Noah's Ark

Definition

Noah's Ark is a central narrative in the Book of Genesis, which describes a great flood that destroyed the earth, and the construction of a large vessel by Noah to save his family and pairs of all the world's animals from the deluge. This story is a significant religious doctrine in Abrahamic faiths and has become a prominent myth in Western culture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Noah's Ark story is found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6-9, as part of the Pentateuch or first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
2. According to the narrative, God instructed Noah to build the Ark to save his family and two of every kind of animal from a catastrophic flood that would destroy all life on Earth.
3. The Ark is described as being 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, with three decks and rooms to house the animals.
4. After the flood waters receded, Noah's Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, and Noah and the animals disembarked to repopulate the Earth.
5. The Noah's Ark story is a significant part of the Abrahamic faiths, serving as a symbolic representation of God's judgment, mercy, and the renewal of creation.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of the Noah's Ark narrative within the context of Abrahamic religions.
  • The Noah's Ark story is a central narrative in the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It represents God's judgment on a sinful world through a great flood, as well as His mercy in saving Noah, his family, and pairs of all the world's animals to renew creation. The Ark serves as a symbol of God's power, His desire to preserve life, and the potential for redemption and new beginnings, making it a foundational story in these religious traditions.
• Describe the key details of the Noah's Ark narrative as presented in the Book of Genesis.
  • According to the Book of Genesis, God instructed Noah to build a large vessel, the Ark, to save his family and two of every kind of animal from a catastrophic flood that would destroy all life on Earth. The Ark is described as being 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, with three decks and rooms to house the animals. After the flood waters receded, the Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, and Noah and the animals disembarked to repopulate the Earth, fulfilling God's command to be fruitful and multiply.
• Analyze the cultural and mythological significance of the Noah's Ark story in Western civilization.
  • The Noah's Ark narrative has transcended its religious origins and become a prominent myth in Western culture. Beyond its significance in Abrahamic faiths, the story of the great flood and the Ark's construction and voyage has captured the imagination of people across various cultural and artistic mediums. The Ark has become a symbol of survival, renewal, and the preservation of life, appearing in literature, art, film, and even scientific speculation about the feasibility of such a vessel. The enduring popularity and cultural resonance of the Noah's Ark story demonstrate its deep-rooted significance as a universal myth that speaks to the human experience of resilience, hope, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Related terms

Deluge: The great flood that destroyed the earth according to the Noah's Ark narrative in the Book of Genesis.

Abrahamic Faiths: The Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which share the common narrative of Noah's Ark as a significant religious doctrine.

Ark: The large vessel built by Noah to save his family and pairs of all the world's animals from the great flood.