NOAH'S ARK, A PAIR OR MORE?

by Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.

Genesis 6:19 states that Noah was ordered by God to take a male & a female onto the ark. Then in 7:2,3 God told Noah to take seven clean animals and a pair of unclean aboard the ark. Is this a contradiction?

The above is not a contradiction if one understands that the word translated "Sevens" is from a Hebrew word "SHEBA" and it can be used in a combination such as; 17, 27, 7,000 or seven pair. Thus, it is understood by many to mean seven pair in Genesis 7:2,3.

The reason for such is - The eight people on the ark (7:7) would need food for the long duration (in the ark one year & eighteen days), thus God told them to bring either seven pair of clean (edible) animals of one species for a food source, or seven single animals of a species (two for food, two for reproduction & one for a sacrifice when they got off the ark - 8:20).

The construction of the ark was a huge undertaking. It was made of Gopher (Cypress) wood, due to its lightness and durability. It was covered with pitch inside & outside to waterproof it. It measured 450' long, 75' wide, & 45' high, had three decks, and no doubt many compartments. It was designed by God for the purpose of withstanding the flood which He sent to destroy unbelieving and unrepentant man (6:11-18).

The important thing in our lives should not be how many animals were on Noah's ark, but have we accepted Jesus Christ as the supreme sacrifice for mankind and been "Born Again"? Trusting Jesus as our Savior & making Him our Lord is very important! The Book of Acts tells us to:

1) Believe in Jesus as Savior 16:31 2) Repent of our sins 17:30
3) Confess Christ audibly 8:37 4) Be baptized in water 2:38
5) Live a faithful Christian life 14:22  6) Stay Active In The Church 2:47

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