inside the Temple. In 1 Kings, it is stated, "The inside of the temple was cedar, carved with

gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; no stone was to be seen" (1 Kings 6:18 NIV).

In the temple, wood especially cedar was used to cover all structural stone. Not only was cedar

used as a wall covering, it was used as structural timber, such as beams for the ceiling (1 Kings

7:12) and as pillars (1 Kings 7:3), and for the altar and various other instruments.

 Cypress is another wood that was used for timber as well as a floor covering. There is

some confusion as to what cypress really is. The Hebrew word "b@rowsh" is translated as fir in

the King James Version of the Bible, whereas the New American Standard refers to this word as

cypress. The Hebrew Lexicon (1996) defines the fir tree, Hebrew "b@rowsh", as including

cypress, fir, juniper, or pine because it literally means a noble tree. This wood was used for floor

and wall planks of the temple of Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:22; 6:15, 34; 2 Chronicles 2:7; 3:5); for

the decks of ships (Ezekiel 27:5); as well as for spears (Nahum 2:4); and instruments of music (2

Samuel 6:5). The only word translated as cypress in the KJV is the Hebrew word "tirzah" in

Isaiah 44:14, but in the NASB it is translated as pine. Tirzah is not used in the context of

building anything and therefore will not be necessary to discuss further. Cypress was used

specifically as planks for floor covering in the temple (1 Kings 6:15), and as doors for the temple

(1 Kings 6:34), and as rafters (Song of Solomon 1:17).

 The Olive tree was like a staple for the Israelite community, not only did it produce olives

to eat but olive oil was used for cooking, as fuel for lanterns, and even the wood of olive trees

was used for building construction. There are a few verses in 1 Kings 6 that mention olive trees

in connection with building construction, as follows:

 Also in the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high.

[31] For the entrance of the inner sanctuary he made doors of olive wood, the lintel {and} five-