Topical Encyclopedia
Flowers in the Bible are often used symbolically and are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. They are frequently associated with beauty, transience, and the glory of God's creation. The imagery of flowers serves to illustrate spiritual truths and moral lessons, reflecting the fleeting nature of life and the splendor of divine craftsmanship.
Symbolism and Imagery1.
Transience and Mortality: Flowers are commonly used to symbolize the fleeting nature of human life. In
Isaiah 40:6-8, the prophet declares, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This passage emphasizes the temporary nature of human existence in contrast to the eternal word of God.
2.
Beauty and Glory: Flowers are also emblematic of beauty and the glory of creation. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is compared to a flower, highlighting her beauty and desirability.
Song of Solomon 2:1 states, "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley." This poetic imagery underscores the aesthetic and romantic qualities attributed to flowers.
3.
Divine Provision and Care: Jesus uses flowers to illustrate God's provision and care for His creation. In
Matthew 6:28-30, He says, "And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these." This teaching encourages trust in God's provision, as He clothes the flowers with beauty and will surely care for His people.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn biblical times, flowers were an integral part of the natural landscape of the Near East. The region's diverse flora included lilies, roses, and other wildflowers that adorned the fields and hillsides. These flowers were not only appreciated for their beauty but also held cultural significance in various rituals and celebrations.
Flowers in Worship and RitualsWhile the Bible does not explicitly mention the use of flowers in worship, their presence in the natural environment would have made them accessible for use in religious and cultural ceremonies. The beauty of flowers could have been seen as a reflection of God's glory and an appropriate offering in the context of worship.
Lessons from FlowersThe biblical references to flowers serve as reminders of several key spiritual truths:
·
Humility and Dependence: Just as flowers depend on the sun and rain for growth, believers are reminded of their dependence on God for sustenance and life.
·
Eternal Perspective: The transient nature of flowers encourages believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary, worldly pursuits.
·
God's Creative Power: The intricate design and beauty of flowers point to the Creator's power and artistry, inspiring awe and worship.
In summary, flowers in the Bible are rich in symbolism and serve as powerful illustrations of spiritual truths. They remind believers of the beauty and brevity of life, the assurance of God's provision, and the call to trust in His eternal promises.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Very few species of flowers are mentioned in the Bible although they abounded in Palestine. It has been calculated that in Western Syria and Palestine from two thousand to two thousand five hundred plants are found, of which about five hundred probably are British wild-flowers. Their beauty is often alluded to (Cant. 2:12;
Matthew 6:28). They are referred to as affording an emblem of the transitory nature of human life (
Job 14:2;
Psalm 103:15;
Isaiah 28:1;
40:6;
James 1:10). Gardens containing flowers and fragrant herbs are spoken of (Cant. 4:16;
6:2).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FLOWERSflou'-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").
(2) nets (Genesis 40:10, nitstsah, "a flower" or "blossom";Job 15:33Isaiah 18:5). These words are used of the early berries of the vine or olive.
(3) nitstsan, "a flower"; plural only, nitstsanim (Songs 2:12, "The flowers appear on the earth").
(4) perach, root to "burst forth" expresses an early stage of flowering; "blossom" (Isaiah 5:24;Isaiah 18:5); "flower" (Nahum 1:4, "The flower of Lebanon languisheth"). Used of artificial flowers in candlesticks (Exodus 25:31).
(5) tsits, "flower" (Isaiah 40:6); plural tsitstsim, flowers as architectural ornaments (1 Kings 6:18); tsitsah, "the fading flower of his glorious beauty" (Isaiah 28:1, 4; alsoNumbers 17:8Job 14:2, etc.).
(6) anthos, in Septuagint equivalent of all the Hebrew words (James 1:10, 111 Peter 1:24).
The beauty of the profusion of flowers which cover Palestine every spring receives but scant reference in the Old Testament;Songs 2:12 is perhaps the only clear reference. It is noticeable that the native of Syria thinks little of flowers unless it be for their perfume. our Lord's reference to the flowers ("lilies") is well known (Matthew 6:28Luke 12:27). For details of the flowers of modern Palestine, see BOTANY. The aptness of the expression "flower of the field" for a type of the evanescence of human life (Job 14:2Psalm 103:15Isaiah 40:6James 1:10) is the more impressive in a land like Palestine where the annual display of wild flowers, so glorious for a few short weeks, is followed by such desolation. The fresh and brilliant colors fade into masses of withered leaves (not uncommonly cleared by burning), and then even these are blown, away, so that but bare, cracked and baked earth remains for long months where once all was beauty, color and life.
E.W.G. Masterman
Greek
1601. ekpipto -- to leap out... away, fade away, wither away Definition: I fall out, fall off, fall away; hence
in nautical language: I fall off from the straight course; of
flowers: I fade
...438. anthos -- a flower
... Transliteration: anthos Phonetic Spelling: (anth'-os) Short Definition: bloom, flower
Definition: bloom, possibly a reference to the brightflowers, such as...
Strong's Hebrew
6525. perach -- a bud, sprout... 6524c, 6525. perach. 6526 . a bud, sprout. Transliteration: perach Phonetic
Spelling: (peh'-rakh) Short Definition:
flowers. Word
...5079. niddah -- impurity
... uncleanness (2). far, filthiness,flowers, menstruous woman, put apart, removed
woman. From nadad; properly, rejection; by implication...
5339. nitstsan -- a blossom
... 5338, 5339. nitstsan. 5340 . a blossom. Transliteration: nitstsan Phonetic
Spelling: (nits-tsawn') Short Definition:flowers. Word...
4026. migdal -- a tower
... migdalah {mig-daw- law'}; from gadal; a tower (from its size or height); by analogy,
a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed offlowers -- castle, flower...
6731b. tsits -- a blossom, flower, shining thing
... Word Origin from tsuts Definition a blossom, flower, shining thing NASB Word Usage
flower (7),flowers (4), plate (3). 6731a, 6731b. tsits. 6732 ....
2099. Ziv -- the second month of the Jewish calendar
... Probably from an unused root meaning to be prominent; properly, brightness (compare
ziyv), ie (figuratively) the month offlowers; Ziv (corresponding to Ijar...
Library
The LittleFlowers of St. Francis of Assisi
The LittleFlowers of St. Francis of Assisi. <. The LittleFlowers of St.
Francis of Assisi Brother Ugolino. Table of Contents. Title Page....
To ScatterFlowers
... SELECTED POEMS OF SOEUR TH??R??SE, THE LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS TO SCATTERFLOWERS.
O Jesus! O my Love!... To scatterflowers!"that means each sacrifice:...
What theFlowers Say.
... SERMON LXI. WHAT THEFLOWERS SAY.... Children, have you ever heard of the language of
flowers? Now, of course, we know thatflowers cannot speak as we can....
Flowers Without Fruit
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICSFLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT. Prune thou thy
words; the thoughts control That o'er thee swell and throng...
January the Fifth theFlowers that Never Fade
... JANUARY The Fifth THEFLOWERS THAT NEVER FADE. 1 PETER i.1-9. "An inheritance...
it. We can begin even now to wear theflowers of Paradise. We...
God Cares for Birds andFlowers. --Luke, xii. 24-27.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCLXXVII. God cares for Birds andFlowers."Luke, xii. 24-27.
8.6.8.6 James Montgomery. God cares for Birds andFlowers."Luke, xii.24-27....
Stay Me withFlowers, Strew Me with Apples; for I am Sick of Love.
... 5. Stay me withflowers, strew me with apples; for I am sick of love.... Why talk of
being comforted byflowers and fruits, exterior consolations"trifles?...
TheFlowers have Appeared on the Earth; the Pruning Time is Come...
... CHAPTER II. 12. Theflowers have appeared on the earth; the pruning time
is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land....
Flowers Without Fruit
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLXVIIFLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT. Prune thou
thy words, the thoughts control That o'er thee swell and throng;...
EasterFlowers are Blooming Bright
... VII. CAROLS Carols 558. Easterflowers are blooming bright. 7.7.7.6... Mary A. Nicholson,
1875. Easterflowers are blooming bright,. Easter skies pour radiant light...
Thesaurus
Flowers (42 Occurrences)... Very few species of
flowers are mentioned in the Bible although they abounded in
Palestine.
... Gardens containing
flowers and fragrant herbs are spoken of (Cant.
...Flower (33 Occurrences)
... callyx. In mosses theflowers consist of a few special leaves surrounding
or subtending organs called archegonia. See Corolla. 3...
Buds (20 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:10 And on the vine were three branches; and it seemed as if it put out
buds andflowers, and from them came grapes ready for cutting. (BBE)....
Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... The immatureflowers harbor small insects which convey pollen to the femaleflowers
and by their irritating presence stimulate the growth of the fruit....
Figtree
... The immatureflowers harbor small insects which convey pollen to the femaleflowers
and by their irritating presence stimulate the growth of the fruit....
Bloom (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A blossom; the flower of a plant; an
expanded bud;flowers, collectively. 2. (n.) The opening...
Knobs (9 Occurrences)
... thou shalt make a lamp-stand of pure gold; of beaten work shall the lamp-stand be
made: its base and its shaft, its cups, its knobs, and itsflowers shall be...
Knops (8 Occurrences)
... make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his
shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and hisflowers, shall be of...
Blossoms (16 Occurrences)
... Of hammered work shall the lampstand be made, even its base, its shaft, its cups,
its buds, and itsflowers, shall be of one piece with it. (See NIV)....
Lily (9 Occurrences)
... Cant. 2:1, 2; 2:16; 4:5; 5:13; 6:2, 3; 7:2). "Itsflowers are large, and
they are of a white colour, with streaks of pink. They...
Resources
Flowers, and pictures, and cakes ' oh my! | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the menorah? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Hadassah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgFlowers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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