Fir Tree

ברוש , occurs 2Sa 6:5; 1Ki 5:8; 1Ki 5:10; 1Ki 6:15; 1Ki 6:34; 1Ki 9:11; 2Ki 19:23; 2Ch 2:8; 2Ch 3:5; Psa 104:17; Isa 14:8; Isa 37:24; Isa 41:19; Isa 55:13; Isa 60:13; Eze 27:5; Eze 31:8; Hos 14:8; Nah 2:3; Zec 11:2. The LXX render it so variously as to show that they knew not what particular tree is meant; the Vulgate, generally by abietes, the “fir-tree.” Celsius asserts that it is the cedar; but Millar maintains that it is the fir. The fir tree is an evergreen, of beautiful appearance, whose lofty height, and dense foliage, afford a spacious shelter and shade. The trunk of the tree is very straight. The wood was anciently used for spears, musical instruments, furniture for houses, rafters in building, and for ships. In 2Sa 6:5, it is mentioned that David played on instruments of fir wood; and Dr. Burney, in his “History of Music,” observes, “This species of wood, so soft in its nature, and sonorous in its effects, seems to have been preferred by the ancients, as well as moderns, to every other kind for the construction of musical instruments, particularly the bellies of them, on which the tone of them chiefly depends. Those of the harp, lute, guitar, harpsichord, and violin, in present use, are always made of this wood.”

Fir Tree. Probably the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), which is almost as large as the cedar, is now found on Lebanon, and was formerly doubtless abundant through Palestine. Hos 14:8. Sometimes the cypress and juniper may have been included under this name, as well as other pines found here.

2Ki 19:23 (b) This is a type of the finest and best of Israel’s men. (See also Isa 37:24).

Isa 14:8 (b) Probably this refers to the millennial time when Satan will be cast down and will be unable to bring trouble on the earth. The fir tree is a type of the happy life of a believer. It is a picture of joy particularly when found in the life of a leader. So these leaders may rejoice in peace when Satan is cast out of the earth and chained for the thousand years.

Isa 41:19 (c) This is a picture of the joy of the Lord that fills the believer’s heart when he is in the midst of distressing and disturbing conditions.

Eze 31:8 (a) This is a type of the great men of Assyria who excelled in might, power, pomp and dress. They were not like the great men of Israel, but were more beautiful and attractive in their appearance and demeanor.

Hos 14:8 (c) By this figure is represented a happy Christian life, a life of usefulness for the Lord, and a happy situation.

Nah 2:3 (b) By this figure is indicated that the great men of Israel, the leaders of their worship and service, were to be humbled and defeated by GOD’s command.

Zec 11:2 (b) The comparison here is between the size of the little fir tree and the great cedar tree. The lesser person weeps and grieves when the greater person dies or falls in the battle. This Scripture was used at Spurgeon’s funeral.

A translation of several Hebrew words in the Old Testament that might refer to a tree with cones (conifer trees). Experts cannot identify exactly which tree this is.

Fir tree is a general term for various evergreen trees that have flat needles and upright cones. Most likely, most of the references to fir trees in the Bible are actually talking about pine, cypress, or juniper trees. The only true fir tree in Israel and the surrounding areas grows in the higher parts of Lebanon and the mountains to the north. Abies cilicica grows to a height of 9.1 to 22.9 meters (30 to 75 feet) and many people grow it for various uses.

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.