Dictionary of the Bible.

Fir. — The fir-tree is noticed in the Bible under the Hebrew names of Berosh and Beroth. These coniferous trees are resinous in their nature, their leaves are very narrow and sharp-pointed (hence called needle-trees by the Germans). The wood of the tree is marked with remarkable dotted discs, which are easily seen under the microscope. Allusion is frequently nude in the Bible to the vigorous growth of the fir-tree. Thus, Ezekiel, when describing the power of the Assyrian, selects the fir-tree on account of its noble growth, and says “the fir-trees were not like his boughs” (31:8). For the same reason it is associated with the cedar of Lebanon. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, is represented as saying, “With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the heights of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar-trees thereof, and the choice of fir-trees thereof” (2 Kings 19:2323By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel. (2 Kings 19:23); Isa. 37:2121Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria: (Isaiah 37:21)). The wood was used for various purposes, such as in house-building, ship-building, the formation of musical instruments, &c. It was one of the kinds of timber sent by Hiram to Solomon for the construction of the temple (1 Kings 5:8-10; 9:118And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. 9My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household. 10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. (1 Kings 5:8‑10)
11(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. (1 Kings 9:11); 2 Chron. 2:88Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, (2 Chronicles 2:8)). The floor of the house was covered with planks of fir, and the two doors at the entrance of the temple and the ceiling were made of the same kind of wood (1 Kings 11-1. 15:34; 2 Chron. 3:55And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains. (2 Chronicles 3:5)). Rafters of berosh are also referred to in the {s 12176}Song of Solomon 1:1717The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. (Song of Solomon 1:17). David and all the house of Israel played on musical instruments made of berosh-wood. Fir-trees are mentioned in connection with the future renovated earth. Isaiah says, “I will set in the desert the fir-tree” (Isa. 41:1919I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: (Isaiah 41:19)) “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree” (Isa. 55:1313Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 55:13)). “The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious... and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders: but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time”
(Isa. 60:13-2213The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. 14The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 15Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. 16Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. 17For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. 18Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. 19The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 20Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:13‑22)).