What Is Kopher Wood?

Basics

• Kopher/gopher wood was used by Noah in the Bible to build his famous Ark. It first appeared in Genesis 6:14, where Noah was commanded to build his Ark from "gopher" wood, which has been translated into "cypress," "pine," "cedar," "fir" and even "wicker" in some later editions, though some do not bother with the modern translation. The term "gopher" in this context does not refer to the common North American mammal.

Controversy Over Spelling

• Some spell it as "kopher," while others spell it as "gopher" or "gofer." The reason for the spelling discrepancies may be credited to the physical similarity between the Hebrew letter for "g" and the Hebrew letter for "k," leading to a simple mistranslation.

What Is It?

• There are numerous beliefs as to the exact identity of kopher wood. Some believe that it may be a simple lamination process to prevent water from seeping through the wood, while others suggest that it may be an extinct type of tree. The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible translated it as xylon tetragonon, which means "squared timber." The true identity of the original kopher wood may never be known.

Modern Usage

• Some have adapted "kopher" wood to mean "kophered" wood, which lends the idea that it is actually a process and not a specific type of wood. This is essentially wood that has been laminated in tar. Kopher wood, covered in tar, would sometimes be used to bring up sunken ships, like the USS Maine after the Spanish American war. A "Kopher Dam" was built, surrounding the sunken ship, which would be backed by earth and steel reinforcement. Water would then be pumped out of the circle, revealing the remains of the ship.