In Genesis, Noah used pitch to seal the Ark inside and outside.
Genesis 6:14 instructs Noah to make the Ark from gopher wood and to cover it with pitch within and without. Pitch is a waterproofing substance, commonly associated with tar-like bitumen or resinous material. The verse’s practical wording describes sealing the vessel against water rather than identifying a modern chemical product.
The Bible does not define “gopher wood” precisely, and its exact botanical identity remains unknown. That uncertainty is separate from the instruction about pitch, which is clearly presented as a coating or sealant. Translations may render the relevant Hebrew term in slightly different ways, including “pitch” or “bitumen.”
The construction description also gives the Ark three decks, rooms, and a window. These details are part of Genesis’s measurements and design instructions, but they do not establish that the vessel has been archaeologically located.