Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the felling of trees with axes was a common practice, both for practical purposes and as a metaphorical expression. The use of axes to cut down trees is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both the everyday life of ancient peoples and deeper spiritual truths.Practical Uses The cutting down of trees with axes was essential for the construction of buildings, the making of tools, and the preparation of firewood. In Deuteronomy 19:5, the law provides for the case of accidental death when "a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the iron head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies." This passage highlights the commonality of using axes for woodcutting and the potential dangers involved. In the construction of the Temple, King Solomon employed skilled laborers to cut down the cedars of Lebanon, as recorded in 1 Kings 5:6: "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." The use of axes in this context underscores the importance of timber in building projects and the collaboration between nations for such endeavors. Metaphorical and Prophetic Uses The imagery of trees being cut down with axes is also used metaphorically in the Bible to convey judgment and destruction. In Isaiah 10:33-34, the prophet speaks of the Lord's judgment against Assyria: "Behold, the Lord, the LORD of Hosts, will lop off the boughs with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, and the lofty will be brought low. He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One." Here, the cutting down of trees symbolizes the humbling of the proud and the powerful by divine intervention. Similarly, in Jeremiah 46:22-23, the prophet describes the impending judgment on Egypt: "Her noise will proceed like that of a serpent, for they will march with an army and come against her with axes, like woodcutters. They will cut down her forest, declares the LORD, though it is dense, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted." The use of axes in this passage illustrates the thoroughness and inevitability of God's judgment. Symbolism in Psalms In the Psalms, the destruction of trees with axes is used to lament the desecration of sacred spaces. Psalm 74:5-6 describes the enemies of Israel as they defile the sanctuary: "They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets." This vivid imagery conveys the violence and sacrilege of the invaders, emphasizing the loss and devastation experienced by the people of God. Conclusion The act of cutting down trees with axes in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the practical aspects of ancient life and the profound spiritual truths of judgment, destruction, and desecration. Through these passages, the Scriptures convey the power and sovereignty of God, who uses even the most ordinary tools to accomplish His divine purposes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 19:5As when a man goes into the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand fetches a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the helve, and lights on his neighbor, that he die; he shall flee to one of those cities, and live: Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 74:5 Matthew 3:10 Library The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was ... The Northern Mountains Things that Accompany Salvation Psalm LXXIV. Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs. The Doom of the Antichrist The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty The Rise of the Assyrian Empire Prosperity under Persecution Chaldaean Civilization 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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