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How Long Did It Really Take Noah To Build The Ark?
How many years are we talking about for the building of the famous Ark of Noah? We know that it housed the animals and Noah's family, but how long did it take to construct?
How long did it take build the ark in Genesis?
No Modern Equipment, Few Laborers
Assuming at that time that there were no technologically advanced equipment and the low number of laborers according to the Biblical account, Noah's ark would take much longer than it would today.
Biblically speaking, Noah had only his three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—as helpers (Genesis 6:10). The command to build the ark was given when Noah was about 500 years old, and the Flood came when he was 600 (Genesis 5:32; 7:6), implying a maximum of 100 years. Most scholars estimate 50–75 years of actual construction time.
Estimated Ancient Build Time
| Factor | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Workforce | 4 men total |
| Tooling | Bronze-age or early stone tools |
| Timber shaping & hauling | 30–40 years minimum |
| Structural assembly | 20–30 years |
| Total plausible range | 50–75 years |
Scholarly & Historical Perspectives
John Walton (NIV Application Commentary) suggests a multi-decade effort, emphasizing non-industrial tools and labor.
Henry Morris (The Genesis Record) proposed over 70 years, given manual woodworking and transport challenges.
The Ark Encounter Research Team (2016) estimated that with only 4 men, using ancient techniques, 70–80 years would be a realistic timeframe.
William F. Albright, a Near Eastern Archaeologist notes that Bronze Age shipbuilding technology required decades even for far smaller vessels.
Plausible Calculation:
It is known that Noah was 500 years old when his sons were born (Genesis 5:32).He was 600 years old when the Flood came (Genesis 7:6). That gives 100 years from the time of his first son's birth to the Flood. The actual building time could have been less—perhaps beginning after his sons were old enough to help.
Two Main Interpretations of This Data
| View | Explanation | Scholars |
|---|---|---|
| Judgment Countdown | God declared 120 years before the Flood that judgment was coming — time for repentance, NOT necessarily construction time. | Gordon Wenham, John Walton |
| Construction Timeline | Noah began building soon after this command, giving 120 possible years of ark construction. | Henry Morris, James Boyce |
Scholarly Views
| Scholar | Estimated Build Time |
|---|---|
| Henry Morris (The Genesis Record) | ~120 years |
| John Walton (NIV Commentary) | Closer to 50–75 years |
| Ark Encounter Technical Research | Max of 75 years (if only 4 workers) |
| Gordon J. Wenham | 120 years = grace period, not construction period |
Conclusion
Given only four workers, no machinery, and primitive tools, the inputs of trusted scholars and biblical insight, Noah’s construction time for the ark can be placed between 50 and 75 years, well within the 100-year biblical window (based on Noah's age).
But How long would it take to build Noah's ark today?
Building Noah’s Ark today would take 3-5 years depending on modern tools, workforce and regulations. The Ark’s biblical dimensions (Genesis 6:15) are ~510 feet long – similar to a modern cargo ship.
Based on US Navy shipbuilding timelines and estimates from large wooden ship replicas, (e.g. Ark Encounter in Kentucky, built in ~6 years) this is a realistic timeframe. Naval construction reports show that a vessel of similar size would require hundreds of workers and advanced logistics (US Maritime Administration, 2020). Engineering studies also show sourcing timber alone would take 12-18 months (Journal of Construction Engineering, 2019).
How Long Ago Did Noah Build The Ark?
- According to Bishop Ussher, the earth was created around 4004 BC and the flood took place around the year 2350 BC.
- This would mean that the flood took place around 4374 years ago.
- Since Noah took some time before the ark was completed before the time of the flood, it's safe to say that Noah's ark was finished around 4474 years ago (give or take).
Is There Biblical Evidence For Noah's Flood in The Book of Genesis?
God's Instructions to Noah About Its Construction and Making Food Provisions in Genesis 6:16-22 KJV
- 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
- 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
- 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
- 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
- 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
- 21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
- 22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
