Fir

Fir [S]

the uniform rendering in the Authorized Version (marg. RSV, "cypress") of berosh ( 2 Samuel 6:5 ; 1 Kings 5:8 1 Kings 5:10 ; 1 Kings 6:15 1 Kings 6:34 ; 9:11 , etc.), a lofty tree ( Isaiah 55:13 ) growing on Lebanon ( 37:24 ). Its wood was used in making musical instruments and doors of houses, and for ceilings ( 2 Chronicles 3:5 ), the decks of ships ( Ezekiel 27:5 ), floorings and spear-shafts ( Nahum 2:3 , RSV). The true fir (abies) is not found in Palestine, but the pine tree, of which there are four species, is common.

The precise kind of tree meant by the "green fir tree" ( Hosea 14:8 ) is uncertain. Some regard it as the sherbin tree, a cypress resembling the cedar; others, the Aleppo or maritime pine (Pinus halepensis), which resembles the Scotch fir; while others think that the "stone-pine" (Pinus pinea) is probably meant. (See PINE .)

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

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[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary

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Bibliography Information

Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Fir". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

Fir. [E]

( Isaiah 14:8 ; Ezekiel 27:5 ) etc. As the term "cedar" is in all probability applicable to more than one tree, so also "fir" in the Authorized Version represents probably one or other of the following trees:

1. Pinus sylvestris , or Scotch fir;
2. Larch;
3. Cupressus sempervirens , or cypress, all which are at this day found in the Lebanon. The wood of the fir was used for ship-building, ( Ezekiel 27:5 ) for musical instruments, ( 2 Samuel 6:5 ) for beams and rafters of houses, ( 1 Kings 5:8 1 Kings 5:10 ; 2 Chronicles 2:8 ) It was a tall evergreen tree of vigorous growth.

[E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary

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Bibliography Information

Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Fir'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.