “kingship descended from heaven” until the flood. If the length of life in Genesis 5 is unusual, the length of reign in the Sumerian King List is incredible, ranging from 18,600 to 43,200. …”
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