Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "blossom" is often used metaphorically to convey themes of growth, renewal, and divine favor. The imagery of a blossom is rich with symbolism, representing the beauty and transience of life, as well as the potential for spiritual and physical prosperity.
Old Testament ReferencesThe concept of blossoming is frequently found in the Old Testament, where it is used to describe the flourishing of God's people and His creation. In
Isaiah 35:1-2 , the prophet speaks of a time of restoration and joy: "The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will bloom abundantly and even rejoice with joy and singing." Here, the blossoming of the desert symbolizes the transformation and renewal that comes from God's intervention.
In
Numbers 17:8 , the miraculous blossoming of Aaron's staff is a sign of divine selection and authority: "The next day, Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds." This event confirmed Aaron's priesthood and God's choice of the Levites for His service.
Wisdom LiteratureThe wisdom literature of the Bible also employs the imagery of blossoms to convey moral and spiritual truths. In
Job 14:2 , the brevity of human life is compared to a flower: "He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure." This verse highlights the transient nature of human existence, urging readers to seek wisdom and understanding.
Prophetic LiteratureThe prophets often use the imagery of blossoming to describe the future glory and prosperity of Israel. In
Hosea 14:5-7 , God promises to restore Israel: "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon." This passage emphasizes the beauty and strength that come from a restored relationship with God.
New Testament ParallelsWhile the New Testament does not frequently use the term "blossom," the concept of spiritual growth and fruitfulness is prevalent. Jesus' parable of the sower in
Matthew 13:23 speaks to the idea of bearing fruit: "But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold." This parable underscores the importance of a receptive heart to the Word of God, leading to spiritual blossoming and fruitfulness.
Theological SignificanceIn a theological context, the imagery of blossoming serves as a reminder of God's power to bring life and renewal. It reflects the hope of resurrection and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The blossoming of creation is a testament to God's ongoing work in the world, bringing beauty and order out of chaos and desolation.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, blossoms were often associated with fertility and abundance. The biblical use of this imagery would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society that depended on the cycles of nature for survival. The promise of blossoming fields and fruitful harvests was a tangible expression of God's blessing and provision.
ConclusionThe biblical theme of blossoming is a powerful metaphor for spiritual growth, divine favor, and the hope of renewal. It invites believers to trust in God's promises and to anticipate the beauty and abundance that come from a life rooted in Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The flower of a plant, or the essential organs of reproduction, with their appendages; florescence; bloom; the flowers of a plant, collectively; as, the blossoms and fruit of a tree; an apple tree in blossom.
2. (n.) A blooming period or stage of development; something lovely that gives rich promise.
3. (n.) The color of a horse that has white hairs intermixed with sorrel and bay hairs; -- otherwise called peach color.
4. (n.) To put forth blossoms or flowers; to bloom; to blow; to flower.
5. (n.) To flourish and prosper.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BLOOM; BLOSSOMbloom, blos'-um.
SeeFLOWERS.
Greek
438. anthos -- a flower... word Definition a flower NASB Word Usage flower (3), flowering (1). flower. A primary
word; a
blossom -- flower. (anthos) -- 4 Occurrences. 437, 438.
...Strong's Hebrew
5563. semadar --blossom (of the grape)... 5562, 5563. semadar. 5564 .
blossom (of the grape). Transliteration: semadar
Phonetic Spelling: (sem-aw-dar') Short Definition:
blossom.
...5322. nets -- ablossom
... 5321, 5322. nets. 5322a . ablossom. Transliteration: nets Phonetic Spelling:
(nayts) Short Definition:blossom.blossom, hawk From...
6692. tsuwts -- toblossom, shine, sparkle
... tsuwts. 6692a . toblossom, shine, sparkle. Transliteration: tsuwts Phonetic Spelling:
(tsoots) Short Definition: bloom. bloom,blossom, flourish, show self...
6692a. tsuts -- toblossom, shine, sparkle
... 6692, 6692a. tsuts or tsits. 6692b . toblossom, shine, sparkle. Transliteration:
tsuts or tsits Short Definition: flourishes. Word Origin a prim....
5339. nitstsan -- ablossom
... nitstsan. 5340 . ablossom. Transliteration: nitstsan Phonetic Spelling:
(nits-tsawn') Short Definition: flowers.... flower. From nets; ablossom -- flower....
5328. nitstsah -- ablossom
... nitstsah. 5329 . ablossom. Transliteration: nitstsah Phonetic Spelling:
(nits-tsaw') Short Definition: flower.... flower. Feminine of nets; ablossom; --flower....
5340b. natsats -- to bloom,blossom
... 5340a, 5340b. natsats. 5341 . to bloom,blossom. Transliteration: natsats
Short Definition: bloomed. Word Origin denominative verb...
6731b. tsits -- ablossom, flower, shining thing
... 6731a, 6731b. tsits. 6732 . ablossom, flower, shining thing.
Transliteration: tsits Short Definition: flower. Word Origin from...
5322a. nets -- ablossom
... nets. 5322b . ablossom. Transliteration: nets Short Definition: blossoms. Word
Origin from natsats Definition ablossom NASB Word Usage blossoms (1)....
6525. perach -- a bud, sprout
... Word Origin from parach Definition a bud, sprout NASB Word Usageblossom (3), blossoms
(1), bud (1), buds (1), flower (4), flowers (7).blossom, bud, flower....
Library
Take us the Little Foxes that Spoil the vines; for Our vine is in...
... CHAPTER II. 15. Take us the little foxes that spoil the vines; for our vine
is inblossom. The faithful soul prays her beloved that...
The Word of God did not Become Flesh Except in the virgin's Womb...
... Now, since He is theblossom of the stem which sprouts from the root of Jesse; since,
moreover, the root of Jesse is the family of David, and the stem of the...
The Great vine Picture.
... Each of these four words grows out of the other as fruit out ofblossom, andblossom
out of the new branch and that out of the old stock of the vine: believe...
Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it...
... Again, "Israel shallblossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit."
The bud andblossom represent, in a very striking manner, the first exercises...
Communion Broken --Restoration
... The fig-tree ripeneth her green figs,. And the vines are inblossom,. They give
forth their fragrance.... For our vineyards are inblossom,. He continues....
Of Jesus, God and Man; and the Testimonies of the Prophets...
... Gentiles trust; and His rest shall be glorious." And in another place: [632] "There
shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and ablossom [633] shall...
Conflicts with Giant Mistake
... That pinkblossom on the right is Peace, and a very pleasant odor it has. Next
to it is Faith. See it?... Notice itsblossom of pure gold color....
The Beautiful Secret.
... As a spring within a desert, Thou mayst water each plant small; But the
plant itself mustblossom" Thou canst tend it, that is all....
Divine Healing.
... "The desert shall rejoice andblossom as the rose." "It shallblossom abundantly,
and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given...
Isaiah's Discourse
... 2. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; and the desert shall
rejoice, andblossom as the rose. It shallblossom abundantly...
Thesaurus
Blossom (23 Occurrences)... of reproduction, with their appendages; florescence; bloom; the flowers of a plant,
collectively; as, the blossoms and fruit of a tree; an apple tree in
blossom...Vine-blossom (1 Occurrence)
Vine-blossom. Vine, Vine-blossom. Vine-branch . Multi-Version
Concordance Vine-blossom (1 Occurrence). Song of Songs...
Bloom (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Ablossom; the flower of a plant; an expanded bud; flowers, collectively....
8. (vi) To produce or yield blossoms; toblossom; to flower or be in flower....
Blossoms (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Job 15:33 He shaketh off as a vine his unripe
fruit, And casteth off as an olive hisblossom. (See NIV)....
Almond (7 Occurrences)
... In this way the almondblossom is a very fitting symbol of old age, with its silvery
hair and its wintry, dry, barren, unfruitful condition." In Jeremiah 1:11...
Flowers (42 Occurrences)
... FLOWERS. flou'-erz (BLOOM,BLOSSOM, etc.): (1) gibh`ol, literally, "a small cup,"
hence, calyx or corolla of a flower (Exodus 9:31, "The flax was in bloom")....
Flower (33 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) In the popular sense, the bloom orblossom of a plant; the showy portion,
usually of a different color, shape, and texture from the foliage....
Lily (9 Occurrences)
... sweet scent of the lily is referred to in Ecclesiasticus 39:14, and in 50:8 we read
of "lilies by the rivers of water." The beauty of theblossom is implied in...
Flourished (8 Occurrences)
... unto the tent of the testimony, and lo, the rod of Aaron hath flourished for the
house of Levi, and is bringing out flourishing, and dothblossom blossoms, and...
Flourishing (11 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:10 and in the vine 'are' three branches, and it 'is' as it were flourishing;
gone up hath itsblossom, its clusters have ripened grapes; (YLT)....
Resources
How can we learn to trust God like the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:17-19)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the highway of holiness (Isaiah 35:8)? | GotQuestions.orgShould Christians support the nation of Israel? | GotQuestions.orgBlossom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
