Bibical Oils - Fir

When we think of Firs we usually think of Christmas. The smell of a fresh evergreen tree filling the room or house soothes the senses as it ignites the mind to creating a celebration come Christmas Day. Never mind the needles left behind as it slowly dies near the end of the season. But even those give off a fragrance.

There is much to be said for the aromatic effects an essential oil can deliver. I must admit I thought it was silly to think that even smelling an essential oil could affect one's disposition or health. That is until an essential oil worked for me.

Fir is not a pretty smell. Reference Guide for Essential Oils described it as having a woody, earthly, fresh, sweet scent. I can agree with the woody and earth smell. As for the other descriptions I wonder if it is the physical tree and it's parts that are known for that. The oil itself is extracted from the bark, twigs, wood and needles. Like I said, I can agree to the woody scent.

As for the essential oil Fir there are actually specific kinds of Fir. According to Essential Oils pocket reference the essential oil today comes from Idaho and two types of trees. But, according to Reference Guide to Essential Oils there are four varieties from the USA, Canada, Balkans, and France. Overall these two books state it can be used for antitumoral, antioxidant, antifungal, cuts, depression, hemorrhoids, nervous tension, overworked muscles, pain relief, sore throats, or respiratory issues. And can be found in some combined oils and moisturizing cream and deodorants.

I would like to add that Reference Guide to Essential Oils repeated several times that this essential oil was good for colds and the flu. An important thing to know at this time of year. But heed the warning that not all forms of this are safe to be taken internally.

So how was it used in the Bible?

While sources site that it is found in the Bible, I didn't find any mention or implication of it being an essential oil. Oh, and as an aside, depending on your translation the verses may read pine, fir, myrtle or evergreen.

There is mention of fir being part of buildings, boats or musical instruments. (See 2 Samuel 6; Song of Solomon 1; Ezekiel 27; Nehemiah 8) Of all the woods used in the days of the Bible I find it interesting that it was specifically mentioned as being part of the buildings that Solomon built for the Lord. (See 1 Kings 6, 9 and 2 Chronicles 2, 3)

One unique aspect to this tree and its qualities is that it is associated with renewal. God will renew the land by bringing back firs where they once grew and where they never stood before. (Isaiah 41, 55, 60; Ezekiel 31) And, so important are they that a king of Assyria who cut down the firs was prophesied against because of it. (See 2 Kings 19; Isaiah 37)

This tree is also used to illustrate the mightiness of God in Hosea 14. And Psalm 104 continues in this comparison when it mentions the storks nesting in them. Have you ever seen a stork's nest? I have. They are huge. The nests were on the rooftops of houses because the trees nearby weren't big enough to hold them. That's how majestic these Biblical trees were. But as grandiose as they are, Zechariah 11 and Nahum 2 both mention that God is able to bring these trees down.

One last verse to reference. That is Isaiah14:8. Hello. The trees are exulting God? Do you remember Jesus saying if the people didn't shout praises that even the rocks would? (Luke 19) Can you imagine if we could hear at their frequency what we would hear? But then, that's another study.

Back to Fir. I have only covered the effects of Fir in this article, but pine and myrtle have similar benefits. I must admit that Fir has become one of my favorite oils. When I have prayed for relief from neck pain secondary to a physical ailment, the Lord replied with using Fir. Why I was amazed that it worked I have no idea...but it did. And I continue to use it when needed.

So while Fir was not specifically mentioned in the Bible as being an oil used for sacrifices or anointing, we do have it for our use in today's world. We can use it for the aromatic effects it has always been known to have, or the topical uses that have been found through the years. This is yet another way that God cares for His creation.