Genesis 6:16

What does Genesis 6:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 6:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 6:16 means

God instructs Noah to make a \"light\" for the ark, likely referring to a window or opening for ventilation and illumination, finishing it \"upward\" to a cubit's height along the roofline. The door is to be placed \"in the side\" of the ark, and the interior is to be constructed with \"lower, second, and third stories.\" These architectural details complete the design, ensuring functionality for light, access, and organized living spaces within the vast structure.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You are to put a window in the ark, a cubit from the roof, and a door in the side of it, and you are to make it with a lower and second and third floors.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

a window dost thou make for the ark, and unto a cubit thou dost restrain it from above; and the opening of the ark thou dost put in its side, --lower, second, and third <FI>stories<Fi> dost thou make it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thou shalt make a window in the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish the top of it: and the door of the ark thou shalt set in the side: with lower, middle chambers, and third stories shalt thou make it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

A light shalt thou make to the ark; and to a cubit high shalt thou finish it above. And the door of the ark shalt thou set in its side: [with] a lower, second, and third [story] shalt thou make it.

Context

Building upon the general design and overall dimensions of the ark (verses 14-15), this verse provides further crucial architectural details. It specifies features like the window, door, and multiple stories, which are essential for the ark's habitability and its function as a vessel for preserving life. This expands on the practical instructions, showing God's thoroughness.

v.15And this is how thou shalt make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

v.16This passage

v.17And I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall die.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 13:25

    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, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;

  • Ezekiel 42:3

    Over against the twentycubitswhich belonged to the inner court, and over against the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery against gallery in the third story.

  • Genesis 7:16

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

  • Genesis 8:6

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

  • 2 Samuel 6:16

    And it was so, as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah; and she despised him in her heart.

  • 2 Kings 9:30

    And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window.

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