The story of the Flood has been criticized by some who argue that building the Ark was an impossible thing to do. They question how Noah could have accomplished it. While there may be missing gaps in our knowledge, it is possible to make some logical assumptions to evaluate whether the task was truly impossible. How could Noah build the ark all by himself? And who helped Noah build the ark. Here is the thing.
In Genesis 6:3, the Lord foretold the impending punishment of the sinful civilization during Noah’s time, which would occur within 120 years. Although it is uncertain when exactly the Lord instructed Noah to construct the Ark (6:14-16), assuming that Noah received the full 120 years warning, his three sons were born 100 years before the Flood (5:32 with 7:6) and were able to assist in the project after a few years.
While it’s possible that others may have also helped, including grandfather Methusalah who was alive throughout the construction period but perished during the Flood, we only know that the faithful who survived the great flood were limited to Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives (7:13; II Peter 2:5). It’s conceivable that Noah may have hired workers to help, but there is no information available regarding this aspect or Noah’s financial status during that time.
In the event of a worst-case scenario, let’s imagine that only Noah and his three sons were available to construct the ark. The question is, would they have been able to complete the task alone? To determine this, we need to comprehend the scale of the project.
The Bible informs us that the ark’s dimensions were 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high, with three decks. The ark’s appearance was not essential; it only needed to be sturdy enough to float. Given that the people at that time were intelligent and capable, living in a perfect environment with lengthy lifespans, it is irrelevant whether they had assistance or not. The craftsmanship of the ark was most likely similar to that of a rudimentary barn or stable. It’s been said by Bible scholars that Noah spent approximately 65 years constructing the Ark.
