Mentioned in the Bible, as the material out of which Noe's ark was made (Genesis 6). Translators either have not attempted to give an equivalent, or have with early Jewish interpreters read a slightly different word (Vulgate: "LlBvigatis"; D.V.: "timber planks"). Commentators as early as Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine noticed, after Celsius, the close resemblance of the words gopher and kopher (pitch, hence any pitch-exuding tree, especially cypress), and were of the opinion that a tree of the pine or cypress family might be intended. The suitableness of its wood for shipbuilding, known from very early ages, is a further argument in favor of this view.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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