How Did Insects And Plants Survive Noah’s Flood?

When we consider the possibility of Noah’s Flood being global, many factors and considerations must be taken into account. We must be certain our conclusions are not only Biblically sound, but logically sound to ensure we have not misrepresented Scripture in our desire to understand it.

One of these considerations concerns insect and plant life. How did insects and plants survive Noah’s Flood if it was global, and how could they have repopulated the world after the Flood? Young earth creationists have some explanations for these matters which we will discuss along with Scripture.

Were Insects On Noah’s Ark?

Young earth creationists believe insects were on Noah’s Ark, but is that what the Bible states?

In Genesis 6:20 our Heavenly Father told Noah to bring “fowls”, “cattle” and “creeping things” on the Ark.

Creeping” means,

From H7430; a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal: – that creepeth, creeping (moving) thing.

God is telling us, “creeping things” are “reptiles”, and “other rapidly moving animals”. This is obviously a reference to smaller animals. We should also understand this word can also mean “moving”, as in moving animals.

Let us continue the thought by turning our Bible to,

Genesis 7:8
Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth.

This word “creepeth” means,

A primitive root; properly to glide swiftly, that is, to crawl or movewith short steps; by analogy to swarm: – creep, move.

We are simply talking about snakes that “glide swiftly”, very small “reptiles”, and other creeping, or better said, “moving” creatures.

Yet, we know large animals live in “herds”, while insects tend to “swarm”.

However, the Strong’s Concordance notes “swarm” is by “analogy”. Scripture was not speaking analogically. Scripture was speaking quite literally of creeping things like reptiles and snakes.

Simply stated, God was not including “swarming” creatures like insects on Noah’s Ark.

Further, in Genesis 6:19 God told us “flesh” would be on the Ark. The insects are certainly not flesh, and God also stated the flesh “shall be male and female”.

  • Would Noah understand which insects were male and female?
  • Would Noah be able to keep track of, and care for millions of insect species in addition to tens of thousands of birds and other large animals on the Ark?
  • Could Noah and his family totaling eight have done this day in and day out; feeding, watering, and cleaning up the feces of all God’s creatures while caring for themselves for a full year, (Genesis 8:13-16)?

This is more than doubtful, it is impossible without God’s intervention. Yet, the Bible never even hints that God intervened in this matter. Rather, He told Noah to feed and take care of the animals, (Genesis 6:21).

How Could Insects Survive A Global Flood?

Yet, young earth creationists have another theory. This one concerns insects surviving on “vegetation mats” in order to make their global flood theory believable. Scripture provides no basis for such a belief, it is simply conjecture and opinion in order to make their belief system work.

This is where we need to apply common sense. Is it logical to believe “vegetation mats” managed to stay afloat in the water with insects on these “mats” for 5 to 12 months, the duration of the Flood, (Genesis 7:24, 8:13-16)?

As a child, I am sure many of you recall playing in the water and making your own boat out of leaves and grass.

How long did they float, especially when the rain came pouring down?

Now imagine “forty days and forty nights” of rain, and waves from the ocean, (Genesis 7:12)

Regardless, the Bible actually teaches against the theory of “vegetation mats”.

Only Life Inside Noah’s Ark Survived The Flood

Please turn your Bible with me to,

Genesis 7:23
And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

If one believes in a global flood, this means all life “outside” of the Ark; man, cattle, bird, fish, insect, bacteria all died. Everything died, except Noah, his family, and the creatures inside the Ark.

This removes the idea of insects surviving on “vegetation mats” as they were “outside” of the Ark. This also removes the idea of fish surviving the Flood in “fresh and saltwater layers”, or seeds from plants surviving a global flood as they were all “outside” of the Ark.

Were Plants On Noah’s Ark?

In another theory, young earth creationists explain plant life survived the Flood as God told Noah to bring plants on the Ark, they cite Genesis 6:21 to validate their claim.

Let us read the verse together.

Genesis 6:21
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.

God simply told Noah, ‘gather the food that you, and the creatures will eat, and bring it on the Ark’.

In no way shape or form can we conclude this meant Noah was to bring plant life on the Ark for preservation. This measure was simply to sustain Noah, his family, and the animals on the Ark. It was for food.

God was clear enough in this verse, so we know plant life did not survive the Flood due to Noah bringing it on the Ark.

However, had their theory been true, I want you to consider what that meant.

The Implications Of Insects And Plants In A Global Flood

Remember, God brought the animals to Noah, God did not bring food or plants to Noah. Noah had to do this on his own.

Is it then logical to conclude, Noah built another vessel, which we are not told about, and traversed the entire earth collecting all the various species of insects and plants, and then brought them back to the Ark so they could survive?

Not only is the thought not Biblical, it is not logical. Noah would still be collecting those plants, and asking for your help to replant them across the earth after the Flood.

Remember, Genesis 7:23 made it clear, everything outside of the Ark died. If the Flood was global, that would have included every; man, animal, insect, plant (seed), bacteria on earth.

I want you to truly think about the implications of a global flood, and ask yourself, is it Biblical and logical?

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