Introduction:
Acacia-trees, known for their durable wood and thorny branches, hold significant importance in biblical texts. These trees are native to the arid regions of the Middle East and Africa, and their wood was highly valued in ancient times for its strength and resistance to decay. In the Bible, acacia wood is frequently mentioned in the context of the construction of sacred objects and structures.

Biblical References:

1. Construction of the Tabernacle:
Acacia wood is prominently featured in the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The wood's durability made it an ideal material for the sacred furnishings and structures.

· Exodus 25:10 : "They are to construct an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high."
· Exodus 26:15 : "You are to make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle."

2. The Ark of the Covenant:
The Ark of the Covenant, a central and sacred object in Israelite worship, was constructed using acacia wood. This ark housed the tablets of the Ten Commandments and symbolized God's presence among His people.

· Exodus 37:1 : "Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high."

3. The Altar and Other Furnishings:
Other key elements of the Tabernacle, such as the altar and the table for the Bread of the Presence, were also made from acacia wood, underscoring its importance in the religious life of the Israelites.

· Exodus 27:1 : "You are to construct the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar is to be square, and three cubits high."
· Exodus 37:10 : "He also made the table of acacia wood, two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high."

Symbolism and Significance:
Acacia wood's use in the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings symbolizes purity, resilience, and the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. The wood's resistance to decay is often seen as a metaphor for the eternal and unchanging nature of divine promises.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient Near East, acacia trees were common in desert and semi-desert regions. The wood was prized not only for its strength but also for its availability in areas where other types of wood were scarce. The use of acacia wood in sacred contexts highlights the resourcefulness of the Israelites in utilizing available materials to fulfill divine instructions.

Conclusion:
The acacia tree, through its wood, plays a crucial role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred objects. Its mention in the Bible reflects both its practical value and its symbolic significance in the religious life of ancient Israel.7851. Shittim -- a place East of the Jordan, also a wadi perhaps ...
... NASB Word Usage Shittim (5). Shittim. The same as the plural of shittah; acacia
trees; Shittim, a place East of the Jordan -- Shittim. see HEBREW shittah. ...
/hebrew/7851.htm - 6k

An Unfulfilled Desire
... A prophet, who knows God and His will, is standing on the mountain top, and as he
looks down over the valley beneath him, with its acacia-trees and swift river ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an unfulfilled desire.htm

The Pentateuch.
... more than two and a half feet. No acacia-trees of this size are now found
in that region. The cutting away of the primitive forests ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... There are light groves of the date-palm, groups of acacia trees and sycamores, square
patches of barley or of wheat, fields of beans or of bersim,[*] and here ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Oration on Holy Baptism.
Lectures of S. Cyril of Jerusalem. <. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xl the oration on.htm

Acacia-trees (1 Occurrence)
Acacia-trees. Acacia-tree, Acacia-trees. Acacia-wood . Multi-Version
Concordance Acacia-trees (1 Occurrence). Joel 3 ...
/a/acacia-trees.htm - 6k

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)
Acacia-wood. Acacia-trees, Acacia-wood. Acatan . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY JPS). Acacia-trees, Acacia-wood. Acatan . Reference Bible.
/a/acacia-wood.htm - 13k

Watering (21 Occurrences)
... with milk, and all the streams of Judah will be flowing with water; and a fountain
will come out from the house of the Lord, watering the valley of acacia-trees...
/w/watering.htm - 12k

Acacia-tree (1 Occurrence)
Acacia-tree. Acacias, Acacia-tree. Acacia-trees . Multi-Version Concordance
Acacia-tree (1 Occurrence). ... Acacias, Acacia-tree. Acacia-trees . Reference
/a/acacia-tree.htm - 6k

Acacias (1 Occurrence)
... with milk, and all the streams of Judah will be flowing with water; and a fountain
will come out from the house of the Lord, watering the valley of acacia-trees...
/a/acacias.htm - 6k

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... The Arabs have cut down a good many acaciatrees for firewood in recent times, but
the population is too small materially to affect the vegetation. ...
/w/wanderings.htm - 40k

Dropping (33 Occurrences)
... with milk, and all the streams of Judah will be flowing with water; and a fountain
will come out from the house of the Lord, watering the valley of acacia-trees...
/d/dropping.htm - 17k

Streams (80 Occurrences)
... with milk, and all the streams of Judah will be flowing with water; and a fountain
will come out from the house of the Lord, watering the valley of acacia-trees...
/s/streams.htm - 30k

Stream (96 Occurrences)
... with milk, and all the streams of Judah will be flowing with water; and a fountain
will come out from the house of the Lord, watering the valley of acacia-trees...
/s/stream.htm - 42k

What is the significance of acacia wood in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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