Did God Forget about Noah?

This may seem like a silly question. How could God, who knows everything, possibly forget about Noah, one of just eight people alive during the Flood?

The notion some people might have about God forgetting about Noah comes from a misunderstanding of Genesis 8:1, which states, “Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark.” Since God remembered Noah, then He must have forgotten about him, right? Not at all!

Even in English, “remember” does not necessarily refer to bringing something to mind that had been forgotten. It can also apply to something that has been kept in mind, like a birthday card that states, “remembering you on your special day.” The Hebrew word zakar can have similar connotations.

This verse isn’t telling us that God forgot about Noah, his family, and the animals. Genesis 8:1 teaches an important truth in the Flood account: God’s attention was focused on Noah and those with him on the Ark.

The Bible frequently speaks of God remembering His people.

The Bible frequently speaks of God remembering His people. God remembered Abraham (Genesis 19:29), Rachel (Genesis 30:22), and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19). Before freeing the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt, the Lord “remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Exodus 2:24). Also, many Old Testament figures prayed that God would remember them, such as Samson (Judges 16:28), David (Psalm 25:7), and Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:3).

Great comfort can be drawn from these truths. The Lord focused His attention on Noah during the Flood. Similarly, Jesus Christ promised His followers that He would always be with them (Matthew 28:20). He will never leave or forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5).

Help us build a full-size Noah’s Ark! AiG is raising $29.5 million in donations for a wooden Ark, the centerpiece (and part of the first phase) of the whole multi-attraction complex! A finished Ark will be a great testimony to the historicity of the Bible and will proclaim the gospel. For an explanation of the funding of the entire Ark Encounter, go to ArkEncounter.com.

Ark Updates—Watch videos and view photos of the buzz of activity currently going on at the Ark Encounter construction site south of Cincinnati by going to ArkEncounter.com.