Noah was six hundred years old when God told him to enter the ark and the flood began. Rain fell on the earth for forty days and forty nights, but Noah and his family were safe. The waters remained on the earth for 150 days. God caused the waters to subside. Noah sent a dove from the ark until she did not return, then Noah knew the earth was dry. God told Noah to leave the ark and multiply the earth. Noah built an altar to God and offered burnt offerings with a pleasant aroma to God. God would never curse the ground because of man or strike every living creature down again.