Lebanon of the Gentile World
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical Context:
Lebanon, a region known for its majestic cedar trees, is frequently mentioned in the Bible. It is located to the north of Israel and is characterized by its mountainous terrain and lush forests. The cedars of Lebanon were highly prized in the ancient world for their quality and durability, often used in significant construction projects, including the building of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 5:6).

Biblical References:
Lebanon is referenced numerous times throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing strength and beauty. In the Song of Solomon, Lebanon is depicted as a place of beauty and fragrance: "Your lips, my bride, drip honey; honey and milk are under your tongue; and the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon" (Song of Solomon 4:11). The cedars of Lebanon are also used metaphorically to describe the righteous: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon" (Psalm 92:12).

Historical Significance:
Historically, Lebanon was inhabited by the Phoenicians, a seafaring people known for their trade and commerce. The region was a hub of cultural exchange and interaction with various empires, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians. The Phoenicians contributed significantly to the spread of the alphabet and were instrumental in the trade of goods such as purple dye and timber.

Prophetic Imagery:
In prophetic literature, Lebanon often symbolizes the pride and loftiness of nations that stand against God. Isaiah prophesies the humbling of Lebanon: "The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God" (Isaiah 35:2). This imagery underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to bring low the proud.

Spiritual Symbolism:
Lebanon's cedars are emblematic of spiritual strength and endurance. The prophets frequently use Lebanon to illustrate God's power and majesty. In Ezekiel, the fall of the proud is likened to the cutting down of Lebanon's cedars: "Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds" (Ezekiel 31:3). This serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power compared to the eternal sovereignty of God.

Cultural Influence:
Lebanon's influence extended beyond its borders through trade and cultural exchange. The Phoenicians, originating from this region, were instrumental in spreading their alphabetic writing system, which laid the foundation for many modern alphabets. This cultural diffusion highlights the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and the role of Lebanon as a bridge between different cultures and peoples.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, Lebanon represents both the beauty of God's creation and the futility of human pride. The cedars, while magnificent, are ultimately subject to God's will. This duality serves as a powerful reminder of the Creator's authority over creation and the importance of humility before Him. The biblical narrative uses Lebanon to illustrate the themes of divine judgment and restoration, emphasizing God's ultimate plan for redemption and renewal.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 29:17
Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Books Printed for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge;
... cuts 1 8 Old Arm Chair (The) 3 0 Palestine and Lebanon (Three Weeks ... 4 0 Scripture
Topography (Palestine) 4 8 """"" Gentile World) 4 8 ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /books printed for the society.htm

Infancy and Youth of Jesus --His First Impressions.
... elegance, which still cover the richest parts of the Lebanon, and which ... of
Caesarea-Philippi, his furthest point of advance into the Gentile world; and here ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter ii infancy and youth.htm

The Great Confession - the Great Commission - the Great ...
... with its twin snow-clad heads (the Hermons'), [3625] and, in the dim far background,
majestic Lebanon. ... Rabbinism here contrasts the Gentile world with Israel. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxvii the great confession.htm

His Unconscious Preparation for his Work
... streets of his native town, away on the other side of the ridges of Lebanon. ... who
were scattered in that age over the cities of the Gentile world, engaged in ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ii his unconscious preparation.htm

The Bible
... people, the Jews, from the hand of the Gentile oppressor, and ... said: "I am the light
of the world." The golden ... of the wall and speaks of the cedars of Lebanon. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... CHAPTER II"THE LAST DAYS OF THE OLD EASTERN WORLD. The Median
wars"The last native dynasties of Egypt"The Eastern world on ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Canons of the Council in Trullo. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia ...
... may be exalted above the cedars of Lebanon; now therefore ... against the impious Arius,
and the gentile diversity of ... unsullied until the end of the world as well ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the canons of the council 3.htm

The Desire of all Nations
... Job was a Gentile and a fearer of God ... that the world were encompassed in his gospel ...
on the top of the mountains would soon make its fruit to shake like Lebanon. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the desire of all nations.htm

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. ... the rarest marbles that the quarries
of Lebanon and Bezetha ... had an Israelitish mother, and a Gentile father who ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

Heralds of the Morning.
... garden of the Lord." "The glory of Lebanon shall be ... and longing for the advent of
the world's Redeemer. ... the Heaven-sent star guided these Gentile strangers to ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /17 heralds of the morning.htm

Resources
What is the significance of Galilee in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the land of Canaan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Lebanon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Lebanon

Lebanon of Great and Powerful Monarchs

Lebanon of the Gentile World

Lebanon of the Jewish Nation

Lebanon of the Temple

Lebanon: (Fragrance of) of the Graces of the Church

Lebanon: (Glory of) of the Glory of the Church

Lebanon: (Mourning of) of Deep Affliction

Lebanon: (Shaking of Its Forests) Prodigious Growth of The

Lebanon: "House of the Forest of"

Lebanon: Beasts of

Lebanon: Bounded the Land of Canaan on the North

Lebanon: Called: Mount Lebanon

Lebanon: Called: That Goodly Mountain

Lebanon: Called: The Mountains

Lebanon: Cedars of

Lebanon: Celebrated For: Cedars

Lebanon: Celebrated For: Flowers

Lebanon: Celebrated For: Fragrance

Lebanon: Celebrated For: Fragrance of Its Wines

Lebanon: Celebrated For: Glorious Appearance

Lebanon: Difficulties of Passing, Surmounted by Assyrian Army

Lebanon: Early Inhabitants of

Lebanon: Fertility and Productiveness of

Lebanon: Figurative

Lebanon: Flower of

Lebanon: Forests of, Infested With Wild Beasts

Lebanon: Formerly Inhabited by the Hivites

Lebanon: Furnished: Stones for Solomon's Temple

Lebanon: Furnished: Wood for Second Temple

Lebanon: Furnished: Wood for Solomon's Temple

Lebanon: Given to Israel

Lebanon: Great Part of, not Conquered by the Israelites

Lebanon: Lofty Tops of, Covered With Snow

Lebanon: Many Streams Came From

Lebanon: Moses Anxious to Behold

Lebanon: Northern Boundary of the Land of Canaan

Lebanon: Other Trees of

Lebanon: Part of, Barren

Lebanon: Snow of

Lebanon: Solomon Built: Storehouses In

Lebanon: Solomon Built: The House of the Forest of

Lebanon: Solomon had Storage Cities In

Lebanon: Streams of

Lebanon: Tower of

Lebanon: Valley of

Related Terms

Lebanon's (1 Occurrence)

Geology

Treadeth (25 Occurrences)

Cedars (37 Occurrences)

Coelesyria

Coele-syria

Senir (4 Occurrences)

Underfoot (14 Occurrences)

Woodland (13 Occurrences)

Fir-trees (11 Occurrences)

Firs (9 Occurrences)

Thistle (3 Occurrences)

Trode (8 Occurrences)

Thorn-tree (7 Occurrences)

Trampled (41 Occurrences)

Thorn-bush (5 Occurrences)

Trod (14 Occurrences)

Fir (22 Occurrences)

Phoenicians

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)

Woods (37 Occurrences)

Fir-tree (5 Occurrences)

Baal-gad (3 Occurrences)

Baalgad (3 Occurrences)

Amazi'ah (37 Occurrences)

Pine (28 Occurrences)

Blossom (23 Occurrences)

Logs (12 Occurrences)

Firtree

Cedar-trees (11 Occurrences)

Cypress (17 Occurrences)

Cypress-trees (6 Occurrences)

Amana (1 Occurrence)

Algum (3 Occurrences)

Scent (6 Occurrences)

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

Spouse (7 Occurrences)

Hermon (16 Occurrences)

Tall (41 Occurrences)

Crushing (93 Occurrences)

Timber (32 Occurrences)

Bush (14 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Zobah (15 Occurrences)

Jeho'ash (16 Occurrences)

Levy (19 Occurrences)

Foliage (14 Occurrences)

Forests (12 Occurrences)

Euphra'tes (33 Occurrences)

Pines (7 Occurrences)

Bloom (9 Occurrences)

Baalhermon (2 Occurrences)

Box-tree (2 Occurrences)

Ba'al-gad (3 Occurrences)

Baal-hermon (2 Occurrences)

Cypresses (6 Occurrences)

Sido'nians (11 Occurrences)

Summit (7 Occurrences)

Cedar (61 Occurrences)

Bride (31 Occurrences)

Forest (67 Occurrences)

Coast (70 Occurrences)

Sharon (9 Occurrences)

Flourish (26 Occurrences)

Choicest (32 Occurrences)

Skilled (44 Occurrences)

Joppa (14 Occurrences)

Baal (94 Occurrences)

Hivite (25 Occurrences)

Carmel (33 Occurrences)

Snow (25 Occurrences)

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)

Thorn (30 Occurrences)

Syria (73 Occurrences)

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)

Fruitful (57 Occurrences)

Descend (34 Occurrences)

Lebo-hamath (6 Occurrences)

Lowlands (25 Occurrences)

Lebanon of Great and Powerful Monarchs
Top of Page
Top of Page