Genesis 6:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe the divine humility, indescribable power, and incomprehensible love of God. Simultaneously, He expresses His concern for the just man by instructing him to construct the ark, detailing its dimensions and design. Through the act of building the ark, He provides the man with profound comfort and instills in him the hope of salvation. Moreover, this very act serves to awaken the great sinners to reflect on their actions, so that, upon repentance, they might escape the impending judgment. Indeed, ample time for repentance was afforded through the construction of the ark, giving them sufficient opportunity to recognize their wrongdoings and seek reconciliation if they were not utterly indifferent.

And at the pinnacle, unite it into one cubit. The Holy Trinity can be envisioned as manifesting in three distinct Hypostases and individual Persons while simultaneously existing in the singular essence of the Godhead. The Greeks revere the misguided path of polytheism. However, we, recognizing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in their true Hypostases, honor them with the oneness of their divine nature. In this unity of existence, we bring together all things to the summit, thereby completing the vast dimensions of the ark in one cubit. Through faith, Christ rescues us, leading us into the Church, where we can dwell and be freed from the dread of death, avoiding judgment alongside the world: for just as righteous Noah—who symbolizes Christ—was with us.

This was the demanding task that God assigned to the just man, desiring to prevent a deluge upon the wicked. From where would Noah acquire the timber? How would he obtain the pitch, metal, and coal? Who would assist him in this labor? To whom could he turn for help amidst a world filled with unrighteousness? If Noah and his family commenced the construction of the ark, would anyone witnessing it not have ridiculed him?

In place of ‘thou shalt make the ark, having gathered it together,’ the Hebrew text states ‘thou shalt make the ark of noon,’ which Simmachus translates more transparently as διαϕανέϛ, meaning ‘thou shalt create the light of the ark.’ He interpreted this as an indication of a window being intended.

Human dignity, as described by Cicero, encompasses terms like modesty, propriety, and moderation—concepts that derive from a proper understanding of what is suitable. Beneath this understanding lies the truth concealed within our physical form. This can be likened to the opening that God instructed the righteous Noah to create in the side of the ark, as referenced in Genesis 6:16. The ark serves as a symbol of both the Church and our own bodies, a notion supported by examinations in various texts. Through this particular opening, remnants of nourishment are expelled.

The primary features are outwardly focused: create an opening in the ark and elevate it at the elbow; construct the door of the ark on its side. The term צהר, as interpreted by contemporary scholars, refers to the roof of the ark; yet this understanding raises a question regarding the subsequent directive to raise it one cubit. What significance does bringing the roof upward one cubit hold? Elevating it this much would be insufficient for such a vast structure. Symmachus translates צהר as διαφανες, while Aquila uses μεσημβρινον. The term צהר generally denotes the midday light (Psalm 36:6). Following the flood narrative, it is recorded that Noah opened the window of the ark he had constructed (Genesis 8:6), which seems to echo the instruction to create a צהר in the ark.

The ark was designed with a flat roof, referred to as a vault due to its slight elevation at the center by a lacoth, resulting in a dual slope for effective water drainage. An opening was necessary to allow light and ventilation into the structure. As noted later by the author of Genesis, prior to the conclusion of the flood, Noah opened the ark’s window that he had constructed, initially releasing a raven and subsequently doves (Gen. 8:6). It is believed that this aperture was situated at the peak of the ark's roof and ran the entire length of it. The entrance to the ark was prescribed to be a door on its side.