Genesis 6:15 kjv

And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

Genesis 6:15 nkjv

And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.

Genesis 6:15 niv

This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.

Genesis 6:15 esv

This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.

Genesis 6:15 nlt

Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.

Genesis 6 verses

Genesis 6 15 Meaning

Genesis 6:15 details the specific dimensions for the ark that Noah was commanded to build by God. This verse provides the blueprint for its construction, specifying its length, width, and height in cubits. It signifies God's meticulous instructions for salvation amidst a perishing world, emphasizing the divine origin of the design and the required precision in Noah's obedience.

Genesis 6 15 Context

Genesis 6 begins with humanity's increasing wickedness, leading God to grieve that He had made man on the earth (Gen 6:5-7). Amidst this profound corruption and divine sorrow, Noah is introduced as the exception—a righteous man who found favor in the eyes of the Lord and walked with God (Gen 6:8-9). God's decision to destroy all living things from the face of the earth due to their violence and corruption is then revealed to Noah (Gen 6:11-13). Following this decree of judgment, God immediately gives Noah the command to build an ark for the preservation of life, detailing the materials (gopher wood, pitch) and requiring multiple decks (Gen 6:14). Verse 15 follows directly, providing the crucial architectural specifications, emphasizing that the ark's dimensions are divinely mandated, not subject to human innovation. Historically and culturally, this narrative stands in stark contrast to many ancient Near Eastern flood myths, where gods act capriciously. Here, God's judgment is just, and His salvation plan is orderly, purposeful, and precise, demonstrating His supreme authority and detailed engagement in the world.

Genesis 6 15 Word analysis

• And this is how you shall make it:
  • וְזֶה (v'zeh, "And this"): This conjunction and demonstrative pronoun link directly back to the preceding command to "make an ark" (Gen 6:14). It introduces the specific, non-negotiable details of that command. It signals the beginning of God's architectural blueprint.
  • אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה אֹתָהּ (asher ta'aseh otah, "which you shall make it" or "as you shall make it"): This phrase emphasizes the precise nature of the instruction. It's not just an ark, but the ark, constructed according to these exact specifications. It implies divine authorship of the design, not human creativity.
• The length of the ark:
  • אֹרֶךְ (orek, "length"): A standard Hebrew term for linear dimension. This marks the beginning of the specific measurements.
  • הַתֵּבָה (hattevah, "the ark" or "the chest/box"): This specific Hebrew word, used only here for Noah's vessel and for the basket in which baby Moses was placed (Exod 2:3), suggests a particular type of vessel—not a fast ship or warship, but a sturdy, floating container designed for endurance and carrying capacity, much like a floating box. Its stability for cargo and adverse conditions is inherent in its definition, rather than speed or maneuverability.
• three hundred cubits:
  • שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אַמָּה (sh'losh me'ot ammah, "three hundred cubits"): A cubit (אמּה, ammah) was an ancient unit of measurement, typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. While its exact length varied, a common "common cubit" was about 18 inches (approx. 45 cm), making the ark roughly 450 feet (approx. 137 meters) long. Some scholars propose a "royal cubit" of ~20.65 inches (52.5 cm), yielding a length of ~516 feet (157 meters). This colossal size underscores the monumental task for Noah and the scale of life to be preserved.
• its width fifty cubits:
  • רָחְבָּהּ (rochbah, "its width"): The horizontal breadth.
  • חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה (chamishshim ammah, "fifty cubits"): Approximately 75-87 feet (23-26 meters).
• and its height thirty cubits:
  • וְקוֹמָתָהּ (v'qomatah, "and its height" or "its standing upright"): The vertical dimension.
  • שְׁלֹשִׁים אַמָּה (sh'loshim ammah, "thirty cubits"): Approximately 45-52 feet (14-16 meters).

Words-group analysis:

• "And this is how you shall make it": This phrase highlights that the construction of the ark was not a suggestion or a general directive, but an exact command with divine specifications. God is the designer, the architect, and Noah is the faithful builder. This prefigures God's later provision of precise architectural plans for the Tabernacle (Exod 25-30) and the Temple (1 Chr 28). It sets a pattern of divine guidance for humanity's actions when engaged in God's saving work.
• "The length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits": The precise numerical specifications of the ark are significant. These dimensions result in a length-to-width ratio of 6:1 (300:50) and a length-to-height ratio of 10:1 (300:30). Modern naval architects confirm that these proportions are exceptionally stable for a vessel designed to float rather than sail, particularly one intended to carry a massive, varied cargo in rough, unchartered waters. The design prioritizes stability, volume, and endurance over speed or maneuverability, perfectly suiting its unique purpose. The inclusion of specific, non-rounded numbers (like 30, 50, 300) indicates meticulous detail in God's command, demanding precise execution from Noah, signifying that faithful obedience includes attention to every particular instruction from the Lord.

Genesis 6 15 Bonus section

• Engineering Insights: Naval architects and maritime historians have studied the dimensions of Noah's Ark from Gen 6:15 and found them to be remarkably stable and seaworthy for a cargo vessel in rough conditions. The 6:1 length-to-width ratio is often used for modern barges because it offers excellent stability and volume capacity without being overly difficult to build. Its cubic proportions indicate it was designed to float and keep passengers/cargo alive, rather than to be maneuverable or fast like typical seafaring ships.
• Typological Significance: The ark serves as a powerful theological type (a prefiguring person or thing).
  • Of Salvation: It is a clear picture of God's provision for salvation from impending judgment. Just as those within the ark were saved from the flood, those "in Christ" are saved from God's wrath and eternal judgment.
  • Of Christ: Christ is our true Ark, the sole means of rescue and security when the "storms" of life or divine judgment come.
  • Of Baptism: As echoed in 1 Peter 3:20-21, the ark bringing people "safely through water" is likened to baptism. While baptism itself doesn't save, it is a sign and appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking one's inclusion in God's saving covenant, just as those in the ark were "included" in Noah's salvation.
• God as the Great Architect: The detailed, measured command given for the ark (Gen 6:15) sets a pattern for God's interaction with humanity regarding sacred structures. Similar precision is seen in the Tabernacle's blueprints (Exod 25-30) and the Temple's design (1 Kgs 6; 1 Chr 28), all divinely originated and demanding exact execution. This emphasizes that God's plan for redemption is not arbitrary but ordered, specific, and requires faithfulness to His instruction.
• Ark as a "Mini-World": The ark was designed not just as a survival vessel but as a floating sanctuary containing representatives of all terrestrial life, preserving biodiversity for a new beginning. The exact dimensions reflect the voluminous space needed for this colossal task of sustaining animal life for over a year.

Genesis 6 15 Commentary

Genesis 6:15 is a pivotal verse in the flood narrative, transitioning from God's decree of judgment and Noah's selection to the concrete plan of salvation. It showcases God not merely as a sovereign judge but as a meticulous designer, providing an exact blueprint for the ark. The specificity of the dimensions—300 cubits long, 50 wide, and 30 high—underscores that the ark's construction was not left to human discretion or engineering intuition but was divinely inspired. This prefigures the detailed instructions God would later give for the Tabernacle (Exod 25) and Temple (1 Kgs 6), establishing a consistent theme in the Bible: God's salvation plans involve precise, divinely ordained designs requiring absolute obedience.

The ark's dimensions reflect an understanding of hydrodynamics far exceeding ancient human knowledge. Its proportions create a highly stable vessel, ideal for enduring extreme maritime conditions and carrying substantial weight without capsizing or breaking apart—critical for its purpose of preserving all kinds of life. This functionality highlights God's omniscience and forethought, ensuring the success of His saving mission through a structurally sound design. The "tebah" (ark) itself, a unique term also used for Moses' basket, points to a humble, protective "chest" rather than a seafaring ship, emphasizing its role as a secure sanctuary and vehicle of preservation. Noah's faith was manifested not just in believing God's word, but in diligently constructing this massive vessel according to every precise instruction, without deviation, becoming a testament to obedient action in the face of an unseen future (Heb 11:7). The ark thus stands as a profound symbol of God's provision for salvation and the vital necessity of obeying His revealed will.