בְּרוֹת (be.rot)
be.rot
cypress
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun berot refers specifically to cypress trees, though some translations render it as fir or juniper depending on local botanical knowledge. In the Bible, this word appears only once, in Song of Solomon 1:17, where the beloved describes the structural beauty of their dwelling place.
The context is poetic rather than agricultural; the verse states that the beams of the house are made of berot and its rafters of cedar. This pairing highlights luxury and permanence, as both cypress and cedar were prized for their durability and aromatic wood. The sources note that the term evokes an image of a sturdy, shaded arbor, suggesting a home built with care and natural elegance.
While modern botany distinguishes between these coniferous species, the ancient text uses berot to convey quality and strength. Its single occurrence anchors the song’s imagery in the physical splendor of the landscape, linking human love to the enduring materials of creation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word berot appears in Scripture to name a tree prized for its strength and lasting quality. In Song of Solomon, it describes the rafters of a home built with care. This imagery shows how physical beauty can reflect deeper truths about stability and shelter.
When we read this passage, we see that love is often expressed through tangible acts of building and protecting. The use of such durable materials suggests a relationship intended to endure. It invites us to consider how we construct our own lives with integrity and lasting value.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [are] cypress<es>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּרוֹתִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 1:17
The beams of our house are cedars. Our rafters are firs.
This verse uses the term for cypress or fir to describe the rafters, pairing it with cedar to emphasize the permanence and luxury of the dwelling.