“slime” in the Bible

also known as: bitumen, tar and asphalt

Referring to the building of the Tower of Babel, the King James Version says,

“they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter” —Genesis 11:3 KJV

NKJV: “…asphalt…” —Genesis 11:3 NKJV and Septuagint
NASB: “…tar…” —Genesis 11:3 NASB
ESV: “…bitumen…” —Genesis 11:3 ESV

The King James Version says that the Valley of Siddim was full of “slime pits” (Gen. 14:10 KJV). Other versions say…

NKJV: “asphalt pits” —Gen. 14:10 NKJV
NASB: “tar pits” —Gen. 14:10 NASB
ESV: “bitumen pits” —Gen. 14:10 ESV

More information

• What is bitumen, tar, asphalt?
• What is pitch in the Bible?