SYRIA, THE LAND OF LEBANON
Mediterranean, the jagged mountain peaks of the island of Cyprus outlined sharp against the red disk of the setting sun.
When the Old Testament writers wished to describe that which was consummately beautiful, rich, strong, proud and enduring, they drew their similes from Hermon and Lebanon, and the climax of the "glory of Lebanon" they found in the "cedars of God."[1] Would they express the full perfection of that which was choice,[2] excellent,[3] goodly,[4] high and lifted up,[5] they pictured "a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a forest-like shade. … Its stature was exalted above all of the trees of the field; and its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long. … All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; and under its branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young. … Thus was it fair in its greatness, in the length of its branches … nor was any tree in the garden of God like unto it for beauty."[6]
The cedar of Lebanon must not be confounded with the various smaller trees which in America are known as "cedars." It is own brother to the great deodar or god-tree of the Himalayas and the forest giants on the high slopes of the Atlas, Taurus and Amanus ranges. In the days when Hiram of Tyre provided
- ↑ Psalm 80:10.
- ↑ Jeremiah 22:7.
- ↑ Song of Songs 5:15.
- ↑ Ezekiel 17:23.
- ↑ Isaiah 2:13.
- ↑ Ezekiel 31:3f.
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