Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FOREST

Biblical references to the forests and wooded areas of Palestine indicate that those areas were much more extensive during OT times than the present. Several wooded areas are referred to by name. Lebanon undoubtedly contained the largest of the forests, which consisted not only of the famous cedars, but also of pine and myrtle. Only vestiges of Lebanon’s once extensive woodlands remain today. Carmel also was heavily wooded in biblical times (Cant. 7:5). David hid in the forest of Hereth after leaving Moab (1 Sam. 22:5). Josephus mentions the growths of date palms of the Jordan Valley near Jericho. The biblical references to forest fires indicate the extensive tracts of forested lands (Isa. 10:17-18; Jer. 21:14; Amos 7:4). Evidence for the once abundant woodlands is provided also by the names of localities bearing the names of trees or forests (e.g., Kiriath-jearim, “city of forests”). These areas are now devoid of such vegetation.

Heb. ḥōreš indicates a thicket or wooded height (Ezek. 31:3; 2 Chr. 27:4; NRSV, NIV take the word as a proper name in 1 Sam. 23:15-19). Heb. pardēs denotes a wooded park or orchard, though extensive enough to supply timber (Cant. 4:13; Eccl. 2:5; Neh. 2:8). The most frequently used Hebrew word for thicket or forested area is yaʿar.

The different soils and climates of Palestine produced a wide variety of trees and shrubs. The greater rainfall of the western and northern slopes allowed thick vegetation in the vicinities of Carmel and Galilee. The primary trees were oaks, terebinth, cedars, and Aleppo pines. The area of lower Galilee produced deciduous oaks, while the Dead Sea region grew tamarisk trees, willows, poplar, and date palms. Wild beasts, including bear and Asiatic lions, inhabited the forested areas (2 Kgs. 2:24; Amos 3:4; Jer. 5:6; 12:8).

Although the indiscriminate felling of trees was prohibited (Deut. 20:19), the once large expanses of woodlands were greatly diminished by Roman times, except for areas where access was difficult. The cutting of the forested lands caused a decrease in soil fertility and an increase in erosion. Eventually sizable areas of desert developed from these areas. Today, except for efforts at conservation and reforestation of pines, the only remnants of the ancient forests are in Carmel, Lebanon, and Transjordan. Elsewhere, shrubs predominate.

Bibliography. D. Baly, The Geography of the Bible, rev. ed. (New York, 1974); M. Zohary, Plants of the Bible (Cambridge, 1982).

Harold R. Mosley

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FOREST

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)