Genesis 6:14 is God’s direct instruction to Noah to build a large boat, called an ark, out of gopher wood and to seal it with pitch so that it would keep out water. God gives these building orders because he has decided to send a flood to judge a violent, corrupt world, and he is preparing a way for Noah and his family to survive it. The verse is spoken by God to Noah, who is the only person in the account described as righteous in his generation.
Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch.
Genesis 6:14 (WEB)
What Genesis 6:14 Means
The verse begins with a plain command: “Make a ship of gopher wood.” The word “ship” here translates a Hebrew term that refers to a large box-like vessel, not a sailing ship with a keel and sails. Noah is told to use gopher wood, a material whose exact identity scholars still debate, but which was clearly sturdy and suitable for a project of this size. The instruction is practical and specific, which tells you that God cares about the details of how Noah obeys.
The second half of the verse gives two more instructions. Noah is to build “rooms” or compartments inside the vessel, which would organize the space for the animals and people who would stay aboard for a long time. He is also to seal the ark “inside and outside with pitch,” a waterproofing material. Together these details show that the ark was meant to be a durable shelter, not a casual raft. The verse does not promise Noah an easy journey or explain how the flood will unfold. It promises only that God has provided a way of escape for those who trust and obey him.
The Context of Genesis 6:14
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses, though many scholars believe it drew on older traditions and was shaped over time into its present form. Its first audience was most likely the people of Israel, who needed to understand where they came from and who their God was. The flood account in chapters six through nine would have spoken to them about God’s justice against sin and his faithfulness to a remnant.
The verses just before and after Genesis 6:14 explain why the instruction matters. Verses 11 through 13 describe a world filled with violence and corruption, and God announcing his intention to bring an end to all flesh. Verses 15 through 17 then give the exact dimensions of the ark and declare that God himself is bringing the flood. Read in that setting, the command to build is not an isolated craft project. It is God’s merciful response to judgment, a sign that even in a condemned world he has a plan to preserve life through one obedient man.
Key Phrases in Genesis 6:14
Genesis 7:1
The LORD said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.
(WEB)
This verse comes just after the ark is built and records God’s invitation for Noah and his household to enter. It shows that the building work was leading toward a moment of divine call and shelter, which helps you see Genesis 6:14 as part of a larger story of salvation through obedience.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
(WEB)
The New Testament writer lists Noah among the examples of faith, describing how he built the ark out of reverence for God’s warning. This passage highlights the trust behind Noah’s actions and helps you understand that the careful building in Genesis 6:14 was an expression of faith in what God had not yet seen.
A Short Prayer From Genesis 6:14
Lord, you see the places in my life that are unfinished and the decisions that feel too large for me. Help me to listen for your specific instructions and to follow them faithfully, even when I cannot see the whole picture. Teach me to prepare with care, both in what others notice and in what remains hidden. Thank you that you provide a way of shelter for those who trust you. Amen.
