1.80
This calamity happened in the six hundredth year of Noah's government,
[age,] in the second month, note
called by the Macedonians διυς, but by the Hebrews Marchesuan:
for so did they order their year in Egypt. But Moses appointed that
· Nisan, which is the same with Xanthicus, should be the
first month for their festivals, because he brought them out of Egypt in
that month: so that this month began the year as to all the solemnities
they observed to the honor of God, although he preserved the original order
of the months as to selling and buying, and other ordinary affairs. Now
he says that this flood began on the twenty-seventh [seventeenth] day of
the forementioned month; and this was two thousand six hundred and fifty-six
[one thousand six hundred and fifty-six] years from Adam, the first man;
and the time is written down in our sacred books, those who then lived
having noted down, note
with great accuracy, both the births and deaths of illustrious men.
1.83
For indeed Seth was born when Adam was in his two hundred and thirtieth
year, who lived :nine hundred and thirty years. Seth begat Enos in his
two hundred and fifth year; who, when he had lived nine hundred and twelve
years, delivered the government to Cainan his son, whom he had in his hundred
and ninetieth year. He lived nine hundred and five years. Cainan, when
he had lived nine hundred and ten years, had his son Malaleel, who was
born in his hundred and seventieth year. This Malaleel, having lived eight
hundred and ninety-five years, died, leaving his son Jared, whom he begat
when he was in his hundred and sixty-fifth year. He lived nine hundred
and sixty-two years; and then his son Enoch succeeded him, who was born
when his father was one hundred and sixty-two years old. Now he, when he
had lived three hundred and sixty-five years, departed and went to God;
whence it is that they have not written down his death. Now Mathusela,
the son of Enoch, who was born to him when he was one hundred and sixty-five
years old, had Lamech for his son when he was one hundred and eighty-seven
years of age; to whom he delivered the government, when he had retained
it nine hundred and sixty-nine years. Now Lamech, when he had governed
seven hundred and seventy-seven years, appointed Noah, his son, to
be ruler of the people, who was born to Lamech when he was one hundred
and eighty-two years old, and retained the government nine hundred and
fifty years. These years collected together make up the sum before set
down. But let no one inquire into the deaths of these men; for they extended
their lives along together with their children and grandchildren; but let
him have regard to their births only.
1.89
When God gave the signal, and it began to rain, the water poured
down forty entire days, till it became fifteen cubits higher than the earth;
which was the reason why there was no greater number preserved, since they
had no place to fly to. When the rain ceased, the water did but just begin
to abate after one hundred and fifty days, (that is, on the seventeenth
day of the seventh month,) it then ceasing to subside for a little while.
After this, the ark rested on the top of a certain mountain in Armenia;
which, when Noah understood, he opened it; and seeing a small piece of
land about it, he continued quiet, and conceived some cheerful hopes of
deliverance. But a few days afterward, when the water was decreased to
a greater degree, he sent out a raven, as desirous to learn whether any
other part of the earth were left dry by the water, and whether he might
go out of the ark with safety; but the raven, finding all the land still
overflowed, returned to Noah again. And after seven days he sent out a
dove, to know the state of the ground; which came back to him covered with
mud, and bringing an olive branch: hereby Noah learned that the earth was
become clear of the flood. So after he had staid seven more days, he sent
the living creatures out of the ark; and both he and his family went out,
when he also sacrificed to God, and feasted with his companions. However,
the Armenians call this place, (GREEK) note
The Place of Descent; for the ark being saved in that place, its
remains are shown there by the inhabitants to this day.
1.93
Now all the writers of barbarian histories make mention of this flood,
and of this ark; among whom is Berosus the Chaldean. For when he is describing
the circumstances of the flood, he goes on thus: "It is said there
is still some part of this ship in Armenia, at the mountain of the Cordyaeans;
and that some people carry off pieces of the bitumen, which they take away,
and use chiefly as amulets for the averting of mischiefs." Hieronymus
the Egyptian also, who wrote the Phoenician Antiquities, and Mnaseas, and
a great many more, make mention of the same. Nay, Nicolaus of Damascus,
in his ninety-sixth book, hath a particular relation about them; where
he speaks thus: "There is a great mountain in Armenia,
over Minyas, called Baris, upon which it is reported that many who fled
at the time of the Deluge were saved; and that one who was carried in an
ark came on shore upon the top of it; and that the remains of the timber
were a great while preserved. This might be the man about whom Moses the
legislator of the Jews wrote."
