One thing those Zionist farmers did was plant trees, which, the Bible makes clear, were spread over much of the land in ancient times. Beginning with the third day of creation and the famous trees of the Garden of Eden, trees play a major role in the Tanakh, and often convey rich symbolism. Adriane Leveen examines some of these symbolic uses, noting that they are far from generic; rather, “the prophets use their knowledge of trees, gained from acute observation” to convey their message. Take, for instance, the way Ezekiel evokes the cedar:
Ezekiel presents Assyria as a cedar in a passage warning the Egyptian pharaoh that he may share the fate of the Assyrian king, whose empire was conquered in the late 7th century BCE. The majestic height of the cedar is reinforced through a description of its crown in the clouds. . . .
Safety, beauty, flourishing of species, and pleasure abound. This gorgeous poem [found in Ezekiel 31] is an ode to the cedar as cedar as well as the waters that allow it to grow. In capturing the beauty and grandeur of the cedar, we may forget that it represents Israel’s enemy, whose death would be a cause of celebration. Instead, we marvel at the perfect harmony of the scene, which conveys a profound appreciation for the natural world.
Through this metaphor, the prophet conveys a dual message: the Israelites should be wary both of worshipping and adoring the cedar (and nature, in general) and of following foreign kings. Both can lead to idolatry, one of Ezekiel’s repeated concerns. Indeed, Israel owes its fealty to the Arborist alone.
More about: Ezekiel, Hebrew Bible