Don't be too hard on mP you guys. At least his assertions are bringing out some interesting discussion, about the tribes and snakes and stuff.
Not to change the subject to the NT, but the Lazarus resurrection story is so odd, not because of any relation to earlier legends, but because it's only in John. Hadn't Luke said that he'd researched everything and was presenting ALL the facts? Then John's gospel is written later with some unique and fantastic accounts. And Paul's writings make no mention of Jesus ever performing miracles. It seems that both OT and NT try to blend conflicting histories.