Understanding Biblical ‘Kinds’

Critics have asserted that the number of animals aboard Noah’s ark would have been in the tens of thousands if not more. But this assumes that biblical kinds are equivalent to scientific species. This is not necessarily the case.

Biblical kinds appear to be distinct breeding groups, but scientific species can often interbreed—showing that multiple interbreeding species could perhaps make up a single kind. A biblical kind can be better described as closer to a scientific genus. This dramatically reduces the number of animals that were required on board the ark.

It is a well-known fact that all modern dog varieties could be produced from one pair of generic dogs by the application of selective breeding principles. These would range from the diminutive Chihuahua to the imposing St. Bernard.

According to some estimates, the average-sized land animal would require only a cubic foot and a half of space. Many studies have concluded that a ship the size and design of Noah’s ark would be capable of containing the required animals and still have sufficient space for needed storage and living quarters. (Adapted from The Good News Bible Reading Program, on the Web at www.ucg.org/brp.) GN

 

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