Section 1 Chapter 1 – Same Boat
Could such a ship have been built?
There are some within scientific circles that question the feasibility of such a ship given the dimensions recorded in the Scriptures.
Even if the story were true, they conclude that a wooden ship of such massive size could not be made seaworthy. The Bible records in Genesis 6 that the length of the ship was to be 300 cubits, the breadth 50 cubits and the height 30 cubits (Gen.6:14-16).
To understand the actual size that the Scriptures indicate we must first determine the length of the cubit mentioned.
The word cubit (′kyü-bǝt) in English appears derived from the Latin cubitum, defined as elbow. It was πήχυς (pay′-kus) in Greek.
It seemed logical that the cubit is based upon a human characteristic—the length of the forearm from the tip of the middle finger to end of the elbow.
With the word having been used multiple times in the bible, the origin finds its roots further back in time perhaps even to the very beginnings of humanity.
Additional human aspects are attributed to other measures such as the foot, hand, and finger joints, that would correspond to a measure of (12” – foot) and or 1” with a phalange joint etc.
One can find numerous references throughout history to the cubit; however, the actual length may have varied somewhat.
In other words, for many centuries there seemed to be no standard concerning the cubit used, even in Israel. Biblical citations and historical archeology suggest more than one standard length for the cubit existed in Israel.
In II Chronicles 3:3 the citation may imply cubits of the old standard. Ezekiel 40:5; 43:13 may be indicating the cubit plus a hand. Archeological evidence from Israel suggests that 52.5 cm = 20.67 and 45 cm = 17.71 constitute the long and short cubits of this time and location.
To some scholars, the Egyptian cubit was the standard measure of length in the Biblical period, and this is the one that Moses (editor/author) would have been most familiar with. The Biblical sojourn/exodus, war, and trade are probable reasons for this length to have been employed elsewhere.
The Tabernacle, the Temple of Solomon, and many other structures are described in the Bible by cubit measures.
These also occur with two different cubits dimensions, the long or royal (architectural) cubit and the short (anthropological) cubit. Scholars have used various means to determine the length of these cubits with some success.
The long cubit is given as approximately 52.4-5 centimeters and the short cubit as about 45 centimeters. So, how could we determine with certainty the measurements of any of the items mentioned in Scriptural account of Noah’s ship?
There are many things to consider in coming to the correct measurement. Just a few are: who is the author; what time in history is the listing; what significance can be applied to the item being measured; is the item still available etc.
In this case we can deduct that since Moses was educated in Egypt, one type of Egyptian cubit would be used. Obviously, Moses is reporting the building of the ship long after the actual event, which was approximately 900 plus years earlier (pre-flood), before there existed an Egyptian empire.
How could one calculate the importance of this ship? It saved Noah and his family, and the future human race. We are all indebted to Noah’s faithfulness in such a building project. It was for him a holy calling, a righteous mission of the utmost importance.
With this stated, I would lean to what is called the Royal Egyptian cubit (20.61 or 62 inches). If my reasoning is correct the ship’s length would be 515.25 feet-(50) – the width 85.875 feet, and the height 51.525 feet. Most bible references in the margin use the standard cubit of 18” making the length a bit shorter at 450 ft.
Since the Royal Egyptian cubit was used with many Hebrew items associated with holiness: Solomon’s temple, sanctuary furniture, the Ark of the Covenant itself, plus the layout of the Tabernacle outer court, it seems consistent that Noah’s ship would as well use the same, due to its holy mission.
Ma-maw is the Hebrew word for cubit and is defined as “mother of the arm”. This is the reason the cubit typically is that measure, the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
The lower forearm is the mother, the upper arm is the father. Certainly, Noah’s ark was the mother of all ships. And it was the (Heavenly) Father’s plan that saved them.
One viable aspect that confirms the existence of such a ship are the hundreds of flood legends scattered throughout the world. Flood legends abound globally across many distinct cultures.
The odds historically are in favor of such a ship having literally existed. Someone calculated more than 300 flood legends, with survival ships to save a select few.
For this researcher, the ultimate evidence rests in eastern Turkey on what has been called Doomsday Mountain. Physical remains of a man-made ship locked onto an outcrop at 6,700 feet elevation.
We believe the ship slid to this location from its original landing site up the mountain ridge. There is no reason why the remains of a ship should be there.
There is also ample evidence that the entire area was underwater for at least a year, as the area is littered with petrified coral. Coral grows in the sea and the development period is at least a year. This coincides with the story recorded in Scripture.
These remains have been classified, by those with a non-biblical agenda, as a unique natural geological formation.
Modern ship builders today contend that a wooden ship of that size (length) could never become seaworthy, much less survive a severe storm.
But like so many in our progressive age, they are ignorant of certain facts. Due to academic bias concerning biblical issues and history, they miss a very great distinction between our generation and the one Noah was raised in.
The pre-flood environment could hardly be imagined today, especially as it came from the hand of the Creator. Consider this: We are approximately 10% of what our ancestors were.
Permit me to list several considerations: longevity – body mass – stature – intellect. Researchers today contend that we utilize only about 10% of our brain, some seem to use far less. However, I don’t see the first man, Adam made from the hand of his creator possessing this deficiency.
Adam was made in the image of God and possessed almost unlimited capabilities. He named all the animals, worked in his garden home, recovered from the first operation, married the woman God made for him, was taught by God the wonders of creation, and lived even after his rebellion 930 years.
In fact, the average age listed in Scripture from those living before the flood event is 912. You could certainly achieve quite a degree of knowledge over 9 centuries, especially in a pristine environment.
Adam was most likely about 20’ in height and even in proportion weighed approximately 3,000 lbs. We would call such a human being a giant. Coming down 10 generations we come to Noah, who actually lived a bit longer than Adam: Noah passes, after the flood event, at 950.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Noah’s generation had decreased a bit in height and mass, with Noah topping the chart at about 16’! (More on that in the 2nd section of this book.)
With the incredible capabilities of raw strength and vital force, managing the large trees necessary for such a project could with ample effort be accomplished. Take the post flood glasses off for a minute and imagine a world that is vastly different then what we experience.
All of nature was supersized, not only the trees, but all the vegetation and the animals as well, but it would all seem normal to the super race of people God had created.
This is all recorded in the archaeological record, but seldom receives the exposure and light of day due to anti-biblical teaching.
Scans from the remains in eastern Turkey reveal the superstructure of the vessel utilized 5 main keels in the construction process. This meant trees harvested at over 500 feet in height!
There were also 2 main keels fastened to the outside of the ship to stabilize it in rough seas. Flexibility would be a critical component in the construction process (more on that later).
Just as important would be waterproofing the ship, sealing the seams in the vessel. This we see in Gen. 6:14 with Noah sealing the hull inside and out.
Imagine us today framing up a wall and sealing the outside sheathing with tar, then sealing the inside sheathing with tar as well.
The hull of a ship is the most notable structural entity of the ship. To define the hull, it can be said that it is the watertight enclosure of the ship, which protects the cargo, machinery, and accommodation spaces of the ship from the weather, flooding, and structural damage.
Radar scans also suggest the presence of a moon pool in the center of the ship. The moon pool on a ship is a specially engineered hole which is designed to increase its utility.
For Noah’s special case ventilation would be essential, as they would be confined to the ship for just over one year. The wave action in the moon pool would act as a pump, in conjunction with the upper window in the top of the ship, fresh air would be ensured to make the experience tolerable.
To help control the pitching and rolling, we believe a series of drogue stones was utilized. Several flat stones like the ones pictured here would be secured to the extended keels, creating drag thus pulling the stern (rear of the ship) in a downward direction.
This action with the assistance of the outside keels would raise the bow (front of the ship) to head the vessel into turbulent waves. As a free-floating craft, this would be a necessary part of their survival.
A series of drogue stones rigged along the length of the hull would help control the side-to-side rolling. This is the way shock absorbers work in your vehicle, slowing down the pitching motion. The two distinct uses of the stones are defined by type of tether holes used to secure them to the ropes.
God certainly thought of everything necessary to ensure the survival of the passengers, both animal and human.
It seems obvious to this researcher that Noah had at his disposal all the raw materials necessary to build such a ship, and he was also given time to accomplish the task. God provided 120 years for what I’m sure what seemed like an overwhelming project.
Noah had his family to assist, plus any other workers who he could hire. Since there were bodies of water around Noah was more than likely a boat builder or carpenter, certainly capably of following the blueprints God provided.
Three-times Scripture says Noah was a willing servant, “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he (Gen. 6 22).”