In the context of the Bible, the term "bark" primarily refers to the outer covering of trees. While the Bible does not frequently mention bark explicitly, the concept is implicitly present in various passages that discuss trees, nature, and God's creation. The bark of a tree serves as a protective layer, safeguarding the tree from external harm and playing a crucial role in its overall health and growth.

Symbolism and Imagery

The Bible often uses trees as symbols of strength, stability, and life. In this context, the bark can be seen as a metaphor for protection and resilience. For instance, in Psalm 1:3 , the righteous man is compared to "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does." While the verse does not mention bark specifically, the imagery of a healthy, thriving tree implies the presence of strong, protective bark.

Biblical References to Trees

Trees are mentioned throughout the Bible, from the Garden of Eden to the visions of the New Jerusalem. In Genesis 2:9 , God causes "every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food" to grow in the Garden of Eden, including the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The bark of these trees, though not mentioned, would have been an integral part of their structure and beauty.

In Isaiah 44:14 , the prophet describes a man who "cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak," using the wood for various purposes. The bark of these trees would have been a significant factor in their selection and use, as it protects the valuable wood within.

Practical Uses

In biblical times, the bark of certain trees may have been used for practical purposes, such as medicine, dye, or construction. While the Bible does not provide specific examples of bark being used in these ways, historical and archaeological evidence from the ancient Near East suggests that bark was a valuable resource.

Spiritual Lessons

The protective nature of bark can serve as a spiritual lesson for believers. Just as bark shields a tree from harm, God's Word and His presence provide protection and guidance for His people. In Proverbs 30:5 , it is written, "Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." This verse highlights the protective power of God's Word, akin to the bark of a tree.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly focus on bark, its role in the life of a tree offers rich symbolism and practical insights. Through the imagery of trees and their protective bark, Scripture conveys themes of strength, resilience, and divine protection, encouraging believers to trust in God's provision and care.1. (v. t.) To strip the bark from; to peel.

2. (v. t.) To abrade or rub off any outer covering from; as to bark one's heel.

3. (v. t.) To girdle. See Girdle.

4. (v. t.) To cover or enclose with bark, or as with bark; as, to bark the roof of a hut.

5. (v. i.) To make a short, loud, explosive noise with the vocal organs; -- said of some animals, but especially of dogs.

6. (v. i.) To make a clamor; to make importunate outcries.

7. (n.) The short, loud, explosive sound uttered by a dog; a similar sound made by some other animals.

8. (n.) Alt. of Barque

976. biblos -- (the inner) bark (of a papyrus plant), hence a ...
... 975, 976. biblos. 977 . (the inner) bark (of a papyrus plant), hence a scroll,
spec. a book. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/976.htm - 6k5024. nabach -- to bark
... nabach. 5025 . to bark. Transliteration: nabach Phonetic Spelling: (naw-bakh')
Short Definition: bark. ... root Definition to bark NASB Word Usage bark (1). bark. ...
/hebrew/5024.htm - 5k

7102. qetsiah -- cassia (a powdered bark)
... 7101, 7102. qetsiah. 7103 . cassia (a powdered bark). Transliteration: qetsiah
Phonetic Spelling: (kets-ee-aw') Short Definition: cassia. ...
/hebrew/7102.htm - 6k

7111. qetsaphah -- snapping, splintering
... splinters (1). barked. From qatsaph; a fragment -- bark(-ed). see HEBREW qatsaph.
7110b, 7111. qetsaphah. 7112 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7111.htm - 6k

2782. charats -- to cut, sharpen, decide
... root Definition to cut, sharpen, decide NASB Word Usage act promptly (1), bark*
(1), decided (1), decisive (1), decreed (3), determined (3), maimed (1 ...
/hebrew/2782.htm - 6k

7193. qasqeseth -- scale (of fish)
... By reduplication from an unused root meaning to shale off as bark; a scale (of a
fish); hence a coat of mail (as composed of or covered with jointed plates of ...
/hebrew/7193.htm - 6k

6196. armon -- plane tree
... chestnut tree. Probably from aram; the plane tree (from its smooth and shed bark) --
chestnut tree. see HEBREW aram. 6195, 6196. armon. 6197 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/6196.htm - 6k

3956. lashon -- tongue
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition tongue NASB Word Usage bar (2), bark*
(1), bay (3), charmer* (1), language (14), languages (2), slanderer* (1 ...
/hebrew/3956.htm - 6k

5025. Nobach -- a place in Gilead, also a Manassite
... Nobah. From nabach; a bark; Nobach, the name of an Israelite, and of a place East
of the Jordan -- Nobah. see HEBREW nabach. 5024, 5025. Nobach. 5026 . ...
/hebrew/5025.htm - 6k

7076. qinnamon -- cinnamon
... cinnamon. From an unused root (meaning to erect); cinnamon bark (as in upright rolls) --
cinnamon. 7075, 7076. qinnamon. 7077 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7076.htm - 5k

6916. qiddah -- cassia
... cassia. From qadad; cassia bark (as in shrivelled rolls) -- cassia. see HEBREW
qadad. 6915, 6916. qiddah. 6917 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6916.htm - 6k

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt
... became known next morning, many people came to them in great distress to say farewell,
bringing with them all kinds of presents in little vessels of bark. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvii the return of the.htm

To Brother Andrea of Lucca to Brother Baldo and to Brother Lando ...
... And what shall the dogs do"the servants of God, who are placed in the world as
guardians, that they may bark when they see the wolf come, to awaken the chief ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother andrea of lucca.htm

Letter viii. To Niceas, Sub-Deacon of Aquileia.
... of prey, were wont, before paper and parchment came into use, to exchange letters
written on tablets of wood roughly planed, or on strips of bark torn from the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter viii to niceas sub-deacon.htm

Introduction.
... INTRODUCTION. Out upon the sea of human life sails many a bark. But, alas!
how few are sailing tranquil waters. Ascend with me to ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/introduction.htm

The Evolution of Language
... One monkey utters at least six different sounds to express its feelings; and Mr.
Darwin has detected four or five modulations in the bark of the dog: "the bark ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter v the evolution of.htm

The Stony Heart Removed
... If a tree loses its branch, a new branch may spring out; if you cut into the bark
and mark the letters of your name, in process of time the bark may heal its ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the stony heart removed.htm

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush ...
... Chief Henry's wife gave a beautiful bark basket ornamented with porcupine's
quills. Then another head man gave us a bag made of ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter viii 1879-1880 experiences among.htm

The Beauty and Glory of the Risen Body.
... and their exquisite perfumes, as well as the delicious fruits to which they give
birth, are all made of the very same elements of matter as the bark, the wood ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter v the beauty and.htm

9Th Day. Persevering Grace.
... and not with thy God! Thy spiritual bark may be tossed on waves of temptation,
in many a dark midnight. Thou mayest think thy pilot ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/9th day persevering grace.htm

The Cross and the Winepress.
... The juice flowed out of the tree by five openings, and fell into a stone vat, from
whence it flowed through a channel made of bark and coated with resin, into ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lv the cross and.htm

Bark (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To strip the bark from; to peel. 2. (vt) To abrade
or rub off any outer covering from; as to bark one's heel. ...
/b/bark.htm - 8k

Peel (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To strip off the skin, bark, or rind of; to strip by drawing or tearing
off the skin, bark, husks, etc.; to flay; to decorticate; as, to peel an orange ...
/p/peel.htm - 9k

Cassia (3 Occurrences)
... 27:19). It is the inner bark of a tree resembling the cinnamon (qv), the Cinnamomum
cassia of botanists, and was probably imported from India. (2.) Hebrew pl. ...
/c/cassia.htm - 9k

Cinnamon (4 Occurrences)
... The fruit and coarser pieces of bark when boiled yield a fragrant oil. ... 1. (n.) The
inner bark of the shoots of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, a tree growing in Ceylon. ...
/c/cinnamon.htm - 10k

Graft (1 Occurrence)
... freshly sawed branch ends, and two or three grafts from a cultivated olive (Arabic
colloquial, zeitun jouwi) are inserted in such a way that the bark of the ...
/g/graft.htm - 9k

Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... It is valued for its odor and for its medicinal properties. It exudes from the bark
of a shrub of Abyssinia and Arabia, the Balsamodendron Myrrha. ...
/m/myrrh.htm - 18k

Plane (5 Occurrences)
... north. It usually sheds its outer bark, and hence its Hebrew name, which
means "naked." (see CHESTNUT.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/p/plane.htm - 10k

Bay (8 Occurrences)
... 11. (vi) To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game. ... (vt) To bark at;
hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, to bay the bear. ...
/b/bay.htm - 12k

Blaze (9 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A spot made on trees by chipping off a piece of the bark, usually as a
surveyor's mark. ... 9. (vt) To mark (a tree) by chipping off a piece of the bark. ...
/b/blaze.htm - 10k

Balm (7 Occurrences)
... from Bal'sam, a general name for many oily or resinous substances which flow or
trickle from certain trees or plants when an incision is made through the bark. ...
/b/balm.htm - 14k

What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Vedas? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org

Bark: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus