gopher wood: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal / Religious / Literary / Historical
Quick answer
What does “gopher wood” mean?
A type of wood mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 6:14) used by Noah to build the ark.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of wood mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 6:14) used by Noah to build the ark; the specific tree species is unknown.
A biblical term for an unidentified, durable timber, often interpreted as cypress, cedar, or acacia. In modern usage, it primarily appears in religious, historical, or literary contexts discussing Noah's Ark.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The term is equally archaic and context-specific in both varieties.
Connotations
Exclusively biblical/historical connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language, appearing almost solely in theological, historical, or literary discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “gopher wood” in a Sentence
[NOUN] made of gopher woodbuild [NOUN] from gopher woodthe identity of gopher woodVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gopher wood” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gopher wood construction remains a subject of debate.
- A gopher wood interpretation
American English
- The gopher wood ark is central to the story.
- A gopher wood beam
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theology, biblical studies, archaeology, and history when discussing the construction of Noah's Ark.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used in modern forestry or carpentry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gopher wood”
- Using it to refer to any modern wood.
- Confusing it with the animal 'gopher'.
- Assuming it is a standard term in carpentry or forestry.
- Misspelling as 'gofer wood'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact species is unknown. It is a biblical term, and scholars have suggested it could refer to cypress, cedar, acacia, or another resinous, durable tree native to the ancient Near East.
No. 'Gopher wood' is not a term used in modern forestry, carpentry, or commerce. It exists only as a historical and religious reference.
The Hebrew word 'gopher' (גֹּפֶר) appears only once in the Bible (Genesis 6:14), making it a hapax legomenon. Without other biblical references, its precise botanical meaning is lost.
No. The wood and the animal (a small burrowing rodent) are completely unrelated homographs in English. The context (the Bible) always indicates the wood.
A type of wood mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 6:14) used by Noah to build the ark.
Gopher wood is usually formal / religious / literary / historical in register.
Gopher wood: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊfə wʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊfər wʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term itself is a fixed biblical reference.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GO build the ark, FATHER Noah used a mysterious GO-PHER wood.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOT APPLICABLE. It is a concrete historical reference, not a conceptual metaphor.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'gopher wood' primarily associated with?