You
the ark.. how big was this thing and how many animals were in there
Copilot
Noah’s Ark, as described in the Bible, was quite massive! It was said to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high12. In modern measurements, that’s approximately 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high12. To put that in perspective, it’s about one and a half football fields long and as tall as a four-story building1.
As for the number of animals, estimates vary. Some scholars suggest there were around 6,744 animals on the Ark34. This includes various “kinds” of land-dwelling and flying creatures, which is a broader classification than modern species34.
It’s fascinating to think about the logistics of such a massive undertaking, isn’t it? Do you have any other questions about the Ark or related topics?
You
was it just the noah guy who built it by himself or his family helped
Copilot
Noah didn’t build the Ark entirely by himself. According to the Bible, Noah’s three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—likely helped him with the construction12. Some scholars also suggest that Noah might have hired additional help for such a massive project3.
Building the Ark was a monumental task that took many years, and having his family’s support would have been crucial. It’s quite a story of perseverance and teamwork, isn’t it? Do you have any other questions about Noah or the Ark?
You
so 4 guys?
Copilot
Yes, according to the biblical account, it was primarily Noah and his three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—who were responsible for building the Ark. So, it was indeed a team of four. Given the size of the Ark, their task must have been incredibly challenging and time-consuming.
It’s quite impressive to think about, isn’t it? If you have any more questions or if there’s another topic you’re curious about, feel free to ask!
You
and then it was all just cutting down trees and somehow like what.. glue that together?
Copilot
Building the Ark was indeed a monumental task! According to the Bible, Noah and his sons used gopher wood (a term whose exact meaning is still debated) and covered it inside and out with pitch to make it waterproof12. Pitch is a sticky substance derived from plants or petroleum, which would have helped seal the wood and prevent leaks2.
The construction process likely involved cutting down trees, shaping the wood into planks, and then assembling these planks into the structure of the Ark. The use of pitch would have been crucial to ensure the Ark was watertight23.
It’s fascinating to think about the ancient engineering and craftsmanship that would have been required for such a project, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, just let me know!
You
how many feet long was this thing and it had like "levels" in it?
Copilot
Noah’s Ark was approximately 510 feet long1. It was also about 85 feet wide and 51 feet high1.
Yes, the Ark had multiple levels. According to the Bible, it had three levels or decks23. These levels would have helped organize the space for the animals, supplies, and Noah’s family.
It’s quite an impressive structure, isn’t it? If you have any more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
how many feet is a football field
Copilot
An American football field is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide1. This includes the 100-yard playing field and two 10-yard end zones on each side1.
It’s quite a large area, perfect for all the action-packed plays! If you have any more questions or want to chat about something else, feel free to ask!
You
oh so it's like only half as wide as a football field but like 2 football fields long?
Copilot
Exactly! The Ark was about half as wide as a football field but nearly one and a half times as long. To be precise, it was 510 feet long, which is about 1.4 times the length of a football field (360 feet), and 85 feet wide, which is just over half the width of a football field (160 feet).
It’s quite a massive structure when you think about it! If you have any more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
how many levels did it have in there?
Copilot
The Ark had three levels or decks. These levels would have helped organize the space for the animals, supplies, and Noah’s family, making it more manageable to care for all the creatures on board.
It’s quite fascinating to think about how they might have arranged everything, isn’t it? If you have any more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
did they put the animals in cages or what?
Copilot
Yes, the animals on Noah’s Ark were likely kept in enclosures or cages to manage them effectively. These enclosures would have helped keep the animals safe and organized, making it easier for Noah and his family to care for them12.
The Ark Encounter, a modern recreation of the Ark, suggests that the enclosures could have included features like slatted floors or multiple levels to help with cleaning and ventilation1. This setup would have been crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of the animals during their time on the Ark.
It’s interesting to think about the logistics of such a massive undertaking, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
so you're saying there was like 6744 animals in there.. but they had a girl and guy type of each? So like 3372 types of animal species? They just did animals not plants or bugs?
Copilot
Yes, the estimate of around 6,744 animals would imply about 3,372 pairs of animals, assuming each pair consisted of one male and one female12. This number is based on the idea of “kinds” rather than modern species classifications, which could encompass broader groups of animals.
As for plants and insects, the Bible doesn’t specifically mention Noah taking them on the Ark. Many plants could have survived the flood through seeds or floating vegetation3. Insects and other small creatures might not have been included on the Ark, as they could survive in various ways outside of it12.
It’s fascinating to think about how they managed all these details, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
so even elephants and giraffes?
Copilot
Yes, even large animals like elephants and giraffes would have been included on the Ark. However, it’s likely that Noah took younger, smaller animals rather than fully grown adults to save space and resources1. This would have made it more manageable to care for them during the journey.
It’s fascinating to think about how they might have organized everything, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
oh so they were younger types and not full grown
Copilot
Yes, that’s the idea! Taking younger, smaller animals would have been more practical. They would have required less space, food, and water, and it would have been easier to manage them during the journey. This approach would have helped ensure that there was enough room and resources for all the animals on the Ark.
It’s quite a clever solution, isn’t it? If you have any more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
So he went trekking around africa to get all these animals and had them parked in cages in his back yard for when he was done his boat?
Copilot
According to the biblical account, Noah didn’t have to travel around the world to gather the animals. Instead, it is said that God brought the animals to Noah12. This means Noah didn’t need to trek across continents like Africa to find them. The animals came to him, which would have made the task much more manageable12.
It’s quite an interesting aspect of the story, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
oh yeah they got herded or something, eh. So he had cages so like normally one type of animal would eat another, but for some reason they all got along and like what did they all eat that whole time. How long were they all on the boat?
Copilot
Yes, according to the biblical account, the animals were brought to Noah, so he didn’t have to gather them himself12. They were likely kept in enclosures or cages to prevent them from harming each other12.
As for their diet, Noah was instructed to bring every kind of food that is eaten and store it away as food for both his family and the animals3. This likely included a variety of plant-based foods, grains, and possibly dried meats for carnivorous animals34. Some theories suggest that God could have temporarily altered the animals’ diets or that they might have been in a state of hibernation to reduce their food needs4.
Noah, his family, and the animals were on the Ark for about one year5. This includes the time it took for the floodwaters to rise, cover the earth, and then recede enough for them to safely leave the Ark5.
It’s quite a story of survival and logistics, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
so the meat wouldn't go bad or whatever.. it was dried like beef jerky
Copilot
Yes, exactly! Dried meat, like beef jerky, would have been a practical solution for preserving meat over a long period. Drying meat removes moisture, which helps prevent spoilage and makes it easier to store and transport. This method would have been essential for ensuring that the carnivorous animals had a stable food supply during their time on the Ark.
It’s fascinating to think about the ancient methods of food preservation, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
what do these vegans think about how noah was feeding these animals meat and they weren't doing what vegans thinks is the "right" way to operate? Means noah's bad, according to them?
Copilot
The perspective on Noah feeding animals meat can vary among vegans, especially those who consider their beliefs in the context of religious stories. Some vegans might view the story of Noah’s Ark as a historical or allegorical account and focus more on the broader message rather than the specifics of animal diets.
From a vegan standpoint, the idea of feeding animals meat might not align with their principles of avoiding animal products. However, many vegans understand that the story of Noah’s Ark is a religious narrative from a different time and context. They might not necessarily judge Noah as “bad” but rather see it as a reflection of the practices and beliefs of that era12.
It’s also worth noting that some interpretations suggest that the animals on the Ark might have been fed plant-based diets or that their dietary needs were miraculously altered during the journey1. This could align more closely with vegan principles.
It’s an interesting topic that bridges faith, history, and modern ethical beliefs. If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
so did they get plants too that would be wiped out from if you'd put them under water, they'd die. So if it's water all over.. you'd lose all those plants?
Copilot
That’s a great question! According to some interpretations, many plants could have survived the flood in various ways. For example, seeds and plant debris might have floated on the water or been buried in the sediment, allowing them to sprout once the waters receded12. Additionally, some plants might have survived as cuttings or in the mud left behind by the retreating waters3.
The Bible doesn’t specifically mention Noah taking plants on the Ark, so it’s believed that the plants either survived through these natural means or were able to regrow after the flood12.
It’s fascinating to think about how resilient nature can be, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
and how long were they on the boat?
Copilot
Noah, his family, and the animals were on the Ark for about one year. Specifically, they were on the Ark for 370 days12. This includes the time it took for the floodwaters to rise, cover the earth, and then recede enough for them to safely leave the Ark12.
It’s quite a long time to be on a boat, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
a year.. that's quite a bit of food you'd need for that many animals. Anybody try to calculate like if you'd even have enough room on this football field sized boat for that long? How high was this thing.. you said like what 4 levels.. so how many storeys in today's sized buildings
Copilot
Yes, the logistics of feeding and housing all those animals for a year is quite a challenge! There have been feasibility studies on this topic. One notable study by John Woodmorappe in his book “Noah’s Ark: A Feasibility Study” suggests that the Ark could have housed around 16,000 animals, including provisions for food and water12. According to his calculations, this would have required about one-third of the Ark’s volume, leaving plenty of space for provisions and Noah’s family2.
The Ark was approximately 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high3. It had three levels or decks34, which would be roughly equivalent to a modern four-story building3. Each deck would have been about 17 feet high, providing ample space for the animals and supplies.
It’s quite fascinating to think about the ancient engineering and planning that would have gone into such a project, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
how long did it take them to build that boat, these 4 guys?
Copilot
The exact time it took Noah and his sons to build the Ark isn’t specified in the Bible, but estimates based on biblical chronology suggest it took between 55 to 75 years12. Some interpretations even suggest it could have taken up to 100 years3.
Given the size and complexity of the Ark, this extended period would have allowed them to gather materials, construct the vessel, and prepare for the journey.
It’s quite an impressive feat of ancient engineering, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
You
and noah was like still around when it was done or he was obviously dead at that point if it was 100 years
Copilot
Noah was indeed still around when the Ark was completed. According to the Bible, Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters came12. He started building the Ark when he was around 500 years old, so it took about 100 years to complete23.
It’s quite remarkable to think about someone working on such a massive project for so long, isn’t it? If you have more questions or want to explore another topic, feel free to ask!
[continued in comments.. lol]
Looking around for this pdf, John Woodmorappe in his book “Noah’s Ark: A Feasibility Study”.
Got something here.. it's only 55 pages though,
https://njbiblescience.org/presentations/Noahs%20Ark%20-%20A%20Feasibility%20Study.pdf
Noah’s Ark – A Feasibility Study Interpreting Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood as real history Jason D. Browning October 2009
That doesn't say John Woodmorappe. It's interesting because you have a nut who built a fucking ark that was 1/5th the size. lol!
Johan Huibers Ark Netherlands One-fifth size
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan%27s_Ark
In the pdf they got pictures. It's like this tourist place on a dock. You go in and you see he's got full sized elephants and giraffes and you don't have much room around those areas. But I guess you just need 2. ok.. if you'd have an elephant on a boat for a year, it'd probably cause problems. However.. Bing AI tried to explain how oh they'd get them young.. and "god" would "sedate" them like in hibernation.
Hang on let's paste this text from the pdf.
Noah’s Ark – A Feasibility Study Interpreting Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood as real history Jason D. Browning October 2009 Johan Huibers Ark Netherlands One-fifth size
2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this „coming‟ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 14 Overview The Book of Genesis describes how God destroyed the face of the earth through a year-long global flood, because of the “great wickedness” of the people Noah and his family survived, along with representative animals, on a large boat (the ark) Many regard this account as a myth, or as an exaggeration of an actual local flood event Could Noah’s ark have occurred as described? John Woodmorappe has performed a scientific study of the animal handling requirements of the ark and other issues and concludes that all potential problems have reasonable possible nonmiraculous solutions October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 15 Background “Noah’s Ark: A Feasibility Study” by John Woodmorappe, published in 1996 by the Institute for Creation Research Woodmorappe has a B.A. and M.A. in Geology, and a B.A. in Biology Also wrote book “Studies in Flood Geology” October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 16 Timelines of History Evolution Biblical Creationism Creation in 6 days Global flood Tower of Babel End times, new heaven and earth Christ on earth ??? Big Bang Earth forms First life First humans Universe dies of heat death Ice Age 7-20 billion years ago 4.6B ~3.5B 100,000 6-15,000 years ago ~5,000 ~4,500 2,000 Today October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 17 The Genesis Flood Described in Genesis chapters 6-9 6:5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become 6:6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 6:14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood 6:17 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. 6:19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 6:21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them. October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 18
• Noah had up to 100 years to plan and build • He was probably well off (blessed by God) • He could have hired help
October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 22 Ark Specifications Genesis 6:14-16: 437 feet long, 73 feet wide, 44 feet high Three decks A door in the side Ark “window” was continuous slot under the roof eaves, 18 inches high Made out of “gopher” wood (teak or other hardened wood) Sealed with “pitch” inside and out October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 23 October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 24 Feb 10: Noah, his family, animals enter the ark Feb 17: “All the springs of the great deep burst forth” and rain falls for 40 days and nights Water floods the earth for 150 days Jul 17: Ark comes to rest on the mountains of Ararat Waters recede steadily Oct 1: Tops of mountains become visible Nov 9: Noah sends raven - returns; 7 more days dove brings olive leaf; 7 more days dove doesn’t return (Nov 23) Jan 1: Water had dried up from the earth Feb 27: The earth was completely dry and ark unloads The Flood Events •The ark was big enough for many more people • Everyone was probably invited to enter
October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 30 Competing Views of the Geologic Column Evolution Flood Evolution of animals of increasing higher orders More mobile, smarter animals Pre-flood, flood boundary Simpler shaped Habitat zones •Various Land • Near-ocean • Ocean Common belief about fish fossil formation – dead fish sinks to bottom and is gradually covered by sediment The observed fact today – dead fish float and remains are quickly scavenged Fossil formation requires quick burial through a catastrophic event! Mud hardens to form the intact fossil
October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 36 Who Was on the Ark? Land mammals Land reptiles Terrestrial birds Dinosaurs Amphibians Some animals now extinct Eight people Representative animals from each genus, not species The genus is the smallest division of plants and animals that can be recognized without scientific study Up to 16,000 animals (maybe as few as 2,000) Large-sized were juveniles Median size = a small rat Only 11% larger than a sheep October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 37 Animal Space, Food, Water Needs Ark situation equivalent to intensive livestock confinement (not a zoo) Temporary captivity, need only to survive in reasonable health Animal housing: 46.8% of ark floor space 2.5 sq. meters for juvenile of largest animals Food: 6-12% of interior ark volume Compressed hay, dried fruit, meat, fish Water: 9.4% of ark volume Or could have collected rainwater October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 38 Waste Management 12 tons of wet excreta produced daily (12 cubic meters) - comparable to intensive poultry house Animal enclosures designed to minimize cleaning Sloped, non-bedded floors Slatted floors with manure pits Thick sanitary bedding with no excreta removal Manure gutters (animals can’t turn around) Use of biological pest control (ducks, cats, mongooses) Vermicomposting (use of earthworms to biodegrade manure)
October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 40 Ark Inventory by Mass Category Tons Empty Ark 4,000 Biomass at start 111 Biomass at end 411 Food at start 2,500 Water at start 4,070 Total needed 11,000 Cargo capacity 17,000 Spare mass 6,000 October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 41 Gathering of Animals Both Noah (Gen 6:19, 7:2) and God (Gen 6:20, 7:9, 7:15) were involved (reproduction of Figure 6 from book) Ark Tolerance to Wild Animals Captivity Filter Behavioral Filter Genetics Filter Noah’s Menagerie Divine Filter October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 42 Factors Lessening Difficulties of Gathering Animals Antediluvian world was much different (Possibly) Just one continent (Pangea) Warm climate throughout (probably not due to “vapor canopy”) Animals were more evenly distributed Animals did not fear humans (Gen 9:2) Animals were originally vegetarians (Gen 1:30) Migration instinct may have been introduced at this time (Gen 6:20) Hibernation instinct may have been introduced at this time October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 43 Other Alleged Ark Difficulties Building a large wooden vessel Care of the animals by eight people Animals that eat fresh or live food, or have special diets Animals that have differing climate needs Heat buildup in the ark Illumination in the ark Violent flood waters, large waves (tsunamis) October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 44 After the Flood (Possible) Breakup of the unified landmass during the flood (catastrophic plate tectonics) (Gen 7:11) Mountain ranges formed as plates collide Introduction of varying climates and seasons (Gen 8:22) People and animals given permission to eat meat (Gen 9:3) Introduction of hydrological cycle - possibly no rain prior to the flood (as there we no rainbows, Gen 9:12-14) An ice age caused by excess heat in the oceans and barren landmasses Drastic climate changes lead to extinction of the dinosaurs and many other animals October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 45 Catastrophic Plate Tectonics – One Pre-Flood Continent (Pangea) October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 46 Catastrophic Plate Tectonics Speeded-up version of standard plate tectonics The pre-flood ocean floor plates are forced below the continent plates Occurs in a catastrophic fashion due to the potential for thermal runaway in silicate rock (minerals that form over 90% of the earth’s crust) Began with the start of the flood Genesis 7:11 “on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth” Was largely completed by the end of the year-long flood October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 47 Plate Tectonics Illustration October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 48 CPT Modeling From www.globalflood.org After 15 days After 25 days October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 49 Ice Age – A Natural Result of the Flood Cooler land (stripped of vegetation) (snow-cover cooling) Much warmer ocean (fountains of the deep) (plate movement friction) Greater cloudiness (volcanic dust) From Oard, “An Ice Age Caused by the Genesis Flood” October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 50 Duration of the Ice Age “Fountains of the deep” break open Hot water gushes into oceans End of flood Waters drain off land Still warm from volcanic activity and plate movements More evaporation from the oceans = more snow and rain Ocean evaporates faster Much more snow & rain after the flood Snow over much larger area due to volcano dust blocking sun Land cooler due to volcano dust Snow does not melt in summer Eventually oceans cool and dust clears away Ice age is over 500 years to build up 200 years to melt back October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 53 Recovery After the Flood Survival of organisms outside the ark Water salinity stratification allowed some fresh, brackish, and salt-water fish to survive Large floating mats of vegetation Seeds buried and re-exhumed by erosion, or floated Food sources after the flood Plants, seaweed, fungi, carrion, fish, insects, earthworms, rodents Three months between first dry land and emergence of animals gives time for some plants to grow October 2009 NJBibleScience.org 54 Recovery After the Flood Repopulation of the world Animals migrated from Ararat Mountain landing: encouraged fragmentation of populations; offered varying ecological zones Genetic diversity and speciation Rapid post-flood speciation Modern examples of single-pair founders A single pair possesses most of the genetic diversity of the parent population Conclusions The flood is necessary to explain the geologic column There is historical and physical evidence that a global flood has occurred about 4,500 years ago World-wide flood traditions Early European written history back to Noah Population build-up statistics Sedimentary rock formations covering continent size regions Great fossil beds Interior mountains made of ocean bottom rocks It is feasible that a barge/ark could have been built to carry about 16,000 animals + food + water Only needed representatives of each genus, not species Median animal size = small rat Eight people could care for the animals Some animals in hibernation state Labor-saving housing systems God was involved of course, but continuous miracles were not necessary The history of the Bible can be trusted!