In Genesis, what did Noah do to the Ark after building it?

In Genesis, Noah covered the Ark with pitch after building it from gopher wood.

Genesis 6:14 instructs Noah to make the ark from gopher wood and to cover it with pitch inside and outside. Pitch is a waterproofing substance derived historically from tar, bitumen, or resinous materials. The instruction explains how the wooden vessel was intended to resist water.

Some translations use “tar” or “bitumen” instead of “pitch.” These choices reflect the broader meaning of the ancient term rather than a different action. The key detail is that both the interior and exterior were coated.

The phrase is unrelated to the English verb “pitch” meaning to throw or to the angle of a roof. It refers to a sealant. Genesis gives no recipe, thickness, or precise source for the substance, so modern reconstructions should not claim details that the text does not supply.