How long did Noah and his family spend in the Ark before the Lord asked them to come out and fill the earth?

 Noah and his family spent a total of one year and seventeen days inside the Ark, considering both the time before, during, and after the flood. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Boarding the Ark:

   • Noah and his family entered the Ark seven days before the flood began (Genesis 7:12).
   • This means they were already inside when the floodwaters started.

2. During the Flood:

   • The flood lasted for 40 days (Genesis 7:12).
   • The Ark floated on the waters during this period.

3. After the Flood:

   • After the 40 days, the waters continued to prevail for a total of 150 days (Genesis 7:11, 8:4).
   • Eventually, the Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:4).

4. Mountaintops Visible:

   • After the 150 days, the mountaintops became visible (Genesis 8:5).
   • Noah sent out a raven and later a dove to check for dry land (Genesis 8:7-12).

5. Exiting the Ark:

   • Finally, on the 27th day of the second month in Noah’s 601st year, Noah and his family left the Ark (Genesis 8:13-16).
   • This marked the end of their time inside the vessel.

In summary, Noah and his family spent a total of 370 days in the Ark, including the time before and after the flood. After leaving the Ark, they were instructed to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1).