Genesis 6:16 kjv

A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

Genesis 6:16 nkjv

You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.

Genesis 6:16 niv

Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks.

Genesis 6:16 esv

Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.

Genesis 6:16 nlt

Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat ? lower, middle, and upper.

Genesis 6 verses

Genesis 6 16 Meaning

Genesis 6:16 outlines specific, divine architectural instructions for Noah regarding the Ark's structure. It commands Noah to construct a tsohar, understood as a light and ventilation opening, to be completed within one cubit from the top of the Ark. A single door is to be placed in its side, providing the sole point of entry and exit. Furthermore, the Ark is to be built with three distinct levels or decks: lower, second, and third, to accommodate all living creatures and provisions. These precise details underscore God's meticulous provision and sovereign control over the vessel of salvation.

Genesis 6 16 Context

Genesis chapter 6 sets the grim scene of a fallen world, where humanity's wickedness has grown rampant, grieving God's heart (Gen 6:5-7). God's decision is to destroy all living creatures by a flood (Gen 6:7). Amidst this pervasive corruption, Noah stands out, finding grace in the eyes of the Lord because he was a righteous man, blameless among his generation, and walked with God (Gen 6:8-9). Verses 14-16 detail God's specific instructions for building the Ark, acting as a vessel of salvation for Noah's family and the diverse kinds of animals. The specific design elements in Gen 6:16 are part of these divine instructions, demonstrating God's meticulous care in preserving life and executing His plan. This passage provides a stark contrast between divine judgment on sin and divine grace toward the faithful.

Genesis 6 16 Word analysis

• A window (tsohar - צֹהַר) shalt thou make to the ark:
  • tsohar (צֹהַר): This Hebrew word appears only once in the entire Bible. Derived from zahar (זָהַר), meaning "to shine," "to give light," or "to be bright." Scholars debate its exact form. Common interpretations include a "window," a "light opening," a "skylight," or even a "roof" that incorporated a light source. The most widely accepted understanding among scholars is a continuous opening or a series of openings around the top of the Ark, specifically designed for light and ventilation. Its singular usage underscores the unique nature of the Ark and its divine design, distinct from common dwellings. It implies God's provision for life support (light, fresh air) within the Ark.
• and in a cubit ('amah - אַמָּה) shalt thou finish it above (millmalah - מִלְמַעְלָה):
  • 'amah (אַמָּה): This is the standard Hebrew term for "cubit," an ancient unit of measurement, approximately from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (around 18-21 inches or 45-52 cm). Its use here highlights the precision and exactness of God's instructions.
  • finish it above (v'el-amah tkhallenah millmalah - וְאֶל־אַמָּה תְּכַלֶּנָּה מִלְמַעְלָה): This phrase has various interpretations, including: "to a cubit from the top you shall finish it" (NASB, implying the opening itself is within a cubit of the roof line or the top wall edge), "finish it to a cubit above" (KJV, implying a structure that rises a cubit from a certain point), or "leaving an opening one cubit high" (NIV, suggesting the vertical dimension of the opening itself). The consensus favors the latter, indicating that the tsohar, the continuous light-and-air opening, would be precisely one cubit in height, positioned near or at the very top of the Ark's walls, allowing light to filter in and foul air to escape. This detail demonstrates meticulous design for sustainability of life within.
• and the door (petach - פֶּתַח) of the ark shalt thou set in the side (tsidda - צִדָּה) thereof:
  • petach (פֶּתַח): This common Hebrew word for "opening," "doorway," or "door" implies access. Its singularity for the entire Ark is highly significant. It points to a singular means of entrance and exit, not left to Noah's discretion.
  • tsidda (צִדָּה): Means "side." The door's placement on the side ensures practicality and control, as opposed to an opening on the top or bottom. The focus here is on placement.
• with lower (tah•tim - תַּחְתִּיִּים), second (shēniyyim - שֵׁנִיים), and third (shĕlishiyyim - שְׁלִשִׁיִּים) stories shalt thou make it:
  • tah•tim (תַּחְתִּיִּים), shēniyyim (שֵׁנִיים), shĕlishiyyim (שְׁלִשִׁיִּים): These are straightforward terms for "lowest/lower," "second," and "third/upper." They denote the three distinct decks or levels within the Ark.
  • stories: This signifies a tiered internal structure. The purpose of these levels is evident: to efficiently house the various kinds of animals (clean, unclean, birds, etc.), Noah's family, and vast amounts of food and provisions needed for a year-long voyage. This implies orderly segregation and maximal utilization of space.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above": This phrase describes God's provision for life support and a controlled environment within the Ark. The specific "window" (tsohar) design, whether a skylight or continuous opening, points to the essential need for ventilation and light for both humans and animals. Its fixed height of "one cubit above" (or finishing a cubit from the top) shows a precise engineering instruction for this vital life-sustaining element.
• "and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof": The command for a single door placed in the side is profoundly symbolic and practical. Practically, it is the sole entry/exit point for creatures and humans. Symbolically, it emphasizes divine control over access. Entry into the Ark was not haphazard but under God's explicit instruction and later, God's personal action of closing it (Gen 7:16). This singular entry prefigures Jesus as the "Door" to salvation (Jn 10:9).
• "with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it": The directive to build three stories demonstrates a pragmatic approach to capacity and order. It highlights the vast undertaking of collecting and caring for all land animals and birds, necessitating compartmentalized space. This tiered structure ensures organization and livability for the duration of the Flood, illustrating God's foresight and detailed planning for survival.

Genesis 6 16 Bonus section

The divine specificity in Genesis 6:16 regarding the Ark's design hints at a larger theological principle: God’s blueprints for salvation are always perfectly tailored and executed. Unlike the often chaotic or anthropomorphic gods of ancient Near Eastern myths, the God of Genesis is an Engineer of salvation, demanding precise adherence to His plans. The Ark, often referred to as a "coffin-like" structure by some scholars due to its dimensions and single entry, ironically became a womb of new creation, signaling rebirth from death. Its rectangular design is a stark contrast to circular or cubic boats found in other flood narratives, reinforcing its distinct, divinely intended purpose and form. This detail also subtly counters human wisdom or practical shipbuilding traditions of the time; the Ark's unique structure highlights its divine origin rather than human ingenuity.

Genesis 6 16 Commentary

Genesis 6:16 moves beyond general commands to minute architectural specifics, underscoring that God's plan of salvation is meticulous and purposeful, leaving no detail to chance. The "tsohar," or light/ventilation opening, indicates God's care for life support, ensuring breathable air and illumination within the confined vessel. Its singular nature (a unique architectural feature) suggests its importance and divine origin. The precise "cubit" dimension further emphasizes God's exactness; salvation is not an approximate affair but a perfectly calibrated act.

The single door on the side of the Ark is highly significant. It wasn't one of many access points but the only entrance. This speaks to a divinely ordained, exclusive means of salvation. Just as there was only one Ark, and one door to that Ark, leading to life amidst global judgment, so too in Christian theology, Jesus Christ is presented as the singular "door" (John 10:9) through whom salvation and access to the Father are found. God’s act of closing the door (Gen 7:16) implies His control over who enters and who is preserved, making salvation ultimately dependent on His will and grace, not human effort once outside the appointed way.

Finally, the three stories point to the immense practical necessity for space and organization. The Ark was not merely a vessel; it was a complex mobile habitat designed to sustain life from diverse biological categories for an extended period. This foresight in design speaks volumes about God's comprehensive planning and provision, demonstrating His wisdom in preparing a means of deliverance for both humanity and the animal kingdom from the judgment to come. Noah’s unyielding obedience to these precise instructions (Gen 6:22) exemplifies faith and is paramount to the successful execution of God’s redemptive plan.