What Was Noah's Occupation Before He Built the Ark?

The story of Noah and the Great Flood is a well-known narrative in the Bible, but what about the period leading up to that momentous event? Did Noah have a specific occupation or were his days filled with tasks essential to daily life in the ancient world?

The Holy Bible and Noah's Profession

The very first indication in the Bible about Noah's role before building the ark is actually silence. In the Book of Genesis, it doesn't explicitly state what occupation Noah held. However, clues from other biblical accounts and extrabiblical sources can offer some insight into his daily life and the challenges he faced.

Occupations and Challenges

According to the general context of the time, it's reasonable to infer that Noah was likely a farmer. The earth was cursed due to human wickedness, making it difficult to eke out a living. This suggests that Noah, along with his family, likely lived a life of hard labor to survive. The passage in Genesis (6:5) talks about how the earth was corrupt from "the time of the beginning" and how God saw that all living creatures had corrupted their way on the earth.

The Bible does not mention a specific profession, but the weight of this curse would have necessitated a robust agrarian background. The Sumerian and Babylonian accounts of the Flood also provide a bit of insight. They often describe Noah as a merchant or a wine maker, indicating his involvement in trade and agriculture. It's possible that Noah was already engaged in agriculture as part of his livelihood, which would have made it easier for him to follow God's command to build an ark and fill it with animals.

Sumerian Accounts and Noah's Role

Among the Sumerian and Babylonian accounts, there are interesting details that add to the narrative. In one story, Noah is referred to as Ziusudra, the son of King Lamech Ubaratu, the king of Shuruppak. These accounts portray Noah as a merchant or a trader, constantly transporting food and animals to other merchants. The Sumerian account even mentions that Noah was already on the Euphrates when the storms occurred, suggesting that he had prior experience in navigating waters and dealing with trade.

Despite these intriguing details, the Bible itself does not offer definitive information about Noah's occupation. It simply describes him as a "righteous man" and a "farmer" in a broader sense. The term "righteous" suggests that while Noah had other occupations, he lived his life according to God's standards, making him a trustworthy individual in a time of moral decay.

Ancient Predictions and Noah's Legacy

Perhaps the most surprising piece of information comes from the context of Noah's father, Lamech. In Genesis 5:29, Lamech has a prophetic statement, predicting Noah's role in bringing peace to the community: "His name shall be called Noah, saying 'Rest from the ground will come; for he (Noah) will rest the ground on which you are [under]making yourselves to rest together with your sons.'" This passage hints at the significant role that Noah would play in restoring the earth and its inhabitants.

Noah, therefore, was not just a solitary figure but part of a larger community engaged in various activities, including agriculture, trade, and perhaps even some form of craftsmanship. The challenges he faced in a cursed and violent world required resilience and faith, qualities that made him the perfect candidate to lead his people and animals through the flood.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a clear-cut answer to Noah's occupation, it offers enough context for us to piece together a rich picture of his life. Whether a farmer, merchant, or a combination of both, Noah's story is a testament to the importance of faith, perseverance, and the willingness to accept divine guidance.

Keywords: Noah's occupation, flood preparation, biblical accounts, cursed earth, righteous man