Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the felling of trees for construction purposes was a common practice, reflecting the necessity of utilizing natural resources for the development of infrastructure and sacred spaces. The Bible provides several instances where trees were specifically cut down for building, highlighting both the practical and symbolic significance of this activity.Solomon's Temple and the Cedars of Lebanon One of the most notable examples of trees being cut down for building is found in the construction of Solomon's Temple. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, undertook the monumental task of building a temple for the LORD in Jerusalem. To achieve this, he sought the finest materials available, including the famed cedars of Lebanon. In 1 Kings 5:6 , Solomon sends a message to Hiram, king of Tyre, saying, "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 among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians." The cedars of Lebanon were highly prized for their durability, fragrance, and resistance to decay, making them ideal for the construction of the temple. The collaboration between Solomon and Hiram underscores the importance of these trees in the ancient Near Eastern economy and their role in fulfilling divine purposes. The Tabernacle and Acacia Wood Prior to the construction of the temple, the Israelites used the Tabernacle as their central place of worship during their wilderness journey. The Tabernacle's construction also involved the use of specific types of wood. In Exodus 25:10 , God instructs Moses, "They are to make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high." Acacia wood, known for its hardness and resistance to insects, was used extensively in the Tabernacle's construction, including the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the framework. The choice of acacia wood reflects both practical considerations and the sacred nature of the Tabernacle as a dwelling place for God's presence among His people. Nehemiah and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah also involved the cutting down of trees. After the Babylonian exile, Nehemiah received permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem and oversee the reconstruction efforts. In Nehemiah 2:8 , Nehemiah requests, "And may I have a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the house I will occupy." The king granted his request, demonstrating the strategic importance of timber in rebuilding the city's defenses and infrastructure. Symbolic and Spiritual Significance Beyond their practical use, trees and wood in the Bible often carry symbolic and spiritual meanings. The act of cutting down trees for sacred purposes can be seen as a transformation of the natural world into a space for divine encounter. The use of specific types of wood, such as cedar and acacia, underscores the care and reverence with which these structures were built, reflecting the holiness and majesty of God. In summary, the cutting down of trees for building in biblical times was a significant activity that served both practical and spiritual purposes. From the construction of the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, the use of timber was integral to the creation of spaces dedicated to worship and community life. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 6:2Let us go, we pray you, to Jordan, and take there every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go you. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 2:8,10 Library How Solomon Built Himself a Royal Palace, Very Costly and Splendid ... The Great Mysteries in the Building of the Militant and Triumphant ... Vision Third. Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church ... Concerning the Wife of Solomon; Concerning his Wisdom and Riches ... Psalm XCVI. Of Removing Tithes. Reform Abbot Sturm of Fulda. Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church The Story of the Grapes from Canaan Resources Did God literally and visibly walk in the garden (Genesis 3:8)? | GotQuestions.orgShould we have a Christmas tree? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that you will know them by their fruit in Matthew 7:16? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Trees of the Life and Conversation of the Righteous Trees were Cut Down by Besieging Armies for Erecting Forts Trees were Cut Down for Building Trees were Cut Down for Making Idols Trees were Sold With the Land on Which They Grew Trees: (Casting Their Leaves Yet Retaining Their Substance) of Trees: (Dry) of the Wicked Ripe for Judgment Trees: (Dry) of Useless Persons Trees: (Duration of) of Continued Prosperity of Saints Trees: (Good and Fruitful) of Saints Trees: (Green) of the Innocence of Christ Trees: (Producing Evil Fruit) the Wicked Trees: (Shaking of the Leaves off) the Terror of the Wicked Trees: Afford an Agreeable Shade in Eastern Countries During The Trees: Designed to Beautify the Earth Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Forest Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Wood Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Bearing Fruit Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Deciduous or Casting the Leaves Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Evergreen Trees: Each Kind Has Its own Seed for Propagating Its Species Trees: Each Kind of, Known by Its Fruit Trees: Early Custom of Planting, in Consecrated Grounds Trees: Given As Food to the Animal Creation Trees: God Increases and Multiplies the Fruit of, for his People Trees: God often Renders, Barren As a Punishment Trees: Made for the Glory of God Trees: Nourished by the Rain from Heaven Trees: Nourished: Through Their own Sap Trees: Often Propagated by Birds Who Carry the Seeds Along With Them Trees: Often Suffered From: Desolating Armies Trees: Often Suffered From: Fire Trees: Often Suffered From: Hail and Frost Trees: Often Suffered From: Locusts Trees: Originally Created by God Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Branches Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Fruit or Seeds Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Leaves Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Roots Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Stem or Trunk Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Tender Shoots Trees: Solomon Wrote the History of Trees: Specially Flourished Beside the Rivers and Streams of Water Trees: The Jews: Considered Trees on Which Criminals Were Executed Trees: The Jews: Often Buried Under Trees: The Jews: Often Executed Criminals On Trees: The Jews: Often Pitched Their Tents Under Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Cutting Down Fruit Bearing, for Sieges Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Planting in Consecrated Places Trees: when Cut Down often Sprouted from Their Roots Again Related Terms Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) Sycomore-trees (6 Occurrences) Mulberry-trees (4 Occurrences) |
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