Bible Problem: Genesis 6:14-22. How Could All Those Animals Fit In Noah’s Ark?
Problem:
There are about half a billion to more than one billion species of animals. How could two of every kind of unclean animal, and seven of every kind of clean animal, as stated in Genesis chapter 6 versus 14 through 22, and Genesis 7:2, fit on a boat that was only about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high?
Solution:
The Bible refers to “kinds” of animal, not “species.” A dog is a “kind” of animal. A shepherd is a “species” of dog. The Ark probably only had several hundred to several thousand “kinds” of animals aboard. Of course, many of these animals would be young, or babies, instead of full grown animals, to save space, food, and to give the animals more time to procreate after the flood. Sea animals obviously stayed in the sea.
The Ark had three levels, or decks, and was big enough to contain 522 standard US railroad stock cars!
According to John Woodmorappe in his book “Noah’s Ark: A Feasibility Study,” the ark could have had 16,000 animals aboard, and on page sixteen of his book it says, QUOTE “less than half of the cumulative area of the Ark’s three decks need to have been occupied by the animals and their enclosures.” UNQUOTE.
There would still be plenty of room left for storage and eight people!