Topical Bible: the First Temple was Roofed With Cedar

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Topical Encyclopedia

The First Temple, also known as Solomon's Temple, was a monumental structure in ancient Israel, serving as the central place of worship for the Israelites. It was constructed under the reign of King Solomon, the son of King David, and is renowned for its grandeur and the use of luxurious materials, including cedar wood for its roofing.

Biblical Account and Construction

The construction of the First Temple is detailed in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. According to 1 Kings 6:9 , "So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar." This passage highlights the use of cedar, a material highly prized in the ancient Near East for its durability, pleasant aroma, and resistance to decay and insects.

Cedar wood was imported from Lebanon, a region famous for its abundant cedar forests. King Solomon formed an alliance with Hiram, the king of Tyre, to obtain the necessary materials. 1 Kings 5:6 records Solomon's request: "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."

Symbolism and Significance

The use of cedar in the Temple's construction carried significant symbolic meaning. Cedar was associated with strength and longevity, qualities befitting a structure intended to be the dwelling place of the LORD among His people. The choice of such a noble material underscored the Temple's importance as a sacred space and a testament to Israel's covenant relationship with God.

The cedar roof also contributed to the Temple's aesthetic beauty and splendor. The wood's natural fragrance and fine grain added to the overall magnificence of the structure, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. The Temple's opulence was intended to honor God and serve as a physical representation of His presence and blessing upon Israel.

Historical and Theological Context

The construction of the First Temple marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history. It centralized worship in Jerusalem and solidified the city as the spiritual and political heart of the nation. The Temple became the focal point for religious festivals, sacrifices, and the priestly ministry, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law.

Theologically, the Temple symbolized God's dwelling among His people, fulfilling His promise to David that his son would build a house for the LORD's Name (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The cedar roof, along with the entire structure, was a tangible expression of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

Legacy and Influence

The First Temple stood for nearly four centuries before its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Despite its physical demise, the memory of the Temple and its cedar roof endured in the collective consciousness of the Jewish people. It served as a prototype for the Second Temple and continued to influence Jewish worship and identity.

In Christian theology, the First Temple is often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, who is regarded as the true Temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity. The cedar roof, as part of the Temple's construction, contributes to this typology, symbolizing the enduring and unshakeable nature of Christ's redemptive work.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 6:9
So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... to Jerusalem, and appearing there for the first time since ... The exigencies of Temple
worship had bred a flagrant ... by four rows of pillars, and roofed with cedar ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul ...
... Hence in the first epistle addressed to them, the writer ... Its temple of Artemis, or
Diana, was one of the ... part of it which was covered, was roofed with cedar. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the conversion of.htm

Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... they were "smoking," and that because they were not roofed. ... out below the threshold
of the Temple." And opposite ... Rabbi Jose said: "At the first it was only 28 ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 1 massecheth middoth.htm

A Prince's Bride
... were thrown down by the trembling of the Temple and that ... is but the far swing of
the first revolt ... latticed balconies; no buyers moved up the roofed-over Street ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... was before all things a woman's first duty: should ... The kings, the vicegerents, the
temple administration, and ... rooms, sometimes vaulted, sometimes roofed with a ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Memphite Empire
... into the hill itself, and an oblong low-roofed cell devoid ... He first lost his only
daughter; a short time after he ... which was shown to him in the temple of Sais ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm