Topical Bible: Ship: Built of Fir Wood

◄ Ship: Built of Fir Wood ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, ships were essential for trade, travel, and warfare, and their construction was a significant undertaking. The use of fir wood in shipbuilding is mentioned in the Bible, highlighting its importance and suitability for such purposes.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel 27:5 : "They constructed all your planking with cypress from Senir. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you." While this verse specifically mentions cypress and cedar, it is understood that fir wood was also a valuable resource for shipbuilding in the ancient Near East. Fir wood, known for its strength and resilience, was likely used alongside other durable woods like cedar and cypress.

2. 1 Kings 5:8-10 : "Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: 'I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber. My servants will bring the logs down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place you indicate to me. There I will break them apart, and you can take them away. And you shall fulfill my desire by providing food for my household.' So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted." Although fir is not explicitly mentioned, the passage illustrates the trade and transportation of timber, including fir, from Lebanon, a region renowned for its high-quality wood.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Fir wood, likely a reference to a type of coniferous tree found in the regions surrounding the Mediterranean, was prized for its straight grain and resistance to decay. These properties made it an ideal material for constructing the hulls and masts of ships. The ancient Israelites, along with their neighbors such as the Phoenicians, were skilled in maritime activities and utilized the best available materials for their vessels.

The Phoenicians, in particular, were renowned shipbuilders and sailors, and their expertise influenced the surrounding cultures, including Israel. The use of fir wood in shipbuilding would have been part of this broader tradition of utilizing the best natural resources for constructing durable and seaworthy ships.

Symbolic and Theological Significance:

In the Bible, ships often symbolize commerce, exploration, and the spread of ideas and cultures. The use of fir wood in their construction can be seen as a reflection of God's provision of natural resources to fulfill human needs and endeavors. The meticulous selection of materials for shipbuilding underscores the importance of wisdom and discernment in utilizing God's creation.

Moreover, the biblical references to shipbuilding and the materials used serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of nations through trade and the exchange of goods. This interconnectedness is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating how God's providence extends beyond individual nations to encompass the entire world.

In summary, while fir wood is not explicitly mentioned in every biblical reference to shipbuilding, its inclusion in the broader context of timber used for constructing ships highlights its significance in ancient maritime practices. The use of such materials underscores the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people in biblical times, as well as the divine provision of resources necessary for human flourishing.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 27:5
They have made all your ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Six Years in North Bengal --Missionary and Indigo Planter
... imprisonment with carnal men on board the ship; five more ... and from his Ayrshire estate,
where he built a church ... log of it; which appears to be like fir, with a ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iv six years in.htm

Naparima and Montserrat
... up, I seemed to be looking up a ship's side. ... A church had been built, the shell at
least, and ... more with monotonous multitudes of heather, grass, fir, or other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

The Gentle Boy
... The traveller at length reached the fir-tree, which from ... the hill, and drew near
the pine-built and undecorated ... A ship's company of our friends hath arrived at ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the gentle boy.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Paul between those who built gold or stubble on the one foundation ... Paul in the ship
broke bread, not dried figs ... eaten, and look upon him who fells a fir-tree or ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... the open sea, were more strongly and scientifically built than any ... or to stave in
the side of an enemy's ship. ... used to send to procure stone and wood from the ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm