Resemblances Between Aten and Yahweh. Essay About God

The use of gods can be seen throughout the ancient text to describe natural occurrences, how heroes have won wars, to tell the stories of the births of civilizations and much more. A god is thought of as a supernatural powerful figure with authority. This is the standard for most gods in ancient text. This exact standard of a god can be seen in the book of “Genesis”.  The god named Yahweh is a strict authoritative figure. On the other hand, the not so traditional definition of a god, Aten is passive.

One of the first stories that is told in the book of “Genesis” is the story of Adam and Eve. Which tells the story of how the god Yahweh creates two people: Adam and Eve. Yahweh tells them that they can do anything they want except eat from the tree of knowledge. Of course, they didn’t listen, and Eve eats from the tree anyway. Yahweh takes the role of the authoritative figure and punishes them for their actions. Yahweh says to Adam and Eve that because they have done this they must suffer.

He says to Adam “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your bells and you will eat dust. All the days of your life…”. Instead of using Adam and Eve's curiosity as a teaching moment he decides to teach them that their actions have consequences though the use of severe punishment. On the opposite side of the spectrum, The god from the “Hymn Into The Sun”, Aten creates mankind but leaves them to be without any direction. Aten creates “the male seed” and is said that he nurtures the male seed, however, there is no indication that Aten gives the male seed instructions after it is created.  Overall Yahweh enforces rules upon his followers while Yahweh lets them be after he creates them

During the second half of the book of “Genesis” Yahweh creates a major flood throughout earth because he felt that the humans had become too corrupted. So, he creates a flood that lasts for forty days. The only exception is that he saves Noah and his family along with some animals on an ark to help reconstruct civilization after the flood.  The flood demonstrates how Yahweh inflicts harsh punishment on his creations when they do not do as he wishes. On the other hand, in “Hymn Into The Sun” Aten remains fair towards his followers. No matter what happens the day and night will still occur. Each time that the day occurs the people are happy and each time the night occurs the people become frightened, “the lions come out of their dens and the snakes come out to bite”.( II) This will continue to happen as a cycle. It can be determined that Yahweh punishes his followers when they disobey him while Aten remains an unforceful god 

One of the last comparisons that could be seen between the god Yahweh and Aten is how Yahweh takes the authoritative god position by demanding that his followers report to him and giving them a certain set of rules that he wants them to follow. Referencing back to the book of “Genesis”, before Yahweh creates the flood that is supposed to wipe out mankind, he gives Noah a set of instructions on how to build the arc. Adding to that Yahweh also lets Noah know that he will “demand an accounting for every animal and human being”. Almost reminding Noah who is in charge. While Yahweh continues to be an authoritative figure Aten continues to allow his believers to live in peace. It is mentioned that “The animals graze peacefully “without the influence of Aten. The god Aten doesn’t feel the need to engage with his followers, he allows them to behave naturally. 

There are many drastic differences between Aten and Yahweh. Yahweh is an assertive figure who uses his power to control his believers and punish those that go against him. Meanwhile, Aten is a tolerant god. No matter what his believers do he doesn’t punish them. Even though these two powerful figures are drastically different, one being passive and one being aggressive they both are the definition of gods in the ancient people's eyes

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