How to Build an Ark in Modern Times

Building an ark may sound like a task reserved for ancient times or legendary stories, but in reality, it can be a fascinating and rewarding project for anyone with a passion for construction and adventure. Whether you’re looking to build a small, personal boat or a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark, the process involves careful planning, understanding the materials, and applying solid construction techniques. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps, from gathering the right materials to other relevant aspects of building.

Through the use of his abilities as a carpenter and house builder, he was able to find work in Ethiopia, Honduras, and other countries all over the world. Emergency labour included restoring homes that had been destroyed by wars and natural catastrophes. Already, Johan was making a difference in the world. Already, he was carrying out the decrees of God and making the earth a better place. However, all the while he was accomplishing that, he had a feeling that he was supposed to accomplish more.

In 1992, everything got begun. Johan remembers that there was a severe storm at the time. My son and I went to the beach, and while we were there, I watched the waves. During that night, I had a dream that the entire country of Holland was submerged in water. Johan was persuaded that the dream had some significance because it was so vivid and the dream itself was so real. Exactly what it signified was a mystery to him. It wasn’t until he was in a bookshop, engaged in an apparently insignificant activity, that he realised what he was supposed to be doing.

“I came upon a book about Noah’s Ark in a bookshop and decided immediately to build [Noah’s] Ark.” While Johan was in the process of constructing spiritual Arks all over the world, he ultimately made the decision to construct a physical Ark. An Ark created to educate people about God and to assist in bringing God into the world through the people themselves. It’s not like folks are going to come to you. What you need to do is go to them.

As is the case with the majority of good men, Johan was supported by a powerful woman. And observing him a lot. “She insisted I wait till it made sense [financially].” Therefore, Johan was able to maintain his aspirations over a period of thirteen years. In spite of the fact that he continued to carry out his duties and bring God into the world, he continued to imagine his ideal eventually becoming a reality.

Thirteen years later, he was at last prepared to move forward. It was with the approval of his wife and family that he started the construction of the Ark. “The opening was in April of 2007, and I started working there in December of 2005.” The time it took was only sixteen months. Even though it took him only sixteen months, the process was extremely laborious and demanding, despite the fact that it was relatively short in duration.

How Do You Build an Ark in This Modern Era?

Why Is No One Allowed to See the Ark of The Covenant in The Bible?

Along with the Ten Commandments, the Ark also included Aaron’s rod from the Exodus from Egypt and manna, a food that God provided the Israelites in the desert. In essence, it contained God’s power, which is why no one was allowed to open or touch it. Those who attempted died by doing so. The Philistines died and were afflicted with terrible diseases when they stole it. Its supernatural abilities also included performing miracles at desperate times and giving the Israelites military victory over their adversaries.

🛠 What This Is About

The story of Noah’s Ark teaches us about faith, renewal, and humanity’s role in spreading divine light today.

📜 The Noah Story

• Ancient Times: Humanity lost in materialism
• Divine Response: Global flood, sparing Noah’s family and Ark creatures
• Result: Noah became ancestor to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – and all modern humans

🌈 Modern Parallel

✅ Then: God reset the world through destruction
✅ Now: We’re tasked with adding light to the world
✅ Common Mission: Applies to all faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.)

👷 Johan Huibers’ Mission

• Who: Dutch Christian builder from Amsterdam
• Turning Point: Daily Bible study moved him to tears
• Goal: Recreate the Ark experience to help people connect with divinity

📏 Ark Specifications

Dimension	Biblical Measurement	Modern Equivalent
Length	300 cubits	450-515 ft (137-157 m)
Width	50 cubits	75-86 ft (23-26 m)
Height	30 cubits	45-52 ft (14-16 m)

*Note: 1 cubit ≈ 17.5-20.6 inches (44.5-52.3 cm)*

🔍 Why Cubits Matter

⚠ Measurement Challenge:

• Ancient unit (elbow to fingertip)
• Varied by culture (Egyptian vs. Hebrew)
• Modern reconstructions require educated estimates

💡 Key Lessons

1. Hope Preservation: Noah saved humanity’s spiritual potential
2. Active Faith: Johan shows how to bring scripture to life
3. Universal Call: All people can participate in “ark-building” today

🧰 Modern Applications

🔹 Personal: Create “arks” of kindness in daily life
🔹 Community: Build spaces that inspire faith
🔹 Global: Combat modern “floods” of materialism with spiritual light

📌 Quick Facts

✅ Noah’s story appears in Torah, Bible, and Quran
✅ Johan Huibers built a full-scale Ark replica in 2012
✅ The original Ark’s proportions made it incredibly stable

How Did Noah Build Ark?

I sometimes shake my head when I read remarks about Answers in Genesis’ life-size Ark in Northern Kentucky, which will open July 7. Following several comments, I have included recent photos of the Ark’s construction, including the stern and exterior planking.

Why not use Noah’s tools?

1 Where are Noah’s tools mentioned? The Bible doesn’t describe Noah’s tools. Who knows what the tools were? Nobody does! You shouldn’t build the Ark with current tools because Noah didn’t.

2 As said above, Noah’s tools are unknown. Second, we employ modern tools because we live in a modern society! We don’t know Noah’s tools, so we didn’t build the Ark using them. We intended to design a wooden ship and build it as a timber-frame building so the people could walk through it and see the Ark’s size and construction. Why are you building the Ark so fast if Noah took 120 years? Our first question is how long Noah spent building the Ark. The 120 years in Genesis 6:3 are not related to Noah building the Ark. The best explanation for the 120 years is God’s forbearance before sending the Flood. When the Flood ended, Shem was 99 and left the Ark. Noah had sons and was married when God told him to build the Ark, according to Genesis 6:18. It makes sense that the Ark was built in less than 99 years. Second, Noah may have spent years building the Ark. Second Peter 3:9 says God is patient, “not willing that any should perish.” Noah may have built the Ark over several years to warn the inhabitants to believe God’s Word. Third, we’re not building an Ark because God predicted a flood! We are building an Ark to remind people of God’s Word and the gospel. Thus, we want to create it swiftly. Build it with whatever tools we have today.

Noah lacked proper instruments!

3 We don’t know Noah’s tools, yet many people knowingly or unknowingly see history through an evolutionary lens. Many believe Noah used rudimentary stone tools. Man was clearly intelligent when God created him. People made musical instruments within generations, according to Genesis 4:21. People lived for hundreds of years before the Flood, so who knows what knowledge and technology were developed? Noah may have had great tools and technologies we envy! Remember, we don’t know how ancient humans erected several South American stone constructions or the Egyptian pyramids. Since no documents were kept or destroyed, the ancients had a technology we don’t know about. We must adopt a Christian perspective based on Bible history when studying ancient technologies.

Noah avoided cranes.

4 The Bible does not say if Noah used cranes. Christians believe that ancient people, even those before the Flood, were knowledgeable and knew about remedial things like leverage. Noah may have invented cranes that amaze us today!You shouldn’t have used metal in the Ark because Noah didn’t.

5 Where does the Bible indicate Noah didn’t utilise metal? A few generations after Adam, Genesis 4:22 states, “And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron.” By Noah’s time, mankind may have developed advanced metal usage if they were employing bronze and iron. Maybe Noah utilised more metal than us!
Build it on water to prove it floats!

6 We didn’t build our Ark to float since there will be no global Flood again (Genesis 9:15; Isaiah 54:9). Next time, judgement will be by fire (2 Peter 3:10). The Ark is a wooden ship based on the Bible’s measurements that we built as a themed attraction to teach people about God’s Word and the gospel. Though intended as a ship, it must be erected according to current building rules. Its clever design keeps bathrooms, exit stairs, and elevators out of the Ark by anchoring to three towers.
Noah could not build a wooden ship that big alone. Ancient wooden ships larger than the Ark are recorded dating back over 2,000 years. We’re not used to seeing such big wooden ships anymore, so many think it’s impossible!

Noah had his three sons to help him

8, and he probably employed others. Though many Christians are helping us build the life-size Ark at Williamstown, Kentucky, many non-Christian contractors have enthusiastically accepted a contract to employ their expertise on project components. We also imply in the Ark display at the Creation Museum that Noah may have employed scoffers to build the Ark.

Ark Stern
What a waste of money that should have gone to the impoverished. 9 This absurdity has been repeated countless times. As Judas Iscariot said in John 12:4–6:

But Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son and His betrayer, asked, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a robber and stole from the money box.
We’ve answered this before, but some still demonstrate prejudice or ignorance. Consider that the current US presidential campaign spends many times more than the Ark. Consider the money spent on cruise ships, roller coasters, secular theme parks, museums, and more. Why do people criticise the Ark for funding but not other groups’ billions? Mostly because of our messaging. Most detractors don’t want Christian messages to reach the public, and some don’t understand why.

Noah avoided concrete.

10 Noah’s materials aren’t disclosed. Materials scientists say the ancient Egyptians (descendants of Noah’s grandson Mizraim/Aegyptus) built the Great Pyramid using superior concrete. 11 We know Noah built the Ark using lumber and have its measurements from Scripture. Due to a big flood, it was built to float. Answers in Genesis is erecting a 15-foot-high life-size Ark for guests to enter. We used lots of concrete for the piers for code and structure. To allow walking on all three decks, we used a wood-covered concrete floor for fire code concerns. We’ve addressed these and additional criticisms.

Conclusion

In this piece, you learned about how to build an ark in modern times, steps to build an ark, and why no one is allowed to see the Ark of the Covenant in the Bible. For more informative guides, stay connected to Buildersviller.