Picture of Noah's Ark

Submit Bible questions, through our easy to use form,
to our team of mature Christians known as the Email Evangelists!

Picture of scale model of Noah's ark

14 Build a boat for yourself out of good timber ('gopher wood' in the KJV and other translations); make rooms in it and cover it with tar inside and out. 16 Make a roof for the boat and leave a space of 18 inches (a Biblical 'cubit') between the roof and the sides. Build it with three decks and put a door in the side. (Genesis 6)

The above model of Noah's ark was created at a scale of 1/75.  The other vessel shown in the photo (Columbus' ship named the Pinta) and the railroad car have also been created on a 1/75 scale. The actual length of the stockcar is 44 feet (13.4 meters) and has a capacity of 2,670 cubic feet (75.6 cubic meters).  The ark's volume was 1,518,000 cubic feet (42,985 cubic meters), which would be equal to 569 of the above pictured cars.  Strung together, they would stretch an amazing five and one-half miles (8.85 kilometers) long!

The ark model is based on the assumption that the Biblical cubit was, using our modern system, 18 inches (45.7 centimeters).  If a larger cubit is assumed the model would be proportionally larger.

Something to consider

God was quite particular in how he wanted the ark built. He told Noah what its dimensions should be, the wood to use, how to seal it so that it was water tight, where to put a window, etc. One very critical component, however, is not mentioned at all in its planning or construction.

How do you steer it?

A rudder is a vertical object added to the back or stern of a boat that can be manipulated such that it steers the vessel. The Bible does not state God told Noah or Noah suggested a rudder be built. While the absence of any steering capabilities on the Ark is far from definitive, the inability of humans to be able to navigate it could easily be symbolic of great spiritual principles.

Without the ability to steer the ark, the ship would be left to travel wherever the wind, weather and currents take it. Even if he wanted to, Noah would be powerless to direct the ark away from any perceived dangers or obstacles like trees, rocks, waterfalls, swift currents, hills, mountains, etc. as the flood waters rose and fell.

Noah would, of necessity, have to exercise absolute FAITH that God would be his rudder and that He alone could steer him from danger and lead him ultimately toward safety. It is no wonder that Noah was among the very few listed by the apostle Paul in Hebrews 11 as being a pillar of faith and an example of the kind of trust God wants all of us to have in him.

How long was
the Biblical cubit?
WHY did God
bring the Flood?
What does the
INSIDE of the
Ark look like?
How LONG did
it take to
build the ark?
How were
animals FED
on the Ark?
How many
animals did
Noah's Ark carry?
Additional Study Materials
represent after the flood?
Why did humans live
longer BEFORE the Flood?
before the flood?
Discount Bookstore  -  FREE books