Genesis 6:16

A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; [with] lower, second, and third [stories] shalt thou make it.

A window {H6672} shalt thou make {H6213} to the ark {H8392}, and in a cubit {H520} shalt thou finish {H3615} it above {H4605}; and the door {H6607} of the ark {H8392} shalt thou set {H7760} in the side thereof {H6654}; with lower {H8482}, second {H8145}, and third {H7992} stories shalt thou make {H6213} it.

You are to make an opening for daylight in the ark eighteen inches below its roof. Put a door in its side; and build it with lower, second and third decks.

You are to make a roof for the ark, finish its walls a cubit from the top, place a door in the side of the ark, and build lower, middle, and upper decks.

A light shalt thou make to the ark, and to a cubit shalt thou finish it upward; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

Commentary

Genesis 6:16 details specific architectural instructions given by God to Noah for the construction of the ark. Following the general command to build the vessel, this verse outlines key features like the window, the door, and the internal structure of multiple stories.

Context

This verse is part of God's direct communication with Noah in response to the pervasive wickedness and violence filling the earth (Genesis 6:11). God has determined to destroy all living creatures with a flood (Genesis 6:17), but chooses to preserve Noah and his family, along with representatives of the animal kingdom. The preceding verses (Genesis 6:14-15) give the overall dimensions and materials; verse 16 provides crucial details about light, access, and internal space.

Key Themes

  • Divine Instruction and Precision: God provides highly specific, detailed instructions for building the ark, emphasizing that Noah must follow His plan exactly for salvation.
  • Obedience: Noah's faith is demonstrated through his meticulous obedience to these detailed commands (Genesis 6:22).
  • Design for Survival: Each feature—the window (for light/ventilation), the door (for entry/exit), and the stories (for maximizing space)—was essential for the survival of the inhabitants during the year-long flood.

Linguistic Insights

The term "cubit" is an ancient unit of length, typically based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but commonly estimated around 18 inches (about 45 cm). The instruction "in a cubit shalt thou finish it above" regarding the window likely means the window structure would be finished within a cubit's height from the top of the ark's side or roofline, perhaps serving as a single opening running along the top. The KJV uses "stories" for the internal levels, indicating a multi-deck structure necessary to house all the required lifeforms and provisions.

Reflection

This verse highlights God's thoughtful provision and meticulous planning even in judgment. The ark's design, though seemingly simple, was perfectly suited for its purpose, down to the placement of the single window and door. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans, when followed, are sufficient for the task, and that faith involves trusting and acting upon His specific instructions, even when the task is monumental.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 7:16 (3 votes)

    And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

  • Genesis 8:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:

  • Ezekiel 41:16 (3 votes)

    The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the door, cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows [were] covered;

  • 2 Kings 9:30 (2 votes)

    ¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard [of it]; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

  • 2 Samuel 6:16 (2 votes)

    And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

  • Ezekiel 42:3 (2 votes)

    Over against the twenty [cubits] which [were] for the inner court, and over against the pavement which [was] for the utter court, [was] gallery against gallery in three [stories].

  • Luke 13:25 (2 votes)

    When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: