How Long Did It Take To Build The Ark In The Bible?

The story of Noah and the Ark is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It tells the story of a man named Noah who was chosen by God to build an ark that would save him, his family, and a pair of every kind of animal from a great flood. While the story is familiar, many people wonder about the details of the ark’s construction – including how long it took Noah to build it.

The Biblical Account of the Ark’s Construction

The story of the construction of the ark is told in Genesis 6:11-22. According to the Bible, God saw the wickedness of mankind and decided to send a great flood to destroy all life on earth. However, he chose to spare Noah and his family because he was a righteous man. He instructed Noah to build an ark that was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. The Bible states that God gave Noah detailed instructions about the construction of the ark, including the materials he should use and how many rooms he should build inside it.

Noah was obedient to God’s instructions and began to build the ark. The Bible does not state exactly how long it took Noah to complete the ark, but it does give us some clues about the time frame. In Genesis 5:32, the Bible states that Noah was 500 years old when he became the father of his three sons – Shem, Ham, and Japheth. According to Genesis 7:6, the flood began when Noah was 600 years old. This means that Noah had 100 years to build the ark.

How Long Did It Take Noah to Build the Ark?

Based on the biblical account, it took Noah 100 years to build the ark. This may seem like a long time, but it is important to remember that the ark was a massive undertaking. It was not simply a large boat – it was a vessel designed to withstand a catastrophic flood. It needed to be strong enough to withstand the violence of the water, and spacious enough to house not only Noah and his family, but also a pair of every kind of animal.

In addition, it is likely that Noah did not work on the ark alone. The Bible states that his three sons helped him with the construction, which would have expedited the process. It is also likely that other members of his extended family and community may have helped, especially given that the construction of the ark would have been a massive undertaking that required a significant amount of resources.

What Was the Ark Made Of?

The Bible states that Noah was instructed to build the ark out of gopher wood and to cover it with pitch inside and out. Gopher wood is not a specific type of wood, and its exact identity is unclear. Some scholars have suggested that it could be a type of cypress or cedar, while others have suggested that it could be a type of laminated wood. The exact species of wood used for the ark is unknown, but it is clear that it was a strong and durable wood that was able to withstand the elements.

The pitch used to cover the ark would have helped to make it watertight, which was necessary given the impending flood. Pitch is a type of tar that is derived from certain types of trees. It is a sticky, viscous substance that hardens when exposed to air. Pitch was commonly used in ancient times to seal boats and other vessels. The use of pitch would have helped to make the ark even more durable and resistant to the water.

What Was the Purpose of the Ark?

The purpose of the ark was to save Noah and his family, as well as a pair of every kind of animal, from the impending flood. The flood was sent by God to punish mankind for their wickedness, but he chose to spare Noah and his family because they were righteous people. The ark was a means of salvation, a way for God to preserve life on earth.

In addition, the ark served as a symbol of God’s power and mercy. It demonstrated that even in the midst of great destruction, God was able to provide a way of escape. The ark also foreshadowed the coming of Christ, who would serve as the ultimate means of salvation for all mankind.

What Happened to the Ark?

According to the Bible, the flood waters receded after 40 days and nights, and the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Noah and his family and the animals on the ark disembarked and began to repopulate the earth. The fate of the ark itself is unknown – the Bible does not state what happened to it after the flood. Some scholars have suggested that it may have disintegrated over time or been dismantled for its lumber.

FAQs

Did Noah really build the ark?

The story of Noah and the ark is a biblical account, and its veracity is a matter of faith. However, many scholars believe that there may have been a historical basis for the story. Flood stories are found in many cultures around the world, which suggests that there may have been a catastrophic flood event that inspired these stories.

What did Noah do while he was building the ark?

The Bible does not state what Noah did while he was building the ark, but it is likely that he spent a significant amount of time working on it. He may have also continued to preach and teach during this time.

How long did it take to load all the animals onto the ark?

The Bible does not give us a timeline for how long it took to load all the animals onto the ark. However, it is clear that the loading process would have taken some time, given that there were two of every kind of animal on board.

How big was the ark compared to other ancient ships?

The ark was significantly larger than other ancient ships. The dimensions of the ark – 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high – would have made it much larger than any other known ancient ship. This is further evidence of the size and scope of the project that Noah undertook.