Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, trees are frequently depicted as suffering the ravages of desolating armies. This imagery is used to convey the extent of destruction and the impact of military invasions on the land. Trees, which are symbols of life, prosperity, and stability, often bear the brunt of such invasions, highlighting the severity of the devastation.The destruction of trees by invading forces is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible. In Deuteronomy 20:19-20, the Israelites are given specific instructions regarding trees during a siege: "When you lay siege to a city and fight against it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human, that they should be besieged by you? However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls." This passage underscores the value of trees and the need to preserve them even in times of war, reflecting a divine concern for the preservation of creation. Despite these instructions, the historical accounts of warfare in the Bible often include the destruction of trees. In 2 Kings 3:19, the prophet Elisha foretells the devastation that the Israelites will bring upon Moab: "You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones." Here, the cutting down of trees is part of a comprehensive strategy to cripple the enemy's resources and infrastructure. The prophetic literature also uses the imagery of tree destruction to symbolize judgment and desolation. In Isaiah 10:18-19, the Assyrian army is likened to a forest fire consuming trees: "The splendor of his forest and his fertile fields it will completely destroy, as when a sick man wastes away. And the remaining trees of his forests will be so few that a child could write them down." This vivid imagery conveys the totality of the destruction that will befall the Assyrians as a result of divine judgment. Similarly, in Ezekiel 31, the fall of Assyria is compared to the felling of a great cedar tree: "I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God. But because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and it was proud of its height, I handed it over to the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside, and foreigners, the most ruthless of nations, cut it down and left it." (Ezekiel 31:9-12). The cutting down of the tree symbolizes the downfall of a once-mighty empire, illustrating the consequences of pride and defiance against God. The destruction of trees by desolating armies serves as a powerful metaphor for the broader devastation of war. It reflects the loss of life, the disruption of agriculture, and the long-term impact on the environment and society. In the biblical context, such destruction is often portrayed as a consequence of divine judgment, a reminder of the moral and spiritual dimensions of warfare. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 19:23By your messengers you have reproached the LORD, and have 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 10:34 Library The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Memoir of John Bunyan Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: Resources What is the significance of the olive tree in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org What is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Trees of the Life and Conversation of the Righteous Trees were Cut Down by Besieging Armies for Erecting Forts Trees were Cut Down for Building Trees were Cut Down for Making Idols Trees were Sold With the Land on Which They Grew Trees: (Casting Their Leaves Yet Retaining Their Substance) of Trees: (Dry) of the Wicked Ripe for Judgment Trees: (Dry) of Useless Persons Trees: (Duration of) of Continued Prosperity of Saints Trees: (Good and Fruitful) of Saints Trees: (Green) of the Innocence of Christ Trees: (Producing Evil Fruit) the Wicked Trees: (Shaking of the Leaves off) the Terror of the Wicked Trees: Afford an Agreeable Shade in Eastern Countries During The Trees: Designed to Beautify the Earth Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Forest Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned of the Wood Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Bearing Fruit Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Deciduous or Casting the Leaves Trees: Different Kinds of Mentioned: Evergreen Trees: Each Kind Has Its own Seed for Propagating Its Species Trees: Each Kind of, Known by Its Fruit Trees: Early Custom of Planting, in Consecrated Grounds Trees: Given As Food to the Animal Creation Trees: God Increases and Multiplies the Fruit of, for his People Trees: God often Renders, Barren As a Punishment Trees: Made for the Glory of God Trees: Nourished by the Rain from Heaven Trees: Nourished: Through Their own Sap Trees: Often Propagated by Birds Who Carry the Seeds Along With Them Trees: Often Suffered From: Desolating Armies Trees: Often Suffered From: Fire Trees: Often Suffered From: Hail and Frost Trees: Often Suffered From: Locusts Trees: Originally Created by God Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Branches Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Fruit or Seeds Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Leaves Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Roots Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Stem or Trunk Trees: Parts of Mentioned: The Tender Shoots Trees: Solomon Wrote the History of Trees: Specially Flourished Beside the Rivers and Streams of Water Trees: The Jews: Considered Trees on Which Criminals Were Executed Trees: The Jews: Often Buried Under Trees: The Jews: Often Executed Criminals On Trees: The Jews: Often Pitched Their Tents Under Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Cutting Down Fruit Bearing, for Sieges Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Planting in Consecrated Places Trees: when Cut Down often Sprouted from Their Roots Again Related Terms Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) Sycomore-trees (6 Occurrences) Mulberry-trees (4 Occurrences) |
    |