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The Rose of Sharon
Does the Rose of Sharon symbolize Jesus?
Was
it used for a healing balm?
In
ancient Israel, the rose of Sharon grew in a plain that was also called
Lasharon (Joshua 12:18).
It
was an expanse of land starting on the Mediteranean Sea coast that
stretched east 10 miles (16 km).
Its
northern boundary was around modern Haifa, where it ran south to near Tel Aviv
(about 51 miles or 82 km).
Solomon used
Sharon's rose to describe the pleasing appearance of a woman he was courting.
The
plain where it was found was known for its beauty and fertility (1Chronicles 27:29, Isaiah 33:9).
The
king directly references this rose in the Biblical book named after him.
"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters . . . Rise up, my
love, my fair one, and come away . . . let me see your face, let me hear your
voice; For your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." (Song of Solomon, 2:1 - 2, 10, 14,
NKJV).
No
one today knows exactly what this flower looked like at the time ancient Israel
was a united kingdom.
The Hebrew word translated as "rose" in Song
of Solomon 2:1 (chabatstseleth) only tells us it was a meadow
saffron but does not give us its color.
Many
varieties of meadow saffrons are still common in Palestine.
Although
some believe the rose of Sharon symbolizes Jesus as the church's heavenly
bridegroom, there is no direct Biblical connection to this symbolism.
The
only balm referenced, by name, in the Bible is the balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22, 46:11).
This
balm, which was a valuable trading commodity, was used as a healing ointment.
There
is no known relationship, however, between this balm and the famous rose.
That
said, in modern times, portions of certain roses are sometimes used for
medicinal treatments.
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