Forests

Forests the source of timber

Nehemiah 2:8 See also Deuteronomy 19:5; Isaiah 44:13–14; Jeremiah 10:3; Ezekiel 39:10

And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

Forests the habitat of wild animals

Psalm 50:9–11 See also Psalm 80:13, Psalm 104:20–22; Isaiah 56:9; Jeremiah 5:6, Jeremiah 12:8; Ezekiel 34:25; Micah 5:8, Micah 7:14

I have no need for a bull from your stall or goats from your pens, for every beast of the forest is Mine — the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine.

Destruction of forests

As punishment

Jeremiah 21:14 See also Isaiah 10:18–19, Isaiah 10:33–34; Zechariah 11:1–3

I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”

As a demonstration of power

Jeremiah 46:23 See also 2 Kings 19:22–24 parallel Isaiah 37:23–25; Ezekiel 20:46–48

They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted.

To render land suitable for human habitation

Joshua 17:14–18

Forest fires

James 3:5 See also Psalm 83:14–15; Isaiah 9:18; Jeremiah 21:14

In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

The Palace of the Forest of Lebanon

1 Kings 7:2 See also 1 Kings 10:17 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:16; 1 Kings 10:21 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:20

He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high, with four rows of cedar pillars supporting the cedar beams.

Location of forests

1 Samuel 22:5 See also 2 Samuel 18:6–17; Ezekiel 20:46–48

Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

Poetic references to forests

Song of Solomon 2:3 See also 1 Chronicles 16:33; Psalm 29:9, Psalm 96:12; Isaiah 7:2, Isaiah 44:23

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.