The basket that Moses’ mother placed him in was not actually a basket; in original Hebrew, the term used was “teva” {תבה} which means “ark”. This is the same word that had been used for the ark that Noah had built.

There are a number of similarities between Noah’s ark and the ark of the infant Moses. One of the more interesting interpretations suggests that an ark, unlike a ship or a boat, has no ability to determine the way it goes. The inability to navigate or chart a course means an ark is dependent completely on Divine providence to make sure it will reach its true destiny. A more commonly known similarity was that they were both covered in pitch or tar to keep them from sinking. “Pitch” (Hebrew, kopher) was a waterproof glue-like substance. Its covering assisted in protecting the particular occupants of both Arks by keeping the judgment waters outside.

It is interesting that the same word for “pitch” is also translated as “atonement” (see Leviticus 17:11). The blood of Christ seals the believer from the flood of God’s eternal judgment. Eternal atonement is provided by the blood of Jesus, which covers the believer’s sin. This also assists us in understanding these words of Christ a little more clearly: “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37). Only those that know (not just “know of”) Christ will be saved in the last day. (References: thirdmill.org, hebrewversity.com)