ברוש, occurs 2 Sam. vi, 5; 1 Kings v, 8, 10; vi, 15, 34; ix,
11; 2 Kings xix, 23; 2 Chron. ii, 8; iii, 5; Psalm civ, 17; Isaiah xiv,
8; xxxvii, 24; xli, 19; lv, 13; lx, 13; Ezek. xxvii, 5; xxxi, 8; Hosea
xiv, 8; Nahum ii, 3; Zech. xi, 2. The LXX render it so variously as to
show that they knew not what particular tree is meant; the Vulgate,
generally by _abietes_, the “fir tree.” Celsius asserts that it is the
cedar; but Millar maintains that it is the fir. The fir tree is an
evergreen, of beautiful appearance, whose lofty height, and dense
foliage, afford a spacious shelter and shade. The trunk of the tree is
very straight. The wood was anciently used for spears, musical
instruments, furniture for houses, rafters in building, and for ships.
In 2 Sam. vi, 5, it is mentioned that David played on instruments of fir
wood; and Dr. Burney, in his “History of Music,” observes, “This species
of wood, so soft in its nature, and sonorous in its effects, seems to
have been preferred by the ancients, as well as moderns, to every other
kind for the construction of musical instruments, particularly the
bellies of them, on which the tone of them chiefly depends. Those of the
harp, lute, guitar, harpsichord, and violin, in present use, are always
made of this wood.”
11; 2 Kings xix, 23; 2 Chron. ii, 8; iii, 5; Psalm civ, 17; Isaiah xiv,
8; xxxvii, 24; xli, 19; lv, 13; lx, 13; Ezek. xxvii, 5; xxxi, 8; Hosea
xiv, 8; Nahum ii, 3; Zech. xi, 2. The LXX render it so variously as to
show that they knew not what particular tree is meant; the Vulgate,
generally by _abietes_, the “fir tree.” Celsius asserts that it is the
cedar; but Millar maintains that it is the fir. The fir tree is an
evergreen, of beautiful appearance, whose lofty height, and dense
foliage, afford a spacious shelter and shade. The trunk of the tree is
very straight. The wood was anciently used for spears, musical
instruments, furniture for houses, rafters in building, and for ships.
In 2 Sam. vi, 5, it is mentioned that David played on instruments of fir
wood; and Dr. Burney, in his “History of Music,” observes, “This species
of wood, so soft in its nature, and sonorous in its effects, seems to
have been preferred by the ancients, as well as moderns, to every other
kind for the construction of musical instruments, particularly the
bellies of them, on which the tone of them chiefly depends. Those of the
harp, lute, guitar, harpsichord, and violin, in present use, are always
made of this wood.”