**What Were the Dimensions of the Ark?
A Detailed Exploration of Genesis 6:15**
The story of Noah’s ark is one of the most iconic narratives in the Bible, describing a massive vessel built at God’s command to preserve life during the Flood. Genesis provides surprisingly specific architectural details, which invite careful examination. The ark’s dimensions appear in Genesis 6:15, making it one of the few ancient biblical structures whose size is explicitly stated.
This article explores those dimensions, the ancient measurement system behind them, and what they reveal about the ark’s purpose and design.
1. The Biblical Dimensions: Genesis 6:15
God tells Noah:
“This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high.”
Thus, the ark’s basic dimensions were:
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Length: 300 cubits
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Width: 50 cubits
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Height: 30 cubits
These proportions—6:1:0.6 (length:width:height)—are remarkably stable and seaworthy, even by modern naval engineering standards.
2. What Is a Cubit?
A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement based on the length of a human forearm, from elbow to fingertip.
Cubit length could vary by culture and era, but the typical range was:
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18 inches (standard cubit)
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20.4–21.6 inches (royal cubit, used in Egypt and some Near Eastern contexts)
Because Genesis does not specify which cubit Noah used, scholars usually work with the 18-inch standard cubit for conservative estimates, while also considering the larger royal cubit for upper estimates.
3. The Ark’s Dimensions in Modern Measurements
Using the typical 18-inch (45 cm) cubit:
Standard Cubit (18 inches)
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Length: 300 cubits ≈ 450 feet (137 meters)
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Width: 50 cubits ≈ 75 feet (23 meters)
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Height: 30 cubits ≈ 45 feet (14 meters)
Royal Cubit (20.4–21.6 inches)
If a larger cubit was intended, the ark could have been:
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Length: 510–540 feet (155–165 m)
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Width: 85–90 feet (26–27 m)
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Height: 51–54 feet (15.5–16.5 m)
These ranges give a sense of scale: regardless of which cubit is used, the ark was massive—larger than most wooden ships built until the 19th century.
4. Internal Layout and Additional Details
Genesis 6:16 gives further structural information:
4.1. Three Decks
The ark had three decks, effectively tripling usable floor space.
If each deck had dimensions similar to the footprint of the ark (300 x 50 cubits), the total available area would have been immense.
4.2. Rooms or Compartments
God instructs Noah to make rooms (qinnim, possibly “nests” or compartments).
This suggests:
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Organized storage
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Space for animals
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Separation by kind
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Efficient ventilation and waste management
4.3. A Roof with an Opening
Genesis describes:
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A roof or covering over the entire structure
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A 1-cubit-high opening or window running under the roof for ventilation and light
4.4. A Single Door
There was one door in the side of the ark, emphasizing controlled access.
5. The Ark’s Shape and Purpose
Interestingly, the biblical ark is not described as a traditional ship:
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No mention of sails
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No mention of a rudder
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No description of pointed bow or curved hull
This suggests the ark was designed not to travel but simply to float.
Rectangular, Stable, and Buoyant
A long, rectangular barge-shaped structure is:
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Extremely stable in rough waters
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Difficult to capsize
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Ideal for maximizing cargo capacity
This fits the ark’s purpose as a massive floating refuge, not a navigational vessel.
6. The Ark’s Volume and Capacity
Using the standard cubit (450 x 75 x 45 ft):
Total Volume
⚫ Approx. 1.52 million cubic feet (43,000 cubic meters)
Cargo Capacity
⚫ Equivalent to about 569 standard railroad boxcars
Even using conservative estimates, this capacity is immense—easily enough for:
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Representatives of animal kinds (not every species)
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Food storage
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Noah’s family
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Bedding, water containers, and other necessities
7. Symbolic and Theological Significance of the Dimensions
While the ark was a real structure according to the biblical narrative, the dimensions also hold theological meaning:
7.1. Precision Indicates Divine Intention
God gives exact measurements, emphasizing:
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Order
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Care
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Purpose
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The seriousness of judgment and salvation
7.2. The Ark as a Place of Life
The orderly structure reflects God’s desire to preserve life even during judgment.
7.3. A New Creation Theme
The ark becomes a moving microcosm of creation:
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Three levels (like cosmic layers in ancient thought)
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Separation of spaces
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Preservation of all kinds
Conclusion: Immense, Purposeful, and Carefully Designed
The ark’s dimensions—300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high—reveal a vessel of extraordinary size and stability. Whether measured by the standard or royal cubit, the ark was:
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Architecturally plausible
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Structurally sound
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Immense in capacity
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Perfectly suited for its unique purpose
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A testament to divine instruction and human obedience
More than a boat, the ark represents God’s provision, Noah’s faithful response, and the preservation of life through judgment—one of the foundational themes of Genesis.