How to Build an Ark

“Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and full of violence." (Genesis 6:11, NIV) So begins the Biblical story of Noah and the ark he built to survive the Great Flood. The story of the ark is also found in the Babylonian myth of Utnapishtim and the Greek myth of Deucalion. Following are instructions on building an ark, as taken from Genesis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Gopherwood (in quantity)
• Pitch
• Woodworking tools
• 7 pairs of all kosher-certified animals
• 1 pair of each non-kosher animal
• 7 pairs of all birds
• 1 year's worth of provisions

Building the Ark

1. Obtain a large quantity of gopherwood. If gopherwood is not available, substitute common cypress, noted in the Mediterranean for its resistance to rotting.
2. Begin gathering animals to carry in the ark. Start with pack animals, which will make it easier to haul in the necessary gopherwood.
3. Prepare a framework on which to attach the outer hull, planking and decking. Framework dimensions are 300 cubits (450 feet) long by 50 cubits (75 feet) wide by 30 cubits (45 feet) high.
4. Attach planking for the outer hull, placing a door in the side to make it easier to load the animals into the ark. Also attach decking and two subdecks, dividing the ark into upper, middle and lower levels.
5. Divide the floors into rooms to keep the animals separated and provide separate space for the human crew. Secure the galley so that hungry animals can't break in and eat more than their share.
6. Make a roofed cabin for the upper deck and finish the ark to within a cubit (18 inches) from the top.
7. Coat the hull inside and out with pitch to seal any gaps between the planks and protect the wood. Apply several coats, as the ark must withstand forty days and nights of rain, plus another 110 days of ocean travel and another 7 months of sitting in mud on Mount Ararat.

Leaving the Ark

8. Wait for the ark to stop moving about for a period of 40 days. This is a sign that the ark has hit land.
9. Open the roof window and send out a raven to reconnoiter for dry land.
10. Send out a dove to look for signs of vegetation. If none are found, wait seven days and repeat this step.
11. Remove the outer covering entirely and check for dry land. If the land appears dry, wait for the word of God instructing you to leave the ark.

Tips & Warnings

• Use animal dung to seal any leaks that may occur during the voyage.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
• University of Phoenix, degree Programs to Fit Your Life.