What did Noah look like (Noah’s physical appearance)?

Whenever people hear the name Noah, the ark he built immediately comes to mind. Aside from that, something that most people gloss over is his appearance. The question that many may be curious to have answered is what did Noah look like?

The Bible does not mention Noah’s appearance in any verse. However, there is an extra group of books known as the Apocrypha, written texts of unknown origin. Among this group of books, one is known as the book of Enoch, where Noah’s appearance at birth is mentioned. It is implied that he had skin as white as snow and red as a rose. He also had white hair, and his eyes were so bright that the whole house would glow like the sun when he opened them.

Does the Bible describe Noah’s appearance anywhere? Why do some people think Noah had albinism? Where in the book of Enoch is Noah’s appearance described? To have these questions answered and more, keep reading.

Does the Bible describe Noah’s appearance?

No, it does not. There is no mention of Noah’s appearance anywhere in canonical scripture. However, his appearance is mentioned in the book of 1^st Enoch, one of the books belonging to the Apocrypha.

The Apocrypha consists of written ancient texts of unknown origin. Even though they are not part of scripture, they are held in high regard by Jews. Aside from the canonical scripture, the addition of the Apocrypha completes the Hebrew bible.

Why do some people think Noah had albinism?

Noah is believed to have had albinism due to the description of his appearance being similar to that of someone with albinism. Albinism is an inherited genetic condition in which the person has little to no pigment on their skin or eyes. They also have light-colored hair and usually suffer from severe visual impairment.

In the book of Enoch, at his birth, Noah is described as having skin as white as snow and as red as a rose, white hair, and eyes that would light up the house like the sun.

Some people believe that due to this description, Noah may have suffered from albinism since his features are similar to those with albinism. A possibly conclusive evidence that he had albinism was that even at birth, he had white hair. This is in line with individuals who have albinism.

However, this is a far-fetched idea since albinism was not known to have existed in those ancient times.

How does the book of Enoch describe the appearance of Noah?

The book of Enoch suggests that Noah had skin as white as snow and as red as a rose. He also had white hair and light eyes.

This is demonstrated in the book of 1^st Enoch chapter one hundred and six from verses one to two.

And after some days, my son, Methuselah, took a wife for his son Lamech, and

she became pregnant by him and bore him a son. And his body was white as snow and

red as a rose, the hair of his head as white as wool and his demdema beautiful; and as

for his eyes, when he opened them, the whole house glowed like the sun—(rather) the

whole house glowed even more exceedingly. 1^st Enoch 106:1-2

Further down the verse, Noah’s father, Lamech, described him as having the appearance of an angel. He describes Noah as one who was not like them.

The book of Enoch, chapter one hundred and six, verse five implies this.

And he said to him, “I have begotten a strange son- He is not like an (ordinary) human being, but he looks like the children of the angels of heaven to me; his form is different, and he is

not like us. His eyes are like the sun’s rays, and his face is glorious. 1st Enoch 106:5

Did Noah look like an angel?

According to the text in the book of Enoch, chapter one hundred and six, verse five, as mentioned above, his father, Lamech, describes him as looking like the child of an angel.

This theory may have some truth to it. Scripture in Genesis chapter six verse four mentions some ‘sons of God,’ who are speculated to be fallen angels. These ‘sons of God’ were attracted to and had relations with the daughters of humans. As a result, these daughters gave birth to the Nephilim.

The Nephilim were mysterious and divine beings of great size and stature. Their unique appearance may have been explained by the fact that they resulted from the union between angels and humans. Apart from that, they were described as heroes of old and men of renown, which is a description that would suit Noah perfectly.

Noah may not have been an angel, but as per how his father, Lamech, described him, he looked like an angel from birth. He looked radically different from a normal human being. It may have been possible that he inherited angel-like traits and was part Nephilim.

In the book of first Enoch, chapter one hundred and six, verse twelve, Lamech, Noah’s father, suspects that his wife may have had relations with an angel, considering Noah’s unique appearance at birth.

Then his father, Lamech, became afraid and fled,

and he did not believe that he (the child) was of him but of the image of the angels of

heaven. And behold, I have come to you so that you may make me know the real

truth.” 1^st Enoch 106:12

The true origin of Noah’s angelic characteristics is not known. However, Noah is considered a righteous man, while the Nephilim were a plague to the earth and would be destroyed by the great flood. If Noah had been part of the Nephilim, wouldn’t he have been destroyed by the flood? This is demonstrated in the first Enoch chapter one hundred and six, verses seventeen to eighteen.

And upon the earth, they shall give birth to giants, not of the spirit but of the flesh. There shall be a great plague upon the earth, and the earth shall he washed clean from all the corruption.

Now, make known to your son Lamech that the son who has been born is indeed

righteous; and call his name Noah, for he shall be the remnant for you; and he and his

sons shall be saved from the corruption which shall come upon the earth on account of all

the sin and oppression that existed, and it will be fulfilled upon the earth in his days. 1^st Enoch 106:17-18

Even though Noah’s angelic traits’ true source is unknown, it is quite clear it is from a divine, holy, and righteous source.

References

What did Noah Look like?

The people who think Noah had albinism

The Book of Enoch: Black Adam, Albino Noah, and The Image of God

Demigods and the Birth of Noah

1 Enoch 106: Fragment Of The Book Of Noah

Nephilim