Hebrew and Mesopotamia Religion

Unlike the Hebrew monotheism, most Ancient religions in the Near East were polytheistic. In the Mesopotamian civilization, the religious views did not hold a great divide between their mortals and their Gods. Many of their gods were males or females and not only were these gods anthropomorphic, but were also henotheistic. This is what mainly differentiated the Hebrews from all the other cultures surrounding them. They believed they were Gods' chosen people and their belief in God's covenants presented an encouraging relationship with divinity and the promise of salvation for sin.

Ancient Mesopotamia was heavily influenced by religion. It was the center of Mesopotamian life and was included in every sector of activity, whether it be politics, military etc. Each city was assigned specific Gods, for example Enki was often associated with the city of Eridu and Marduk with Babylon. Wars would wage between cities over conflicts between those gods and the victor would be chosen by divine favor and not human endeavor. They believed that their existence on earth was to carry out the will of the gods in heaven.   Before any action could take place, the kings and rulers were to consult with the gods in order to find answers. These methods would include the sacrificing of animals or astronomical readings. When sacrificing an animal, they would cut open a certain species and observe its organs to find answers. They identified their gods and goddesses with the sun and the moon, and other stars from heaven (the sky). Since they were polytheistic, there gods would be assigned to different substances, for example fire, stones, trees, rivers etc. Their gods controlled everything in the universe and whatever happened on earth; that including irrigation, natural disasters, diseases etc. Due to this, people prayed to different objects identified with that 'god'. They would wear charms and spells to shield themselves from any harm and would offer sacrifices and prayers to receive...