The story of Noah and the ark is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. Many people are deeply fascinated and awed by Noah’s faith and obedience to God to build the ark despite the mocking from the people around him. Aside from this, one of the most common questions people want to be answered is, how old was Noah when he built the ark?
In Genesis 5:32, Noah is said to have been about 520 years old when he began building the ark. The reason behind building the ark was that God was tired of the evil that had spread far and wide and wanted to get rid of humanity to start afresh. Noah was one of the only people who still lived righteously; therefore, he and his family would be spared from destruction. God was going to destroy humanity via a mighty flood. Therefore, Noah was instructed to build this ark so that he, his family, and animals of all kinds would be spared.
Aside from knowing that Noah built this ark, how old was he when he started building the ark? How old was he when he completed building the ark? Where specifically in the Bible is Noah’s age mentioned when he built the ark? To get answers to these questions and more, keep reading.
How old was Noah when he started building the ark?
Noah got called by God to build the ark when he was about 520 years old. In Genesis 5:32, it is mentioned that Noah was 500 years old when he had his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 5:32
In Genesis chapter six, from verses thirteen to twenty-two, God gives Noah instructions on how he will build the ark and who he will be taking with him in the ark. In verse 18, God mentions that Noah will also take his sons and their wives into the ark.
But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. Genesis 6:18
This is relevant because the last time Noah’s age was mentioned, at 500 years old, was when he had just had his sons. Time has passed, and his sons have grown up; they even have wives. This could mean they were well into their 20s; Noah would have been about 520 years old. At this time in history, it was normal for people to get married at a young age, starting from the age of 20. Therefore, based on this information, it is implied Noah was about 520 years old.
How old was Noah when he finished building the ark?
It is mentioned in the book of Genesis, particularly in chapter seven, verse six, that by the time Noah finished building the ark, and the floodwaters were coming, he was six hundred years old. This means it took nearly a century to finish building the ark.
Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. Genesis 7:6
Noah had finished constructing the ark seven days before it started raining. On the seventh day, as per God’s instructions, he, his wife, his three sons, and their wives entered the ark. Also, he was instructed to get seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, male and female, as well as one pair of every kind of unclean animal, male and female, and seven pairs of every kind of bird, male and female and bring them into the ark with him and his family.
After this, the Lord shut them into the ark, and the floods began. The Bible mentions Noah’s exact age when the rains started in Genesis chapter seven, verse eleven.
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day, all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. Genesis 7:11
Where in the Bible does it mention Noah’s age when he built the ark?
The Bible mentions Noah’s age in several places when he built the ark. His age is first mentioned when he had his three sons. This can be seen in Genesis chapter five, verse thirty-two. This will help us estimate his age when he built the ark.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 5:32
The next time Noah’s age is implied to be mentioned and is relevant for us to know when he began to build the ark was when God was giving him instructions on how he was supposed to go about it. Aside from giving him the exact ark measurements, God instructed Noah to have his wife, his sons, and their wives in the ark with him once it was completed. The key point here is by the time God instructed Noah. His sons had already grown up, so much so that they already had wives. This implies that they must have been well into their 20s, meaning Noah must have been about 520 years old.
But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. Genesis 6:18
Noah’s age is mentioned again when he had completed the ark, and it was time for him, his family, and the animals God had instructed to bring with him to enter the ark. The Bible mentions his age twice. He was six hundred years old by the time the ark was completed, and the flood began.
Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. Genesis 7:6
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day, all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. Genesis 7:11
References
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How old was Noah when he built the ark?
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As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
