Topical Bible: The Cedar: Lebanon Celebrated For

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Topical Encyclopedia

The cedar tree, particularly the Cedars of Lebanon, holds a significant place in biblical literature and symbolism. Renowned for its majestic height, durability, and aromatic wood, the cedar is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of strength, beauty, and longevity. The Cedars of Lebanon are celebrated for their grandeur and are often used metaphorically to describe the splendor and power of God's creation.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The cedars of Lebanon are first mentioned in the context of the construction of the Temple of Solomon. In 1 Kings 5:6, Solomon requests cedar wood 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 whatever wages you set, for you know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians." This passage highlights the high regard in which the cedars were held, being chosen for the construction of the Temple, a place of divine worship.

The psalmist also extols the cedars of Lebanon in Psalm 92:12, "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon." Here, the cedar symbolizes the flourishing and enduring nature of the righteous, drawing a parallel between the tree's strength and the spiritual vitality of those who follow God's ways.

In the prophetic literature, the cedar is used to convey messages of both judgment and restoration. Ezekiel 31:3-4 compares the Assyrian empire to a cedar in Lebanon, "Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage. The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field." This imagery underscores the might and influence of Assyria, yet also foreshadows its downfall due to pride and arrogance.

Cultural and Historical Context

The cedars of Lebanon were highly prized in the ancient Near East for their quality and were extensively used in construction and shipbuilding. Their wood was known for its resistance to decay and insects, making it an ideal material for building. The Phoenicians, who inhabited the region of modern-day Lebanon, were renowned for their skill in timber trade, and the cedars played a crucial role in their economy.

The significance of the cedars extends beyond their physical attributes. In biblical poetry and prophecy, they often serve as a metaphor for human pride and the transitory nature of earthly power. Isaiah 2:13 speaks of the day of the Lord's judgment against "all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, and all the oaks of Bashan," illustrating the humbling of human arrogance before the sovereignty of God.

Theological Implications

The cedar's frequent appearance in Scripture as a symbol of strength and beauty reflects the biblical theme of God's creation as a testament to His glory and majesty. The use of cedar in the construction of sacred spaces, such as the Temple, signifies the dedication of the finest materials to the worship of God, emphasizing the importance of offering our best to Him.

Moreover, the cedar's enduring nature serves as a reminder of the eternal promises of God to His people. Just as the cedar stands firm and unyielding, so too does God's covenant with His faithful endure through the ages. The imagery of the cedar invites believers to reflect on their own spiritual growth and resilience, encouraging them to root themselves deeply in the Word of God and to stand firm in their faith amidst the trials of life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 9:15
And the bramble said to the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 92:12
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Ancestral Home
... gnarled trunk of a tree worm-eaten and lightning-blasted, but to hew down a Lebanon
cedar, whose fall ... The 'Golden Wedding' had been celebrated nine years before ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/i the ancestral home.htm

A Discourse
... That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon ... about it; or
of the great number of cedar columns brought from Lebanon, and used in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... or Tophet, at which the people celebrated the most ... [Illustration: 028.jpg THE PASS
OF LEGNIA, IN LEBANON]. ... style, with woodwork of fragrant cedar and cypress ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Memphite Empire
... The mummy-case of cedar-wood had a man's head, and was shaped to the form of the
human body; it was neither painted nor gilt, but an inscription in two columns ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... The latter, surprised at his audacity, replied in a parable, "The thistle that was
in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... of Israelitish blood, arrived upon the scene, attended by his followers: he managed
to gain the confidence of the people of Shechem, who celebrated under his ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... forests of oak, pine, larch, cypress, spruce, and cedar. ... and to Gubin, or to the
Lebanon and beyond ... Among the most celebrated names in ancient history, that of ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... The poem became celebrated. ... Wood for building or for ornamental work"pine,cypress,
yew, cedar, and oak ... building-wood to be cut in the region of the Lebanon. ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... of Shamashnapishtim was made the occasion of a festival Akitu, celebrated at Shurippak;
the ... and I placed there some sweet-smelling rushes, some cedar-wood, and ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... that the festivals attributed by the vulgar to the young Adonis were really celebrated. ...
on the bronze cup dedicated to the Baal of the Lebanon, goes back ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm