Final answer:
Noah and his family stayed in the Ark for about one year and ten days according to the Genesis account in the Bible. They endured the 40-day flood and subsequent months as the waters receded, before the earth was dry enough to leave the Ark.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the biblical narrative, Noah and his family were in the Ark for a total of approximately one year and ten days. This duration encompasses the time from when the flood began until the earth was dry enough for them to exit the Ark. The Genesis account describes the flood lasting for 40 days and 40 nights, but the waters prevailed upon the earth for 150 days before beginning to abate. Noah's family had to wait additional months as the water receded enough for the Ark to rest on Mount Ararat and for the earth's surface to become dry. The story depicts a period of trial and resilience, as Noah's family was tasked with the responsibility of caring for all the animals aboard the vessel during this extended period of time.