How many years did it take Noah to collect all the animals?

Question

Ostensibly, he would have had to go around the world and pick out two of each species from each continent. In the case of solitary animals (like snakes), it might have taken some time to find one of each gender. And all the while he had to build that boat (with what money is anyone's guess). How many lifetimes do you think all that would have taken?

Answer 1

Skeptics of the Genesis record are quick to point out that it would have been “impossible” for Noah to collect such a vast array of animals. Even given the time allotted, they argue, he and his family would not have had time to build the ark and collect the animals. A careful examination of the text, however, reveals that Noah and his family were not in charge of this gargantuan task. Rather, we are told that the animals came unto Noah.

And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort SHALL COME UNTO THEE, to keep them alive (Genesis 6:19-20, emp. added).

The only task for which Noah was responsible, according to the biblical record, was building an ark of the appropriate dimensions as given to him by God.

The objection has been raised that it would have been impossible for creatures from different regions of the world to leave their respective homes and meet Noah in the Mesopotamian Valley. The unique creatures of Australia, for example, certainly could not have traveled to the ark, since Australia is an island. And how could the polar bear survive a journey from its native land to the sultry plains of Mesopotamia? The variety of climates, the difficult geography, and other various and sundry items, seemingly would make such journeys impossible. Some have viewed these “impossible journeys” as militating against the accuracy of the Flood account. Whitcomb and Morris, commenting on such arguments, wrote:

An equally serious fault in this type of reasoning is that it begs the question of the extent and effects of the Deluge. It assumes, for example, that climatic zones were exactly the same before the Flood as they are now, that animals inhabited the same areas of the world as they do now, and that the geography and topography of the earth continued unchanged. But on the assumptions of a universal Deluge, all these conditions would have been profoundly altered. Arctic and desert zones may never have existed before the Flood; nor the great intercontinental barriers of high mountain ranges, impenetrable jungles, and open seas (as between Australia and Southeast Asia, and between Siberia and Alaska). On this basis, it is quite probable that animals were more widely distributed than now, with representatives of each created kind of land animal living in that part of the earth where Noah was building the Ark (1961, pp. 64-65).

Rehwinkel has suggested that during the probationary period provided by God in Genesis 6:3, “migration of these animals which God had intended to save might have extended over several generations of animals” (1951, p. 75). Thus, when the ark was ready for its occupants, the animals already were in the nearby geographical regions. Since Genesis 6:19-20 makes it clear that God caused the creatures to “come unto Noah,” Noah did not have to “go after” all the various animals. Even Bernard Ramm (a local-flood advocate) has admitted that the animals must have come unto Noah as they were “prompted by divine instinct” (1954, p. 169). Here, too, is an intriguing point to consider: If God could bring the animals to Adam to be named (Genesis 2:19), could He not just as easily bring them to Noah to be saved? If not, why not?

Answer 2

It is to be taken literally when it is in the literal context (in this case it is).

To begin with, the animals were sent to Noah, not the other way around. God sent them while the ark was being finished.

Also, the world would have looked much different back then. The flood would've caused massive changes in continents. In fact, the Bible hints at one massive continent (which would be much easier for animals to get to the ark). As an example, kangaroos and koalas may have been living right next to the ark.

Answer 3

when God commanded Noah to gather two of every living thing he made it possible divinely.It took Noah a while to build the ark. But i believe God led the animals to noah or it would have been very difficult and time consuming as you said. It does not say how long it took in the book of Genesis so we dont know, But if GOD commands something he makes it work. He didnt need money to build the boat him and his sons cut the trees and made the pitch from the sap to seal it. Read the story its really interesting. It was a monumental feat but when there is divine inspiration involved anything is possible.

Answer 4

Actually, God made it easier than that - I'll have to look it up again, but I when I researched the answer a few years ago I think that it only took 80 years for the ark to be built and so getting the animals in there was only done in the last few years of that time, if not within that final year.

Answer 5

There was no such person.

*If* Noah existed, and *if* there were a flood that covered every square inch of land, where did all the water go? Since water is liquid and will distribute itself evenly, the water required to cover Mount Everest is *FIVE* *MILES* deep everywhere on the earth. That's more water than there is on the entire planet now.

Where did it come from, and where did it go, smart guy?

Answer 6

you must remember that god knew this was going to happen so the animals started the journey before ark was even made
and back then life was a lot longer because there was no pollution and the earth was surrounded by a layer of water that protected us from the sun's harmful rays.

but yeah it took a long time

Answer 7

He took a micro organism, and it evolved into all of the other species.

Answer 8

actually the bible says, it took 7 days. you can read about, in genesis chapter 7, verse 3-4.

Answer 9

The old testament is not to be taken literally.

Answer 10

Like anyone could even know that...