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The Ark of Salvation

A connection between Noah’s ark and the Day of Atonement?
When God instructed Noah to build the ark, He commanded him to pitch it within and without with pitch (Gen 6:14). In English, this seems like a simple technical description. However, the Aramaic/Hebrew reveals a mysterious element connected to the Day of Atonement, which is celebrated this week by Jewish people. What is this connection?

A whole story in one Aramaic/Hebrew word
The Flood and the Ark are great symbols of salvation for those who put their trust in God. In order to fully grasp this idea, we need to look deep into the Hebrew of it all. In the original text, we find a particular verb ܟܦܪ כפר “kafar” (to atone) which shares the same root of the word used by Jewish for “Yom Kippur”, the Day of Atonement. In the Aramaic/Syriac the verb is written ܐܥܛܐ (to cover, blot out, wipe [the sin]). The verb ܟܦܪ כפר is used to express both the idea of “to cover with pitch” and “atone for sin”. Thus, this simple practical command made by God sounds in Aramaic/Hebrew almost like a theological statement. Understanding the language of the Holy Bible, it becomes immediately clear that the story of Noah is essentially a story of redemption and atonement.