gopher wood

American  

[goh-fer wood] / ˈgoʊ fər ˌwʊd /

noun

1. (in the Bible) an unidentified wood used in building Noah's ark.

---

gopher wood British  

noun

1. the wood used in the construction of Noah's ark, thought to be a type of cypress (Genesis 6:14)

---

Etymology

Origin of gopher wood

First recorded in 1605–15; from Hebrew gōpher, of uncertain meaning

Example Sentences

It had been tried, and found wanting; and the Lord announces his remedy to Noah in these words, "Make thee an ark of gopher wood."

From Notes on the Book of Genesis by Mackintosh, Charles Henry

The Lord said, ‘make thee an ark of gopher wood.’

From Saboteurs on the River by Wirt, Mildred A. (Mildred Augustine)

I was in Virginia a play-chile when the ships come down to get the gopher wood to build the war ships.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Arkansas Narratives, Part 3 by Work Projects Administration

Anyhow, it will be hard to prove that it is not gopher wood.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 6 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

How old Noah built him an ark, How old Noah built him an ark, How old Noah built him an ark, Of gopher wood and hickory bark.

From Southern War Songs Camp-Fire, Patriotic and Sentimental by Various