how long did noah build the ark

Noah is traditionally believed to have built the Ark over a period ranging from about 40 days to as long as 100 to 120 years, though the Bible does not specify an exact duration. Some interpretations suggest Noah had up to 75 years to build the Ark, based on biblical references to his age and the timeline of events before the Flood. Jewish tradition and various commentators offer estimates anywhere between 5 to 52 years, or even longer. The often cited "120 years" figure in Genesis refers more to the time before the Flood rather than the construction period specifically. Overall, the most likely timeframe supported by biblical context is that Noah spent several decades—up to around 75 years—building the Ark before the Flood began.