Is the story of Noah literal?

[Wick Stick]

They were in vain because of their behavior.
Tools

Amo 5:26 - But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

Acts 7 quotes the same verse. But the point there is that the Israelites always do things God doesn't command. They make sacrifices that weren't commanded. They built a temple, when a tabernacle was what God commanded. It even says that part of God's punishment was...

42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven...

 

[Skovand]

From Scripture we are told when the flood ended, and Noah and all of the animals then came out of the Ark: -

​

Genesis 8:13-19: - 13 And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry. 14 And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried.​

​

15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying, 16 "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." 18 So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. 19 Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark.​

NKJV​

From scripture we are also told when the Flood began in the following scripture: -

​

Genesis 7:10-12: - 10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.​

NKJV​

So from scripture we can calculate the duration of the Flood: -

The year month and day of the month that the flood ended: -

In the Year 601, of Noah’s life, in the second month and on 27th day of that month​

The year month and day of the month that the flood started: -

In the Year 600, of Noah’s life, in the second month and on 17th day of that month​

Subtracting the year, month and day of the month that the flood started from the year month and day of the month that the flood ended we can see that the actual length of the flood was one year and ten days long.

How people can arrive at a different duration for the flood is beyond my ability to comprehend.

Probably because the dates don’t actually all line up. Taking the ages and dates literally, is just bad biblical hermeneutics and the only people who really do it are young earth creationist who are concordists.

A Quick Word About How Genealogies in the Bible Aren’t “History"

If you clicked on this post—what is wrong with you?

thebiblefornormalpeople.com

what are biblical genealogies and what do they do? (guest series by Denis Lamoureux) - The Bible For Normal People

thebiblefornormalpeople.com

The Genealogies in Genesis: Part I - BioLogos

biologos.org

The Genealogies in Genesis: Part II - BioLogos

biologos.org

 

[MA2444]

Probably because the dates don’t actually all line up. Taking the ages and dates literally, is just bad biblical hermeneutics and the only people who really do it are young earth creationist who are concordists.

A Quick Word About How Genealogies in the Bible Aren’t “History"

If you clicked on this post—what is wrong with you?

thebiblefornormalpeople.com

what are biblical genealogies and what do they do? (guest series by Denis Lamoureux) - The Bible For Normal People

thebiblefornormalpeople.com

The Genealogies in Genesis: Part I - BioLogos

biologos.org

The Genealogies in Genesis: Part II - BioLogos

biologos.org

Come on man, scripture interprets scripture. Why point out some man who is confused and has doubts? That's going off topic when you put the bible down and pick up some dumb guys writings. (Facepalm).

Scripture interprets scripture.

 

[Jay Ross]

Probably because the dates don’t actually all line up. Taking the ages and dates literally, is just bad biblical hermeneutics and the only people who really do it are young earth creationist who are concordists.

Whatever. You are entitled to believe what you want to believe.

 

[Skovand]

Whatever. You are entitled to believe what you want to believe.

Sure. But what I choose to do is use my brain. I look at the actual data and make an educated choice. I don’t just believe a lie because it feels good and my parents told me it as a kid.

On this subject there are three main things someone needs to understand to actually grasp this subject.

1. They need to understand the basics of literature, specifically contextual analysis of Mesopotamian writings.

2. They need to understand the basics of science, in this case geology, paleontology and the physics and chemistry involved in hydrology.

3. They need to have a basic understanding of how to apply biblical hermunetics. Though this could possibly be categorized under rule 1.

 

[Jay Ross]

Sure. But what I choose to do is use my brain. I look at the actual data and make an educated choice. I don’t just believe a lie because it feels good and my parents told me it as a kid.

On this subject there are three main things someone needs to understand to actually grasp this subject.

1. They need to understand the basics of literature, specifically contextual analysis of Mesopotamian writings.

2. They need to understand the basics of science, in this case geology, paleontology and the physics and chemistry involved in hydrology.

3. They need to have a basic understanding of how to apply biblical hermunetics. Though this could possibly be categorized under rule 1.

Whatever. You are entitled to believe what you want to believe.

 

[Skovand]

Whatever. You are entitled to believe what you want to believe.

we all are. But I choose to believe what typically aligns with the consensus of not just the biblical scholars but also scientists.

 

[PGS11]

There is a hidden reason for the flood - it was to get rid of the Nephilim but its not in the bible its in the Book of Enoch.God was not able to destroy them all some escaped according to Enoch and they can be found in the bible such as the King of Bashan who is a obvious giant even Moses was fascinated going on to describe it in many lines.There are more giants in the bible if you look.

 

[Wick Stick]

There is a hidden reason for the flood - it was to get rid of the Nephilim but its not in the bible its in the Book of Enoch.God was not able to destroy them all some escaped according to Enoch and they can be found in the bible such as the King of Bashan who is a obvious giant even Moses was fascinated going on to describe it in many lines.There are more giants in the bible if you look.

I'm not sure it's exactly hidden, but yes...

God commissioned Israel to wipe out the remnant of the giants - all the nephilim, rephaim, and anakim.

 

[MA2444]

I'm not sure it's exactly hidden, but yes...

God commissioned Israel to wipe out the remnant of the giants - all the nephilim, rephaim, and anakim.

Yeah, and Joshua didn't fully complete the task! And strangely enough it was from the same areas that are still under dispute today.

 

[Wick Stick]

Yeah, and Joshua didn't fully complete the task! And strangely enough it was from the same areas that are still under dispute today.

Moses destroyed the giants in Bashan (Og) and Gilead (Sihon) and Caleb destroyed the ones in Hebron. David killed Goliath. What other giants escaped annihilation?

 

[DJT_47]

So, you didn't read it, then? Or maybe more likely, you're trying hard to ignore the meaning...

Also... we are SO off-topic. If you want to continue this, let's do so in a new topic. Or an old one... I'm sure there's a bunch of them on Biblical contradictions.

You find the geneology in 1 Chronicles 1 ftom Adam to Israel and the geneology of Christ in Matthew 1, so, if you can trace the Israelites back to Adam, it's all true, including the flood.

The other issue, based on a short read if Amos, as stated, finds your logic flawed regarding contradictions in the bible. J didn't look beyond that, since that was enough. I'm aware of a few anomalies such as those found in tge KJV, that may appear as contradictions, but they are not in reality. God's word is not flawed. Translations, transctiptors, scribes, etc may be, but the word itself is not, it's rock solid

 

[MA2444]

Moses destroyed the giants in Bashan (Og) and Gilead (Sihon) and Caleb destroyed the ones in Hebron. David killed Goliath. What other giants escaped annihilation?

Didn't Goliath have four brothers? You didn't tell us what happened to them. They didn't get them all. Do a search on youtube for the Kandahar giant and watch that. Our military guys have encountered giants in trashcanastan when we were there and they killed one.

If moses killed them all off then how come there's Native American history about giants? 6 fingers, red hair. They killed some in Lovelock cave in Nevada. Maybe they're lying?

Are tha Bigfoot sightings all across the US the Nephilim also? I would guess yes.

 

[Skovand]

You find the geneology in 1 Chronicles 1 ftom Adam to Israel and the geneology of Christ in Matthew 1, so, if you can trace the Israelites back to Adam, it's all true, including the flood.

The other issue, based on a short read if Amos, as stated, finds your logic flawed regarding contradictions in the bible. J didn't look beyond that, since that was enough. I'm aware of a few anomalies such as those found in tge KJV, that may appear as contradictions, but they are not in reality. God's word is not flawed. Translations, transctiptors, scribes, etc may be, but the word itself is not, it's rock solid

You may want to read the links in the postmaster up above about genealogies. Most likely, like the majority, you misunderstand what they say, what they mean and how they were being used. Not to mention the inconsistencies in a literal understanding of them.

 

[MA2444]

inconsistencies in a literal understanding of them.

So it's true then. I heard that people who interpret the bible non literally are Amillenials across the board. And the people who interpret scripture literally, like me, wind up being Premillennials.

Interesting.

 

[Taken]

Is the flood of Genesis story literal?

Yes.

How did they travel there to board the ark?

How? Same way an animal would travel to go anywhere.
Fly, walk, crawl, slither.

How? The animals came to Noah for Noah to take the animals aboard to their prepared stalls / area For Noah to feed and care for.

Gen 6:
[20] Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

[*]The total mass of on-board animals would have been some 400,000 kg, if only yearlings were taken, or some 5 million kg, if adults were taken.

Highly doubtful…( more-so less than 2-300)
KINDS of animals (not species / types) of animals…
2 Male & Female (pairs) of unclean KINDS.
7 Male & Female (pairs) of clean KINDS.

[*]The figures in the previous item do not include food and water for a one-year sojourn, which would multiply the weight by at least 10 times if not more. Further, many animals require special diets — silkworms require mulberry leaves, Pandas require bamboo, and snakes, for example, require fresh food. How could fresh food be provided for a full year?

Figure size of Ark. (approx)
Length……438 Feet
Width……..73 Feet
Height…….44 Feet
Decks (3 major)….

General visual comparison. (approx)
Football field……length …360 Feet
Football field……width……49 Feet
Four story bldg..height….40 Feet

On Ark….
Storage for Grains for animals.
Storage for Grains for humans.

Fresh water… uh….Rain! (For all aboard)
Fresh meat… (For humans & predators) Fish.

Cooking & Warmth Heat?… Dung

Most Likely….
* Rain catchers & shutes were implemented to feed and water animals.
* storage urns, pots, for dried fruits, veg, spices, grains, their usual for human consumption.
* cooking pots, spit, oven, etc. for humans.
* below lowest deck…animal dung (not suitable for heat)
… (crumbles to dusty component) swept through Deck openings to absorb animal urine.

Most likely daily routine for Humans On board (4 females / 4 males)
* Net Fishing for human & predators.
* opening shutes for grain eating animals.
* sweeping dung to beneath lowest deck.
* collecting dung for cooking and heat.
* cooking for humans.
* checking animals for any health issues.
* dispose of human waste overboard.
* wash their hands, face, body’s
* praise, worship and thank God.

** Pretty much the similar things they usually did when they were on land.

[*]How could large numbers of animals be protected from the many on-board predators, such as lions and tigers?
[/LIST]

Most Likely
Cage / stalls / areas / deck spaces for urine and dung to fall through and shutes for a water trough and sending fish (meat).

No need for humans to physically interact with animals that were predictors or dangerous.

Birds / crawling things likely roamed freely.

God gave Noah instruction in knowledge and understanding for Noah and family’s well being while on the Ark.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[RLT63]

Remember that people interpret the Bible differently and even if you don't respect the other person's view respect the other person.
Always consider the possibility that you could be the one who is wrong.

 

[Wick Stick]

So it's true then. I heard that people who interpret the bible non literally are Amillenials across the board. And the people who interpret scripture literally, like me, wind up being Premillennials.

Interesting.

Mostly true if you're talking about Revelation and/or Daniel.

Nobody interprets EVERYTHING literally. There are some things that are clearly not literal. Some that are even marked as "hey look, you need to interpret."

 

[MA2444]

Mostly true if you're talking about Revelation and/or Daniel.

Nobody interprets EVERYTHING literally. There are some things that are clearly not literal. Some that are even marked as "hey look, you need to interpret."

That's right, I agree. But as I think back and remember the moments that I had realizations that I had been wrong before about my interpretation and this is what it really means...it seems like almost always it was because I wasn't taking the passage literal enough.

 

[Skovand]

This will probably be my last post on this thread. I’m leaving it in case anyone in the future is reading it while wondering about it. Especially those in high school or college who accepts science.

In general biblical scholarship does not believe that this story begin with Genesis. They believe that it’s either an older story that both Gilgamesh and Genesis used, or that it’s a reimagining of the epic of Gilgamesh.

Secondly, biblical scholarship does not believe that this story is meant to be taken literally. It’s written as a myth. Genesis 1-11 in general is highly mythological. Flat world surrounded by a dome keeping space water from flooding the world where a golem made of mud is turned into a man and then split in half to form men and women. The woman gets tricked into eating magical fruit that brings about wisdom of the gods by a talking snake who can fly. So they are driven from the land and can’t enter because of a floating sword of fire. Eventually a tower that can reach the kingdom in the clouds is being built so the god after coming down to see it strikes it down. Eventually flying invisible men sleep with women who gives birth to giants. So the god decides to drown all of creation except a few where the ark lands on a mountain. It’s just simply very clearly Jewish folklore, tales of old that are fictional and not meant to be read literally.

Thirdly it’s scientifically impossible in so many ways.

A. Thermal hydrology shows that enough water to cover mountains , regardless of the waters location in the sky or underground is impossible. Either way the world is superheated and destroyed. The Appalachian mountains were were as tall as Everest. Close to 29,000 feet. That’s around 5.4 miles tall. That’s almost 80 feet a day for a year. Not just along the shore, but across the entire globe. Even with the glaciers all melted it’s about a 1/5th that. At 1,000 feet down the Norris Geyser Basin at Yellowstone is 500°f. That’s just a thousand feet down. We need 29,000 feet worth of water. There is roughly 9.5 million feet to the earths core. But let’s just do down 100,000 feet. The temps is close to 1,000°f. The pressure in the geysers shoots up water to 180 feet. Bodies that fall into the geysers tends to boil apart in a few hours. If a great flood happened, and geysers all around erupted, no one would drown. Everyone would be boiled alive in seconds.

B. Currently there are around 6,300 mammals that exist. There are around 700-1000 species of dinosaurs that existed. Least that’s all Noah took. Or let’s just say Noah just took 1,000 medium dog sized animals into the ark. Let’s say each one just ate a pound of food a day. Thats 1,000 pounds of food a day. That’s 365,000 pounds of food a year. Let’s say that you fed and watered each animal 2 times a day, and cleaned up their waste 1 time a day. Let’s say each thing took 1 minute. That’s 3,000 minutes a day. That means 375 minutes a day per person if all 8 helped. That’s 6.25 hours a day. So that’s possible, but that’s at the smallest numbers. There are tens of thousands of animals that exist. The typical pig eats around 5lbs a good a day. You probably can’t do most of that work in 3 minutes tota will need 6 minutes really quickly, the math disproves the amount of time and food needed.

3. If a flood did happen, life would be fossilized either by the weight or size of the corpses or either disorganized completely. But it’s neither. Its basal forms taking on divergent traits resulting in speciation within a super imposed geological layer.

So scientifically, historically, logically, and biblically it’s not to be taken literally.