Wood is a material often mentioned in the Bible and has significant meaning in Christianity. In the Old Testament, wood was used to build the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred container for the tablets of the Ten Commandments, and construct the Temple in Jerusalem.

In the New Testament, wood is associated with the cross on which Jesus was crucified and the wooden manger in which he was laid as a baby.

The significance of wood in Christianity has rooted in the belief that God uses ordinary materials and objects to convey his message and his presence.

Wood has also played an essential role in Christian art and architecture. Many of the world’s most famous churches and cathedrals are constructed of wood, and intricate carvings and sculptures are often made from this material.

Wood has been used to create everything from crosses and crucifixes to icons and statues, and its versatility and durability make it a favorite medium for artists and artisans.

Bible Verses on Wood

1. Exodus 27:1

“And you shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.

2. Exodus 25:10-13

“They shall construct an ark of acacia wood two and a half cubits long, and one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and you shall make a gold molding around it. You shall cast four gold rings for it and fasten them on its four feet, and two rings shall be on one side of it and two rings on the other side of it.read more.

3. Exodus 26:15-17

“Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. Ten cubits shall be the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board. There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; thus you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle.

4. Exodus 27:6

You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.

5. Exodus 30:1-5

“Moreover, you shall make an altar as a place for burning incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. Its length shall be a cubit, and its width a cubit, it shall be square, and its height shall be two cubits; its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding all around for it….

6. Exodus 37:1-4

Now Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits, and its height one and a half cubits; and he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around. He cast four rings of gold for it on its four feet; even two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.read more.

7. Exodus 38:1

Then he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide, square, and three cubits high.

8. 1 Kings 6:23

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

9. 1 Kings 6:31-35

For the entrance of the inner sanctuary he made doors of olive wood, the lintel and five-sided doorposts. So he made two doors of olive wood, and he carved on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold; and he spread the gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees. So also he made for the entrance of the nave four-sided doorposts of olive wood

10. Ezekiel 15:2-3

“Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any wood of a branch which is among the trees of the forest? Can wood be taken from it to make anything, or can men take a peg from it on which to hang any vessel?

Bible Verses about Woodworking

11. Isaiah 44:13

Another shapes wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with red chalk. He works it with planes and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, so that it may sit in a house.

12. Exodus 31:5

and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.

13. Zechariah 1:20

Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen.

14. Exodus 31:4

to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,

15. Exodus 35:33

and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work.

16. 2 Kings 22:6

to the carpenters and the builders and the masons and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

17. Exodus 31:3

I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,

18. 2 Chronicles 3:10

Then he made two sculptured cherubim in the room of the holy of holies and overlaid them with gold.

19. Isaiah 44:12

The man shapes iron into a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary.

20. 2 Kings 12:11

They gave the money which was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of the Lord; and they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the house of the Lord;

Types of Wood in the Bible

21. Leviticus 14:51

And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:

22. Deuteronomy 10:3

And I made an ark [of] shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.

23. Judges 6:26

And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

24. Samuel-1 6:14

And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where [there was] a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.

25. Exodus 27:1

“And you shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.

Shittim Wood in the Bible

26. Deuteronomy 10:3

And I made an ark [of] shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.

Wood Offering in the Bible

27. Judges 6:26

And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

28. Samuel-1 6:14

And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where [there was] a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Firewood in the Bible

29. Isaiah 27:11

When its limbs are dry, they are broken off;
Women come and make a fire with them,
For they are not a people of discernment,
Therefore their Maker will not have compassion on them.
And their Creator will not be gracious to them.

30. Ezekiel 15:4-6

If it has been put into the fire for fuel, and the fire has consumed both of its ends and its middle part has been charred, is it then useful for anything? Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything! Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

31. Isaiah 44:15

Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it.

32. Ezekiel 24:10

“Heap on the wood, kindle the fire,
Boil the flesh well
And mix in the spices,
And let the bones be burned.

33. 1 Kings 18:33

Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood.

Spiritual Meaning of Wood

Wood has been revered and considered sacred in many cultures and spiritual traditions. Its symbolism is often associated with growth, renewal, stability, and grounding.

In many spiritual practices, trees are seen as a bridge between heaven and earth, with their roots deeply grounded in the earth and their branches reaching the sky. This symbolism is often associated with the human experience, representing our connection to the physical world and spiritual aspirations.

The spiritual meaning of wood can also vary depending on the type of wood. For example, oak is often associated with strength, endurance, and protection, while willow is associated with healing and flexibility.

Wood is also used in many spiritual practices to create sacred objects, such as altars, ritual tools, and statues. In some cultures, the tree’s energy is believed to be imbued into the wood, making it a powerful tool for spiritual work.

Overall, the spiritual meaning of wood is often associated with growth, stability, grounding, and the connection between heaven and earth. Its symbolism can vary depending on the type of wood and the cultural context, but it is often seen as a powerful tool for spiritual practice and transformation.

The symbolism of Wood in the Bible

Wood is an essential Bible symbol representing various concepts and ideas. Here are a few examples:

The Tree of Life

In the book of Genesis, the Tree of Life symbolizes eternal life and God’s gift of life to humanity.

After Adam and Eve sinned, they were prevented from eating from the Tree of Life and were destined to die. However, in the book of Revelation, the Tree of Life is present in the New Jerusalem, offering eternal life to those who overcome.

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest made of wood overlaid with gold, which contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It symbolized the presence of God and was carried by the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

The Cross

The most well-known symbol of wood in the Bible is the cross on which Jesus was crucified. It represents sacrifice, redemption, and salvation. The wood of the cross is also symbolic of the wood of the tree from which Adam and Eve ate, leading to their fall.

In conclusion, wood is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing themes such as eternal life, sacrifice, redemption, peace, and leadership. Its significance can be seen in the stories and teachings of both the Old and New Testaments.