Where in the bible does it say that we are not supposed to cut down tree's and adorn them with silver and gold

Question

What scripture is it please? Thank you.

Answer 1

It is Jeremiah 10:1-5 '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 ax. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

The Bible says that decorating a tree is a custom of the heathen, and that, as God's people, we are not to do as they do.

Answer 2

It doesn't say anything about that in the bible. I am a Christian, and I believe that a decorative tree is not in any way worshipping an idol or pagan worship. If I were using it intentionally to worship pagan gods or used it for an idol, it would be different.

I do it because it is pretty, and the star at the top reminds me of the star of Bethlehem. If I thought God disapproved of it, I would cease to do it. But, I don't believe God is concerned with decorations. There are too many important things in the world.

By the way, Jeremiah is referring to carving idols out of the wood of trees, and overlaying them with gold and silver, etc.-- not decorating a Christmas tree. Jeremiah 10:3-4:

3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.

Answer 3

Jeremiah 10:1-5 and 8,9.

"Hear you the word which the Lord speaks unto you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord. Learn not the way of the heathen and be not dismayed at the signs of the heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain. For one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. They deck it [the tree] with silver and with gold. They fasten it [the tree] with nails and with hammers that it move not. They [such trees] are upright as the palm tree, but speak not. The tree [KJV: stock] is a doctrine of vanities. Silver is spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder. Blue and purple is their clothing. They [the trees] are all the work of cunning men."

There are some who believe that this is a reference to the ancient custom of taking the fir trees and decorating them with gold and silver streamers on the twenty-fifth of December in worshipping the god Tammuz, the Babylonian god whose birthday was worshipped on the twenty-fifth of December at the winter solstice.

There are others who say, no, it's just a reference to an idol. Taking a tree, cutting it out of the forest, carving the thing out and then decking the little idol with all of these golden ornaments.

Answer 4

There is no scripture that states that. The only thing that comes close is you should not have any idols that you worship. Idols can be anything really. Most people's Idols are themselves.

Edit: The Great Crab is right, most christian holidays were pagan holidays. The christians tried to "reform" the christians during the Catholic Roman Empires conquests and took over the holidays to convert the pagans.

Edit #2: Thunder, I almost recanted and said I stand corrected. However, I just read the entire verse @ bible.com and I think you are misinterpeting the meaning. Christmas trees are not worked with a chisel. I think he is referring to the creation of actual idols not christmas trees.

Edit #3: Very good question GG, this one makes you read and think, especially after reading the verse Thunder provided. I think it is safe to state that in no cases should we make and worship idols. I doubt that this scripture is meaning "christmas trees," but could be wrong.

Answer 5

It doesn't. But there are plenty that either directly say or infer that Christians keep away from Pagan customs. All of the trappings of xmas, including the tree, have roots in pagan traditions.

According to the historian Professor Hislop, the Christmas tree celebration actually harks back to the time of Nimrod some 4,000 years ago: “Now the Yule Log is the dead stock of Nimrod, deified as the sun-god, but cut down by his enemies; the Christmas-tree is Nimrod redivivus—the slain god come to life again.”—The Two Babylons, pages 97, 98.

Answer 6

Read Jeremiah then Collossians 2, so you don't get caught up in why you shouldn't celebrate Christmas. Oh good, I see someone found the verses. It's real important to also read

Collossians 2:16
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Collossians 2:17
These are a Shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Everything you do to the glory of Christ is acceptable.

Answer 7

How can you people make an excuse for having a Christmas tree. Christmas itself is pagan, it has nothing to do with jesus Christ birth! Especially on Christmas. You cannot be doing it to the glory of GOd because it has nothing to do with the God of heaven. Jesus wasn't even born on or around the 25th of December. By the way singing a song Called "OH CHRISTMAS TREE "OH CHRISTMAS TREE!! HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH JESUS! WHY ARE YOU SINGING ABOUT A TREE ANYWAY??? Pagan!!!!!YOU HAVE been deceived with a satanic/pagan Christmas spirit. that is not of God!!!

Answer 8

It doesn't. Some people have taken an Old Testament passage about idols and tried to make it apply to Christmas trees. Christmas trees are neither Christian nor non-Christian.

Answer 9

Don't let it "spoil your Merry Christmas hun!" it's talking about "totems" or "groves" graven images, which were objects of worship of other than God, Not a "blue spruce" :)

Answer 10

the christians stole it from the pagans
along with easter, halloween, the cross, birthday cake, etc
its not in the bible