Algum or Almug Trees were used in the making of the sacred musical instruments, and in the ornamental parts of the Temple (1 Kings 10:11, 1211And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones. 12And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day. (1 Kings 10:11‑12)). It was a valuable wood (2 Chron. 9:10, 1110And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones. 11And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the Lord, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. (2 Chronicles 9:10‑11)).
The Box Tree was a rich and beautiful wood, and in ancient times was used for the inlaying of ivory in articles of value.
The Cedar. This grand old tree once covered the sides of Mount Lebanon, and was largely used by David, Solomon, and Nebuchadnezzar in the erection of their palaces, also in the construction of the Temple.
The Chestnut, or, according to the Septuagint, the Plane Tree. Its ample foliage secures a delightful shade and retreat from the burning rays of an Eastern sky, while its enormous trunk supplies timber for a variety of purposes.
The Cypress has been used from time immemorial as a momento over the tombs of the rich. It is a tall and upright tree, and its dark mournful-looking waving plumes make it a fitting emblem for funeral purposes.
Ebony. This tree grows in tropical countries. The ebony of Scripture, one of the most valuable of woods in the manufacture of fine articles, was imported probably from India.
Fir. Probably no wood was more variously used than "Fir." This tree, formerly very common in Palestine, is now but rarely found throughout the country.
Flax was extensively cultivated all over the East before the introduction of cotton. Egypt especially is noted for its flax crops; so also Palestine.
The Sycamore Tree is used in the construction of the Mummy boxes of Egypt and in Egyptian articles of furniture generally. It is the most lasting wood known.
The Pomegranate grows both wild and cultivated; its bark is used in the tanning of the finest kind of leather, and its beautiful fruit and flower were largely used in the ornamentation of the Sanctuary and in the rich robe of the High Priest.
The Gourd of Jonah was a plant peculiarly fitted to afford shade and shelter under a burning Eastern sky. It was and is still used in the construction of arbors.
Juniper Tree, or rather desert shrub. This species of broom afforded shelter to the Prophet (1 Kings 19), as it does the wandering Arabs and travelers of the nineteenth century. It is largely used in the manufacture of charcoal (Psa. 120:44Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. (Psalm 120:4)).
The Myrtle is one of the most beautiful trees in Palestine (Zech. 1:88I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. (Zechariah 1:8)). The leaves, bark, and root are used in tanning Russia leather, and impart to it that peculiar smell characteristic of that kind and quality.
The Oak is one of the strongest and grandest of old trees. There are some magnificent specimens in Palestine. Underneath its noble branches idolatrous rites were practiced, and from the strong and durable character of its trunk, it was a wood specially adapted for building purposes.
The Palm is not only justly celebrated for its fruit, but its large, beautifully-shaped leaves were waved as emblematic of victory (Rev. 7:99After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9)). The fibrous nature of its trunk makes it an unsuitable wood for the manufacture of fine articles, but for garden-gates, posts, beams, etc., it is well adapted, and for these purposes is largely used in the East.
Shittim Wood, or stem of the Shittah Tree, was extensively employed in the construction of the Tabernacle. It abounded in the Arabian Deserts, and could be easily procured in the Sinaitic Peninsula. From its quantity and various properties, it was admirably adapted for the sacred purposes to which it was applied.
Thynie Wood is only mentioned in Rev. 18:1212The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, (Revelation 18:12), and was at one time the most valuable of woods. It has been identified as the "citron," a native of Africa, and a wood greatly prized by the Romans.
The Willow is a beautiful tree, flourishing on the banks of the rivers and brooks of Palestine. It has been identified as the "oleander, now the exclusive material with which the summer booths in Galilee are constructed."