In Genesis's description of Noah's Ark, how many decks did the vessel have?

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In Genesis's description of Noah's Ark, the vessel had three decks.

Genesis 6:16 instructs Noah to make the Ark with a lower, second, and third deck. This wording describes a three-level structure rather than a single open boat. The same verse also mentions a door in the Ark's side and an opening near the top.

The deck count is separate from the Ark's overall dimensions. Genesis gives the length as 300 cubits, the width as 50 cubits, and the height as 30 cubits. Those measurements and the three-deck arrangement are among the few architectural details supplied by the biblical account.

Artists and modern reconstructions often depict the Ark differently, but the textual description specifically names three levels. The Ark is also described as being divided into compartments, though Genesis does not provide a complete interior floor plan.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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