How many people were on the ark?

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TL;DR:

Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sons' wives were on the ark during the flood. The eight people on the ark were saved, as are all today who place their faith in Christ.

from the old testament

  • Eight people were included in total. Noah, Noah's wife, Shem, Ham, Japheth, and the wives of these three sons (Genesis 7:13; 1 Peter 3:20).

from the new testament

  • First Peter 3:20 confirms that there were eight people on the ark: "Because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water."

implications for today

Just as Noah and his family were saved from the flood by entering the ark, we, too, can find salvation and refuge in Jesus Christ. In the days of Noah, the ark was the only place of safety amid the judgment of the flood. Today, Jesus is our ark—our place of refuge from the penalty of sin and separation from God. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), but it also offers us the promise of salvation: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Just as Noah’s faith led him to trust in God's plan and enter the ark, only faith in Jesus leads us to the gift of eternal life, forgiveness for our sins, and restored relationship with God. No matter what the world around us may believe or do, we can stand firm in our faith, knowing that salvation is available to all who call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). By placing our trust in Christ, we are brought safely through the judgment of sin, just as Noah and his family were brought safely through the waters of the flood.

understand

  • The Bible states that eight people were on the ark—Noah, his wife, their three sons (Shem, Ham, Japheth), and the wives of these three sons.
  • The Old and New Testament confirm that eight people were on the ark.
  • Just as Noah and his family found refuge in the ark, all who trust in Jesus’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin find salvation.

reflect

  • How does knowing that only eight people were saved from the flood influence and challenge your view of faith and salvation?
  • How does the story of Noah encourage you to trust Jesus as your refuge in daily life?
  • How does Noah's story of eight people finding salvation by entering the ark inspire you to stand firm in what is right and true?

engage

  • What does the number of people on the ark teach us about faith and salvation?
  • What does the fact that only Noah and his family were saved teach us about personal responsibility in faith?
  • How can we apply the lessons from Noah’s family’s salvation as we share the gospel?