Topical Encyclopedia The ship built by Noah, commonly referred to as "Noah's Ark," is a significant vessel described in the Book of Genesis. This ship is central to the biblical narrative of the Great Flood, where it served as a means of divine preservation for Noah, his family, and representatives of the animal kingdom.Biblical Account: The account of Noah's Ark is found in Genesis 6-9. According to Genesis 6:13-14 , God said to Noah, "The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is full of violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out." God provided Noah with specific instructions regarding the dimensions and construction of the ark. Genesis 6:15-16 states, "And this is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. You are to make a roof for the ark, finish its walls to within a cubit of the top, and put a door in the side of the ark. Make it with lower, middle, and upper decks." Purpose and Significance: The ark's primary purpose was to preserve life during the cataclysmic flood that God sent to cleanse the earth of its widespread corruption and violence. Noah, described as a righteous man, was chosen by God to build the ark and ensure the survival of his family and a remnant of all living creatures. Genesis 6:18-19 records God's covenant with Noah: "But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you." Construction and Design: The ark was constructed from "gopher wood," a term whose exact meaning is uncertain, but it is traditionally understood to refer to a type of durable timber. The ark's design included three decks and various compartments to house the animals and store provisions. The use of pitch to waterproof the ark ensured its buoyancy and durability during the floodwaters. The Flood and Aftermath: As described in Genesis 7, the floodwaters prevailed upon the earth for forty days, and the waters rose to cover even the highest mountains. Noah and those with him in the ark were spared from the destruction. Genesis 7:23 states, "So He destroyed all living things on the face of the earth—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained." After the floodwaters receded, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Noah, his family, and the animals disembarked to repopulate the earth. God established a covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 9:11-13). Theological Implications: The account of Noah's Ark is rich with theological significance. It underscores themes of judgment and salvation, obedience and faith, and God's sovereignty and mercy. Noah's faithfulness in building the ark, despite the skepticism of his contemporaries, serves as a model of righteousness and trust in God's promises. The ark itself is often seen as a type of Christ, offering salvation and refuge from the judgment of sin. The narrative of Noah's Ark continues to be a foundational account within the Christian tradition, illustrating God's redemptive plan and His covenantal relationship with humanity. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 6:13-22And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Nave's Topical Index Library The Story of Noah and the Ark The Survival of the Fittest. Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation The Faith of Abraham. Third Sunday Before Lent Matt. 8:11 Many Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements Faith Come from the Four Winds, O Breath! Chapter vi Resources Is there such a thing as a necessary evil? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of “Cast your bread upon the waters” in Ecclesiastes 11:1? | GotQuestions.org Ship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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