In Genesis, what was the Ark's single window called in the King James Bible?

The story behind the answer

In the King James Bible, Genesis describes Noah making a window for the Ark.

Genesis 6:16 gives instructions for the Ark's design and includes the instruction to make a window. The Hebrew term and its translation have prompted differences among English versions. The King James Version uses “window,” while some modern translations use a phrase such as “opening” or describe an opening near the top.

Genesis 8 later says Noah opened the window and sent out the raven, followed by the dove. This makes the feature important to the narrative as well as to the vessel's design: Noah uses it to observe conditions and release birds after the waters begin to fall.

The question concerns the traditional King James wording, not a claim that archaeological plans of the Ark survive. Genesis gives broad dimensions and features, but it does not provide a complete shipbuilding blueprint or specify the window's exact shape and measurements.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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