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Noah’s Log—Does It Have Meaning for Us Today?
When predicting the end of the current world system, Jesus stated… Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. (Matthew 24…3, 37) Clearly, Jesus foretold that today’s events match Noah’s time. An accurate record of that era is a valuable historical asset.
Does Noah’s log read like genuine history? Can we actually figure out when the Flood happened?
When Did the Flood Occur?
The Bible offers a timeline going back to the start of human history. Genesis 5…1-29 traces the family line from Adam to Noah. The downpour started when Noah was 600 years old.
To date the Flood, we must link Biblical events to an accepted historical date. From there, we can calculate a date on our modern calendar.
One solid benchmark is 539 BCE, the year Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon. Babylonian tablets and ancient texts confirm this timeline. Cyrus freed Jewish captives, who returned home by 537 BCE, ending a 70-year exile that started in 607 BCE. Counting back through ancient rulers and judges shows the Israelites left Egypt in 1513 BCE. Going back another 430 years connects to God’s covenant with Abraham in 1943 BCE. By adding up the generations before that, we can place the start of the Flood in 2370 BCE.
The Floodwaters Fall
In Noah’s 600th year, during the second month on the 17th day, torrential rain began as underground springs burst open.
Noah tracked time using 12 months of 30 days each. Back then, the first month started around mid-September. The heavy rain started in mid-November and lasted for 40 days and nights through December 2370 BCE.
The water flooded the earth for 150 days before it started going down. Exactly five months after the rain began, the ark landed on the mountains of Ararat in April 2369 BCE.
Mountain peaks became visible roughly 73 days later in June. By mid-September, Noah took off the ark’s roof and saw the ground was clearing. By mid-November 2369 BCE, the land was fully dry, and everyone stepped outside. In total, they spent 370 days inside the vessel.
These exact details show that Moses was recording actual history rather than a myth. This event still matters today.
How Did Other Bible Writers View the Flood?
Many other scripture writers mention Noah and the Great Flood…
- The historian Ezra listed Noah’s family in Israel’s early family trees.
- Luke included Noah in the family line of Jesus Christ.
- Peter used the story to teach early Christians.
- Paul highlighted Noah’s deep faith in building the ark.
These writers clearly viewed the Flood as a real historical event.
Jesus and the Flood
Jesus lived in heaven as a spirit being during the Flood, making him an eyewitness. He confirmed the event, noting that before the deluge, people were simply living their lives—eating, drinking, and marrying—until the day Noah went inside. They ignored the warning until the water swept them away.
Jesus wouldn’t use a fable to warn us about the future. He used a real example of judgment. While many died, Noah and his family safely survived.
The story matters deeply right now. Reading Noah’s log gives us confidence in the historical record. Just as Noah’s family survived by trusting God, people today can find safety through faith, looking forward to a renewed world.
