Did the Bible commit plagiarism?

1. Introduction to the Question

The question “Did the Bible commit plagiarism?” arises from claims that certain biblical accounts show parallels or direct borrowings from older or contemporaneous texts found in ancient Near Eastern civilizations or elsewhere. These allegations often focus on creation narratives, flood stories, or legal codes. This entry will examine the historical, literary, and theological dimensions while considering biblical text preservation, the nature of divine inspiration, and external sources.

2. Definition of Plagiarism in the Ancient Context

Modern standards define plagiarism as presenting another author’s words or ideas without attribution. In ancient literary practices, exact citations or bibliographies did not exist in the manner we use them today. Scribes, historians, and poets often utilized common idioms or cultural expressions.

Where parallels exist between the Bible and other ancient writings, further study reveals that the biblical authors either had a distinct purpose (such as declaring the supremacy of the God of Israel) or adhered to recognized norms of their culture. Still, the question remains whether these similarities constitute wrongdoing.

3. Common Parallels and Alleged Sources

3.1 Mesopotamian Literature (Epic of Gilgamesh and Enuma Elish)

The Epic of Gilgamesh, discovered primarily in Akkadian texts in the mid-19th century, includes a story of a massive flood. Enuma Elish, a Babylonian creation myth, describes primordial chaos and the formation of the world by multiple deities.

Despite surface similarities, the biblical flood account in Genesis emphasizes moral reasons for judgment and a personal yet just God who provides a path of salvation (Genesis 6–9). In Enuma Elish, numerous gods act capriciously. The biblical creation narrative (Genesis 1–2) likewise stands apart in proclaiming one absolute Creator who brings all things into existence by sovereign decree.

3.2 Egyptian Myths and the Mosaic Accounts

Some argue that accounts of Moses’s infancy (Exodus 2) resemble stories concerning the birth of Sargon of Akkad, who was said to have been placed in a basket and set upon a river. Yet the dissimilarities—and the theological framework that the biblical writer employs—clarify that this event underscores divine providence, not simply a legendary motif.

3.3 Ancient Legal Codes (Code of Hammurabi)

Parallels between the Mosaic Law (Exodus 20–23) and the Code of Hammurabi have led to claims that the Bible borrows legal material. However, the moral foundation of the Mosaic Law centers on reverence for the one true God and concern for personal holiness and societal justice derived from that relationship, rather than the purely civic or royal edicts found in Hammurabi’s code.

4. Biblical Inspiration and Reliance on Other Sources

The biblical authors occasionally reference external sources:

• The Book of Jashar (Joshua 10:13)

• The Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)

• Secular records such as Persian documents referenced in the book of Esther (Esther 10:2)

These mentions do not indicate uncredited copying; instead, they show a historical awareness and a willingness to anchor biblical events in recognized public records. The biblical authors had access to other material but wrote under the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16).

5. Ancient Literary Conventions

The ancient Near East used recognized storytelling forms, literary devices, and rhetorical traditions. For instance, chiasms (inverted parallel structures) and genealogical lists were common. If biblical writers paralleled themes found in surrounding cultures, it was typically to highlight the uniqueness of their God, not to replicate pagan myths.

6. Internal Consistency and Textual Faithfulness

Archaeological and manuscript evidence demonstrates that biblical texts have been transmitted with remarkable fidelity. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in Qumran, confirm that key passages remained consistent over centuries. This powerful testimony to the Bible’s preservation diminishes any suggestion that scribes deliberately inserted borrowed texts.

7. Theological Distinctives and Contrast

One of the strongest arguments against plagiarism concerns the fundamental worldview differences between the biblical accounts and those of other ancient cultures:

• The Bible teaches one sovereign, personal Creator (Deuteronomy 6:4) as opposed to a pantheon of gods.

• The biblical depiction of humanity’s creation is as an intentional act of love and partnership with God (Genesis 1:26–27), rather than an afterthought of competing deities.

• Biblical laws prioritize holiness and a covenant relationship with a personal God (Leviticus 19:2).

8. Historical and Archaeological Discoveries

Several archaeological findings support the unique nature of biblical events:

• The Tel Dan Stele (9th century BC) references the “House of David,” indicating the Bible’s historical grounding.

• The Moabite Stone (also called the Mesha Stele) provides another reference to Israel’s monarchy, aligning closely with events recorded in 2 Kings.

Although these do not directly address plagiarism, they do corroborate the uniqueness of the Bible’s historical claims, underscoring that these writings were rooted in real contexts rather than mere literary borrowing.

9. Purpose and Message

The overarching theme of the Bible is to reveal God’s redemption plan through history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ (John 3:16). The texts tie together prophetically, historically, and theologically. This coherent message emerges, despite the diverse backgrounds of the authors. This unity suggests divinely orchestrated authorship rather than piecemeal borrowing.

10. Conclusion

No compelling evidence shows that the Biblia, as preserved, derived its core teachings through uncredited copying from external sources. Similarities with ancient Near Eastern texts exist, but they are overshadowed by the Bible’s unique monotheistic framework, moral and theological depth, and overarching redemptive narrative. Where biblical authors used pre-existing works, they acknowledged them, and any parallel motifs served to illustrate the distinct character and revelation of God.

In answer to the question, “Did the Bible commit plagiarism?”—the historical, literary, and archaeological data, along with the Bible’s own testimony and integrity of transmission, indicate no instance of unauthorized borrowing. The biblical text stands as a consistent witness to a unified message, divinely inspired and faithfully transmitted.