In Genesis, what was Noah's Ark's roof opening called?

The story behind the answer

In Genesis, Noah's Ark had a window or opening near its top. Genesis 6:16 instructs Noah to make an opening for the Ark and finish it to a specified height; English translations differ in how they render the underlying Hebrew wording.

Genesis 8 later says Noah opened the window and sent out a raven, followed by repeated releases of a dove. The opening therefore serves both as a source of ventilation or light in the narrative and as the point through which Noah observes whether the floodwaters have receded.

Translations and interpretations vary because the ancient Hebrew term can be understood as an opening, light, or window. Some English Bibles use “window,” while others say “opening” or describe a skylight-like feature.

The question is about the Ark's architectural feature in Genesis, not the dove itself. The dove was released through the opening, but it was not the name of the opening.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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