The Bible is full of references to cedars. The book of Psalms refers to cedars as “everlasting” (Psalm 92:12). In the Book of Isaiah, there are several references to the “cedars of Lebanon” (Isaiah 2:13; 5:9), and in Ezekiel 17:2-6, there is an extensive description of a cedar that was brought from Lebanon in order to decorate the Temple in Jerusalem. However, many people have wondered whether or not these trees actually existed—or if they were merely poetic descriptions of tall trees.
“The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.” (Psalm 104:16 NRSV) [King Solomon made] cedar as plentiful as the sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. (1 Kings 10:27, NIV, excerpt)
In reality, Lebanon has long been known for its vast forests of cedar trees. The most famous groves are located at the Cedars of God National Park in eastern Lebanon near the border with Syria. There are also smaller groves located within other national parks throughout the country—such as Baalbek, Qadisha Valley, Jajouh Mountain, and others. Learn more about; How is the cedar tree a symbol of Mary, The Cedar Tree and Mary.
The Cedars Of Lebanon In The Bible
In ancient times, cedar wood was especially desirable for its aromatic qualities as well as its resistance to decay and bugs. Lebanon was known for its magnificent cedars and was once heavily forested with them. Cedar was a major export and source of wealth, although, in more recent years, Lebanon has faced deforestation. Even today, the image of a cedar tree is found on the Lebanese national flag.
In Ezekiel 31, Assyria is compared to a cedar of Lebanon and described thus: “Beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage. The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field. So it towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased and its branches grew long, spreading because of abundant waters. All the birds of the sky nested in its boughs, all the animals of the wild gave birth under its branches; all the great nations lived in its shade. It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters” (verses 3–7). The symbolism of the cedar points to the former greatness of Assyria, as it towered magnificently over the other nations of the earth.
Cedar is mentioned throughout the Old Testament as an item of luxury and wealth. David used cedar wood in building his palace (2 Samuel 5:11; 7:2), and it was also used in building the temple (1 Kings 5:6; 2 Kings 19:23), which was almost completely paneled with cedar (1 Kings 6:6, 16, 18, 20, 36). Solomon used it in his Palace of the Forest of Lebanon, with cedar columns, beams, and roof (1 Kings 7:2). It was also used in the construction of the second temple (Ezra 3:7). The abundance of cedar was seen as a sign of prosperity (1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 1:15.) David and Solomon acquired their cedar from Hiram, king of Tyre, a city in Lebanon (1 Chronicles 14:1; 2 Chronicles 2:3, 8) where the best cedar was to be found.
The fact that God planted the cedars in Lebanon was a sign of His power and goodness (Psalm 29:5; 104:16). His ability to break or burn them is a sign of His power to judge (Zechariah 11:1; Isaiah 2:3; 14:8). Jeremiah warned the king of Judah that, although he rested in a house of cedar—figuratively calling his residence “Lebanon”—he would not escape judgment (Jeremiah 22:14–15, 23).
The cedars of Lebanon were a gift from God and a source of wealth for Lebanon, the cities of Tyre and Sidon especially benefitting from their export (1 Chronicles 17:1, 6; 22:4). Although Tyre and Sidon were on friendly terms with Israel under David and Solomon, in later years they became enemies, and Tyre rejoiced over the fall of Judah. Therefore, God promised judgment (Ezekiel 26).
The cedars of Lebanon should remind us that every good gift comes from God, but when we focus on the gift without thanking and worshiping the One who gave it, we too will face judgment.
What Is The Significance Of The Cedars of Lebanon In The Bible
How is the cedar tree a symbol of Mary
A: The cedar is a well-known symbol of Mary; it is not an object that gave rise to an official or even important title of Mary, meaning a name under which Our Lady would have been invoked for her intercession and help. There are no known miraculous images of Mary responding to this name or title. But the cedar tree became a well known symbol for Mary during the middle ages.
The cedar tree is a tree planted by God (Psalm 104:16, Isaiah 41:19). It is considered to be the first of trees (1 Kings 4:33). The Bible describes the cedar tree as strong and durable (Isaiah 9:10), graceful and beautiful (Psalm 80:10, Ezekiel 17:23), high and tall (Amos 2:9, Ezekiel 17:22), fragrant (Song of Songs 4:11) and spreading wide (Psalm 80:10-11). The eagle makes its nest and perches in the high branches of the cedar trees (Jeremiah 22:23, Ezekiel 17:3-5).
Cedar wood was imported by King Solomon (1 Kings 10:27, 1 Kings 5:10-11). It was widely used in building temples (1 Kings 5:5, 1 Kings 6:9-10), palaces (2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Kings 7:2-3) and ships (Ezekiel 27:5). Phoenicians have sailed across the world using ships built from cedar wood. King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon (Song of Solomon 3:9). The cedar wood that was used to prepare the water of separation and to purify leprosy (Leviticus 14:4-7, Leviticus 14:49-52) is illustrative of powerful nations (Ezekiel 31:3, Amos 2:9), the flourishing of saints (Psalm 92:12) and the majesty, strength and glory of Christ (Song of Solomon 5:15, Ezekiel 17:22-23). The cedar tree is mentioned 72 times in the Bible.
The Cedar Tree and Mary
The litanies of the Virgin Mary in Lebanon add the invocation “Cedar of Lebanon, pray for us.” It is known that cedar trees grow best in deep soil where their roots have access to water. Banks of rivers are favorable to their growth (Numbers 24:6). Such is the case with the millenary forest of the cedars of God in Besharry, which stands above the sources of he river of Kadisha, a syriac word that means holy. It is no surprise then to call the Virgin Mary “the Cedar of Lebanon.” Her roots are deep into the earth of Lebanon, which has been considered by Pope John Paul II to be much more than a country, but a message. The cedar of Lebanon has been the national emblem of Mary in the heart of Lebanon, known for its diversity and non-Christian environment. The branches of the cedars withstand the changes of the seasons just as the beauty and grace of the Virgin remains unchanged.
The evergreen cedar tree is a symbol of endurance, eternal life and immortality. One wouldn’t be surprised to find out that ancient civilizations, particularly Egyptians, used cedar resin to mummify their dead. Cedar sawdust was discovered in pharaohs’ tombs.
On August 6th every year, Christians celebrate the feast day of Christ’s transfiguration and the cedars of Lebanon have always been the place to celebrate this occasion. It is not known whether Christ’s transfiguration occurred in the cedars of Lebanon, but through tradition and due to the majesty and pure silence of the mountain peaks where they stand, one cannot but link Christ’s transfiguration with the cedars of Lebanon. The age of many of the cedar trees in Lebanon, most particularly in Besharry, goes back hundreds of years prior to Christ’s incarnation.The cedar is mentioned in Sirach 24,13ff. It is known as the cedrus exaltata, the exalted cedar. Mary has been exalted like the cedar tree. Fragrance and oil of the cedar repels and destroys snakes, symbol of evil. Similarly, Mary protects the Church and its message against heresy. The cedar is known for its longevity and resistance to decay. Similarly, Mary’s sinlessness is an expression of immortality and absence of bodily degeneration. The cedar is a tall and noble tree. It becomes thus a symbol for Mary’s considerable spiritual stature, excellence and human perfection in God.