When did Noah build the ark (Noah’s ark historical timeline)

Noah’s story of building the ark and how it saved Mankind is full of mysteries. One aspect that troubles bible readers and scholars is the ark’s timelines. Although the Bible is clear on the timelines during this time, it is difficult to grasp them because the biblical calendar used in writing the book of Genesis is significantly different from the current one. However, we still can know when Noah built the ark. So, when did Noah build the ark?

The Bible mentions that Noah built the ark in 2,348 BC. The Bible does not give the exact date when Noah built the ark. However, from the generational timelines in the book of Genesis 5 and 11, the ark may have been built 1,656 years from creation, which occurred in 4004 BC. Therefore, Noah built the ark in 2,348 BC.

This article will determine whether the Bible gives the time when Noah built the ark. Also, we will find out when Noah built the ark according to the historical timelines. You will learn how Noah’s ark timelines were obtained and how they vary from scientific timelines.

Does the Bible say when Noah built the ark?

The Bible does not say when Noah built the ark. However, we can estimate the period roughly using the genealogy in Genesis Chapter 5. The genealogy is the only thing that can point us to when Noah built the ark. From Genesis 5, we find the genealogy that runs up to Adam, which can help us figure out the dates when Noah’s flood came.

When did Noah build the ark according to the historical timeline?

We can find the year Noah built the ark by counting the number of years from Adam as given in the genealogy, as shown below.

Adam was the first human: 1 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. On the day God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female, blessed them, and called them Mankind on the day they were created. Genesis 5:1-2 He is the beginning of the human calendar and was created at year zero. The genealogy ran through his third-born Seth after Cain killed Abel and was cursed by God.

Adam bore Seth in the 130th years and died when he was 930 years: And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. So, all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died. Genesis 5:3 and 5.

Seth bore Enosh in the 135^th year and died in the 1042nd year: Seth lived one hundred and five years and begot Enosh. So, all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died. Genesis 5:6 and 8.

Enosh bore Cainan in the 325^th year and died in the 1140^th year: Enosh lived ninety years and begot Cainan. So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years, and he died. Genesis 5:9 and 11.

Cainan bore Mahalaleel in the 395^th year and died in the 1235^th year: Cainan lived seventy years and begot Mahalalel. So, all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died. Genesis 5:12 and 14.

Mahalaleel bore Jared in the 460^th year and died in the 1290th year: Mahalalel lived sixty-five years and begot Jared. So, all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died. Genesis 5:15 and 17.

Jared bore Enoch in the 622nd year and died in the 1422nd year: Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years and begot Enoch. So, all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died. Genesis 5:18 and 20.

Enoch bore Methuselah and did not die because he walked with the lord until he was no more Enoch lived sixty-five years and begot Methuselah. So, all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:21, 23, and 24.

Methuselah bore Lamech in the 874^th year and died in the 1656^th year: Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years and begot Lamech. So, all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died Genesis 5:25 and 27.

Lamech bore Noah in the 1056^th year and died in the 1651st year. Noah built the ark and died in the 2006^th year: Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years and had a son. And he called his name Noah. So all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died. And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 5:28, 29, and 32.

So, from this genealogy, we notice that Noah was born in the 1056^th year since the creation of Adam and the world. The flood came when Noah was 600 years: Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth. Genesis 7:6. Therefore, the flood water came in the 1656^th year. It took Noah five years to build the ark. Therefore, Noah began to build the ark from the 1651st year to the 1656^th year.

Using the genealogy, the Bible implies that the world was created in 4004 BC. Therefore, we can calculate the year Noah finished building the ark by subtracting 1656 years from 4004 BC. The calculation gives us 2348 BC.

Contrary opinions on Noah’s ark construction time

There are several contestations, especially in the argument that the world has existed for only about 6000 years. Scientists and bible scholars have argued that the world has existed for much longer. Using the genealogies in Genesis 5 to calculate the biblical timelines may be misleading because gaps between the genealogies may have existed. Other biblical genealogies have gaps, so the Genesis 5 genealogy may also have gaps.

For instance, the Matthew 1, Ezra 7, and Exodus 6 genealogies have gaps accounting for many years. However, some believe that the genealogy in Genesis 5 and 11 has no gaps and therefore provides correct timelines of creation and Noah’s flood. There is no evidence against the young earth theory. Scientific proof that the earth has existed for billions of years is unreliable and inaccurate.

Reference

How Long Did it Take Noah to Build the Ark, and Why It Matters

The World: Born in 4004 BC?

Don Stewart:: Are the Genealogies in Genesis 5 Complete?

Do the Genesis Genealogies Contain Gaps?

How Old Is the Earth?