The term "lotus" in the context of the Bible is often associated with the plant life of the ancient Near East, though it is not explicitly mentioned in most English translations of the Bible. The lotus is a flowering plant that holds significant symbolism in various cultures, often representing purity, beauty, and rebirth. In biblical times, the regions surrounding the Mediterranean, including Egypt and parts of Israel, were familiar with various water plants, some of which may have been similar to the lotus.

Possible Biblical References:

While the Berean Standard Bible does not specifically mention the lotus, some scholars suggest that certain Hebrew words translated as "lily" or "reed" in English versions of the Bible might refer to plants similar to the lotus. For example, the Hebrew word "shushan" is often translated as "lily" and appears in passages such as 1 Kings 7:19, where it describes the decorative motifs in Solomon's temple: "The capitals on top of the pillars in the portico were shaped like lilies, four cubits high."

Symbolism and Cultural Context:

In the ancient world, the lotus was revered for its beauty and its ability to thrive in muddy waters, symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment. Although the Bible does not directly reference the lotus, the imagery of water plants and flowers is prevalent, often symbolizing God's creation and beauty. The Song of Solomon, for instance, uses floral imagery extensively to convey themes of love and beauty: "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley." (Song of Solomon 2:1)

Historical and Botanical Considerations:

The lotus is native to regions such as Egypt and India, and it is possible that the Israelites encountered this plant during their time in Egypt. The Egyptian lotus, known for its striking blue or white flowers, was a common motif in Egyptian art and architecture, symbolizing creation and the sun. This cultural exchange may have influenced the Israelites' own artistic and symbolic expressions.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the lotus, like other plants mentioned in the Bible, can be seen as part of God's intricate creation. The beauty and resilience of such plants reflect the divine order and the sustaining power of God in the natural world. While the lotus itself is not a central biblical symbol, the broader theme of God's provision and the beauty of creation is a consistent message throughout Scripture.

In summary, while the lotus is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, its symbolic associations with purity and beauty resonate with the biblical themes of God's creation and the spiritual life. The imagery of flowers and plants in the Bible serves to illustrate the richness of God's world and the depth of His love and care for His creation.1. (n.) A name of several kinds of water lilies; as Nelumbium speciosum, used in religious ceremonies, anciently in Egypt, and to this day in Asia; Nelumbium luteum, the American lotus; and Nymphaea Lotus and N. caerulea, the respectively white-flowered and blue-flowered lotus of modern Egypt, which, with Nelumbium speciosum, are figured on its ancient monuments.

2. (n.) The lotus of the lotuseaters, probably a tree found in Northern Africa, Sicily, Portugal, and Spain (Zizyphus Lotus), the fruit of which is mildly sweet. It was fabled by the ancients to make strangers who ate of it forget their native country, or lose all desire to return to it.

3. (n.) The lote, or nettle tree. See Lote.

4. (n.) A genus (Lotus) of leguminous plants much resembling clover.

5. (n.) An ornament much used in Egyptian architecture, generally asserted to have been suggested by the Egyptian water lily.

LOTUS TREES

lo'-tus (tse'elim; the King James Version shady trees): The trees under which behemoth (the "hippopotams") rests; "He lieth under the lotus-trees," "The lotus-trees cover him with their shade" (Job 40:21, 22). The Arabic equivalent is the dom tree, Zizyphus lotus, a species of jujube tree (Natural Order Rhamneae); it has many spines and small globular fruit a little bigger than a pea. It is common in the Jordan valley. This plant has nothing to do with the Egyptian lotus.

See LILY.

6628. tseelim -- (a kind of) lotus
... 6627, 6628. tseelim. 6629 . (a kind of) lotus. Transliteration: tseelim
Phonetic Spelling: (tseh'-el) Short Definition: plants. ...
/hebrew/6628.htm - 5k

The Finding of Moses
... procession came winding down from the palace towards the river, as the princess
in her gorgeous robes made her way to bathe in the pool of the lotus flowers. ...
/.../steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/the finding of moses.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... Mendes and Tanis. The boats were high-riding, graceful and finished at head and
stern with sheaves of carved lotus. Hull and superstructure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

Under Ban of the Ritual
... Tiny profile figures, quaint borders of lotus and mystic inscriptions trailed after
the swift reed in multitudinous and bewildering succession. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ii under ban of.htm

The Big Road
... Thibet nearing the end of their long pilgrimage to the famous holy mountain Wutai,
where each one hopes to be granted the vision of the famous opening lotus. ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter ii the big road.htm

Life in the Villages
... All was fresh and delightful to me and brimful of interest, from the hour when I
rode through the city gate, passed the great tanks of lotus bloom to the edge ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter v life in the.htm

The Heir to the Throne
... above a man's height. It was massively carved with colossal sheaves of
lotus-blooms and sword-like palm-leaves. Columns of great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter v the heir to.htm

The Love of Rameses
... The great loteform pillars supporting the porch were festooned with lotus
flowers, and the approaches were strewn with palm-leaves. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxv the love of.htm

The Son of the Murket
... Aromatic torches flaring in sconces lighted the friezes of lotus, the painted paneling
on the walls, and the clustered pillars that upheld the ceiling of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvii the son of.htm

Of Cleanness of Mind
... Who may truly say, I am clean from sin?' Truly none in this life; for as Job says:
Si lotus fuero aquis nivis, et effulserint velut munditiae manus meae, tamen ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x of cleanness of.htm

Ep. V.
... thirsting in the midst of waters, and that pitiable feast with nothing to eat, to
which we were invited from Cappadocia, not as to a Lotus-eater's poverty, but ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep v.htm

Lotus (2 Occurrences)
... lilies; as Nelumbium speciosum, used in religious ceremonies, anciently in Egypt,
and to this day in Asia; Nelumbium luteum, the American lotus; and Nymphaea ...
/l/lotus.htm - 8k

Lotus-bushes (2 Occurrences)
Lotus-bushes. Lotus, Lotus-bushes. Lotuses . Multi-Version Concordance
Lotus-bushes (2 Occurrences). Job 40:21 He lieth ...
/l/lotus-bushes.htm - 6k

Lotus-trees (2 Occurrences)
Lotus-trees. Lotuses, Lotus-trees. Loud . Multi-Version Concordance
Lotus-trees (2 Occurrences). Job 40:21 He lieth ...
/l/lotus-trees.htm - 6k

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. ...
/l/lily.htm - 15k

Marsh (4 Occurrences)
... Can the flag grow without water?" and in Job 40:21 (of the behemoth), "He lieth
under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen (bitstsah)." In 1 ...
/m/marsh.htm - 9k

Behemoth (1 Occurrence)
... "He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen.
The lotus-trees cover him with their shade; The willows ...
/b/behemoth.htm - 9k

Trees (179 Occurrences)
... EWG Masterman. LOTUS TREES. lo'-tus (tse'elim; the King James Version shady
trees): The trees under which behemoth (the "hippopotams ...
/t/trees.htm - 45k

Thorn (30 Occurrences)
... branches of this tree. It overruns a great part of the Jordan valley. It
is sometimes called the lotus-tree. "The thorns are long ...
/t/thorn.htm - 35k

Lot's (5 Occurrences)

/l/lot's.htm - 7k

Lotuses (1 Occurrence)

/l/lotuses.htm - 6k

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