As a believer of God’s word and pastor, I have a deep appreciation for the history and
significance of Noah’s ark. The Bible speculates that Noah’s ark saved living creatures from
floods. Though this is one of the most memorable in the Bible, many people wonder why God
chose Noah. Some of my Sunday school students ask me, “who is Noah?”
In this article, I will share biblical evidence explaining who Noah is. Join me on this exploration
as we expound on his family, why God chose him as indicated in the Bible, and what happened
to him after the floods. Read on!
Noah’s family
Parents
Genesis 5:28-31 mentions Noah’s father. The scripture implies, When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.
Lamech was the father of Noah, though his mother is never mentioned in the Word.
Siblings
The Bible mentions that Noah had siblings. His father lived for 595 years when he was born and then had other sons and daughters. This text implies that Noah was the firstborn of his father. It also suggests that Noah had other siblings, i.e., at least two sisters and at least two brothers.
Wife and children
Genesis 7:6-7 talks about the time when Noah got into the ark with his family. It goes on to say that he entered with his wife, his three sons, and their wives. This scripture clearly shows that Noah had a wife, though her name is never mentioned in the Bible.
Additionally, Genesis 6:10 mentions Noah’s sons by name. The Bible implies Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Why did God choose Noah to build the ark?
According to the Bible, God claimed that the earth was full of sin and evil, so God wanted to clear it. Genesis 6:13 implies, So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. Chapter 17, I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.
Believers suggest that God needed a clean slate. He says that the earth was filled with violence, and he was displeased, so he wanted to get rid of everything and start afresh. Yet Noah was spared, why?
Because he was righteous, blameless, and still followed God’s ways amid all the evil around him. So God saw no qualm in making him build the ark because he would follow what he was instructed, and even if spared, he would not carry any evil with him.
How did God choose Noah?
Genesis 6:11-12 well describes Noah’s time. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. Remember, in Chapter 9, the scripture implies that Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.
This book speculates that Noah was faultless among all the other people on the earth at the time. So, he found favor in God because it was he who pleased God (Genesis 6:8). Amid a generation that denied and went against God, Noah remained honorable to him. Biblical scholars suggest that this is the reason Noah was chosen by God.
How does the Bible describe Noah before the flood?
Noah was righteous
The Bible speculates that Noah was blameless and was a righteous man who remained faithful to God. The Word suggests that God was not pleased with the people on earth during this time. They sinned carelessly and did not try to seek him.
Genesis 6:5-6 implies, The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. Yet among all these sinners, the Bible insinuates that Noah was the only righteous one at the time.
Noah was obedient
Genesis 6:22 further implies how even when given instructions by God on how to construct the ark, he did so without question. He was obedient. The scripture says Noah did everything just as God commanded him. He did not refuse or run away from God’s commands. Instead, he followed them through.
Noah trusted God
Let’s not forget that Noah trusted in God when no one else did. By faith, Noah built an ark. Though the Word does not mention it, he could have suggested to other humans to help him because a great flood was coming, and maybe they laughed him off. Yet he believed in God, whom he did not see, but only trusted.
Noah was old
Genesis 6:7 implies that Noah was old when he got into the ark with his family. According to the scripture, Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came to the earth.
Was Noah still righteous after the flood?
Noah is considered one of the most righteous men in the Bible. Hebrew 11:7 says, By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. Yet even he fell into sin after the floods.
Some religious scholars imply that greatness comes with vulnerability to moral failure. In Genesis 9:20-21, the scripture insinuates that Noah fell into substance abuse. Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.
According to the Bible, Noah’s son Ham was the first one to come into the tent and saw his father’s nakedness, then laughed at him. He went and informed his two brothers outside. So Shem and Japheth entered the tent with their backs turned to their father and covered him. The story does not end here. Noah woke up, and when he learned what had happened, he cursed his son Ham and blessed his two other sons, Shem and Japheth.
From this passage, religious scholars argue that Noah also sinned after the floods by getting drank and sleeping naked.
What promise did God make Noah?
Fill the earth
God authorized Noah and his sons to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1). Remember that this command is quite similar to the one given earlier to his ancestor, Adam. At this time, the whole of mankind had been swept away in the floods, and God wanted the earth to be filled again.
Rule over all other creatures
According to Genesis 9:2, God made sure there was fear and terror among the other creatures toward humanity.
Provision of food
Some religious scholars humorously imply that God came up with a new diet for mankind through Noah. In Genesis 9:3, Noah is informed that now he can eat anything and everything that moves around him. God informs him that back then, he had been instructed to eat green plants, but now everything has been given to him.
Prohibited from eating blood
Some religious groups believe that Genesis 9:4 warns against blood transfusions. However, many religious scholars imply that this verse has been misunderstood. According to the scripture, Noah is warned against eating any flesh that has not been drained of its blood. This verse is used to emphasize the sacredness of blood and the protection of all creatures.
This is why Genesis 9:5-6 goes further to suggest, And for your lifeblood, I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God, has God made mankind.
Never to destroy the earth.
Genesis 9:9-11 speculates that God promised never to destroy the earth by floods ever again. Some other radical groups insinuate that God has been angry at humankind many times after the Great Flood, which is why devastating floods have been experienced since. However, this is not the case. As much as local floods around us have destroyed peoples’ properties and even killed many, there hasn’t been another flood that destroyed humankind again.
A rainbow as a sign of the covenant
As a sign of the covenant he made with Noah and his descendants, God set a rainbow (Genesis 9:12-17). This sign was used as a reminder of the floods and the covenant that God made with the earth, that he would never again send floods to destroy humanity.
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.
