A structural, engineering, and shipbuilding marvel. Noah’s Ark, centuries after its initial construction continues to fascinate creationists and scientists the world over. As a youngster I enjoyed hearing the story about Noah and the “GREAT FLOOD” but I never really took the time to understand what it took to build the Ark commissioned by God to withstand the great flood.
For creationists the story begins way back in the book of Genesis when God commanded Noah to build an Ark because judgement to mankind would be coming in the name of a flood. An Ark was chosen instead of a ship because the task of an Ark is simply to float riding atop the waves while a ship is made to steer. Put simply a ship charts its own course while an Ark is taken wherever the water leads it.
Noah, chosen by God because he as a righteous man in good standing was to be given every specification on the Ark’s construction. The Ark which was to be constructed by a unique type of wood called Gopher mentioned here for the only time in the bible. And not a known commodity today. Noah was told to pitch (seal) the Ark with Pine Tar or Coal Tar on the inside as well as the outside to avoid any seepage or rot from within.
The Ark which took 75 to 125 years to build through extremely difficult conditions, according to the standard measurement methods of the day called cubits, would be approximately 510ft. long, 75 ft. wide, & 45 ft. high. With 3 decks, it was able to withstand waves of up to 500 feet. That is 5 times the height of the waves generated from most hurricanes. For comparison the Titanic which was made of steel was 883 ft. long, 92 ft. wide and 104 ft. high. In addition to the 3 decks Noah’s Ark was to have one trap door. The trap door would be used as an entry way for the roughly, according to some estimates 50,000 birds and animals one of each sex that were to come aboard. (It remains unclear as to whether or not “trans” was a part of the vernacular of that day.) Some believe there were certain species of dinosaurs aboard.
Eight people, Noah, his wife their three sons & their wives would be the 8 people on board charged with taking care of all the animals. Since the Ark had no sail, no wheel and no engine. Noah, once the door which scripture says was shut by God himself and the rain began to fall was not a captain of a ship able to steer away from rocks or icebergs (as it were) or into the waves to avoid capsize. Noah was a passenger trapped safely inside the Ark he built. At the mercy of the torrential rains. Guided only by his faith. The Ark had one years provisions and the passengers had their own state rooms (living quarters).
Whether you believe in the biblical account of “The Great Flood” or not Noah’s Ark remains a modern marvel of maritime construction. So much so that there would not be another vessel built as large as Noah’s Ark until the late 1800’s. And modern oil tankers use the Ark design to traverse the world’s oceans.
I’ve given here the condensed version of this incredible one could even say miraculous story. If you’re interested in doing further research there are some great videos on YouTube or better yet visit the Ark Encounter in Kentucky.
Bob
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A wealth of information. Great job