Who Is Noah in the Bible?
Noah is a key patriarch in the Bible, best known for building the ark and surviving the great flood. His story is found in Genesis chapters 5–10. Noah’s name means “rest” or “comfort,” and he stands as a powerful symbol of faithfulness in a corrupt world.
Biblical Background
➤ Noah’s Lineage (Genesis 5)
- Noah was the son of Lamech and a descendant of Adam through Seth.
- He lived in a time when the earth was full of violence, wickedness, and corruption.
- Despite the moral decay around him, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8).
The Ark and the Flood (Genesis 6–9)
➤ God’s Grief and Judgment
- God saw that the thoughts of man’s heart were only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).
- Grieved by human sin, He decided to send a global flood to wipe out all living creatures.
➤ Noah’s Calling and Obedience
- God instructed Noah to build a massive ark (a huge boat) and gave specific dimensions and materials.
- Noah was told to bring his family and pairs of every kind of animal into the ark.
- He obeyed fully, doing everything exactly as God commanded (Genesis 6:22).
➤ The Great Flood
- Rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights, and the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days.
- Every living thing outside the ark perished—only Noah, his family (8 people total), and the animals on the ark were saved.
➤ God’s Covenant
- After the flood, Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices.
- God established a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again.
- The rainbow was given as the sign of this covenant (Genesis 9:12–17).
Noah’s Legacy
➤ Father of Nations
- Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
- From them came the nations of the world (Genesis 10).
- He lived 350 years after the flood and died at the age of 950.
➤ A Man of Righteousness
- Noah is described as “a righteous man, blameless in his generation” (Genesis 6:9).
- He walked with God, a rare statement shared with only a few like Enoch and Abraham.
➤ New Testament References
- Hebrews 11:7 – Noah is praised for his faith in building the ark without yet seeing the flood.
- Matthew 24:37–39 – Jesus refers to the days of Noah as a parallel to the coming of the Son of Man.
- 2 Peter 2:5 – He is called a “preacher of righteousness.”
Lessons from Noah’s Life
- Walk with God even when no one else does – Noah lived righteously in a godless time.
- Obedience brings protection – His faith in action saved him and his household.
- Judgment and mercy coexist – The flood was judgment, but the ark was mercy.
- Preparation matters – Noah built the ark before the rain came. Faith prepares in advance.
- One person’s faith can impact the world – Through Noah, humanity was preserved.
Summary
Noah was a faithful servant, a preacher of righteousness, and a builder of hope in a world lost in sin. He listened to God when others mocked, obeyed when it seemed irrational, and trusted when the future looked uncertain. Through Noah, we see that one obedient heart can change history, and through him came a fresh start for all of humanity.