Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Genesis 6:15

Western Saints

Bede

The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. The length of the ark signifies the long-suffering patience by which adversities are bravely endured; the width signifies the breadth of charity, which embraces even those who inflict adversities; the height signifies the sublimity of hope, by which the eternal reward in heaven is insinuated. …

Commentary on Genesis (Hexaemeron) ↗

Gregory of Elvira

But the measure of the ark as a length of three hundred cubits evidently shows a figure of the Lord's cross; since three hundred among the Greeks is signified by the letter tau, which letter makes one apex as an upright tree, but the other extended as a yard on the head, and by all means showed the appearance of the cross; by this mystery both the length of life is given to the believing and the breadth of the new earth is granted and the height of the heavenly kingdom is prepared. …

On The Ark Of Noah 29-32 ↗