The answer is: 40

Gen 7:12 - Probably one of the first things taught in Sunday School.

The story of Noah's Ark is certainly one of those timeless tales that sticks with us from childhood on. The folksy image of Noah and the animals boarding a massive boat brings up feelings of adventure and wonder, but there's a lot more going on beneath the surface. When it rained for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:12), it wasn't just about water falling from the sky; it was a profound moment in the broader narrative of humanity's relationship with the divine.

Did you know that the number "40" pops up frequently throughout the Bible? From the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years to Jesus fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, this number often suggests a period of trial, testing, or profound transformation. The flood story itself echoes with themes of rebirth and renewal; after the rain stops, Noah and his family emerge into a transformed world.

Interestingly, the story of a great flood isn't just a Jewish tale! Various cultures, from the Greeks to ancient Mesopotamians, have their accounts of floods that reshaped humanity, suggesting that floods may resonate with something core to human experience.

Noah’s Ark serves not just as a story about rescue but also about responsibility—about caring for creation. It sparks conversations around stewardship and our relationship with the environment, which have never been more relevant than now. So, while we might visualize those 40 days and nights in a cartoonish manner, the implications of the flood are far-reaching and deep!