Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Cutting Down Trees?
9 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Cutting Down Trees in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about cutting down trees. This collection of 9 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 9 Verses About Cutting Down Trees
- 1Deuteronomy 20:19
“When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life ) to employ them in the siege : for the: or, for, O man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege to employ: Heb. to go from before thee”
KJV - 2Joshua 17:15
“And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. giants: or, Rephaims”
KJV - 3Isaiah 44:14
“He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. strengtheneth: or, taketh courage”
KJV - 4
- 5Jeremiah 10:2
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”
KJV - 6Jeremiah 10:3
“For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. customs: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity”
KJV - 7Ezekiel 17:24
“And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.”
KJV - 8Matthew 7:19
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
KJV - 9Revelation 9:4
“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Cutting Down Trees? (7 Verses)
“When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life ) to employ them in the siege : for the: or, for, O man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege to employ: Heb. to go from before thee”
“And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. giants: or, Rephaims”
“He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. strengtheneth: or, taketh courage”
“Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:”
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”
“For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. customs: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity”
“And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Cutting Down Trees? (2 Verses)
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Cutting Down Trees
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about cutting down trees. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about cutting down trees and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about cutting down trees is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on cutting down trees needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about cutting down trees with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about cutting down trees, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Cutting Down Trees?
You have studied 9 verses about cutting down trees. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.