This verse, Genesis 6:16, is part of God's instructions to Noah for building the ark. Let's break it down:
"You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward."
"Roof": This means Noah was to create a covering or roof for the ark. The purpose was to protect the contents of the ark from the rain.
"Finish it to a cubit upward": This is more debated. The Hebrew word translated "finish" (tekleh) has been interpreted in different ways.
Some interpret it to mean that the roof was to be completed to a height of one cubit (approximately 18 inches) above the sides of the ark, forming a slight pitch for drainage.
Other interpretations understand this to mean a "window" or "light opening" (Hebrew: "tzohar"), and that the ark was to have a window running around the top, one cubit in height. It is also possible to read that the tekleh word is related to a roof.
Regardless of the exact translation, the verse clearly describes a top structure of the ark.
"You shall set the door of the ship in its side."
This is straightforward: the entrance to the ark was to be located on the side of the ark. This is important because it suggests the ark was a stable, enclosed structure meant for long-term containment, rather than frequent entry/exit.
"You shall make it with lower, second, and third levels."
This indicates that the ark was to have three decks or stories. The internal design of the ark was organized vertically to maximize space and potentially to separate different kinds of animals, store food, or provide living areas for Noah's family.
In summary, Genesis 6:16 tells Noah to build a roof with a slight pitch or one-cubit high window, to place a door on the side of the ark, and to divide the interior into three levels. These instructions are critical for understanding the ark's basic structure and functionality.
This verse, Genesis 6:16, is part of God's instructions to Noah for building the ark. Let's break it down:
"You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward."
"Roof": This means Noah was to create a covering or roof for the ark. The purpose was to protect the contents of the ark from the rain.
"Finish it to a cubit upward": This is more debated. The Hebrew word translated "finish" (tekleh) has been interpreted in different ways.
Some interpret it to mean that the roof was to be completed to a height of one cubit (approximately 18 inches) above the sides of the ark, forming a slight pitch for drainage.
Other interpretations understand this to mean a "window" or "light opening" (Hebrew: "tzohar"), and that the ark was to have a window running around the top, one cubit in height. It is also possible to read that the tekleh word is related to a roof.
Regardless of the exact translation, the verse clearly describes a top structure of the ark.
"You shall set the door of the ship in its side."
This is straightforward: the entrance to the ark was to be located on the side of the ark. This is important because it suggests the ark was a stable, enclosed structure meant for long-term containment, rather than frequent entry/exit.
"You shall make it with lower, second, and third levels."
This indicates that the ark was to have three decks or stories. The internal design of the ark was organized vertically to maximize space and potentially to separate different kinds of animals, store food, or provide living areas for Noah's family.
In summary, Genesis 6:16 tells Noah to build a roof with a slight pitch or one-cubit high window, to place a door on the side of the ark, and to divide the interior into three levels. These instructions are critical for understanding the ark's basic structure and functionality.