Noah is named as the builder of Noah’s Ark in the Book of Genesis.
Genesis presents Noah as a righteous man living in a violent world. God warns him of an impending flood and instructs him to build a large vessel, bring aboard his family, and preserve representatives of the animals. Noah follows these instructions and becomes the central human figure in the flood narrative.
The name Noah comes from the Hebrew נֹחַ, commonly associated with rest or comfort. His story continues after the flood: he leaves the Ark, builds an altar, and receives a covenant from God. Genesis later describes Noah as the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Noah’s role is sometimes confused with flood-hero figures from other traditions, including Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Ziusudra in Sumerian mythology. Those figures belong to separate ancient narratives, although the stories share several motifs, including a divinely warned survivor, a large boat, and a devastating flood.