The "Enuma Elish" is the Babylonian creation epic, a poem consisting of seven tablets of cuneiform writing with most of the tablets containing about 150 lines. The epic is referred to as the "Enuma Elish" because those are the first two words of the poem on the first tablet. The translation of "Enuma Elish is "When on high." Our oldest copies of the epic all date within the first century B.C.E. but most scholars believe the epic is much older, probably dating to the Old Babylonian Period (early part of the second millennium B.C.E.).
The following brief portions of the epic exhibit points of contact with the biblical story of creation recorded in Genesis 1:1-2:4a. As can be seen, however, the method of creation and the theology of creation are vastly different. Words in brackets are attempts by the translator to supply what was broken off or damaged on the tablet. Words in parenthesis are attempts by the translator to make the translation easier to understand.
Lines 1-9
Compare to Genesis 1:1-2
When on high the heaven had not been named,
Firm ground below had not been called by name,
Naught but primordial Apsu, their begetter,
(And) Mummu-Tiamat, she who bore them all,
Their waters comingling as a single body;
No reed hut had been matted, no marsh land had appeared,
When no gods whatever had been brought into being,
Uncalled by name, their destinies undetermined -
Then it was that the gods were formed within them.
Lines 135-146
Compare to Genesis 1:6-8
This part of the epic records Marduk's actions after defeating the evil goddess Tiamat.
Then the lord paused to view her dead body,
That he might divide the monster and do artful works.
He split her like a shellfish into two parts:
Half of her he set up and ceiled it as sky,
Pulled down the bar and posted guards.
He bade them to allow not her waters to escape.
He crossed the heavens and surveyed the regions.
He squared Apsu's quarter, the abode of Nudimmud,
As the lord measured the dimensions of Apsu.
The Great Abode, its likeness, he fixed as Esharra,
The Great Abode, Esharra, which he made as the firmament.
Anu, Enlil, and Ea he made occupy their places.
Lines 1-22
Compare to Genesis 1:14-19
He constructed stations for the great gods,
Fixing their astral likenesses as the Images.
He determined the year by designating the zones:
He set up three constellations for each of the twelve months.
After defining the days of the year [by means] of (heavenly) figures,
He founded the station of Nebiru to determine their (heavenly) bands,
That none might transgress or fall short.
Alongside it he set up the stations of Enlil and Ea.
Having opened up the gates on both sides,
He strengthened the locks to the left and the right.
In her belly he established the zenith.
The Moon he caused to shine, the night (to him) entrusting.
He appointed him a creature of the night to signify the days:
"Monthly, without cease, form designs with a crown.
At the month's very start, rising over the land,
Thou shalt have luminous horns to signify six days,
On the seventh day reaching a [half]-crown.
At full moon stand in opposition in mid-month.
When the sun [overtakes] thee at the base of heaven,
Diminish [thy crown] and retrogress in light.
At the time [of disappearance] approach thou the course of the sun,
And [on the thir]tieth thou shalt again stand in opposition to the sun."
Lines 1-8 and 29-34
Compare to Genesis 1:26-30
When Marduk hears the words of the gods,
His heart prompts (him) to fashion artful works.
Opening his mouth, he addresses Ea
To impart the plan he had conceived in his heart:
"Blood I will mass and cause bones to be.
I will establish a savage, 'man' shall be his name.
Verily, savage-man I will create.
He shall be charged with the service of the gods
That they might be at ease!
"It was Kingu who contrived the uprising,
And made Tiamat rebel, and joined battle."
They bound him, holding him before Ea.
They imposed on him his guilt and severed his blood (vessels).
Out of his blood they fashioned mankind.
He imposed the service and let free the gods.
SOURCE: E. A. Speiser's translation found on pages 60-72 of Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, edited by James B. Pritchard (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969, 3rd edition with supplement). This source provides the full epic.