How many decks did the Genesis description of Noah’s Ark specify?
Answer
Three decks
Answer
Three decks
The Genesis description of Noah’s Ark specifies three decks. Genesis 6:16 instructs Noah to make the ark with lower, second, and third decks, giving the vessel a three-level internal arrangement.
The same verse also mentions a door in the side and a window or opening near the top. These features form part of the narrative’s compact construction description. Genesis does not provide a modern engineering plan, a complete internal layout, or a verified account of how every animal was housed.
The three decks are sometimes confused with the ark’s three main occupants in popular summaries: Noah’s family, the animals, and supplies. Genesis does not assign one deck to each category. It simply states that the ark had lower, second, and third levels.
The deck count also differs from the later measurements. Genesis gives a length of 300 cubits, a width of 50 cubits, and a height of 30 cubits. Those figures describe overall dimensions, while the three decks describe internal divisions.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026