- Feb 4, 2006
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The flood is one of my favorite bible stories and I research it quite a bit. Here are some of my theories about the ark.
I never accepted the traditional belief that the ark was sealed inside and out with black sticky tar (bitumen). I held that the ark was kind of an early version of the ark of the covenant (the large size) and would be similiarly ornate, or a least strikingly beautiful in appearance. And while a tar-black structure of that size would certainly fill one with a sense of impending doom, I don't think this is what God wanted to convey by the ark's finish.
Gopher wood is usually considered to be one of three kinds: Cypress, Cedar, or Oak. However the word gopher is also translated as kopher, the same word used for the pitch, the substance used to cover the ark. Kopher wood would be literally pitchwood, or wood containing pitch, which is the resin common to trees in the coniferous family. Cypress and Cedar are coniferous trees containing this resin. Oak of course does not, but may have been used in the ark's construction, along with various other woods.
Both cedar and cypress were suitable for the main structure of the ark as very large beams and planks could could be hewn from them. These woods also have a natural resistance to rot, molds, and insects. Their abundance and durability made them the principle shipbuilding materials in the ancient world. Both woods also provided a beautiful finish if desired. I believe God wanted the ark, which most must have viewed as a large building, to be beautifully finished, inside and out, as the ark of the covenant was.
Conifer resins are processed into many products, among them are varnishes, used to protect and enhance wood finishes. Resin based varnish would be an abundant byproduct of the ark's construction.
But God's instruction to pitch the ark both outside and inside had another function besides beauty.
In researching the conifers I learned that the substances within the wood that repel rot and insects can be very noxious, and even toxic if breathed for long periods. Aromatic Western red cedar is particularly noxious, and is the choice material for lining clothing storage chests and closets against damage from insects.
So I conclude that the second reason for sealing the inside surfaces of the ark was to prevent these noxious gases from outgassing and becoming a danger to those within.
I also believe that the ark was constructed primarily from the large Lebanon cedar that were so abundant. The are regarded, in scripture, more favorably than any other tree.
How was the ark constructed?
Dividers, or bulkheads, of heavy posts and beams, would be encased with very thick planking. Heavy wood joinery methods such as mortise and tenon, lap joints, as well as metal strapping and rivets would secure the parts together to form an incredibly strong structure.
Waterproofing would be accomplished by use of 'splines' fitted into the edges of the planking. When wet all the boards swell up, so tightly that even caulking would not be necessary.
How was the ark ventilated?
Cool heavy air from outside could be ducted to the bottom level. This cool air pushes the warm, moist air out of the top of the ark. As long as the outside air is cooler than inside the system works to bring a constant supply of fresh air in.
Was it dark inside the ark?
Although a window was to be finished 'a cubit above' the exact configuration is unknown. However, the ark would have been designed to accomplish everything necessary for it's mission.
Glassmaking is at least as old as metal working and the casting of drawn wire reinforced glass panels to act as skylights is certainly a possibility. Large translucent panels could easily have been part of the ark's roof. Light would have penetrated to the full depth of the ark as well. God instructed that three 'levels' be built within. If floors, or, decks, that completely separated one level from another were specified then lighting as well as ventilation would be a problem. The three levels would have had open areas in the floor to allow light and the movement of air.
About the animals.
God assumed the job of gathering the animals and bringing them to the ark. Noah may have commissioned this gathering. Early naturalists would have the full 100 years to accomplish the gathering, and managing them at the site. Many of those that boarded the ark may have been third or fouth generation 'pets', fully accustomed to men and the activity surrounding the ark, as well as being familiar with the ark itself.
Loading the animals.
Loading supplies of food and water would be much more difficult than loading the animals. The ark was probably completed some time before the flood began. The animals and birds would have been completely familiar with it, much like cows are familiar with milking parlors, chickens with their roosts, etc. Like barnyard animals going into their favored shelter at sundown, the animals and birds would simply walk or fly into the ark, finding their usual evening resting place, as they might have been doing for some time prior to finally being shut in.
Manure management.
Animals being raised (today) for production of milk or meat are grossly overfed, and therefore produce huge amounts of wet manure. This was not done on the ark. Animals would have been fed maintenance rations only, and manure, even from large animals would be easy to dispose of. Hibernation and dormancy habits of certain animals would also reduce food and water requirements during their confinement on the ark.
Has the ark been found?
It is doubtful that the ark has been discovered, although stories abound claiming that it has. Folk tales from the region tell of people visiting the ark regularly over centuries of their history. A Turkish army unit was said to have camped at the site in the 1800's. It is said that they accepted it as true history and saw no need to make more of the experience.
As these stories have never been confirmed in any way it is probable that the ark was covered by seasonal snows in the years immediately after the flood, not to be seen again.
Will the ark be discovered?
In Matthew 24 Jesus states that the world will be as evil as it was at the time of Noah. The ark was a silent witness to God's coming wrath, by means of the flood, in that day. It would be a much more powerful witness, both to the world and to the church, if it appeared today.
I never accepted the traditional belief that the ark was sealed inside and out with black sticky tar (bitumen). I held that the ark was kind of an early version of the ark of the covenant (the large size) and would be similiarly ornate, or a least strikingly beautiful in appearance. And while a tar-black structure of that size would certainly fill one with a sense of impending doom, I don't think this is what God wanted to convey by the ark's finish.
Gopher wood is usually considered to be one of three kinds: Cypress, Cedar, or Oak. However the word gopher is also translated as kopher, the same word used for the pitch, the substance used to cover the ark. Kopher wood would be literally pitchwood, or wood containing pitch, which is the resin common to trees in the coniferous family. Cypress and Cedar are coniferous trees containing this resin. Oak of course does not, but may have been used in the ark's construction, along with various other woods.
Both cedar and cypress were suitable for the main structure of the ark as very large beams and planks could could be hewn from them. These woods also have a natural resistance to rot, molds, and insects. Their abundance and durability made them the principle shipbuilding materials in the ancient world. Both woods also provided a beautiful finish if desired. I believe God wanted the ark, which most must have viewed as a large building, to be beautifully finished, inside and out, as the ark of the covenant was.
Conifer resins are processed into many products, among them are varnishes, used to protect and enhance wood finishes. Resin based varnish would be an abundant byproduct of the ark's construction.
But God's instruction to pitch the ark both outside and inside had another function besides beauty.
In researching the conifers I learned that the substances within the wood that repel rot and insects can be very noxious, and even toxic if breathed for long periods. Aromatic Western red cedar is particularly noxious, and is the choice material for lining clothing storage chests and closets against damage from insects.
So I conclude that the second reason for sealing the inside surfaces of the ark was to prevent these noxious gases from outgassing and becoming a danger to those within.
I also believe that the ark was constructed primarily from the large Lebanon cedar that were so abundant. The are regarded, in scripture, more favorably than any other tree.
How was the ark constructed?
Dividers, or bulkheads, of heavy posts and beams, would be encased with very thick planking. Heavy wood joinery methods such as mortise and tenon, lap joints, as well as metal strapping and rivets would secure the parts together to form an incredibly strong structure.
Waterproofing would be accomplished by use of 'splines' fitted into the edges of the planking. When wet all the boards swell up, so tightly that even caulking would not be necessary.
How was the ark ventilated?
Cool heavy air from outside could be ducted to the bottom level. This cool air pushes the warm, moist air out of the top of the ark. As long as the outside air is cooler than inside the system works to bring a constant supply of fresh air in.
Was it dark inside the ark?
Although a window was to be finished 'a cubit above' the exact configuration is unknown. However, the ark would have been designed to accomplish everything necessary for it's mission.
Glassmaking is at least as old as metal working and the casting of drawn wire reinforced glass panels to act as skylights is certainly a possibility. Large translucent panels could easily have been part of the ark's roof. Light would have penetrated to the full depth of the ark as well. God instructed that three 'levels' be built within. If floors, or, decks, that completely separated one level from another were specified then lighting as well as ventilation would be a problem. The three levels would have had open areas in the floor to allow light and the movement of air.
About the animals.
God assumed the job of gathering the animals and bringing them to the ark. Noah may have commissioned this gathering. Early naturalists would have the full 100 years to accomplish the gathering, and managing them at the site. Many of those that boarded the ark may have been third or fouth generation 'pets', fully accustomed to men and the activity surrounding the ark, as well as being familiar with the ark itself.
Loading the animals.
Loading supplies of food and water would be much more difficult than loading the animals. The ark was probably completed some time before the flood began. The animals and birds would have been completely familiar with it, much like cows are familiar with milking parlors, chickens with their roosts, etc. Like barnyard animals going into their favored shelter at sundown, the animals and birds would simply walk or fly into the ark, finding their usual evening resting place, as they might have been doing for some time prior to finally being shut in.
Manure management.
Animals being raised (today) for production of milk or meat are grossly overfed, and therefore produce huge amounts of wet manure. This was not done on the ark. Animals would have been fed maintenance rations only, and manure, even from large animals would be easy to dispose of. Hibernation and dormancy habits of certain animals would also reduce food and water requirements during their confinement on the ark.
Has the ark been found?
It is doubtful that the ark has been discovered, although stories abound claiming that it has. Folk tales from the region tell of people visiting the ark regularly over centuries of their history. A Turkish army unit was said to have camped at the site in the 1800's. It is said that they accepted it as true history and saw no need to make more of the experience.
As these stories have never been confirmed in any way it is probable that the ark was covered by seasonal snows in the years immediately after the flood, not to be seen again.
Will the ark be discovered?
In Matthew 24 Jesus states that the world will be as evil as it was at the time of Noah. The ark was a silent witness to God's coming wrath, by means of the flood, in that day. It would be a much more powerful witness, both to the world and to the church, if it appeared today.
