Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 6:14

14. Make thee an Ark of Gopher▪ wood: rooms shalt thou make in the Ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch .

A little Ship made in the form of an Ark or Chest, but probably sloping at the bottom for conveniency of Navigation, as it was for another reason sloping at the top.

This word is but once used in Scripture, and therefore it is diversly rendred by the Learned, by some Pine, by many Cedar, but by others Cypress, a Tree very proper and usual for Ships, and of a firm and durable substance, and much abounding in those parts, all which appears from antient Authors.

Or rather, with some kind of Bitum[illegible: 1+ letters], of the same nature and use with pitch, to cement the parts of the Ark together, and to preserve it from the injuries of the Sun, and Water and Worms, but more odoriferous, to correct the unpleasant scent of some of the Creatures.

Marginal references: Heb. Nests.