In the Book of Genesis, what material was Noah’s Ark built from?

The Book of Genesis says Noah’s Ark was built from gopher wood.

Genesis 6:14 gives Noah the instruction to make the ark from “gopher wood” and to cover it inside and outside with pitch, a waterproofing substance. The Hebrew term translated as “gopher wood” is unusual and appears only in this passage.

Because the word is unique, its precise botanical meaning is uncertain. Some translations preserve “gopher wood,” while others have proposed resinous wood, cypress, or another durable timber. These proposals are interpretations rather than universally accepted identifications.

The ark story describes a huge vessel made to survive the Flood, with rooms, multiple levels, and a roof. The material’s exact modern identity remains unresolved, but “gopher wood” is the specific wording traditionally associated with Genesis.