Cedar of Lebanon

Cedars are coniferous trees, native to the Himalayas and the Mediterranean regions. Cedars of Lebanon are a species of the Cedar genus and grow in the high mountains of Lebanon, usually above altitudes exceeding 1,000 meters. They grow straight and tall, usually achieving a height of 30-40 meters, occasionally 60 meters. Cedar wood is not only scented, but has an attractive color and grain. Cedar wood and cedar oil are a natural repellant to moths. For these reasons, cedar has been used to make high-end wooden products, such as panels, closets, and shoe trees.

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In the Bible, cedar is mentioned 73 times in the Old Testament, though none in the New Testament (NIV).

In Leviticus chapter 14, we read that cedar was used ceremonially as part of cleansing or purification, along with two birds, scarlet yarn and hyssop. Cedar and these items were used both to cleanse a person who has been healed of an infectious skin disease and to purify a house that has been stripped of mildew.

Cedar was used in construction of David’s palace (II Samuel chapters 5 & 7, I Chronicles chapter 14, 17). Later, Solomon used cedar beams and cedar boards to build the Lord’s temple (I Kings chapters 5 & 6) and his own Palace of the Forest of Lebanon (I Kings chapter 7). We read that during the reign of Solomon, cedar was as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in Jerusalem (I Kings 10:27, II Chronicles 1:15, 9:27). Later, when the temple was re-built during the days of Ezra, cedar was again brought from Lebanon and used in the construction (Ezra 3:7).

In general, cedars are described as “mighty” (Psalm 80:10), tall and lofty (II Kings 19:23, Isaiah 2:13), noble (II Chronicles 25:18), fragrant (Hosea 14:6), and associated with beauty (Song of Solomon 8:9). Would it be a stretch to say that some of these are the same qualities expected of the Lord’s people, who now make up the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19)?

I remember the prayers of a minister who used to frequent our home. Whenever he came, he would pray for me that I would grow strong, upright and righteous like the cedar of Lebanon, as well as that I would have wisdom, insight and intellect. That would be a prayer to be offered for my children as well.