Topical Bible: Forests: Supplied Timber for Building

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In biblical times, forests played a significant role in the economy and daily life of the people of Israel and surrounding nations. The dense woodlands provided essential resources, particularly timber, which was a crucial material for construction and craftsmanship. The Bible contains numerous references to the use of timber from forests, highlighting its importance in building projects, especially in the construction of significant structures such as the Temple in Jerusalem.

Lebanon's Cedars

The most renowned source of timber in the Bible is the forests of Lebanon, famous for their majestic cedar trees. These trees were highly prized for their durability, fragrance, and resistance to decay, making them ideal for construction. King Solomon's use of Lebanese cedar is well-documented in the Scriptures. In 1 Kings 5:6 , Solomon requests timber from Hiram, king of Tyre, stating, "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."

The cedars of Lebanon were used extensively in the building of the First Temple, as described in 1 Kings 6:9-10 : "So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar. He built chambers all around the temple, each five cubits high and attached to the temple with beams of cedar."

Other Sources of Timber

While the cedars of Lebanon are the most famous, other types of timber were also used in biblical construction. The oaks of Bashan and the cypress trees are mentioned as valuable sources of wood. Isaiah 2:13 refers to "all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, and all the oaks of Bashan," indicating the significance of these trees.

The use of timber extended beyond the construction of the Temple. It was also employed in building palaces, homes, and various implements. The prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 44:14 , describes the process of selecting and using timber: "He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow."

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Forests and their timber also carry symbolic and spiritual meanings in the Bible. The strength and majesty of the cedar trees often symbolize power and endurance. In Psalm 92:12 , the righteous are compared to these mighty trees: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon."

Moreover, the destruction of forests is sometimes used as a metaphor for judgment and desolation. In Isaiah 10:34 , the prophet speaks of divine judgment: "He will clear the forest thickets with an ax, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One."

Conclusion

Forests and the timber they supplied were indispensable to the ancient Israelites and their neighbors, providing materials for construction and symbolizing strength and stability. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of these natural resources in fulfilling God's plans, particularly in the building of His Temple, a central place of worship and divine presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 5:6-8
Now therefore command you that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with your servants: and to you will I give hire for your servants according to all that you shall appoint: for you know that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like to the Sidonians.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... to Syria for statuary stone, precious metals, and the timber required in the building
of their ... of materials from the Amanos, and if the forests of Lebanon ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... altitudes irregularly distributed, clothed with forests, furrowed with ... the military
scribes, who supplied them with ... in precious metals, ivory, timber, or the ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1808, to the ...
... uncommon in those days, when the forests were falling ... its parsonage, suitably furnished
and comfortably supplied with the ... The timber is of a noble size; the ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... The forests and escarpments of Lycaonia, and the desolate ... ran through wide wadys,
tolerably well supplied with water ... of the Lebanon to cut timber from their ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... among the goldsmiths, they continued to be supplied for a ... priest, was in need of
foreign timber to complete ... how far they penetrated into its forests and its ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm