The Boat Of Noah: A Biblical Ark Blueprint

Noah's Ark is a well-known story from the Bible, recognised by most people as a children's tale about a bathtub toy filled with animals. However, the biblical account is quite different. According to Genesis, God instructed Noah to build a large boat to escape the coming flood, sent to destroy all living creatures because of their wickedness. Noah, who found favour with God, built the Ark to the exact specifications given by God, which included three decks and a door, and was coated with pitch to make it waterproof. The Ark was to accommodate Noah's family, and two of every kind of animal, male and female, with seven pairs of clean animals. After the floodwaters receded, the Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, and Noah sent out a dove to check for dry land. God then instructed Noah and his family to leave the Ark, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again.

The Ark's design and construction

The construction of the Ark presented several challenges for Noah. He would have needed knowledge in fields such as naval architecture, physics, calculus, mechanics, and structural analysis, which did not exist at the time. He also faced social resistance, as his neighbours and peers likely mocked him for building a massive boat on dry land for a flood no one had experienced before. In addition, Noah and his family had to gather provisions for the voyage, including food for themselves and the animals, and fresh water. They also had to deal with the waste generated during the voyage and ensure proper ventilation and sanitation to prevent the spread of diseases.

The construction of the Ark took Noah several years, and it is estimated that it took anywhere from 80 to 120 years to complete. The Bible does not state the exact number of years, but it provides a clue in Genesis 6:3, which says, "My spirit shall not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years." This verse is interpreted by some to refer to the time period people had to repent before God's judgment, suggesting that Noah spent these twelve decades constructing the Ark and preaching to a sinful generation.

Animals and plants on board

Noah's Ark is said to have housed a menagerie of animals, with God instructing Noah to take on board two of every kind of animal, and seven pairs of the clean animals and flying creatures. The Bible uses the term "kind" rather than "species", with the former being a broader category. This would have included land-dwelling vertebrates, reptiles, and birds.

The Ark would have needed to accommodate around 6,700 to 16,000 animals, depending on the interpretation of "kind". This would have included large animals such as horses, zebras, donkeys, and cattle, as well as smaller creatures like dogs, wolves, coyotes, and jackals. The animals did not procreate during their time on the Ark, so the number that disembarked was the same as those that embarked.

In addition to the animals, Noah also needed to bring food for them and his family. The Ark likely carried compressed and dried foodstuffs, such as grain and hay. Water was also a consideration, taking up around 9.4% of the Ark's volume.

While the Bible does not provide specifics about the Ark's non-animal contents, it is likely that Noah brought plants on board as well. Before the Flood, humans were told by God to be vegetarian, so Noah would have needed to preserve plants for food. He may have preserved seeds, cultivated plants, and potted seedlings to ensure a supply of fresh food during the voyage. The upper deck of the Ark may have been designed as a greenhouse to accommodate these plants.

Some plants could have survived outside the Ark on floating mats of vegetation, along with insects and other invertebrates. However, it is unlikely that Noah brought insects on board as passengers.

The voyage and its challenges

Noah's Ark is the boat in the Genesis flood narrative, through which God spares Noah, his family, and examples of all the world's animals from a global deluge. The story is based on earlier flood myths originating in Mesopotamia and is also mentioned in the Quran.

The voyage of Noah's Ark and its challenges can be broken down into the following sections:

Building the Ark

Noah was instructed by God to build a large boat to escape the coming flood. The Bible does not state how long it took Noah to build the ark, but it likely took several years. Noah faced numerous physical and social challenges during the construction process. He had to rely solely on God's instructions to build the vessel, as he lacked modern tools or engineering knowledge. Additionally, he lived in a corrupt and violent society, and his peers probably mocked him for building a massive boat on dry land.

Gathering the Animals

Noah was instructed by God to bring two of every kind of animal onto the ark, along with seven pairs of clean animals and birds. This presented several logistical challenges, as Noah had to ensure that all the animals could fit on the ark and that their needs were met during the voyage. The animals also had to travel long distances to reach the ark, and it is unclear how they were able to find their way there.

The Flood

The floodwaters came from the great deep and the floodgates of heaven, causing rain for 40 days and nights. The waters covered even the tallest mountains, and all living creatures and people outside the ark perished. The ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, and the waters receded after 150 days.

Life on the Ark

Noah and his family, along with all the animals, had to endure the challenges of life on the ark during the flood. They faced issues such as sanitation, food storage, and waste disposal. The animals may have hibernated during the voyage to reduce the need for food and water. However, many animals have specialized dietary and habitat needs that would have been difficult to meet on the ark.

After the Flood

Once the waters receded, Noah sent out a raven and a dove to determine if the land was dry. After leaving the ark, Noah and the animals faced the challenge of adapting to the new environment and repopulating the earth.

Life after the flood

Noah's Ark is the boat in the Genesis flood narrative through which God spares Noah, his family, and examples of all the world's animals from a global deluge. The story is found in Genesis 6-9 of the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

After the flood, Noah and his family disembarked from the ark and Noah built an altar and made an offering to the Lord. God blessed Noah and his sons and told them to repopulate and fill the earth. The Lord also gave instructions permitting humans to eat meat, but with a strong warning against killing people.

The landscape had changed drastically. Tectonic and volcanic activity had built mountains and gouged valleys as the water raced into the sea. Weather patterns after the Flood were very different from what Noah’s family had known before the deluge. Widespread volcanic activity combined with warm ocean temperatures set the stage for the Ice Age that soon followed.

The earth was a barren place. Wildlife was non-existent, and spotting a wild animal may have become a rare event. The unwelcoming scene bore few signs of life. Perhaps shrubs, grasses, and other small plants dotted the terrain, but no trees could be found save for some saplings.

Noah's family would have needed to descend and settle near a dependable water source, such as a mountain stream or river. Starting a settlement near water also brings benefits for meeting other basic needs, such as food. If they were to grow successful crops, they needed fertile soil, which was probably abundant at this point due to nutrient-rich soil deposited by the flood. However, it may have taken many months before they could enjoy food from a harvest.

The other food options included the animals. Until this point, the Lord had not permitted man to eat meat. But after Noah’s family disembarked the ark, God gave them permission to eat any “moving thing that lives”. The animals may have also helped with clothing and shelter needs. The wool sheared from sheep could have been woven into articles of clothing, and animal hides could have been used for clothing, shoes, and tents.

It is likely the earth was a dangerous place as it settled from the flood, with earthquakes and volcanic activity happening as the earth settled from the catastrophic plate movement during the flood. Eventually, Noah's descendants did look for a new place to settle and found a place in the land of Shinar, probably in Mesopotamia. Instead of obeying God’s command to fill the earth, they sought to make a name for themselves by building a city and a tower. God confused their languages, forcing them to cease their work and grudgingly obey his command to disperse.

The story's impact

The story of Noah's Ark has had a profound and lasting impact on human culture, with references to it appearing in art, literature, music, and film. The story has also influenced the development of religious and philosophical thought, with various interpretations and symbolic meanings attached to it over time.

Religious and Philosophical Impact

The story of Noah's Ark has had a significant impact on religious and philosophical thought, especially within the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). For believers, the story of Noah's Ark serves as a testament to God's power and sovereignty over creation, as well as God's promise to never again destroy the world with a flood. The story also highlights the importance of righteousness and obedience, as God chose to spare Noah and his family due to their piety.

In the Hebrew Bible, the story of Noah's Ark is found in the Book of Genesis, where it serves as an origin story for humanity and a new beginning for God's covenant with creation. The story also establishes the idea of a tripartite universe, consisting of heaven, earth, and the underworld, which is reflected in the structure of the Ark itself.

In Christianity, the story of Noah's Ark has been interpreted allegorically, with early Christian writers such as Hippolytus of Rome seeing the Ark as a symbol of Christ. The First Epistle of Peter compares Noah's salvation through water to Christian salvation through baptism.

In Islam, the story of Noah's Ark is mentioned in the Quran, where Noah is considered a prophet. The Quranic version of the story differs in some details from the Biblical narrative, such as referring to the Ark as a "ship" rather than a "box" or "chest".

In the Baháʼí Faith, the Ark and the Flood are seen as symbolic, representing spiritual teachings that preserve Noah's followers, who are considered spiritually alive.

Impact on Popular Culture

The story of Noah's Ark has also left its mark on popular culture, with numerous references and adaptations appearing in film, literature, music, and other forms of media.

In film, there have been several adaptations of the Noah's Ark story, including the animated films "Noah's Ark" (1959) and "Noah's Ark: A New Beginning" (2023). The story has also been depicted in television shows, such as the animated series "Noah's Island" (1997-1999).

In literature, the story has inspired works such as the poem "Le Déluge" by Saint-Saëns and the novel "Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo".

The story has also been referenced in video games, with titles like "Noah's Ark" and "Noah's Ark Water Park" drawing direct inspiration from the biblical narrative.

Additionally, the story of Noah's Ark has had a significant impact on art and music. Artistic depictions of the Ark can be found in works such as the painting "The Great Flood" and the British Museum's cuneiform tablet illustrating a Babylonian version of the story. Musical compositions inspired by the story include "The Flood" by Stravinsky and "Noah's Ark" by Poulakis.

Impact on Scientific and Historical Understanding

The story of Noah's Ark has also influenced scientific and historical inquiries, particularly in the fields of archaeology, mythology, and geology.

Archaeologists and historians have long been fascinated by the possible existence of Noah's Ark, with searches for the Ark's remains dating back to at least the time of Eusebius in the 4th century CE. These searches have often been driven by a desire to validate the biblical narrative and have sparked debates about the historical accuracy of the story.

The story of Noah's Ark has also contributed to the study of flood myths and their cultural significance. Flood myths are found in various ancient cultures, including Mesopotamian, Greek, Hindu, and Native American traditions. Parallels have been drawn between these myths and the story of Noah's Ark, with some scholars arguing that they may have a common origin or that they reflect shared human experiences of flooding and natural disasters.

Additionally, the story of Noah's Ark has had an impact on geological hypotheses, such as the Black Sea deluge hypothesis, which proposes a catastrophic flooding event similar to the biblical flood. While there is no scientific evidence for a global flood on the scale described in the Bible, some researchers suggest that localized flooding events in regions like the Persian Gulf or the Black Sea may have inspired the oral and written traditions associated with the story of Noah's Ark.

Frequently asked questions