How the Bible Changed Ancient Myths to Promote a Patriarchal Agenda
- ladiesadvicesprink
- Mar 24
- 5 min read
Updated: May 26
Introduction
Many stories in the Bible were taken from older myths, especially from Mesopotamian and Sumerian cultures. However, when these stories were included in the Bible, they were changed to fit a patriarchal (male-dominated) perspective. Powerful goddesses were removed, women were blamed for problems, and wise serpent figures were turned into evil characters. The goal? To establish male authority and reduce women's power.
In this article, we will explore the original myths and how they were rewritten in the Bible to serve a patriarchal agenda.
1. The Creation Story: From a Matriarchal Myth to a Patriarchal One
The Original Sumerian Story
One of the most famous stories in the Bible is the story of Adam and Eve. However, this story has deep roots in a much older Sumerian myth about the gods Enki and Ninhursag (2000 BCE). In this story:
Enki, the god of wisdom, ate forbidden plants and became sick.
The goddess Ninhursag, also known as Ninti (meaning "Lady of the Rib" or "Lady of Life"), created a cure to heal him.
The paradise in this myth was called Dilmun, a perfect land where there was no death or suffering.
How the Bible Changed the Story
Ninti, the goddess of life, was replaced by Eve, a human woman created from Adam’s rib.
Instead of being a healer, Eve was blamed for bringing sin and suffering into the world.
The serpent, a sacred symbol of wisdom in many cultures, was turned into Satan, an enemy of God.
Adam was given authority over Eve, making men dominant over women.
The Patriarchal Agenda
✅ Women were made to appear as the cause of all human suffering.
✅ Knowledge and wisdom (represented by the serpent) were treated as dangerous.
✅ Men were given control over women, reinforcing a male-dominated society.
2. The Great Flood: Erasing the Role of Women
The Original Sumerian and Babylonian Story
The story of the great flood can be found in ancient myths like the Epic of Gilgamesh (2100 BCE) and Atrahasis (1700 BCE). These stories describe:
A group of gods deciding to flood the world because humans were too noisy.
The god Ea warning a man named Utnapishtim (or Atrahasis) to build a boat and save people and animals.
The goddess Ishtar expressing sorrow for the destruction and playing a key role in restoring life.
How the Bible Changed the Story
Utnapishtim was replaced by Noah as the chosen survivor.
The multiple gods became a single god, Yahweh.
The role of female deities like Ishtar was completely removed.
Noah’s wife was barely mentioned, while the focus remained on Noah and his sons.
The Patriarchal Agenda
✅ Women’s roles in survival and wisdom were erased.
✅ The story focused only on male leadership and inheritance.
✅ The flood became a lesson about obedience to a single male god.
3. The Demonization of Women: Lilith, Jezebel, and Mary Magdalene
Lilith: The Woman Who Refused to Submit
In Jewish mythology, Lilith was the first wife of Adam.
She refused to be subservient to Adam and wanted equality.
As punishment, religious texts later turned her into a demon who harmed children and seduced men.
Jezebel: The Powerful Queen Who Became a Villain
Jezebel was a queen in the Old Testament who worshiped different gods and was politically powerful.
The Bible depicted her as evil and scheming.
She was thrown from a window, and her body was eaten by dogs.
Mary Magdalene: The Loyal Disciple Who Was Slandered
In reality, Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ most devoted followers and may have been an important leader in early Christianity.
Later, the Church falsely labeled her as a prostitute to reduce her importance.
The Patriarchal Agenda
✅ Women who sought equality or power were demonized.
✅ Strong female figures were turned into villains or erased.
✅ Women's roles in religious leadership were diminished.
4. The Rewriting of Jesus' Origins and the Patriarchal Agenda
The True Origins of Jesus' Story
The story of Jesus Christ is not entirely unique—it was influenced by older myths of divine figures born to virgins, such as:
Horus (Egyptian mythology) – Born of the virgin Isis and destined to be a savior.
Mithras (Persian mythology) – A divine figure who performed miracles and was linked to the sun.
Dionysus (Greek mythology) – A god of resurrection, born to a mortal woman impregnated by Zeus.
How the Bible Changed the Story
These ancient stories often featured powerful goddesses and female figures who played active roles in creation and salvation.
The Bible removed these female deities and replaced them with a single male God and a passive, obedient Virgin Mary.
Jesus' teachings, which may have included gender equality, were later altered by male religious leaders to reinforce patriarchy.
Why Men Rewrote Religious Texts
Early Christian leaders, including Paul and later Church authorities, sought to establish a male-dominated religious order.
Female priestesses and leaders, common in early religious traditions, were erased.
Women were told to be silent, submissive, and obedient, ensuring that religious power remained in male hands.
The Patriarchal Agenda
✅ Women were removed from positions of power in religion.
✅ The role of goddesses and divine feminine figures was erased.
✅ The story of Jesus was reshaped to align with male dominance.
Conclusion
The Bible is not just a book of spiritual teachings—it is also a book that has been deliberately edited and rewritten to enforce male dominance. The original myths from Mesopotamia and Sumeria often featured strong goddesses, wise women, and equal partnerships between men and women. But when these stories were rewritten in the Bible, women were blamed, silenced, and erased.
Understanding these changes helps us recognize the deep-rooted gender bias in religious texts. It is time to reclaim the original stories and acknowledge the powerful role women once held in history and mythology.
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