FACTS ON THE ARK

The Hebrew word for Ark is Ammah, meaning 'Mother of the arm', the forearm.

The ark was listed in cubit measurements. It is difficult to determine the exact size, but we can get it down to a difference of 75 feet. A cubit is listed from 17.5 inches, 20.24 inches to 21.888. The Egyptian royal cubit was 20.5 and Moses being educated in Eygpt proably used this measurement.
The ark then would have been between 437 and 512 feet in length.

The ratio of the ark [length x width x height] was 30x5x3. this ratio shows an advanced knowledge of ship-building as it is the optimum design for stability in rough seas. Designed by God the ark was virtually impossible to capsize. It would have to be tilted over 90 degrees to capsize.

The volume of the ark using the shorter cubit would have a internal volume of 1,518,750 feet. This would equal 569 standard box cars. Would be over 100,000 square feet of floor space, over 20 standard basketball courts.

How many animals? There are over 1 million species of animals in the world. Only air breathing animals needed to be included on the ark. Many studies have been done of how many animals. To include now extinct animals, remembering there were less breeds of versus animals we can settle on 50,000 animals. Assuming the average size of a sheep and using a railroad car for comparison, it would take 69 cars to carry 50,000 animals filling only 37% of the ark. Plenty of room left for food and the 8 humans.

The Bible tells us in verse Genesis 6:20 that God brought the animals to the ark. As to how Noah and his family cared for all the animals is very hard to imagine. We have to remember the flood itself was a God ordained event with supernatural elements. One suggestion by some studies is that the animals may have gone into a state of hibernation. I like to think of the scripture 'God will not put more on us then we can bear'. God provided a way.

Next we will look at how the fish survived. Plants. Breathing. And the ark's final resting place. I have broken this into two parts so as not to bore you with these tidbits of information, which I find very interesting. Hope you do also.

God Bless Indeed

recj/ljg