Noah and the flood
Noah and the flood is a biblical story about God’s judgment on human violence and the rescue of life through an ark. Told in Genesis, it connects destruction with a fresh beginning, ending with God’s promise and the rainbow as its sign.
Key stories of Noah and the flood
Building and entering the ark
God warns Noah that a flood will destroy life on the earth. Noah obeys the command to build an ark and brings his family, animals, and food aboard.
In Genesis, Noah follows God’s instructions for the ark, and his household enters it with the animals before the flood begins.
In Genesis by Traditionally attributed to Moses
The flood and the birds
The flood covers the land, but the ark keeps its passengers safe. As the waters fall, Noah sends out birds to learn whether the earth is drying.
In Genesis, a dove returns to Noah with a freshly plucked olive leaf. When a dove later fails to return, Noah has another sign that the waters have receded.
In Genesis by Traditionally attributed to Moses
The rainbow and the promise
After leaving the ark, Noah builds an altar and offers sacrifices. God promises never again to destroy all living creatures by a flood and gives the rainbow as the sign of this covenant.
In Genesis, God’s promise extends beyond Noah’s family to their descendants and every living creature that came out of the ark.
In Genesis by Traditionally attributed to Moses
How to recognise Noah and the flood in stories
- Look for an ark carrying a family and animals through overwhelming waters.
- Notice a dove, an olive leaf, or a rainbow after danger.
- Connect survival after destruction with a fresh beginning and a promise.
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Did Noah take two of every animal?
Pairs are part of the story, but Genesis also gives more detailed instructions. One passage calls for a male and female of each kind, while another distinguishes clean animals and birds, requiring more of them. The familiar picture of pairs leaves out that distinction.
Is Noah’s flood the same story as the flood in Gilgamesh?
They are separate stories with striking similarities. In Genesis and The Epic of Gilgamesh, a warned survivor builds a vessel, preserves life, and sends out birds. Their accounts of divine purpose differ: Noah’s story centres on human wrongdoing and God’s covenant with living creatures.
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