The story of Noah’s Ark is one of the most well-known narratives from the Bible, specifically from the Book of Genesis. It recounts the account of a massive flood sent by God to cleanse the Earth of its corruption and wickedness, and how Noah, a righteous man, was chosen to build an ark to save himself, his family, and a representative selection of animals.
Here’s a summary of the story:
- God’s Decision: Seeing the wickedness and corruption prevalent among humanity, God decided to bring a flood to cleanse the Earth. He found favor in Noah, who was described as a righteous man.
- Instructions to Build the Ark: God instructed Noah to build a massive ark out of gopher’s wood. The dimensions were specific: 300 cubits long (about 450 feet or 137 meters), 50 cubits wide (about 75 feet or 23 meters), and 30 cubits high (about 45 feet or 14 meters). The ark was to have three decks.
- Gathering of Animals: God commanded Noah to bring two of every kind of living creature, male and female, onto the ark. For clean animals (those that could be used for sacrifices), seven pairs were to be taken. Noah followed God’s instructions and gathered the animals.
- Entry into the Ark: Noah, his wife, their three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), and their wives entered the Ark before the floodwaters came. They were joined by the animals, which were led to the ark by divine intervention.
- The Flood: Rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights, causing the waters to rise and flood the Earth. The ark floated on the waters, and everything outside of it perished.
- Subsiding of the Waters: After 150 days, the waters began to recede. The ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
- Sending Out Birds: Noah sent out a raven and a dove to determine if the waters had receded. The dove eventually returned with an olive leaf, indicating that the floodwaters were receding.
- Exiting the Ark: After a year and ten days in the ark, Noah and his family, along with the animals, left the Ark to repopulate the Earth.
- God’s Covenant: God made a covenant with Noah, promising to never again destroy the Earth with a flood. The rainbow was established as a sign of this covenant.
The story of Noah’s Ark is often seen as a symbol of God’s mercy, protection of the righteous, and the opportunity for a fresh start. It has been retold and interpreted in various ways across different cultures and religions throughout history.
