Cedar logs hold significant importance in the biblical narrative, symbolizing strength, durability, and beauty. The cedar tree, particularly the famed cedars of Lebanon, is frequently mentioned in the Bible for its high-quality wood, which was highly prized in the ancient Near East. The wood's resistance to decay and its pleasant aroma made it an ideal material for construction and craftsmanship.

One of the most notable uses of cedar logs in the Bible is in the construction of Solomon's Temple. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, commissioned the building of the temple in Jerusalem, a task that required the finest materials. In 1 Kings 5:6 , Solomon requests cedar logs from Hiram, king of Tyre: "So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My servants will work with yours, and I will pay you for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."

Cedar logs were also used in the construction of Solomon's palace and other significant buildings, as described in 1 Kings 7:2 : "He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon; it was a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high, with four rows of cedar pillars supporting cedar beams."

The use of cedar wood is not limited to grand structures; it also appears in the context of purification rituals. In Leviticus 14:4 , cedar wood is part of the cleansing ceremony for a person healed of a skin disease: "the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed."

Carpenters

Carpenters in the Bible are skilled artisans responsible for crafting and constructing various wooden structures and items. Their work is essential in both sacred and secular contexts, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in biblical times.

The role of carpenters is highlighted in the construction of the temple and other significant buildings. In 2 Samuel 5:11 , we read about King Hiram of Tyre sending carpenters to David: "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David."

Carpenters are also mentioned in the context of rebuilding the temple after the Babylonian exile. In Ezra 3:7 , the Israelites hire carpenters to assist in the reconstruction: "Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so that they would bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the authorization they had from Cyrus king of Persia."

The New Testament also references carpentry, most notably in relation to Jesus Christ, who is identified as the son of a carpenter. In Matthew 13:55 , the people of Nazareth question Jesus' authority, saying, "Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?"

Stonemasons

Stonemasons in the Bible are craftsmen skilled in shaping and setting stones for construction. Their expertise is crucial for building durable and lasting structures, particularly in a region where stone is a prevalent building material.

The work of stonemasons is prominently featured in the construction of the temple and other significant edifices. In 1 Kings 5:18 , we read about the collaboration between Solomon's builders and those of Hiram: "So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone to build the temple."

Stonemasons are also involved in the rebuilding efforts after the Babylonian exile. In Ezra 3:7 , the Israelites employ stonemasons for the temple's reconstruction: "Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so that they would bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the authorization they had from Cyrus king of Persia."

The skills of stonemasons are not only applied to religious structures but also to fortifications and city walls. In Nehemiah 4:17 , during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, the workers are described as laboring with tools in one hand and weapons in the other, highlighting the dual role of protection and construction: "who were rebuilding the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon with the other."