Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

WOOD

Wood (Heb. ʿēṣ; Gk. xýlon) was an important commodity in biblical times. Timber was used in the construction of buildings such as Solomon’s temple, which contained a variety of woods including cedar, algum, cypress, and olive wood (1 Kgs. 6:14-36). To acquire cedar, cypress, and algum timber, Solomon contracted with King Hiram of Tyre (2 Chr. 2:8[MT 7]). Ezekiel provides further evidence of active trading in wood products, including the luxurious ebony (Ezek. 27:15). Wood was also an important construction item for houses of the common people. Branches could be used for huts, and lumber provided supports for the walls, roof, doors, and windows. Carts and litters were also made of wood (1 Sam. 6:14; Cant. 3:9), as were seafaring vessels. Noah constructed his ark of gopher wood (probably cypress; Gen. 6:14).

Wood is mentioned in many cultic contexts. Šiṭṭîm wood (probably acacia) figures heavily in Exodus, where it is the material for the ark of the covenant (Exod. 25:10), the supports for the tabernacle (26:18), and the altar (27:1). Wood is prescribed for sacrifices (Lev. 1:8), and cedar for cleansing (14:4). Isaiah condemns worshippers of wooden idols (Isa. 44:14-20).

In ancient times Israel had more forest land than today. Cooking fires were one of many everyday uses for wood, although deforestation may have required people to search out alternative, cheaper kindling such as dung and thorns. Wood was also material for agricultural implements (2 Sam. 24:22), household vessels (Lev. 15:12), and musical instruments (1 Kgs. 10:12).

Megan Bishop Moore

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

WOOD

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)