Woodwork in the Bible holds significant cultural, religious, and symbolic importance, reflecting the craftsmanship and artistry of ancient times. The use of wood in construction, religious artifacts, and daily life is evident throughout the Scriptures, highlighting its essential role in the lives of the Israelites and early Christians.

Construction and Architecture

Wood was a primary material in the construction of various structures, including the Ark of Noah, the Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temple. In Genesis 6:14, God instructs Noah, "Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out." This directive underscores the durability and reliability of wood in preserving life during the Flood.

The Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary for the Israelites, featured extensive woodwork. Exodus 26:15-30 details the use of acacia wood for the frames of the Tabernacle, emphasizing its strength and availability in the wilderness. Similarly, Solomon's Temple, a permanent place of worship, incorporated cedar and cypress wood, as described 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."

Religious Artifacts and Symbolism

Wood was also used in crafting religious artifacts, such as the Ark of the Covenant and various altars. The Ark, a sacred chest housing the tablets of the Law, was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:10-11). This combination of materials signifies the intersection of humanity (wood) and divinity (gold).

The use of wood in altars is noted in several passages. In Genesis 22:9, Abraham builds an altar of wood to offer Isaac, demonstrating obedience and faith. The wooden altar represents a place of sacrifice and communion with God.

Daily Life and Tools

In daily life, wood was essential for creating tools, furniture, and other household items. The skills of carpenters and woodworkers were highly valued, as seen in the New Testament with Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, who was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). This profession not only provided for the family but also symbolized humility and service.

Symbolic Meanings

Wood carries symbolic meanings throughout the Bible. It often represents life, growth, and stability, as seen in the imagery of trees and branches. Psalm 1:3 likens a righteous person to "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither." This metaphor highlights the vitality and prosperity associated with a life rooted in God's Word.

Conversely, wood can symbolize transience and impermanence. Isaiah 40:6-8 contrasts the fleeting nature of human life with the enduring Word of God: "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Judgment and Redemption

Wood is also present in themes of judgment and redemption. The cross, a wooden structure, is central to Christian theology as the instrument of Christ's crucifixion and the means of humanity's salvation. Galatians 3:13 states, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" Here, the "tree" symbolizes both the curse of sin and the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice.

In summary, woodwork in the Bible encompasses a wide range of uses and meanings, from practical applications in construction and daily life to profound spiritual symbolism. Its presence in Scripture reflects the creativity and resourcefulness of God's people, as well as the deeper theological truths of life, sacrifice, and redemption.(n.) Work made of wood; that part of any structure which is wrought of wood.

The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus
... Several Christian families and holy women had already settled here, some in caves
in the earth or in the rocks, fitted out with light woodwork to make dwellings ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xviii the death of the.htm

Wesley at Windsor Park
... original. The chimney-piece in the hall is probably one of the most curious
pieces of woodwork now in the kingdom. But how long? ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley at windsor park.htm

Wesley Interviews Mrs. Pilkington
... then went to the house, brought out all the seats and benches, tore up the floor,
the door, the frames of the windows, and whatever of woodwork remained; part ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley interviews mrs pilkington.htm

Jewish Homes
... inlaid. Generally the woodwork is of the common sycamore, sometimes of
olive or cedar, and in palaces even of Indian sandal-wood. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 6 jewish homes.htm

The Carcass and the Eagles
... It is noted that 'the older custom in Israel was to sit while eating.' The woodwork
of the divans, inlaid with ivory, had caught his eye in some of his peeps ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the carcass and the eagles.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... By an elaborate contrivance the sinner sat under a stage of open woodwork on which
the animal was sacrificed, and through which its blood poured upon him. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm

On the Advisableness of Improving Natural Knowledge.
... to learn that, although London contains tenfold the inflammable matter that it did
in 1666; though, not content with filling our rooms with woodwork and light ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/i on the advisableness of.htm

The Lord that Healeth Thee'
... They will take their dirty habits with them, and pull down the woodwork for firing,
and in a very short time make the place where they are as like as possible ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lord that healeth thee.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... The interior was panelled with cedar or cypress"rare woods procured as articles
of commerce from the peoples of the North and West; this woodwork was inlaid ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

The Gentle Boy
... The low ceiling, the unplastered walls, the naked woodwork, and the undraperied
pulpit offered nothing to excite the devotion, which, without such external aids ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the gentle boy.htm

Woodwork (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Woodwork (3 Occurrences). Exodus 31:5 In cutting
stones for framing, and to do every form of woodwork. (BBE). ...
/w/woodwork.htm - 7k

Groin (4 Occurrences)
... summit. 5. (n.) The surface formed by two such vaults. 6. (n.) A frame of
woodwork across a beach to accumulate and retain shingle. 7 ...
/g/groin.htm - 8k

Woodsmen (1 Occurrence)

/w/woodsmen.htm - 6k

Woodworker (1 Occurrence)

/w/woodworker.htm - 6k

Framing (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Framing (1 Occurrence). Exodus 31:5 In cutting
stones for framing, and to do every form of woodwork. (BBE). ...
/f/framing.htm - 7k

Framework (6 Occurrences)
... Judah; (See JPS). Habakkuk 2:11 For the stone will cry out of the wall,
and the beam out of the woodwork will answer it. (See NAS). ...
/f/framework.htm - 8k

Frame (33 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To construct by fitting and uniting the several parts of the skeleton of
any structure; specifically, in woodwork, to put together by cutting parts of ...
/f/frame.htm - 19k

Trim (4 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) The state of a ship or her cargo, ballast, masts, etc., by which she is
well prepared for sailing. 12. (n.) The lighter woodwork in the interior of a ...
/t/trim.htm - 9k

Rafter (1 Occurrence)
... Rafter (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk 2:11 For the stone will cry out of the wall,
and the beam out of the woodwork will answer it. (See NAS). ...
/r/rafter.htm - 7k

Echo (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Echo (2 Occurrences). Habakkuk 2:11 For the stone will
cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the woodwork will answer it. (See NIV) ...
/e/echo.htm - 7k

Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Woodwork: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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