In Genesis, what object did Noah build before the Flood?

In Genesis, Noah built an ark before the Flood.

Genesis presents the Ark as a large vessel built at God’s command so Noah, his family, and representatives of the animal world could survive the coming waters. The narrative gives construction instructions, including its compartments, dimensions, and a covering or opening arrangement.

The Hebrew word translated as “ark” is teva, a term also used in Exodus for the basket in which the infant Moses is placed. In the Genesis story, the Ark is not described as a normal sailing ship with a navigational destination. Its purpose is preservation and flotation while the waters cover the land.

The Ark should also be distinguished from the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest associated with the Israelite sanctuary. The two objects are unrelated in the biblical narratives, despite sharing the English word “ark.” Noah’s Ark belongs to the Flood account and is built before the rain begins.