Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.## Introduction - In Plain Language: God tells Noah to build a large boat (an ark) out of a specific kind of wood, divide it into rooms, and coat it inside and out with pitch so it will be watertight. - Big idea: This verse gives the concrete building instructions that make Noah’s ark a safe refuge—God combines a clear plan with practical materials to preserve life. - Key points: - The command mixes divine instruction with practical construction details. - “Gopher wood” is an ancient term we don’t fully understand; translations reflect that uncertainty. - Pitch (tar/bitumen) and internal rooms show attention to waterproofing, organization, and habitability. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Genesis 6:14 is part of the flood instructions in Genesis 6–9. It’s the moment God moves from announcing judgment (the flood) to giving Noah the technical details to survive it. - Story timeline: The scene is the antediluvian (pre-flood) world. God speaks directly to Noah, a righteous man chosen to build the ark and preserve humanity and animals. The original audience is the ancient Israelite community preserving a foundational origin story. - Surrounding passage: - Genesis 6:13: God tells Noah that He will destroy the earth with a flood because of human wickedness and that Noah will be the means of survival. - Genesis 6:14 (this verse): Command to build the ark of “gopher wood,” with rooms, and to coat it inside and out with pitch. - Genesis 6:15–16: God gives the ark’s exact dimensions and adds details about the door, lower, second and third decks, and a window. ## Explanation - Quick take: God gives Noah a precise, usable plan—pick a durable wood, divide the ark into rooms for people and animals, and seal it completely so it holds water out. The verse blends spiritual obedience with everyday craftsmanship. - In Depth: - Divine command and human work: The instruction shows how God's saving activity often requires human cooperation. God provides the plan; Noah supplies the labor and follow-through. - “Gopher wood”: The Hebrew term (gopher) appears only here in the Bible. Translators and scholars have proposed various possibilities (a now-unknown species, a method of construction, or a resinous wood like cypress), but no consensus exists. The text emphasizes that a specific, suitable timber was required. - Rooms/compartments: The instruction to make “rooms” (compartments) implies organization—separated spaces for families and different kinds of animals, plus storage and living areas. It suggests that survival requires planning for order, not just a single open hold. - Pitch inside and out: Pitch (tar or bitumen) was the ancient technology for waterproofing boats and containers. Coating both interior and exterior stresses thoroughness. Practically, it kept water out; symbolically, it communicates complete protection—a sealed refuge against judgment. - Ancient parallels: Mesopotamian flood stories (e.g., the Epic of Gilgamesh) also describe a boat coated with bitumen—an interesting point of cultural contact showing that the biblical account uses familiar technology while framing it within God’s moral and covenant purpose. ## Key Words - Gopher (Hebrew: גֹּפֶר, gopher): A term of uncertain meaning — likely a type of wood or a construction term; the exact species or technique is unknown. - Rooms / compartments (Hebrew often rendered as מחצָתוֹת-like root): Refers to divided spaces within the ark—separate areas for people, animals, supplies, etc. - Pitch (Hebrew: כָּפַר/כֹּפֶר root used in this context): A waterproofing substance (tar/bitumen) used to coat the ark inside and out to make it watertight. ## Background - Ancient construction practice: In the ancient Near East, bitumen or natural tar was commonly used to seal boats, cisterns, and buildings. Archaeology and texts from Mesopotamia attest to this technology. - Literary background: The flood narrative stands in a wider family of ancient flood stories. The biblical version emphasizes God’s moral reasons for the flood (human wickedness) and God’s covenantal purpose to preserve life. - Social-cultural note: Building the ark would have been a massive, long-term communal project—Noah’s obedient work would have stood in stark contrast to the prevailing culture, emphasizing faithfulness amid rejection. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God’s salvation often comes through ordinary means: instructions, materials, and human labor. - Obedience is practical as well as spiritual—faith expresses itself in steady, detail-oriented work. - Preservation of life is a central divine concern; God provides both plan and means for survival. ## Application To Your Life - For workers/craftspeople: Excellence matters. Attention to materials, measurements, and thorough sealing (doing the little things well) often makes the difference between failure and safety. - For parents/families: Prepare and organize—planning (rooms, supplies) helps protect what you love. Small, repeated acts of care create safety for those in your charge. - For leaders/managers: Give clear instructions, provide resources, and follow through. Effective protection of a team requires both vision and practical detail. - For seekers/new believers: The faith journey includes practical steps—faith often looks like steady obedience to simple commands. - Reflection questions: - What “ark-building” task is God asking you to begin—and what practical steps are needed? - Where do you need thoroughness (pitch) rather than quick fixes in your life? - How does the mix of divine instruction and human work affect the way you view daily responsibilities? - Short prayer: Lord, give me the patience and discipline to follow Your plans faithfully, and help me do the practical work with care so others can be protected and sustained. ## Translation Comparison - King James Version (KJV): “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.” - English Standard Version (ESV): “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.” - New International Version (NIV): “So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.” (NIV uses “cypress” for gopher) - New Living Translation (NLT): “Build an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with tar inside and out.” - Note on differences: The main variation is how translators handle “gopher” (unknown Hebrew word). Some keep the original term (“gopher wood”), others supply a likely wood (like “cypress”) or leave it ambiguous. “Pitch/tar/coat” variations all point to the same ancient waterproofing practice. Recognizing these differences helps us see where the original is uncertain and where translators make informed choices for modern readability. ## FAQs - Q: What exactly is “gopher wood”? A: The Hebrew word rendered “gopher” appears only here and its exact meaning is uncertain. Scholars have proposed several possibilities: a specific species (perhaps a resinous wood like cypress), laminated or prepared wood, or even a term lost to history. Because the ancient word has no clear parallel, many translations simply keep “gopher wood.” Others (like NLT or NIV in some editions) translate it as “cypress” based on context and likely materials available in the region. The uncertainty doesn’t change the core point: Noah was told to use an appropriate, durable wood for a massive, seaworthy structure. - Q: Why coat the ark “within and without” with pitch—wasn’t outside enough? A: Coating both inside and outside was practical and symbolic. Practically, bitumen/tar on the outside sealed the hull against leaks. Inside, coating could protect stored materials from dampness, prevent rot, and help preserve animals and food. Symbolically, the double coating emphasizes thorough protection—God’s rescue wasn’t partial; it was complete. It also reflects careful, meticulous workmanship: survival required diligence, not a half-finished job. ## Cross References - Genesis 6:15 — God gives specific dimensions for the ark; directly continues the construction instructions. - Genesis 7:1–5 — Noah and his family enter the ark following God’s warning; demonstrates obedience. - Hebrews 11:7 — Noah is commended for his faith and obedience in building the ark. - 2 Peter 2:5 — Peter calls Noah a “preacher of righteousness” and notes God preserved Noah by water. - Epic of Gilgamesh (extra-biblical) — Similarity: a large boat sealed with bitumen; helps illuminate ancient boat-building practices and cultural parallels. ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators emphasize the blend of divine instruction and human workmanship. The unknown “gopher” word invites linguistic caution; many point to Mesopotamian parallels where boats were sealed with bitumen. The text highlights order (rooms), thoroughness (pitch inside and out), and faithful obedience as central to Noah’s role. While some focus on historical-technological details, others stress theological meaning—God’s protection comes through careful human response to divine guidance. - Group study bullets: - Read Genesis 6:13–22; discuss how God’s plan is both moral judgment and saving provision. - Compare the ark’s construction details with ancient boat-building (use Genesis 6:14–16 and Gilgamesh excerpt if available). - Reflect on “rooms” — what does internal organization tell us about community, care, and stewardship? - Discuss modern “ark-building” projects: what practical, faithful work is your group called to pursue? ## Related verses (to compare and contrast) - Genesis 6:15 — “This is how you are to make it…” (Why: continues the construction instructions with precise dimensions; compare detail level to v.14.) - Hebrews 11:7 — “By faith Noah...constructed an ark…” (Why: highlights the faith dimension behind the physical work described in Genesis 6:14.) - 2 Peter 2:5 — “God did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah...” (Why: contrasts judgment and preservation, showing the flood’s theological meaning beyond the technical building details.) ## Talk to the Bible - Call to action: Try using the “Talk To The Bible” feature to ask follow-up questions that deepen your understanding or help you apply the passage. - Suggested prompts to ask the AI: 1. “What are the most likely meanings of ‘gopher wood’ and what evidence supports each option?” 2. “Show me archaeological or ancient Near Eastern texts that describe boat waterproofing—how do they compare to Genesis 6:14?” 3. “Help me create a 7-day devotional based on Genesis 6:13–22 focused on obedience and practical faith.”
