Ancient Cosmologies

Cosmology is defined as the theory and lore concerning the origin and structure of the universe. ¹ For this project, cosmology can be understood as the way that a particular group of people viewed the universe, basically how and by whom it was created, and the the way it was put together. "Getting back to the beginning, to the origin of the world, is essential for anyone wishing to establish the priority of a particular religious system..." ²

Ancient people of Biblical times understood cosmology by what they could see and what they could hear. For this reason, they had a very basic and primitive view of the cosmos when compared to the views we have today. Although the ancient Hebrews, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians stories of how their world was formed may differ in many aspects, there are also several similarities that should be considered in any study of ancient cosmology. Some of them are as follows and will be discussed further:

1. The cosmos were viewed as a closed, three-storied whole, of which all parts were under control of a higher power. ³
2. Some creator god(s) is directly responsible for the creation of the cosmos and humanity's existence.⁴
3. Something always existed prior to the creation.⁵
4. The sovereignty of the gods, and usually the one creator god, plays a major role in each creation account.⁶

        1. R. A. Oden, Jr., "Cosmogony, Cosmology," in The Anchor Bible Dictionary, vol. 1. Edited by D. N. Freedman, New York: Doubleday, 1992, p. 1162. Return

        2. Leonard H. Lesko, "Ancient Egyptian Cosmogonies and Cosmology," in Religion in Ancient Egypt: Gods, Myths, and Personal Practice, ed. Byron E. Shafer (Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1991), p. 91. Return

        3. Douglas A. Knight, "Cosmogony and Order in the Hebrew Tradition," in Cosmogony and Ethical Order: New Studies in Comparative Ethics, ed. Robin W. Lovin and Frank E. Reynolds (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1985), p. 138. Return

        4. Douglas A. Knight, "Cosmogony and Order in the Hebrew Tradition," in Cosmogony and Ethical Order: New Studies in Comparative Ethics, ed. Robin W. Lovin and Frank E. Reynolds (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1985), p. 138. Return

        5. Douglas A. Knight, "Cosmogony and Order in the Hebrew Tradition," in Cosmogony and Ethical Order: New Studies in Comparative Ethics, ed. Robin W. Lovin and Frank E. Reynolds (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1985), pp. 138-139. Return

        6. Douglas A. Knight, "Cosmogony and Order in the Hebrew Tradition," in Cosmogony and Ethical Order: New Studies in Comparative Ethics, ed. Robin W. Lovin and Frank E. Reynolds (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1985), p. 139. Return