What did Noah's Ark look like?
- Jane Isley
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 2
A big question with an interesting ending.
“[…] The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks.” Gen 6:15–17
Well, for sure, we know it was big.
And honestly, that is about it, other than the decks, pitch being used, door placement, and gopher wood, which, btw, the word “gopher” is a hapax legomenon (all I see is Dr. Suess when I see that word) because that’s the only time that word is used in the Bible, ever. So we don’t actually know what type of wood would be in today’s world.
Let’s look at shapes.
Based on the passage, it could possibly be a giant rectangular barge-like structure, given the dimensions provided. However, it could also have had a round-ish shape, as indicated in verse 14, where the word tebah is used.
Why this is interesting is that in Exodus 2:3, the same word is used about the basket Moses was laid in, indicating the possibility of a rounded shape.
Kentucky, USA
In Kentucky, someone actually built the ark based on the given dimensions and standard knowledge of ships, measuring a whopping 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. If you click on the video, you get to see just how big this thing was.
Next, I have an image with dimensions and a comparison to the Titanic if it were built more rectangular (barge-like) shape than a traditional ship design.
Why none of that really matters.
Well, yes, it does matter to a point, don’t me wrong on that, but not as much as it should, at least not at first. Let me explain. Whether the Ark was a rectangular cube thingy, more ship-like, or a gigantic barge, there’s one small but huge phrase that is often overlooked in all of this debate, and I think it needs to be read, thought on, and acknowledged first before you do a squirrel dive into the science behind the Ark.
“Then the Lord shut him in.”
Think about that for a moment.
Noah was instructed to build ONE door on the side, and when everybody was inside, He shut him in. No matter the shape of the Ark, God took it upon Himself to shut Noah in and protect him and his family.
That door was the only door for people to enter.
Noah was righteous before God; he had immense faith and showed that by building the ark as instructed, which you have to admit was probably a lot to take in when He got these instructions and knowing what it meant.
There was only ever one door.
Anyone could have walked through the door and been saved from the flood, but they didn’t by choice. In 2 Peter 2:5 we learn that Noah was also a “preacher of righteousness .” The Bible doesn’t point something out for no reason; Noah would have been preaching salvation and about what was coming.
So, why did God “shut Him in?”
A couple of reasons actually for us to see and understand, and yes, you can have a couple of answers for one thing that are all equal in meaning.
To display His sovereignty and judgment.
To keep that world out, the people made their choice.
Safety, waterproofing, and it demonstrates His protection to those who choose Him.
Sometimes God closes doors because He is choosing to shut certain things out. (figurative)
The people knew what Noah was doing; you don’t start chopping down that many trees in your backyard and not have the neighbors notice the giant boat getting built in your backyard.
So while all the studies, debates, and science out there are absolutely fun and amazing to read about the Ark, that fascination should not overlook or replace studying everything else being said to us about that time in history.
Enter through that door today, while it is still open.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and please consider supporting my work. Your gift helps keep this work going, blesses others, and means the world to me.
You can visit me at Faithful Writers on Medium, where other Christian writers have joined me in sharing the word of God. You can also find me on Tumblr and Facebook.
Sources, References & Reads:
Genesis 7:16 — “Then the Lord shut him in.”
Patterns of Evidence — Was the Ark Sea worthy?
Answers in Genesis: Thinking outside the box.
Biblical Thoughts — For God’s Glory: Ark of Noah
Comments