H3724b H3724b
pitch (waterproofing substance)
This noun denotes pitch, a petroleum-based sealant used for waterproofing. It appears in Genesis 6:14 in God's instructions for Noah to pitch the ark with pitch. Pitch was a common waterproofing material in ancient Mesopotamia, where it occurred naturally in petroleum seeps. Archaeological evidence shows extensive use of bitumen in Babylonian construction and boat-building. The Hebrew word is likely related to similar terms in Aramaic, Syriac, and Akkadian, reflecting the substance's widespread use. The doubling of noun and verb ('pitch it with pitch') emphasizes thoroughness in waterproofing.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A noun for pitch or bitumen used as a waterproofing sealant in ark construction. The multilingual evidence (Spanish 'brea,' French 'poix') consistently identifies it as pitch or tar. The archaeological context confirms pitch's availability and use in Mesopotamian shipbuilding and construction. The emphasis on pitching both inside and outside creates redundant waterproofing, reflecting the engineering seriousness of God's preservation plan. The material substance becomes part of the salvation narrative—divine instruction includes practical details of survival technology. 1×
AR["بِ-الْقِيرِ"]·ben["আলকাতরায়"]·DE["mit-Pech"]·EN["with-the-pitch"]·FR["avec-le-poix"]·heb["ב-ה-כפר"]·HI["राल-से"]·ID["dengan-ter"]·IT["con-il-pece"]·jav["kaliyan-tir"]·KO["에-역청"]·PT["com-betume"]·RU["смолой"]·ES["con-brea"]·SW["kwa-lami"]·TR["zıft-ile"]·urd["سے-رال"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† II. כֹּ֫פֶר n.m. pitch (Arabic كُفْرٌ (loan-wd., cf. Frä150), Syriac ܟܽܘܦܪܳܐ, 𝔗 כּוּפְרָא; Assyrian kupru, kupur DlHWB 348; cf. גֹּפֶר?)—Gn 6:14 (P).