Introduction
Noah is the son of Lamech and the central figure of the Genesis flood narrative, described as righteous and blameless in his generation, who "walked with God". At God's command, he built an ark to preserve his family and representatives of every kind of animal from a flood sent to destroy a corrupt and violent earth.
This article follows the biblical account in Genesis. Where later Jewish, Christian or Islamic tradition adds detail not found in the text itself, the article identifies it as such.
Family
Corruption and the ark
Genesis describes the earth as filled with violence and corruption before the flood, prompting God's decision to destroy all life except Noah and those with him. God instructed Noah to build a large wooden ark to specific dimensions, and to bring pairs (and, of clean animals, seven pairs) of every kind of creature aboard, along with his wife, his three sons, and their wives.
The flood
The flood is described as lasting forty days and nights of rain, with the waters prevailing over the earth for a total of 150 days before receding. The ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Noah sent out a raven and then, on separate occasions, a dove, the last of which returned with an olive leaf, signalling the waters had receded, before Noah and all aboard the ark finally left it.
Covenant
After the flood, Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice. God established a covenant with Noah and every living creature, promising never again to destroy the earth by flood, with the rainbow given as the sign of this covenant.
Later life
Genesis records that after the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, became drunk on its wine, and was found uncovered in his tent by his son Ham, an episode that leads to Noah's curse on Ham's son Canaan. Noah's total lifespan is given as 950 years.