Caulking
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Caulking, in the context of biblical times, refers to the process of sealing seams or joints to make them watertight. This practice was essential in ancient shipbuilding and construction, particularly in the creation of vessels intended for water travel or storage. The Bible provides insights into the use of caulking through various passages, illustrating its importance in the ancient world.

One of the most notable references to caulking in the Bible is found in the account of Noah's Ark. In Genesis 6:14, God instructs Noah, "Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out." . The use of pitch, a tar-like substance, was a form of caulking that ensured the ark's watertight integrity, allowing it to withstand the great flood. This process of sealing with pitch was crucial for the preservation of Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark.

The practice of caulking is also mentioned in the construction of the basket that saved the infant Moses. In Exodus 2:3, it is written, "But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile." . Here, the use of tar and pitch served to waterproof the basket, ensuring Moses' safety as he floated on the river.

In the broader context of ancient Near Eastern cultures, caulking was a common practice in shipbuilding. The Phoenicians, renowned for their maritime prowess, utilized caulking techniques to construct their ships, which facilitated trade and exploration across the Mediterranean. The Bible alludes to the craftsmanship of such vessels in Ezekiel 27:9, where it describes the ships of Tyre: "The elders of Gebal and their skilled men were within you, repairing your leaks." . This passage highlights the expertise required in maintaining and caulking ships to ensure their seaworthiness.

Caulking, therefore, was a vital skill in the ancient world, ensuring the safety and functionality of vessels and structures exposed to water. The biblical references to caulking underscore its significance in the narratives of salvation and deliverance, as seen in the accounts of Noah and Moses. These accounts reflect the broader cultural and technological practices of the time, illustrating the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient peoples in their efforts to harness and navigate the natural world.
Library

Method of Poisoning Goats.
... The Abbe Cruice suggests the very probable emendation of malthe, which
signifies a mixture of wax and resin for caulking ships. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxi method of poisoning goats.htm

La Brea
... In the latter it is employed for caulking the ships which navigate the lake.' {145}
But the reader shall hear what the famous lake is like, and judge for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Felix Before Paul
... And what do you call people who, suspecting that there may be a great hole in the
bottom of the ship, never man the pumps or do any caulking, but say, 'Oh, she ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/felix before paul.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... This bitumen is not only useful for the caulking of ships, but for the cure of men's
bodies; accordingly, it is mixed in a great many medicines. ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

Comfort for the Desponding
... not run away from the ship directly the storm comes, and the captain is gone, and
you find her not exactly sea-worthy; stand by her, begin caulking her, God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/comfort for the desponding.htm

Thesaurus
Caulking (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Caulking (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:9 The old men
of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers ...
/c/caulking.htm - 6k

Cauls (1 Occurrence)

/c/cauls.htm - 6k

Caulkers (1 Occurrence)

/c/caulkers.htm - 6k

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Concordance
Caulking (1 Occurrence)

Ezekiel 27:9
The old men of Gebal and the wise men of it were in you your repairers of ship seams: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to deal in your merchandise.
(See RSV)

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Caulking

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Caulkers
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