PITCH (חָנָה֒, H2837, to bend down, encamp; נָטָה, H5742, to stretch out; קוּם, H7756, to arise, stand; תָּקַע, H9546, to strike, thrust; כָּפַר֒, H4105, to cover, propitiate; אָהַל֒, H182, to move one’s tent; πήγνυμι, G4381, to unite, fix; זֶ֫פֶת, H2413, a noun meaning pitch).

Several words noted above express the verbal idea “to pitch.” Most of them relate to erecting a tent, conceived of in various ways. The concept of that which rises up is expressed by קוּם, H7756, stressing the finished results. The tent as a residence in which to settle down is conveyed by חָנָה֒, H2837. Rooting the tent securely to withstand winds is expressed by the Heb. תָּקַע, H9546, which refers to the pounding of the stakes into the ground, and this is close to the Gr. πήγνυμι, G4381, which means “to make firm” (Arndt). The word נָטָה, H5742, sees the tent as spread out. The verb כָּפַר֒, H4105, means “to overlay,” and theologically, “to propitiate” (cf. Gen 32:20; Lev 16:32).

The noun “pitch” is a tr. of זֶ֫פֶת, H2413, which should be tr. “bitumen,” esp. if a distinction is made between natural material and a product of distillation. See Bitumen; Slime.