What is Noah's status in Judaism?

Is Noah revered by Jews in the same way as Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel? What is Noah's status in Judaism?


Noah is not revered in the same way as Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel in Judaism. While he is considered a righteous man who obeyed God's command to build the ark and save humanity from the flood, Noah does not hold the same level of importance or significance as other biblical figures such as Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel.

In Judaism, Noah is primarily seen as a symbol of obedience to God and a reminder of the consequences of sin. His story serves as a lesson about following God's laws and living a righteous life. However, he is not typically celebrated or revered in the same way that other biblical figures are.

Overall, Noah's status in Judaism is one of respect for his obedience to God but does not hold the same level of reverence or importance as other key figures in Jewish history.

Holy Quran 3:33

God chose Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of Imran (Amram) above all beings.

What is Noah's status in Islam?

Is Noah revered by Muslims in the same way as Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus? What is Noah's status in Islam?


In Islam, Noah is indeed revered as a significant prophet and messenger of God. He is one of the "Ulul Azm" prophets, a term used to describe those prophets who were endowed with determination and steadfastness on their mission. Noah's narrative is particularly important as it includes the account of the Great Flood and the Ark, symbolizing the divine punishment for disbelief and the reward for faith and obedience.

Noah's mission was to warn his people against idolatry and to urge them to worship only God and lead righteous lives. Despite his efforts, his people refused to abandon their ways, which led to the Deluge. Noah's dedication and perseverance in his mission are highly regarded, and his story serves as a lesson in patience, faith, and trust in God's will.

In the Quran, Noah is praised by God, which underscores his esteemed status among the prophets. For instance, in Surah 37, verses 75 to 79, it is mentioned, "Indeed, Noah cried out to Us, and how excellent are We in responding! We delivered him and his family from the great distress, and made his descendants the sole survivors. And We blessed him with honourable mention among later generations: 'Peace be upon Noah among all peoples.'" This reflects the respect and honor accorded to Noah in Islamic tradition.

Thus, Noah holds a status in Islam that is comparable to other revered prophets like Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus, all of whom are considered exemplary figures of faith and righteousness.

Are Noahide laws considered superior to both Christianity and Islam according to rabbinic rulings?

There is no clear indication that Noahide laws are considered superior to both Christianity and Islam according to rabbinic rulings. However, there is some relevant information about how Judaism views Noahide laws in relation to other religions:

1. The Noahide laws are seen as a set of universal moral laws that apply to all of humanity, not just Jews. They include prohibitions against idolatry, blasphemy, murder, sexual immorality, theft, eating flesh from a living animal, and the requirement to establish courts of justice.

2. According to Jewish law, non-Jews are not obligated to convert to Judaism, but they are required to observe the Seven Laws of Noah to be assured of a place in the World to Come. This suggests that from a Jewish perspective, following the Noahide laws is sufficient for non-Jews to be considered righteous.

3. Some Jewish thinkers have viewed the Noahide laws as a kind of universal, natural morality that would apply to all people. This indicates they are seen as fundamental ethical principles rather than being specific to any one religion.

4. There has been debate among Jewish authorities about whether Jews have an obligation to compel non-Jews to follow the Noahide laws. While some like Maimonides argued for this, many others rejected the idea of forcing compliance.

5. In terms of how Judaism views Christianity and Islam specifically in relation to Noahide law:

There has been debate about whether Christians can be considered "righteous gentiles" who fulfill the Noahide laws, given the Christian belief in Jesus as divine which some Jews view as idolatry.

Islam is seen as accepting the basic tenets of morality expressed in the Noahide laws, potentially allowing Muslims to be recognized as having the status of Noahides without abandoning Islam.

In conclusion, while the Noahide rules are regarded as generally applicable moral principles in Judaism, there is little evidence to support the argument that they are explicitly superior to Christianity and Islam in rabbinic decisions. Rather, they seem to be seen as a baseline ethical standard that can potentially be compatible with other monotheistic faiths, even if there are theological differences.