Make thee an ark— תבת tebat, an ark, or hollow vessel: it is used only on this occasion, and for the vessel into which Moses was put, Exodus 2:2-3. This ark was constructed according to the divine direction. Its materials were gopher wood, that is, cypress-wood, says Mr. Locke. It is probable some of the turpentine species of trees, which abound with pitchy and resinous particles, is meant, and very likely the cedar, or cypress; the wood of which, as Bochart has shewn, is very durable against worms and rot, and was used in building of ships anciently. Rooms were to be made in the ark, קנים kenim, mansiunculas, Vulg. little mansions, stalls, cabins, apartments for men and animals, to lodge them separately, as well as their necessary food. And it was to be pitched within and without with pitch; to be covered over with a bituminous substance, proper to repel the water. Its dimensions follow: it was to be in length three hundred cubits; fifty in breadth; thirty in height: an immense capacity! for a cubit is the measure from the elbow to the finger's end, containing six hands'-breadths, or a foot and a half: so that three hundred cubits make exactly four hundred and fifty feet. There was to be a window made in the ark: the original word צהר tsoar, implies "something to admit the light." The phrase, in a cubit shalt thou finish it above, refers to the ark, and not to the window. It should be rendered thus; thou shalt make a light to the ark, something by which light and air may be communicated to the creatures within: and thou shalt finish it, the ark (which is the immediate and feminine antecedent,) above, with, or to a cubit; that is, most probably it was to be covered with a roof, raised a cubit high in the middle; or the roof above was to be finished according to the measure of a cubit, which was the common measure of the whole work. A door was to be set in the side of the ark, for the greater convenience of going in and coming out; and, to make it more commodious for the reception of different creatures, it was to consist of three stories, each of equal height, that is, about fifteen feet high. And whoever will give themselves the trouble to calculate the contents of a vessel built in that manner, and in these proportions, will soon be satisfied, that its construction was not only the best fitted possibly for the purpose, but that its capacity was absolutely sufficient for the end designed.
God's favour to Noah now begins signally to appear.
1. He communicates to him his fixed purpose to destroy the world of the ungodly. Their end is come, their measure of iniquity is filled, and his patience at an end.
2. The manner of their end—by a flood. "I, that bound up the waters in swaddling-bands, when the great deep first broke from the womb of Nature, will open its fountains. I, even I; my power will accomplish it. Their burning lusts shall be quenched in a deluge of waters."
3. His covenant with him and his family. A covenant of mercies temporal and spiritual: a deliverance from the devouring flood; but, better still, a deliverance from the deluge of iniquity too.
4. The means and methods prescribed for the saving himself and his family—an ark. He must provide it. God's promises do not make our labours needless, but encourage us to work, from the assurance of success. God orders the manner of the ark. He who saves, will direct us in the properest methods to work out our salvation. It is not designed for sailing, but to save from sinking; and it is to be made large enough to contain himself, his family, and some of every species of animals. Mark the blessing of pious parents; Noah's whole family were kept alive for their father's sake.
5. The assurance that God would collect the proper freight, when he had prepared the vessel. Though we may often be in the dark how things shall be brought about, yet if we are acting under the divine command, and trusting on the divine promise, he will bring it to pass.