Patriarch · Old Testament
The Story of Noah
Also: Nuhu (Kiswahili)
Righteous man who built the ark at God's command and survived the flood with his family.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
When the earth was filled with violence, Noah found favour with the LORD. He was a righteous man who walked with God. Genesis 6:8–12
God told Noah to build an ark. Noah, his family and the animals were kept safe through the flood, and afterwards God made a covenant never again to destroy the earth by a flood, with the rainbow as its sign. Genesis 6:13–22Genesis 7:1–24Genesis 9:8–17
Told in: Genesis
Life at a glance
- Father
- Lamech Genesis 5:28–29
- Sons
- Shem, Ham and Japheth Genesis 6:10
- Age
- 600 when the flood came; died at 950 Genesis 7:6Genesis 9:29
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Noah
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Found favour in a violent world
The LORD sees the wickedness of humankind, but Noah finds favour; he is righteous and walks with God.
Builds the ark
Genesis 6:13–22 · Genesis 7:1–5
God tells Noah to build an ark and bring his family and pairs of animals into it. Noah does everything God commands.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Hebrews 11:7
The flood
Genesis 7:6–24 · Genesis 8:1–19
The rains fall forty days and the waters cover the earth; everything outside the ark dies. God remembers Noah, the waters recede, and the ark rests on the mountains of Ararat.
More about this event
Places named: the mountains of Ararat
Sacrifice and covenant
Genesis 8:20–22 · Genesis 9:1–17
Noah builds an altar. God blesses Noah and his sons and makes a covenant with every living creature, setting the rainbow as its sign.
Vineyard and last years
Noah plants a vineyard and becomes drunk; Ham sees his nakedness, and Shem and Japheth cover him. Noah lives 350 years after the flood and dies at 950.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Noah. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollections of these events
- Hebrews 11:7 recalls “Builds the ark”
Later recollection
- Isaiah 54:9 — The waters of Noah and God's oath.
- Ezekiel 14:14 — Noah, Daniel and Job named as righteous men.
Teaching or quotation mentioning them
- Matthew 24:37–39 — As in the days of Noah.
- 1 Peter 3:20
- 2 Peter 2:5 — Noah, a preacher of righteousness.
Genealogy
Family and relationships
- LamechFatherGenesis 5:28–29
- Shem, Ham and JaphethSonsGenesis 6:10
Books associated with Noah
- Genesis Their story appears here
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
FaithCovenantJudgment
- What does Genesis 6:9 say about how Noah lived?
- What does God promise in Genesis 9:8-17, and to whom?
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