Some take it to be bitumen, a sort of clay or slime like pitch, such as was used at the building of Babel, and of the walls of Babylon.

The oldest Latin version translates this word by ilex, i.e., the evergreen oak, which may possibly have been the tree intended but there is great probability that our Authorized Version is correct in rendering it. It was pitched without to keep out the waters, and that they might more easily slide off, and to preserve the ark from being eat with worms, or hurt with the wind and sun and it was pitched within, to take off the ill smell that might arise from the several creatures, as well as for the better security of the ark. tirzah, 'hardness'), mentioned only in Isaiah 44:14 (RSV, 'holm tree'). ``one hundred and fifty cells shalt thou make for the ark on the left hand, and ten apartments in the middle to put food in, and five cabins on the right, and five on the left:''Īnd shalt pitch it within and without with pitch

The Targum of Jonathan gives us the number of them, paraphrasing the words thus, Or 'nests' F15 little apartments, and many of them for the several creatures, and for their provisions, as well as for Noah and his family. How long Noah was building the ark is variously conjectured: a Jewish F11 writer says fifty two years and an Arabic writer F12 an hundred years others think Noah was building it the whole one hundred and twenty years F13, the time of God's longsuffering and forbearance, which some conclude from ( 1 Peter 3:20 ) but though it would require not a few years to build such a vessel, and prepare everything necessary for the use of it, yet one would think it should not take so many years as the least account gives unto it: it may be observed, the order is, 'make thou', or 'for thyself' F14 for thy use and benefit, for the saving of thyself and family, as well as for the preservation of the several creatures which were for the service of him and his posterity: Bochart F8 conjectures, that 'Gopher' is the name of the place where it was made, as well as of the wood of which it was made and that it might be Cupressetum or Cyparisson, which Strabo F9 places in Assyria. Alexander made a navy of cypress trees in the groves and gardens about Babylon, as Strabo F7 relates: where this ark was made, is not easy to say: some think in Palestine others, near Mount Caucasus, on the borders of India others, in China: but it is most likely it was near the garden of Eden, where Noah lived, and not far from Ararat, where the ark rested. So Lucian F3, and other Heathen writers, call it ( larnax), 'an ark' or 'chest': this was made of 'Gopher wood', which all the Targums, and the more ancient Rabbins, understand of cedar wood some the box tree, as the Arabic version others, the pine others, fir the Mahometans say it was the Indian plane tree and others, the turpentine tree: but the cypress tree bids fairest to be the wood of which, the ark was made, as Fuller F4, Bochart F5, and others F6 have shown that being nearest to 'Gopher' in sound, and being a wood very durable and incorruptible, and fit for shipping. 8Hiram sent word to Solomon, I have heard the message that you have sent to me I will fulfill all your needs in the matter of cedar and cypress timber.

Whether you have never owned a Bible or hold a Master’s Degree in Theology, come join us.It is not called a ship, for it was not made for sailing to any distant parts, but an ark or chest, being like one, flat bottomed, and ridged and sloping upwards, and was made for floating on the waters for a little way. Yet, our classes are designed to challenge you every week to grow in your faith. Our classes are free, there are no homework assignments or tests, and you will never be called on to read or pray aloud or answer questions without knowing in advance. You will discover that the class becomes your “Second” Family as you make wonderful friends and begin “doing life” together. In your class, you will have an opportunity to get involved in small groups, women’s and men’s events, service projects, mission trips, sports leagues, and much more. Several are even taught in languages other than English. You will find a class for every age – literally from birth to your final day on earth! Some classes are organized by age range and marital status, while others are for all ages and stages of life. Classes are designed with our diverse crowd in mind. Adult Bible Study is the heartbeat of the Second Family and is what gives our big church a friendly, small town feel. The key to connecting is getting involved in a Bible Study class. At Second Baptist Church, we are committed to creating community.

Kids bible study in cypress