What is the Hebrew word often translated as “ark” in the Noah story?

The Hebrew word often translated as “ark” in the Noah story is tebah, written תֵּבָה. In the Hebrew Bible, the term is used for Noah’s vessel and also for the basket in which the infant Moses was placed.

That shared vocabulary creates an interesting link between two survival narratives. Noah is preserved from floodwater in a large sealed container, while Moses is preserved from the Nile in a smaller one. In both cases, the object protects a chosen child or family member from deadly water.

“Ark” is an English translation rather than the Hebrew word itself. The term does not necessarily mean a ship in the modern nautical sense; it can refer more broadly to a box, chest, or container. This is why translations and scholarly discussions sometimes emphasize the Ark’s container-like character. The word should not be confused with Torah, the Hebrew scriptures, or mishkan, the tabernacle.