The fir-tree is mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing beauty, strength, and prosperity. It is a type of evergreen tree, known for its tall stature and lush foliage, which made it a valuable resource in ancient times for construction and decoration.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 41:19 · "I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set the juniper in the desert, the fir and the cypress together." In this passage, the fir-tree is part of a divine promise to transform desolate places into areas of beauty and abundance. The inclusion of the fir-tree alongside other significant trees highlights its importance and the richness it brings to the landscape.

2. Isaiah 60:13 · "The glory of Lebanon will come to you—its cypress, elm, and boxwood together—to adorn the place of My sanctuary, and I will glorify the place of My feet." Here, the fir-tree is associated with the glory of Lebanon, a region renowned for its majestic forests. The use of fir-trees in the adornment of sacred spaces underscores their value and the reverence they commanded.

3. Ezekiel 31:8 · "The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the pine trees equal its boughs. The plane trees were nothing compared to its branches; no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty." This verse, while primarily speaking of the cedar, places the fir-tree in a context of unparalleled beauty and splendor, suggesting its esteemed status among the trees.

4. Hosea 14:8 · "O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? I answer him and care for him. I am like a green cypress tree; your fruitfulness comes from Me." Although the BSB translates this as "cypress," other translations use "fir," indicating the interchangeable use of these terms in some contexts. The fir-tree here symbolizes life and fruitfulness, attributes associated with God's provision and care.

Symbolism and Usage:

In biblical symbolism, the fir-tree often represents resilience and eternal life due to its evergreen nature. Its wood was used in the construction of buildings and ships, as seen in the historical accounts of Solomon's temple, where fir wood was used for flooring and other structural elements (1 Kings 6:15, 34).

The fir-tree's presence in prophetic literature often signifies restoration and divine blessing. Its ability to thrive in various environments makes it a fitting symbol for God's promise to bring life and prosperity to His people.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, fir-trees were abundant in the mountainous regions, particularly in Lebanon, which was famous for its forests. The wood of the fir-tree was highly prized for its durability and aromatic qualities, making it a sought-after material for construction and trade.

The fir-tree's enduring presence in biblical texts reflects its significance in the daily life and spiritual symbolism of the people of Israel. Its mention alongside other noble trees like the cedar and cypress highlights its esteemed place in the natural world and its role in conveying messages of hope and renewal in the Scriptures.FIR; FIR-TREE

fur, (the Revised Version, margin "cypress"; berosh, 2 Samuel 6:5 1 Kings 5:8, 10, etc.; (berothem (plural only), an Aramaic form, Songs 1:17):

1. Old Testament References:

This tree was one of the chief trees of Lebanon (Isaiah 60:13); one of usefulness (Isaiah 41:19; Isaiah 55:13); associated with the cedar (2 Kings 19:23 Psalm 104:17 Isaiah 14:8 Zechariah 11:2); its boughs were wide and great (Ezekiel 31:8); it was evergreen (Hosea 14:8); it could supply boards and timber for doors (1 Kings 6:15, 24); beams for roofing the temple (2 Chronicles 3:5); planks for shipbuilding (Ezekiel 27:5). In 2 Samuel 6:5 we read: "David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir-wood," etc. It is practically certain that the reading in the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 13:8 is more correct: "David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs," etc. This view is supported by the Septuagint translation (en pase dunamei). There is therefore no necessity to suppose that berosh was a wood used for musical instruments.

2. The Identity of "Berosh":

The identity of berosh is uncertain. It was a name applied either to several of the Coniferae in common or to one or more outstanding species. If the latter is the case we can only seek for the most suited to Old Testament requirements. The Aleppo pine, Pinus Halepensis, is a fine tree which flourishes in the Lebanon, but its wood is not of special excellence and durability. A better tree (or couple of trees) is the sherbin of the Syrians; this name includes two distinct varieties in the suborder Cypressineae, the fine tall juniper, Juniperis excelsa and the cypress, Cypressus sempervirens. They both still occur in considerable numbers in the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon; they are magnificent trees and produce excellent wood-resinous, fragrant, durable. If these trees were not classed locally, as now, under one name, then the cypress is of the two more probably the berosh. The coffins of Egyptian mummies were made of cypress; a compact variety of this cypress is cultivated all over the Turkish empire by the Moslems as an ornament in cemeteries. From early times the cypress has been connected with mourning.

In the Apocrypha there are two definite references to the cypress (kuparissos). In APC Sirach 24:13, Wisdom says:

"I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus,

And as a cypress tree on the mountains of Hermon."

And in Sirach 50:10 the high priest Simon is said to be

"As an olive tree budding forth fruits,

And as a cypress growing high among the clouds."

These passages, especially the former, certainly favor the idea that berosh was the cypress; the name may, however, have included allied trees.

E. W. G. Masterman

767. Oren -- "fir tree," a descendant of Judah
... 766, 767. Oren. 768 . "fir tree," a descendant of Judah. Transliteration:
Oren Phonetic Spelling: (o'-ren) Short Definition: Oren. ...
/hebrew/767.htm - 6k

1265. berosh -- cypress or fir
... fir tree. Of uncertain derivation; a cypress (?) Tree; hence, a lance or a musical
instrument (as made of that wood) -- fir (tree). 1264, 1265. berosh. 1266 ...
/hebrew/1265.htm - 6k

December 14. "Instead of the Thorn Shall Come up the Fir Tree" ...
... DECEMBER 14. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree" (Isa. lv. 13).
"Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree" (Isaiah 55:13). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /december 14 instead of the.htm

Where to Find Fruit
... The Lord has compared himself, in his condescending mercy, to a green
fir tree in the sentence which precedes the text. The fir ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/where to find fruit.htm

Assurance of Salvation.
... Mr. Spurgeon says: "I never heard of a stork that when it met with a fir tree demurred
as to its right to build its nest there; and I never heard of a coney ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter vii assurance of salvation.htm

What have I to do with Idols?
... I have heard Him, and observed Him; I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy
fruit found" (xiv:8). ... Thus Ephraim became like a green fir tree. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/what have i to do.htm

The Gentle Boy
... It was like the wailing of some one in distress, and it seemed to proceed from beneath
a tall and lonely fir-tree, in the centre of a cleared, but uninclosed ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the gentle boy.htm

Lessons from Nature
... I am sure the goat would not show the wisdom of God so well in a fir tree, as he
would up on a high hill; and you would not display the grace of God so well ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/lessons from nature.htm

Israel Returning
... I have heard Him, and observed Him: I am like a green fir-tree. From me is thy fruit
found.9. Who is wise, and He shall understand these things? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/israel returning.htm

Remembering How Far the Writer of Our Book Excels all who have ...
... the leaping from rock up to rock, The strong rending of boughs from the fir-tree,
the cool silver shock Of the plunge in a pool's living water! ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vi remembering how far.htm

A Song of Zion Redeemed
... The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, The fir tree, the pine, and the box tree
together; To beautify the place of my sanctuary, And I will make the place ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ix a song of zion.htm

The First Trumpet.
... fir-trees, sometimes princes, (Isaiah 37:24.) sometimes kings, (Isaiah 14:8.) Who
likewise paraphrases that passage of Zechariah 11:2. "Howl, fir-tree; for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first trumpet.htm

Firtree
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FIR; FIR-TREE. fur, (the Revised Version,
margin "cypress"; berosh, 2 Samuel 6:5 1 Kings 5:8, 10 ...
/f/firtree.htm - 9k

Fir-tree (5 Occurrences)
Fir-tree. Firtree, Fir-tree. Fir-trees . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FIR;
FIR-TREE. ... (ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT). Firtree, Fir-tree. Fir-trees . Reference ...
/f/fir-tree.htm - 11k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... The precise kind of tree meant by the "green firtree" (Hosea 14:8) is uncertain. ...
The Scotch fir is a Pinus. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FIR; FIR-TREE. ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Pine (28 Occurrences)
... Pine tree. Hebrews tidhar, mentioned along with the fir-tree in Isaiah 41:19;
60:13. ... I am like a green firtree; from me your fruit is found." (See NIV). ...
/p/pine.htm - 17k

Ash (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews o'ren, "tremulous"), mentioned only Isaiah
44:14 (RV, "firtree"). It is rendered "pine tree" both in the LXX. ...
/a/ash.htm - 9k

Cypress (17 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:19 I will put in the waste land the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and
the olive-tree; and in the lowland will be planted the fir-tree, the plane ...
/c/cypress.htm - 12k

Larch (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle,
and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box ...
/l/larch.htm - 7k

Myrtle (7 Occurrences)
... It is mentioned as one of the choice plants of the land (Isaiah 41:19). "Instead
of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come ...
/m/myrtle.htm - 12k

Plane (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle,
and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box ...
/p/plane.htm - 10k

Plane-tree (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle,
and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box ...
/p/plane-tree.htm - 7k

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