Topical Encyclopedia
The lily is a flowering plant frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing beauty, purity, and divine provision. Its references span both the Old and New Testaments, often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and divine attributes.
Biblical References:1.
Song of Solomon: The lily is prominently featured in the Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love and beauty. In
Song of Solomon 2:1, the beloved says, "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley." Here, the lily symbolizes the beauty and purity of the beloved, often interpreted as a representation of the church or the individual believer in their relationship with God.
2.
Hosea: In
Hosea 14:5, God promises restoration to Israel, saying, "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily." The lily here symbolizes the flourishing and renewal that comes from divine favor and blessing.
3.
Matthew: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the lily to teach about God's provision and care. In
Matthew 6:28-29, 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." The lily serves as a reminder of God's provision and the futility of human anxiety over material needs.
Symbolism:·
Purity and Beauty: The lily's pure white petals have long been associated with purity and holiness. In biblical literature, it often represents the beauty and sanctity of God's creation and His people.
·
Divine Provision: As seen in Jesus' teaching, the lily is a symbol of God's care and provision. It grows and thrives without human intervention, illustrating the sufficiency of God's provision for His creation.
·
Renewal and Restoration: In prophetic literature, the lily often symbolizes renewal and restoration, as seen in Hosea. It represents the hope and promise of new life and growth through God's intervention.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Near Eastern culture, the lily was a common and admired flower, often associated with fertility and life. Its presence in biblical texts reflects its cultural significance and the natural beauty observed by the biblical authors. The specific species of lily referred to in the Bible is not always clear, but it likely includes various types native to the region, such as the Madonna lily (Lilium candidum).
Theological Insights:The lily's biblical symbolism offers rich theological insights into God's character and His relationship with His people. It underscores themes of divine beauty, care, and the transformative power of God's love. The lily's presence in Scripture invites believers to trust in God's provision and to seek the purity and beauty that comes from a life aligned with His will.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Lily(Heb.shushan, shoshannah). Although there is little doubt that the Hebrew word denotes some plant of the lily species, it is by no means certain what individual of this class it specially designates. The plant must have been a conspicuous object on the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret, (Matthew 6:28;Luke 12:27) it must have flourished in the deep broad valleys of Palestine, (Solomon 2:1) among the thorny shrubs, ib. (Solomon 2:2) and pastures of the desert, ib. (Solomon 2:16;4:5;6:3) and must have been remarkable for its rapid and luxuriant growth. (Hosea 14:5), Ecclus. 39:14. That its flowers were brilliant in color would seem to be indicated in (Matthew 6:28) where it is compared with the gorgeous robes of Solomon; and that this color was scarlet or purple is implied in (Solomon 5:13) There appears to be no species of lily which so completely answers all these requirements as theLilium chalcedonicum , or scarlet martagon, which grows in profusing in the Levant. But direct evidence on the point is still to be desired from the observation of travellers. (It is very probable that the termlily here is general, not referring to any particular species, but to a large class of flowers growing in Palestine, and resembling the lily, as the tulip, iris, gladiolus, etc. --ED.)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Hebrew name shushan or shoshan, i.e., "whiteness", was used as the general name of several plants common to Syria, such as the tulip, iris, anemone, gladiolus, ranunculus, etc. Some interpret it, with much probability, as denoting in the Old Testament the water-lily (Nymphoea lotus of Linn.), or lotus (Cant. 2:1, 2;
2:16;
4:5;
5:13;
6:2, 3;
7:2). "Its flowers are large, and they are of a white colour, with streaks of pink. They supplied models for the ornaments of the pillars and the molten sea" (
1 Kings 7:19, 22, 26;
2 Chronicles 4:5). In the Canticles its beauty and fragrance shadow forth the preciousness of Christ to the Church. Groser, however (Scrip. Nat. Hist.), strongly argues that the word, both in the Old and New Testaments, denotes liliaceous plants in general, or if one genus is to be selected, that it must be the genus Iris, which is "large, vigorous, elegant in form, and gorgeous in colouring."
The lilies (Gr. krinia) spoken of in the New Testament (Matthew 6:28;Luke 12:27) were probably the scarlet martagon (Lilium Chalcedonicum) or "red Turk's-cap lily", which "comes into flower at the season of the year when our Lord's sermon on the mount is supposed to have been delivered. It is abundant in the district of Galilee; and its fine scarlet flowers render it a very conspicous and showy object, which would naturally attract the attention of the hearers" (Balfour's Plants of the Bible).
Of the true "floral glories of Palestine" the pheasant's eye (Adonis Palestina), the ranunuculus (R. Asiaticus), and the anemone (A coronaria), the last named is however, with the greatest probability regarded as the "lily of the field" to which our Lord refers. "Certainly," says Tristram (Nat. Hist. of the Bible), "if, in the wondrous richness of bloom which characterizes the land of Israel in spring, any one plant can claim pre-eminence, it is the anemone, the most natural flower for our Lord to pluck and seize upon as an illustration, whether walking in the fields or sitting on the hill-side." "The white water-lily (Nymphcea alba) and the yellow water-lily (Nuphar lutea) are both abundant in the marshes of the Upper Jordan, but have no connection with the lily of Scripture."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A plant and flower of the genus Lilium, endogenous bulbous plants, having a regular perianth of six colored pieces, six stamens, and a superior three-celled ovary.
2. (n.) A name given to handsome flowering plants of several genera, having some resemblance in color or form to a true lily, as Pancratium, Crinum, Amaryllis, Nerine, etc.
3. (n.) That end of a compass needle which should point to the north; -- so called as often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LILYlil'-i (shushan (1 Kings 7:19), shoshannah (2 Chronicles 4:5Songs 2:1Hosea 14:5); plural (Songs 2:16;Songs 4:5;Songs 5:13;Songs 6:2; 7:02; Ecclesiasticus 39:14; 50:8); krinon (Matthew 6:28Luke 12:27)): The Hebrew is probably a loan word from the Egyptian the original s-sh-n denoting the lotus-flower, Nymphaea lotus. This was probably the model of the architectural ornament, translated "lily-work," which appeared upon the capitals of the columns in the temple porch (1 Kings 7:19), upon the top of the pillars (1 Kings 7:22) and upon the turned-back rim of the "molten sea" (1 Kings 7:26).
Botanically the word shoshannah, like the similar modern Arabic Susan, included in all probability a great many flowers, and was used in a way at least as wide as the popular use of the English word "lily." The expression "lily of the valleys" (Songs 2:1) has nothing to do with the plant of that name; the flowers referred to appear to have been associated with the rank herbage of the valley bottoms (Songs 4:5); the expression "His lips are as lilies" (Songs 5:13) might imply a scarlet flower, but more probably in oriental imagery signifies a sweet-scented flower; the 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 the blossom is implied inHosea 14:5, where Yahweh promises that repentant Israel shall "blossom as the lily." A "heap of wheat set about with lilies" (Songs 7:2) probably refers to the smoothed-out piles of newly threshed wheat on the threshing-floors decorated by a circlet of flowers.
The reference of our Lord to the "lilies of the field" is probably, like the Old Testament references, quite a general one.
The Hebrew and the Greek very likely include not only any members of the great order Liliaceae, growing in Palestine, e.g. asphodel, squill, hyacinth, ornithogalum ("Star of Bethlehem"), fritillaria, tulip and colocynth, but also the more showy irises ("Tabor lilies" "purple irises," etc.) and the beautiful gladioli of the Natural Order. Irideae and the familiar narcissi of the Natural Order Amaryllideae.
In later Jewish literature the lily is very frequently referred to symbolically, and a lotus or lily was commonly pictured on several Jewish coins.
E. W. G. Masterman
Greek
2918. krinon -- alily... a
lily. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: krinon Phonetic Spelling:
(kree'-non) Short Definition: a
lily Definition: a
lily growing wild, variously
...4677. Sousanna -- "lily," Susanna, one of the women accompanying...
... "lily... Word Origin of Hebrew origin shushan Definition "lily," Susanna, one of the
women accompanying Jesus on His journeys NASB Word Usage Susanna (1). Susanna....
Strong's Hebrew
7799. shushan -- probablylily (or anylily-like flower)... probably
lily (or any
lily-like flower). Transliteration: shushan or shoshan or
shoshannah Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-shan') Short Definition:
lily.
...7802. Shushan Eduth -- Shoshannim-Eduth, Shushan-eduth
... Word Origin from shushan and eduth; perhaps "lily of testimony," a song title.
Shushaq Definition see NH7895. Shoshannim-Eduth, Shushan-eduth...
8348. Sheshan -- a man of Judah
... Sheshan. Perhaps for shuwshan;lily; Sheshan, an Israelite -- Sheshan. see HEBREW
shuwshan. 8347, 8348. Sheshan. 8349 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
As theLily among Thorns, So is My Love among the Daughters.
... CHAPTER II. 2. As thelily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
By these words the Bridegroom signifies the progress...
TheLily of the Valley. PM
... 328 TheLily of the Valley. PM. The Abiding Friend.... He's theLily of the Valley,
the bright and Morning Star, He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul....
Verse 1. I am the Flower of the Field, and theLily of the Valleys...
... CHAPTER II. VERSE 1. I am the flower of the field, and thelily of the valleys.... I
am thelily of the valleys, which only grows in annihilated souls....
Chapter ii.
... CHAPTER II. Anglican version. Vulgate. 1. I am the rose of Sharon, and thelily
of the valleys.1. I am the flower of the field, and thelily of the valleys....
The Dew and the Plants
... HOSEA THE DEW AND THE PLANTS. 'I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as
thelily, and cast forth his... Thelily, the cedar, the olive, are in my text....
The Sermon on the Mount.
... To the Jew he was the highest representative of earthly grandeur, yet he
was surpassed by the commonlily of the field. Whichlily...
But You, Beloved, who Possess this Faith, or who have Begun Now...
... hath not been silent, where in the Song of Songs the Bridegroom speaking unto the
Bride, that is, Christ the Lord unto the Church, saith, "As alily in the...
April 25, 1893
... Remember that He did not say: "I am the flower of the gardens, a carefully-tended
Rose"; but, "I am the Flower of the fields and theLily of the valleys." [218...
What the True and Seemly Manner of Praising; the Father
... Greater Than the Son, Not in Substance, But in Order; Virginity theLily;
Faithful Souls and Virgins, the One Bride of the One Christ....
January the Eleventh Self-Made or God-Made
... MATTHEW vi.26-33. Think of Lot and then think of alily of the field!... Look upon avarice
at its worst, upon a Shylock, and then gaze upon alily of the field!...
Thesaurus
Lily (9 Occurrences)... Some interpret it, with much probability, as denoting in the Old Testament
the water-
lily (Nymphoea lotus of Linn.), or lotus (Cant.
...Lily-work (2 Occurrences)
Lily-work. Lilywork,Lily-work. Lima . Int. Standard Bible
EncyclopediaLILY-WORK. The ornament of the capitals on the...
Lily-blossoms (2 Occurrences)
Lily-blossoms.Lily,Lily-blossoms.Lily-flower . Multi-Version Concordance
Lily-blossoms (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 7:26 And its...
Lily-flower (1 Occurrence)
Lily-flower.Lily-blossoms,Lily-flower. Lilywork . Multi-Version
ConcordanceLily-flower (1 Occurrence). Song of Songs...
Blossom (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And its thickness was a hand-breadth, and its brim was like the work
of the brim of a cup, withlily-blossoms; it held two thousand baths....
Lilies (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural ofLily.... 1 Kings 7:19 And the capitals that
were upon the top of the pillars in the porch were oflily-work, four cubits....
Lotus (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An ornament much used in Egyptian architecture, generally asserted to
have been suggested by the Egyptian waterlily. Int.... SeeLILY....
Lilywork
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaLILY-WORK. The ornament of the capitals on...
temple (1 Kings 7:19, 22). SeeLILY; TEMPLE; JACHIN AND BOAZ....
Rim (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 It was a handbreadth thick: and its brim was worked like the brim
of a cup, like the flower of alily: it held two thousand baths....
Brim (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 It was a handbreadth thick: and its brim was worked like the brim
of a cup, like the flower of alily: it held two thousand baths....
Resources
Questions about Song of Solomon | GotQuestions.orgWhat is contextualization? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.orgLily: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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