The blossoming part of plants and trees, from which the seeds or fruit develop. Often admired for their beauty, Scripture uses their fleeting existence as an illustration of the transience of human life.
Carvings of flowers
In the tabernacle
Exodus 25:31–36 parallel Exodus 37:17–22
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand — three on one side and three on the other. There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand. And on the lampstand there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals. For the six branches that extend from the lampstand, a bud must be under the first pair of branches, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair. The buds and branches are to be all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
In the temple
1 Kings 6:18 See also 1 Kings 6:29, 1 Kings 6:31–35, 1 Kings 7:15–22, 1 Kings 7:25–26 parallel 2 Chronicles 4:4–5
The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; not a stone could be seen.
Metaphorical depictions of people as flowers
Isaiah 28:1–6 See also Isaiah 5:18–25
Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine. Behold, the Lord has one who is strong and mighty. Like a hailstorm or destructive tempest, like a driving rain or flooding downpour, he will smash that crown to the ground. The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot. The fading flower of his beautiful splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, will be like a ripe fig before the summer harvest: Whoever sees it will take it in his hand and swallow it. On that day the LORD of Hosts will be a crown of glory, a diadem of splendor to the remnant of His people, a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.
Human existence is likened to the short life cycle of flowers
1 Peter 1:24–25 See also Isaiah 40:6–8; Job 14:1–2; Psalm 103:13–18; James 1:9–11
For, “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 the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
Flowers and the changing seasons
Song of Solomon 2:11–13 See also Isaiah 18:5–6
For now the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come away, my darling; come away with me, my beautiful one.”
The lily
Its beauty
Luke 12:27–28 parallel Matthew 6:28–30 See also Song of Solomon 2:1–2; Hosea 14:4–7
Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
Lilies in psalm titles
PSA 45:0 See also PSA 60:0, PSA 69:0, PSA 80:0
Their metaphorical use
Song of Solomon 4:5 See also Song of Solomon 2:16, Song of Solomon 5:13, Song of Solomon 6:2–3, Song of Solomon 7:2
Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle grazing among the lilies.
The crocus
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.
The rose
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.