Topical Encyclopedia
Cedar-trees, particularly the Cedars of Lebanon, hold significant importance in biblical literature and history. These majestic trees are frequently mentioned throughout the Bible, symbolizing strength, beauty, and longevity. The cedar tree, known for its durable wood and pleasant aroma, was highly valued in ancient times for construction and religious purposes.
Biblical References and SymbolismThe Cedars of Lebanon are first mentioned in the Bible in the context of the construction of significant structures. King Solomon used cedar wood to build the Temple in Jerusalem, as described 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. For you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."
Cedar wood was chosen for its quality and durability, symbolizing the strength and permanence of God's dwelling place among His people. The use of cedar in the Temple construction is further detailed in
1 Kings 6:9-10 : "So he built the temple and finished it, and he covered the temple with beams and boards of cedar. He built chambers all along the temple, each five cubits high and attached to the temple with beams of cedar."
The cedars also symbolize majesty and power, often used metaphorically to describe the might of nations or individuals. In
Psalm 92:12 , the righteous are compared to these trees: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon." This imagery conveys the idea of spiritual strength and resilience.
Cultural and Historical ContextThe Cedars of Lebanon were renowned in the ancient Near East for their superior quality. The trees grew in the mountains of Lebanon, and their wood was exported to various regions, including Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Phoenicians, who inhabited the coastal regions of modern-day Lebanon, were skilled in timber trade and shipbuilding, utilizing cedar wood for its resistance to decay and insects.
The significance of cedar trees extends beyond their physical attributes. They are often associated with divine favor and blessing. In
Isaiah 2:13 , the cedars are mentioned in the context of God's judgment against human pride: "against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, and against all the oaks of Bashan."
Cedar in Prophetic and Poetic LiteratureThe prophets frequently used cedar imagery to convey messages of judgment and restoration. In
Ezekiel 31:3 , Assyria is likened to a cedar: "Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest, and of towering height, its top among the clouds." This passage highlights the grandeur and eventual downfall of proud nations.
In the Song of Solomon, cedar is used to describe beauty and desirability.
Song of Solomon 5:15 states: "His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars." Here, the cedar symbolizes the beloved's strength and attractiveness.
ConclusionCedar-trees, particularly those from Lebanon, are deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, representing strength, beauty, and divine craftsmanship. Their frequent mention in Scripture underscores their importance in the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel and surrounding nations.
Library
Great Preparations for a Great Work
... Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto
My name.6. Now therefore command thou that they hew mecedar trees out of...
The History of Solomon
... After this Solomon sent his messengers to divers kings forcedar trees and
for workmen, for to make and build a temple unto our Lord....
Every Inch a King.
... He built a beautiful house for himself there, and King Hiram of Tyre sent skilled
workmen, andcedar trees, and they built a house of cedar for him....
How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and...
... And the king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones in the street; and
so multipliedcedar trees in the plains of Judea, which did not grow there...
The Cedars of Lebanon.
... Upon the slopes of the great snow-mountain of Lebanon stood those gigantic
cedar-trees"whole forests of them then"now only one or two small groups, but...
That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That...
... He also prepared a great quantity of iron and brass for the work, with many [and
those exceeding large]cedar trees; the Tyrians and Sidonians sending them to...
Deliverance from Assyria
... With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to
the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tallcedar trees thereof, and the...
Pride of Prosperity
... "The king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, andcedar trees
made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance." 2...
A Greater than Solomon
... He was a naturalist: "and he spoke of trees from thecedar trees that are in Lebanon
even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spoke also of...
Refutation of the Jews
... Like woodland valleys they give shade, and like parks by rivers, like tents
which the Lord has pitched, likecedar-trees by streams....
Thesaurus
Cedar-trees (11 Occurrences)Cedar-
trees. Cedar-tree,
Cedar-
trees. Cedarwood . Multi-Version
Concordance
Cedar-
trees (11 Occurrences). Numbers 24
...Logs (12 Occurrences)
... Logs (12 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David,
andcedartrees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house....
Sidonians (16 Occurrences)
... with any man. (WEB ASV NAS NIV). 1 Kings 5:6 Now therefore command that
they cut mecedartrees out of Lebanon. My servants shall...
Timber (32 Occurrences)
... built David a house. (DBY). 1 Kings 5:6 Now therefore command that they cut
mecedartrees out of Lebanon. My servants shall be with...
Woodworkers (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 5:11 And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent men to David, withcedar-trees and
woodworkers and stoneworkers: and they made David a house. (BBE)....
Fir-trees (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fir-trees (11 Occurrences). 1 Kings 5:10 And Hiram is
giving to Solomoncedar-trees, and fir-trees, all his desire, (YLT)....
Tyrians (3 Occurrences)
... Tyrians (3 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 22:4 Andcedar-trees even without number,
for the Zidonians and the Tyrians brought incedar-trees in abundance to David....
Masons (8 Occurrences)
... Masons (8 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David,
andcedartrees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house....
Carpenters (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 5:11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, andcedartrees,
and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house....
Sido'nians (11 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 22:4 andcedartrees without number: for the Sidonians and
they of Tyre broughtcedartrees in abundance to David. (See RSV)....
Resources
What are the cedars of Lebanon the Bible mentions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the behemoth? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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