verse that refers to a byproduct of tar called "pitch" in Genesis 6:14, "Make for yourself an ark of

gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch"

(Genesis6:14-16 NASB). This statement was made approximately 221 years prior to the verse in

Genesis 1:3. This means that if the pitch in Genesis 6:14 was a by product of tar then tar was in

existence prior to the flood which took place some time around 2344 B.C. The "pitch" that made

the ark waterproof is derived from the Hebrew word kopher, equivalent to kaphar, which was

"frequently translated later as 'atonement' (Leviticus 17:11). In providing a protective covering

against the waters of judgment, it thus becomes a type of Christ (Henry 1996)."

 There are a few ideas as to where this "tar" or "bitumen" originated. Tacitus, a Jewish

historian, stated that "bitumen", boiled up from subterranean fountains like oil or hot pitch, in the

vicinity of Babylon, and also near the Dead Sea. Afterwards, the tar hardened and was collected

on the surface of the Dead Sea (Hebrew Lexicon). Since this was in the vicinity of Babylon it

was a possibility that the tar mentioned in Genesisl 1:3 was not created but found. On the other

hand, it is possible that the source of this tar was wood. After all, for thousands of years wood

tar was used to waterproof sails and boats and could possibly have been in existence when the

Babel builders were building the tower of Babel. Regardless of where it came from, the builders

were using a new and better material for mortar to build a building that had no contemporary

equal. This exemplifies the innovative spirit that still exists today.

 Tar was used in the day of Moses, by his own mother as this verse states, "But when she

could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch.

Then she put the child into it and set {it} among the reeds by the bank of the Nile" (Exodus 2:3

NASB). Tar here is used for the same purpose pitch was used; to waterproof. Tar continues to

be a foundational product today, even for the construction industry after roughly 4350 years. Tar