Who shut Noah inside the Ark in the Genesis account?

In the Genesis account, the Lord shut Noah inside the Ark.

Genesis 7:16 says that the animals entered in pairs as God had commanded, and then “the LORD shut him in.” The sentence places the closing of the Ark after Noah, his family, and the animals have entered, making the action a direct part of the divine narrative.

This detail is distinct from the construction of the Ark, which Noah performs after receiving instructions. The passage also differs from many artistic depictions that show Noah or his family physically closing a large door from inside or outside.

The wording is important because it presents the final sealing of the Ark as an act of divine protection. The verse does not name an angel, Noah’s sons, or Noah as the one who closed it. Translations vary slightly in capitalization and wording, but the subject is the LORD.