Where in the Bible does it say that Noah told the people to repent?

Answer 1

The Scripture does not directly state this. Some biblical scholars point to this passage as a time of Noah 'preaching' to the people primarily with his works - building the Ark:

Genesis 6:3New King James Version (NKJV)

3 And the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."

Noah was 'righteous' and would surely answer any passerby's curiosity of questions. Other passages support this premise:

Hebrews 11:7New King James Version (NKJV)

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

2 Peter 2:5New King James Version (NKJV)

5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;

The Greek used for 'preacher' above is 'kerux' meaning to herald or one who announces. It would then be deduced that his message was of the punishment coming upon all mankind due to sin and the way to save oneself is via repenting. There was sufficient room in the Ark for more than 8 humans but not a one repented. It is similar to today's society and the promised 2nd Coming of Christ - few truly believe it to be coming.

Answer:

The Bible doesn't record, directly, that Noah told the people to repent.

Peter tells us that Noah was "a preacher of Righteousness" [II Peter 2:5].

Which means that he preached the Ten Commandments to the "pre-flood" generations:

"...for ALL THY COMMANDMENTS areRIGHTEOUSNESS." (Ps.119:172)

God, however, has always commanded and demanded repentance as the first step to forgiveness:

"...REPENT YE, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

The "gospel" [good news] of the coming Kingdom of God has also always been the message God's prophets have preached. The message that Jude informs us that Enoch also preached to the pre-flood generations:

"... Enoch... prophesied of these, saying, Behold, THE LORD COMETH with ten thousands of His saints, to execute Judgment upon all..." (Jude 1:14).

"Repentance" [a change of mind and heart; a 180 degree turn around in one's attitude and behavior] is UNDERSTOOD, according to the biblical record to be the FIRST THING God expects of man before anything else.

"...REPENT, and be baptized EVERY ONE OF YOU..." (Acts 2:38).

"...that REPENTANCE and remission of sins should be preached in His name among ALL NATIONS..." (Luke 24:47).

"...except YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)

"Produce fruit in keeping with REPENTANCE." (Matt.3:8 NIV)

The Bible doesn't record that Noah told the people to repent... but in keeping with the biblical record as God instructed His elect to preach... it may be understood that he did.

"...Thus saith the Lord God; REPENT, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations." (Ezek.14:6)

Answer 2

His words to the public are not recorded in the Hebrew Bible, but according to tradition he spoke to the masses, urging repentance and censuring evildoing. He did this for many decades.