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13 And
upon all the cedars ['erez] of Lebanon, [Labanown] that
are high [ruwm] and lifted up, [nasa'] and upon all the oaks ['allown] of Bashan, [Bashan]KJV-Interlinear
13 And it
will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up, Against
all the oaks of Bashan, NASB
Lebanon borders Israel on the north. Bashan borders Israel to the east.
Bashan was bordered on the west by the Jordan River, Gilead was to its north, and the Jabbok river was on its southern border.
Both respective regions were noted by their beautiful trees. Lebanon for its cedars and Bashan for its oaks.
Bashon was primarily noted for its huge grasslands and cattle industry, but it also has huge oaks worthy of note, Num 21:33; 32:33; Ps 22:12; Ezek 39:18; Amos 4:1; Mic 7:14. Its lofty oaks are also particularly celebrated; Ezek 27:6; Amos 2:9; Zech 11:2.
Back in Isaiah's day and prior to that, the cedars of Lebanon were huge, measuring 30 to 40 feet in circumference (10-13 meters), and were very tall trees. They were used in the construction of the Temple of Diana in Ephesus, and many cedars were used in the Temple of Solomon. Today these huge cedars hardly exist, as opposed to the huge forests that existed back in Solomon's day.
To look at them was to place the viewer in awe. Much like the giant red woods of northern California.
Anyway, these trees were huge and beautiful.
This is the symbolism of the arrogance of a negative people. They view their arrogance and self opinions as wise and beyond intelligence, above all other opinions and philosophies. Even above truth.
But of course spiritually dysfunctional people believe that their beliefs and opinions are truth, which they are not.
But as the trees were viewed as beautiful and permanent and unmovable, so too were their beliefs and attitudes.
Wicked people think and even overthink, highly of themselves.
But obviously today those huge trees do not exist. Where did they go? Well, wars and logging and forest fires and general use made them go away. In other words, the common day to day activities of history caused them to disappear. And so the opinions of humanity will one day disappear as their usefulness will not be able to withstand the truth or wrath of God.
The arrogance of man is no stronger than a tree that has been cut down and used in a fireplace or in some form of construction. Construction that deteriorated over time, and no longer exists.
This verse continues the concept of the finality of and the judgment of, evil, regardless of what it thinks of itself.
And evil thinks very highly of itself, but it will one day, come to an end.
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