William Ellwanger
One of the majestic cedars of Lebanon emerging from the rocky terrain.
One of the days on our recent visit to Lebanon was dedicated to finding and photographing the famous Cedars of Lebanon (technically cedrus libani). Based on numerous Biblical references and a great deal of literature about the cedar forests in Lebanon, one would still expect to see cedar trees here and there. Yet, unfortunately, during the past three millennia greed has taken precedent over conservation and today very few cedars are left.
Our search to see the cedars took us north from Beirut along the coast for an hour. At ancient Byblos, we turned east and headed up into the Lebanon mountains. Leaving the oppressive heat of the Mediterranean coast, the temperature quickly became much more pleasant. Following a circuitous route through numerous small hamlets, some in our group even thought the sights reminded them of Alpine scenes in Switzerland.
After another couple of hours, we finally arrived at our destination high in the mountains. Instead of the anticipated vast cedar forests, we found a small grove of perhaps 30 trees with an adjacent outdoor marketplace offering tourists cedar wood souvenirs. This small nationally-protected grove is one of only a few remaining cedars of Lebanon today.
The Majestic Cedar
The profile of these majestic trees includes a unique horizontally-sprawling branch and leaf system. In addition, several huge and gnarly tree trunks often seem to grow out of one extensive root base. While cedars can live over 1200 years and grow to a height of about 120 ft (33m), we were impressed with the stature of even the younger trees in this grove at about 60 to 70 ft (21m) high.
During our visit, I couldn’t help but recall why wood from the cedar has been held in such high esteem. First, I remember the very pleasant aroma of a small cedar closet in our first home. In addition to its long-lasting fragrance, cedar wood provides builders with a material of outstanding structural strength and a natural resistance to the deteriorating effects of the elements. Demonstrating that quality, Ezekiel said the ships of the important Phoenician seaport of Tyre used cedar logs for their masts (Ez 27:5).
Cedars of Lebanon in Scripture
Wood from the cedars of Lebanon played a special role in official state building projects of several nations, including Egypt and Israel. Hiram, king of Tyre, sent both cedars and carpenters to assist King David in building his palace in Jerusalem (2 Sm 5:11). Scripture describes David’s palace as a “palace of cedar,” indicating the prominence cedar wood played in its construction (2 Sm 7:7).
Solomon also traded with King Hiram of Tyre and gave him wheat and oil in return for many cedar logs needed in the construction of the first Temple (1 Kgs 5:11). Solomon’s own palace complex also used cedars extensively, for support beams, ceilings, wall paneling and even fancy carved work. One building in the palace complex was actually called the House of the Forest of Lebanon with its three rows of 15 pillars (1 Kgs 7:2–5).
While ships from Lebanon’s Mediterranean ports, including Tyre, Sidon and Byblos, brought thousands of cedars south to Israel, other logs were lashed together and floated over 200 mi down the coast to the Israelite port of Jaffa. From here, they were hauled the remaining 25 mi overland to Jerusalem (2 Chr 2:16–18). Ezra also obtained cedars from Lebanon as he rebuilt the Second Temple (Ezra 3:7). Truly, cedars of Lebanon were the preeminent wood of choice for those in the ancient world with the resources to purchase and transport it.
BSpade 15:4 (Fall 2002) p. 115
The Seaport of Byblos where cedar was shipped to Egypt and Israel.
“May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains; Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon” (Ps 72:16, NASB). A panorama of the fertile. Beqa’ valley in Lebanon.
BSpade 15:4 (Fall 2002) p. 116
Going up the mountains to the cedars, passing small hamlets that are reminscient of Alpine scenes.
Cedars of Lebanon in my World
During our visit to the grove, I checked out the marketplace featuring a variety of imaginative cedar wood products. I was attracted to a round plaque about 13 in in diameter with a nicely carved relief of a cedar tree. Contemplating the $40 price, (down from $60) and the lack of room in my luggage, I opted for two small necklaces with the image of a cedar tree instead. When I arrived home, I discovered that one could inexpensively purchase cedar tree seeds on eBay and obtained a sample.
That day visiting and photographing some of the few remaining cedars in Lebanon was a wonderful experience. It was a pleasant change of pace from our survey of archaeological sites and ruins on the coast and the Beqa’ Valley. The temperature was delightful and the scenery was almost breathtaking. But most of all, for me, this stop again provided new insights into the Scriptures and the world of the Bible.
“All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing. Even the pine trees and the cedars of Lebanon exult over you and say, now that you have been laid low, no woodsman comes to cut us down” (Is 14:7–8). Cedar trees nestled in the National Protective Cedar Groves.
Bibliography
Trever, J. C.
1962 Cedar. Pp. 545–46 in The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible 1, ed. G.A. Buttrick. Nashville: Abingdon.
BSpade 15:4 (Fall 2002) p. 117