Matt Egan

The story featured in genesis focuses on the main character of Noah, and his mission to preserve life, while God takes on a mission in order to destroy all the evil and corruption he sees in man. Noah builds an arc, and takes on two of all the living things on the earth, bringing with him his family and food in order to survive the ordeal. After the flood, a dove sent by Noah finds an olive branch and brings it back to Noah, suggesting that the flood is indeed over and that dry land is finally available to land upon.

The olive branch in this story is an interesting addition, since for millennia after the publication of the bible the olive branch has, and continues to stand as a symbol of peace. A possible interpretation of this passage could be that Noah left civilization due to the violence mentioned in Genesis six, and found peace a number of days later after whatever strife had passed, and chose to rejoin society.