Wood Offering

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        <i><b>NOT REQUIRED IN THE LAW</b></i>
      
      
        
      
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        34. we cast the lots . . . for the wood offering--The carrying of the wood had formerly 
        been the work of the Nethinims. But few of them having returned, the duty was assigned as 
        stated in the text. The practice afterwards rose into great importance, and JOSEPHUS 
        speaks [The Wars of the Jews,2.17, sect. 6] of the Xylophoria, or certain stated and 
        solemn times at which the people brought up wood to the temple.
      
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        	Wood was probably much more plentiful in the early years of the monarchy; but, "The times 
        had changed. Judah had been stripped of her forests; the Temple was relatively poor, and 
        some permanent arrangement for the supply of wood was necessary. Lots were cast to 
        determine who would bring it, and when they would do it."
      
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