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 19:23; Isa. 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; 9:11; 2 Chron. 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. 3:5). Rafters of berosh are also referred to in the 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. 41:19) “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree” (Isa. 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. 60:13-22).