Ark of noah (Hastings' Dictionary)

The vessel built by the patriareh at God's command for saving life upon tlie earth during the great Flood. The period of detention within it is said to have lasted over a year (Gn 7" 8" P) ; hence it was necessary tliat large accommo- dation should be provided for the storage of provisions. The ark, in short, is to be conceived AEK OF THE COVENANT AKK OF THE COVENANT 149 of as an immense floating store, fitted to he »olidly on the surface of the waters.

Its dimensions were : 300 cubits long, 50 cubits broad, and 30 cubits high. The length of the cubit is six hand- breadths, and is ujsually reckoned at 21 inches. In our measures, therefore, the ark would be 525 ft. long, 87i ft. broad, and 52J ft. \iitfU. In 1()U9, Peter Jansen of Horn in Holland built a vessel of the same proportions, and found that it would stow one-tliLrd more cargo than other ships of ordinary structure.

It has been calculated that it would contain a space of 3,600,000 cubic ft. , and that after 9/10 had been set aside for storage of food, there would be over 50 cubic ft. each allowed for 7000 pairs of animals. Such calculations, though in earlier times treated with all seriousness, now receive little consideration.

The measurements given in the biblical text are not sufficiently detailed, nor is the description of the whole con- struction sufficiently explicit, to form the basis of »uch conclusions. (See 13abylonia, Flood.) The ark was built of gopher wood, supposed to mean pitch wood, and possibly, as Delitzsch suggests, the conifer cypress, much used by the Phanicians for shipbuildinj; on account of its lightness and durability. It was di\-idcd into ' rooms ' or ' nests,' O'jp.

The wliole structure was three storeys in height, and was lighted by windows under the roof on each side. The pitch used to render the ark watertight was not vegetable, but mineral pitch or asphalt. Berosus, wTiting about B.C. 300, asserts that remains of the ark were then found in Armenia, which were use<i in making bracelets and amulets. Between the announcement to Noah of the coming Flood and the actual fulfilment of tlie judgment, there intervened, aoc.

to Gn C (J), 120 years, and during that time the ark was building, and Noah was, by word and by act, a preacher of righteousness to his generation (1 P 3™, 2 P 2'). J. MACrHKRSON.