Noah

Noah is born to Lamech, who prophesies that his son will bring comfort from the curse on the ground. Noah's name means 'rest' or 'comfort.' He is the tenth generation from Adam through Seth's line.

In an age of unprecedented wickedness, Noah stands out as a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries. He walks with God while the rest of humanity embraces violence and corruption. God chooses him to preserve life.

God reveals His plan to destroy the earth by flood and commands Noah to build an ark. He provides exact specifications: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, 30 cubits high, with three decks and a door in the side.

Noah obeys God and builds the massive vessel, a project likely taking decades. During this time, he serves as a 'preacher of righteousness' (2 Peter 2:5), warning his generation of coming judgment while they continue in wickedness.

Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives—eight people total—enter the ark along with pairs of every animal. God Himself shuts the door behind them. Seven days later, the rains begin.

The fountains of the great deep burst forth and the windows of heaven open. Rain falls for forty days and nights. The waters rise until they cover the highest mountains by fifteen cubits, destroying all life on earth except those in the ark.

After 150 days, God causes the waters to recede. The ark rests on the mountains of Ararat. Noah sends out a raven and then doves to test the conditions. When a dove returns with an olive leaf, Noah knows the earth is recovering.

Noah leaves the ark and builds an altar, offering burnt sacrifices to God. God smells the pleasing aroma and promises never to destroy the earth by flood again. He sets the rainbow as the sign of His eternal covenant.

Noah plants a vineyard and becomes drunk on its wine. He lies uncovered in his tent. Ham sees his nakedness and tells his brothers, but Shem and Japheth cover their father respectfully. Noah later curses Canaan (Ham's son) and blesses Shem and Japheth.

Noah lives 350 years after the flood, dying at the age of 950 years. He witnesses the beginning of the new world, the multiplication of his descendants, and the early stages of post-flood civilization.