The story of Noah’s Ark is one of the most famous accounts in the whole Bible — a story of one faithful man, a world-covering flood, and a promise written across the sky.
When the earth had grown full of wrongdoing, God chose Noah to build an enormous boat and keep his family and the animals safe. You’ll find it in the book of Genesis, chapters 6–9.
The Story of Noah’s Ark
Noah was a good man who walked with God while the world around him had turned violent. God warned him that a flood was coming, and gave him the exact plans for an ark — a giant wooden boat.
Noah obeyed, even with no rain in sight. Building the ark took years, and still he kept going.
When it was finished, the animals came two by two — a male and a female of every kind. Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives went inside, and God shut the door.
Then the rain fell for forty days and forty nights. The water rose until it covered the highest mountains, but everyone inside the ark floated safely through the storm.
When the rain stopped, Noah sent out a dove. It came back with a fresh olive leaf — a sign that life was growing again. Soon the ground was dry, and Noah’s family stepped out into a clean, new world.
To seal His promise never to flood the whole earth again, God set a rainbow in the clouds. It still reminds us of His faithfulness today.
Key Verses
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:8
“And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.” Genesis 7:12
“I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation.
What the Story of Noah Teaches Us
At its heart, Noah’s story is about trusting God even when it doesn’t make sense yet. He built for years before a single drop of rain fell.
It’s also a story of grace. There is judgment, yes — but there is rescue, and a God who keeps His word. The rainbow is His signature on that promise.
Color the story. Noah’s Ark is the cover of our Genesis Coloring Book — Volume 1, along with 27 more scenes from Genesis, each paired with a Bible verse. See it in the shop →
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Noah in the Bible?
Noah was a righteous man who loved and obeyed God. When God decided to send a flood, He chose Noah to build an ark and keep his family and the animals safe.
Why did God send the flood?
The Bible says the earth had become full of violence and wrongdoing. God sent the flood to wash the earth clean and begin again with Noah’s faithful family.
How many animals were on the ark?
God sent two of every kind of animal, a male and a female, onto the ark — with additional numbers of some animals so life could continue after the flood.
What does the rainbow mean in the story of Noah?
After the flood, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise never to flood the whole earth again.
Where is the story of Noah in the Bible?
The story of Noah and the flood is found in the book of Genesis, chapters 6 through 9.