fir Summary and Overview

the uniform rendering in the Authorized Version (marg. R.V., "cypress") of "berosh" (2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Kings 5:8, 10; 6:15, 34; 9:11, etc.), a lofty tree (Isa. 55:13) growing on Lebanon (37:24). Its wood was used in making musical instruments and doors of houses, and for ceilings (2 Chr. 3:5), the decks of ships (Ezek. 27:5), floorings and spear-shafts (Nah. 2:3, R.V.). The true fir (abies) is not found in Israel, but the pine tree, of which there are four species, is common. The precise kind of tree meant by the "green fir tree" (Hos. 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 T0002956.)

#Isa 14:8; Eze 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, #Eze 27:5| for musical instruments, #2Sa 6:5| for beams and rafters of houses, #1Ki 5:8,10; 2Ch 2:8| It was a tall evergreen tree of vigorous growth.