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the wood of the cross??

Discussion in 'History Forum' started by HeLeft9941, Apr 7, 2004.

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  1. HeLeft9941

    HeLeft9941 New Member

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    While at work recently, a question came up about the cross Jesus bore. We were trying to figure out of what kind of wood it was made. Someone suggested dogwood while another suggested cedar. I didn't know and come home and researched it. After researching Roman crucifixions, I've found something about olive wood but wonder if that is true. Does anyone have any knowledge to share with us? Anything would be appreciated!
     
    #1 HeLeft9941, Apr 7, 2004
  2. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    [​IMG]

    The Legend of the Dogwood

    "In Jesus time, the dogwood grew
    to a stately size and a lovely hue.

    'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven.
    For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

    Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
    Christ made a promise which still holds good:

    "Never again shall the dogwood grow
    Large enough to be used so.

    Slender & twisted, it shall be,
    with blossoms like the cross for all to see.

    As blood stains the petals marked in brown,
    the blossom's center wears a thorny crown.

    All who see it will remember me
    crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

    Cherished and protected this tree shall be
    a reminder to all of my agony."

    ...author unknown


    It is just legend. But I thought you might enjoy reading it.

    Welcome to the Board. [​IMG]
     
    #2 LadyEagle, Apr 7, 2004
  3. HeLeft9941

    HeLeft9941 New Member

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    Thank you! I'll have to share that with my coworkers. That's pretty neat.
     
    #3 HeLeft9941, Apr 7, 2004
  4. HeLeft9941

    HeLeft9941 New Member

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    Does anyone else have anything that they know? Or would be willing to help me research? I've tried various things... Seemed to have the most luck with researching Roman crucifixions but that turned up olive wood. From what I understand, olive is a very soft wood, meaning it would be difficult to build a cross. I don't know... All information is appreciated!
     
    #4 HeLeft9941, Apr 7, 2004
  5. Kathryn

    Kathryn New Member

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    #5 Kathryn, Apr 8, 2004
  6. Daisy

    Daisy New Member

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    Why would it be difficult to build a cross from soft wood? Pine is a softwood, but it's far easier to work with than, say, oak. It wouldn't need to be durable unless the crosses were reused.
     
    #6 Daisy, Apr 8, 2004
  7. HeLeft9941

    HeLeft9941 New Member

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    Good point... I hadn't thought about that. Thanks for the input!
     
    #7 HeLeft9941, Apr 8, 2004
  8. HeLeft9941

    HeLeft9941 New Member

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    Hmm... missed that other entry. Pine... I do belive someone else suggested that one too. I'll have to look into that one also Thanks so much!
     
    #8 HeLeft9941, Apr 8, 2004
  9. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    I have always understood the cross was made out of olive wood. It is quite common for rosary beads to be made out of this as a commenoration of the cross, but I have never researched the authenticity of the belief.
     
    #9 Melanie, Apr 9, 2004
  10. HeLeft9941

    HeLeft9941 New Member

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    Olive wood makes sense to me. Someone else has mentioned to me that this wood would need to be something readily available because the Romans surely wouldn't waste money on importing wood or wasting manpower to fetch it from far away. Also, as I have mentioned before, olive is a soft wood from what I understand. It would have to be a fairly soft wood because the nails would have to go into it. That's what I'm hearing so far. If anyone has anything else, I'm all ears! But otherwise, I think I'm going to tell my coworkers olive. Thanks so much for your help, guys!
     
    #10 HeLeft9941, Apr 9, 2004
  11. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Oak was very common in the region just north of Jerusalem (in Benjamin and Ephraim hill country).

    Posts were made of oak, about the thickness of a telephone pole. They were "set" and remained permanent. Examples all over the region and around the Empire.

    Prisoner carried the cross-beam, also made of oak (a hardwood but still easy to nail as any woodworker today knows) but not going to break under the strain of 130-40 lbs of weight hanging from it.

    Upright had a notched top and soldiers could hoist the cross-beam up into it quite easily. It would look like a "T". After the criminal died, nails could be pulled and the cross-beam ready for another execution.

    BTW, olive wood is soft when frensh, then hard and dries quickly and splits and splinters. I've bought grade A olive wood carvings in the Holy Land and if not oiled regularly, they will crack. Olive trees to not grow straight or tall, providing wood for an upright pole or even a cross-beam.
     
    #11 Dr. Bob, Apr 10, 2004
  12. following-Him

    following-Him Active Member

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    The Bascilica di Santa Croce in Rome claims to have wood from the three crosses and also a part of the sign claiming Jesus as the King of the Jews. Rob saw the cross piece of the cross which Christ is meant to have been crucified on and he says that it could well have been pine and the sign was of walnut. Pine is also a soft wood. Olive wood doesn't really grow tall enough or straight enough to be used for a cross, but palm trees do.
     
    #12 following-Him, Apr 10, 2004
  13. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    Any one who believes those are actually the crosses of Jesus and the two theives, I have some prime ocean front property I would like to sell you in Arizona.
    [​IMG] :D ;)
     
    #13 Bro Tony, Apr 10, 2004
  14. Daisy

    Daisy New Member

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    But oak isn't easy to nail without splitting. It's usually pre-drilled.
     
    #14 Daisy, Apr 11, 2004
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