底本理论认为《创世记》6-8章是对先前存在的J底本和P底本的重新编修,这一观点缺乏原始材料支撑,而且会产生很多问题。既然我们识仅拥有最终正典化的圣经文本,那么对《创世记》6-8章之形成的最简单理解是,假定一位单独的作者写下了这一单独的文本。当将圣经洪水故事视为统一的整体时,就会发现它与史诗《吉尔伽美什》第11块泥板一一对应,且顺序相同。不仅如此,至少有六条论据可以论证《创世记》6-8章的作者直接借用了史诗《吉尔伽美什》中的洪水故事,只是又添加了一些材料以表现以色列独特的神学观念,例如一神论、道德与宗教的紧密相连和约的观念等。
The source theory suggests that Genesis 6-8 is the result of the redaction of the two pre-existing account, Jahwist account and Priest account. But this theory not only lacks the support of the original data, but also brings several problems. Since we only have this canonical version at hand. the simplest understanding of the literary development of the text is to assume a single text created by a single writer. The biblical flood story parallels Gilgamesh Epic tablet XI point by point and in the same order when it is read as a unitary whole. Furthermore, there are at least six arguments to allow us to assume that the writer of Genesis 6-8 borrow directly from the Gilgamesh. Epic, to which he added some elements which gave expression to Israelite theology, such as the notions of the oneness of God, covenant between God and human, and morality tied to religion, etc.