Bible Character Explorer
Genesis Origins • c. 2970 to 2020 BC (traditional dating)
Noah
Preacher of RighteousnessThe righteous man who built an ark and carried humanity through God's judgment
"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."
Genesis 6:8 (KJV)
Overview
Noah lived in a generation so corrupt that God determined to destroy the earth with a flood, yet Noah found grace in God's eyes and was called righteous and blameless in his generation. He obeyed God's instruction to build an ark of specific dimensions, gathered his family and pairs of every kind of animal, and survived the flood that destroyed the rest of humanity. God established his covenant with Noah afterward, promising never again to destroy the earth by flood, with the rainbow as its sign.
Gospel Connection
Noah's ark is one of Scripture's clearest pictures of salvation through judgment: the same flood that destroyed the wicked world carried the ark and its occupants safely above the judgment. Peter draws this connection explicitly, saying baptism corresponds to this, not as a removal of dirt from the flesh but as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as there was only one door into the ark, and it was God who shut it, Jesus declared himself to be the one door of salvation. Noah's righteousness could preserve his household from a physical flood, but only the righteousness of Christ can preserve anyone from the judgment still to come.
Discover More
See how this life points to Christ in the Gospel Connection section above.