Bible Dictionary
Thyine wood
Thyine wood was a valuable, fragrant wood used by Greeks and Romans for furniture and ornamental objects. It is mentioned in Revelation among the luxury goods whose trade would cease when Babylon fell.
Definition
Thyine wood was a valuable, fragrant wood used by the Greeks and Romans for furniture and ornamental articles. It came from a cone-bearing tree associated with the cypress group.
Biblical Usage
Revelation lists thyine wood among the luxury goods whose trade would cease when Babylon fell.
Historical Background
The Romans called the tree citrus and the wood citrum. It was prized for its beauty and fragrance and was identified with Callitris quadrivalvis, a tree native to Barbary.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mentioned only in Rev. 18:12 among the articles which would cease to be purchased when Babylon fell. It was called citrus, citron wood, by the Romans. It was the Callitris quadrivalvis of botanists, of the cone-bearing order of trees, and of the cypress tribe of this order. The name of this wood is derived from the Greek word thuein, “to sacrifice,” and it was so called because it was burnt in sacrifices, on account of its fragrance. The wood of this tree was reckoned very valuable, and was used for making articles of furniture by the Greeks and Romans. Like the cedars of Lebanon, it is disappearing from the forests of Palestine.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
occurs in (Revelation 18:12) where the margin has “sweet” (wood). There can be little doubt that the wood here spoken of is that of the Thuya articulata, Desfont the Callitris quadrivalvis of present botanists. It is a cone bearing tree and allied to the pine. This tree was much prized by Greeks and Romans on account of the beauty of its wood for various ornamental purposes. By the Romans the tree was called citrus, the wood citrum . It is a native of Barbary, and grows to the height of 15 to 25 feet.