The cedar, known as Cedrus libani or "cedar of Lebanon," is famous for its beauty, height (up to 100 feet), and fragrant wood. Kings from Egypt, Phoenicia, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece used cedar wood from Lebanon to build temples and palaces.
Algum logs was used to make supports for the Temple, possibly pillars or railings, as well as musical instruments (see 1 Kings 10:11). Although often mentioned in ancient texts, the exact type of this hard, reddish-brown wood is unknown.