Is everyone looking for Noah's Ark in the wrong place?

(Editor's note: WND is the only place where you can purchase copies of "Shocked by the Bible" personally autographed by author Joe Kovacs.)

Has everyone been searching for Noah's Ark in the wrong place?

'Noah's Ark' by Pennsylvania artist Edward Hicks, 1846

It's a question that might disturb some who thought they knew what the Bible says.

The location of the ancient boat that saved humanity through a worldwide flood has been a topic that has fascinated countless people for centuries.

It has sparked numerous expeditions to one location in particular: Mount Ararat in the nation of Turkey.

People for years have claimed they have evidence of the ark, whether it be hunks of wood, or satellite photos from space showing all kinds of shapes underneath snow.

Image of 'Ararat Anomaly,' taken by DigitalGlobe's QuickBird Satellite in 2003 (courtesy: DigitalGlobe)

To date, no one has ever produced irrefutable proof of the vessel.

But does the Bible actually say Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat?

In a word, no.

It's one of the numerous misconceptions which continue to confuse many people.

Here is what the Scripture really says.

"And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat." (Genesis 8:4)

Did you notice that?

The Bible does not say "Mount Ararat" or even "mountain of Ararat." It specifically says "mountains of Ararat." Mountains. Plural. More than one.

The addition of the single letter "s" makes a huge difference in the possibilities of the location of the boat that took Noah, his wife, their three sons and their sons' wives through the deluge.

While it, of course, could mean the actual Mount Ararat, it also could refer to a very wide region. In fact, some believe the fossilized remains of Noah's Ark have already been discovered in Dogubayazit, Turkey, on a mountain near Mount Ararat. One travel agency has even offered summer tours to view it.

Many believe this is Noah's Ark, already found on a mountain next to Mt. Ararat (courtesy: wyattmuseum.com)

Meanwhile, there is no guarantee that the Ararat referred to in the Bible is the mountain in Turkey whereon most searchers have focused their attention.

These are just some of the points about Noah's Ark explored in the brand-new best-selling book, "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" by WND Executive News Editor Joe Kovacs.

"If the Bible said Noah's Ark had landed in the mountains of Colorado, people most likely would not be searching for it on a single mountain," said Kovacs. "Explorations might get better results if searchers paid attention to the details of what's actually in Scripture."

There are many other misconceptions people have about the story of Noah and the ark.

For instance, people often think Noah brought aboard just two of every kind of animal. They would be mistaken.

Others assume Noah and his family stayed on the boat for 40 days and 40 nights. Again, that's not the biblical record.

"Shocked by the Bible" has become an instant smash, skyrocketing to No. 1 in three Bible-related categories on Amazon.com even before its official release, and hitting No. 322 among all books within 24 hours of its debut, with readers giving it high praise. 

"Shocked by the Bible" rocketed to No. 1 in three Bible-related categories on Amazon.com even before its official release.

It's still ranked near the top of Amazon's Most Wished For List for all Bible-related books. It also soared to No. 1 on the WND Best-Seller list.

Simply put, "Shocked by the Bible" is an educational juggernaut that not only reveals what the Bible really says, but also what it doesn't say. It's a massive news report exposing common misconceptions and answering questions that have endured for centuries.

Just a few of the issues explored include:

• The Bible doesn't say Jesus died on a Friday or rose at sunrise Sunday morning

• The practice of decorating a tree with silver and gold is actually condemned by God

• "Easter" has vanished from modern Bible translations

• "Three Wise Men" appear nowhere in the story of Jesus' birth, and none are ever mentioned visiting baby Jesus in a Bethlehem manger

• The Bible does not say Eve bit into an apple

• Jesus did not come to make everyone understand His message

The book even delves into "lighter" facts that just never seem to be brought up in church.

Did you know ...

• God ran lotteries

• Nagging wives are mentioned in Scripture

• Women's breasts are celebrated in the Bible

• There's a character in the Bible called a "dumb ass"

• Underwear didn't disintegrate despite 40 years of heavy use

• The worst case of hemorrhoids in history is recorded

"I love the Bible and think it's the greatest book ever written," Kovacs says. "I just want people to read it. If they did, many would be stunned to see the words that are actually on the pages. I'll leave it up to them when it comes to matters of faith."

Kovacs was recently interviewed by Pastor Dan Catlin of the Messiah's Branch Prophecy Hour, and the program can be heard here by clicking the play button below.

Joe Kovacs on "Shocked by the Bible"

"Shocked by the Bible" has been receiving rave reviews:

"If you think you really know the Bible, better think again. Joe Kovacs takes a close look at the greatest story ever told and separates myth from reality. My favorite parts of the book deal with Christmas and Easter. Check out 'Shocked by the Bible.' You may well be shocked."
– Bill O'Reilly, anchor, Fox News Channel

"Your parents never told you THIS STUFF was in the Bible."
– Melanie Morgan, radio talk-show host, co-author "American Mourning"

"'Shocked by the Bible' is nothing short of genius. From start to finish, Joe Kovacs turns the subject of Scripture into a fun-filled, information treasure that's virtually impossible to put down. The truth of what's really in the Bible will simply stun the world."
– Joseph Farah, editor of WorldNetDaily

Others readers have nothing but praise.

"Your book has changed my life almost as much as the Bible has!" exclaims Donna Hoagland of Muncy, Pa.

Mike Bennett of Milford, Ohio, says: "When a journalist takes on the Bible, you might expect a post-modern putdown of the ancient holy book. But award-winning journalist Joe Kovacs has a different take on the Holy Scriptures. He actually takes the Bible at its word and shows how many shocking misconceptions people have about it today."

While this eye-opening blockbuster is now on sale everywhere, WND is the only place that has copies personally autographed by the author.

Kovacs has written countless reports in his 25-year news career. Many have focused on biblical issues such as chariot wheels said to be found in the Red Sea, searches for Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant, and controversies over Christmas and Easter holidays as well as the Saturday-vs.-Sunday Sabbath.

Kovacs has received many awards for news excellence from the Associated Press and United Press International. He's run television, radio and print newsrooms in the U.S., as well as Budapest, Hungary. Kovacs is also regarded as one of the premier creative headline writers in the news business today.

Find out what you've been missing. Get "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" personally autographed by the author. It also makes a brilliant gift that will be remembered for a lifetime.

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Media wishing to interview the author of "Shocked by the Bible," please contact us.

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