Flowers: The Lily of the Valley
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The "Lily of the Valley" is a term that appears in the Bible, often associated with beauty, purity, and the presence of God. This flower is mentioned specifically in the Song of Solomon, a book known for its poetic and allegorical language celebrating love and beauty. The reference to the lily is found in Song of Solomon 2:1, where the beloved says, "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley" . This verse is often interpreted as a metaphor for the bride's beauty and purity, and by extension, it is seen as a symbol of Christ's own purity and love for His church.

In biblical symbolism, the lily is frequently associated with purity and divine beauty. The lily's delicate and fragrant nature makes it a fitting representation of the virtues and graces that are esteemed in Scripture. The imagery of the lily is used to convey the idea of something that is both beautiful and transient, reflecting the fleeting nature of human life and the eternal beauty of God's creation.

The lily is also mentioned in other parts of the Bible, where it is used to illustrate God's provision and care. In Matthew 6:28-29, Jesus 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" . Here, the lily serves as a reminder of God's providence and the futility of human anxiety over material needs.

In Christian tradition, the lily of the valley has been associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her purity and humility. This association further underscores the flower's connection to themes of divine grace and beauty.

Theologically, the lily of the valley can be seen as a representation of Christ Himself, who is often described as the embodiment of purity and love. The flower's ability to thrive in valleys, often considered lowly or humble places, mirrors Christ's willingness to dwell among the humble and lowly in spirit. This symbolism is cherished in Christian hymnody and devotional literature, where Christ is often referred to as the "Lily of the Valley," highlighting His role as a source of comfort and hope for believers.

In summary, the lily of the valley holds rich symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative, representing purity, divine beauty, and God's provision. Its presence in Scripture serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal beauty found in a relationship with God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Songs 2:1
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Earthly Things
... The flowers are Christk the ideal of righteousness; in the psalm: he is just that
the ... in Solomon: I am the blossom of the field and the lily of the valley. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/iii on earthly things.htm

On Fruit Bearing.
... Like as the gentle south wind blows upon the flowers of the garden and scatters ... the
garden of the Lord blooms the rose of Sharon and the lily-of-the-valley. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/on fruit bearing.htm

The Unsatisfied Life and Its Remedy
... My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers. ... am but a wild flower, a lowly,
scentless rose of Sharon (ie the autumn crocus), or a lily of the valley. ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section i the unsatisfied life.htm

Coming to Christ
... Or, like the gardener who, having put into the ground his seeds and planted his
flowers, is not satisfied with them, and ... This Lily of the Valley"come and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/coming to christ.htm

A Song among the Lilies
... The lily of the valley and the rose of Sharon! ... He said "As the lily among thorns,
so is my love ... stalk, standing up erect from the earth, its flowers as high ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/a song among the lilies.htm

The Form and Spirit of Religion
... is attended to, who think that holly on Christmas is a most heavenly thing, and
a few flowers upon the altar almost equal to the Lily of the Valley and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the form and spirit of.htm

The Best of the Best
... but there were some particularly beautiful roses that grew in the valley of Sharon ...
"I am the lily of the ... but he is a rose, that is the queen of flowers; ay, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the best of the best.htm

The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
... is the flaunting poppy, and there by the hedge-rows are many flowers that lift ... the
place where he sleeps; let no cowslip and no lily of the valley deck the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the wicked mans life funeral.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death ...
... The bodies of our elect brethren appear more glorious than the lily-flowers on the ...
iv.17), over the valley of Jehoshaphat, by Mount Olivet, near to Jerusalem ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/3 meditations of the blessed.htm

Song of Songs of Solomon
... 2. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among ... The flowers have appeared on the
earth; the pruning time is ... of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/

Resources
What is the prophecy of St. Malachy? | GotQuestions.org

How does the geologic timescale fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.org

What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

Flowers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Flowers

Flowers of the Grass

Flowers: Appear in Spring

Flowers: Beautiful

Flowers: Cultivated in Gardens

Flowers: Evanescent

Flowers: Garlands of, Used in Worship of Idols

Flowers: Glory of Man

Flowers: Kingdom of Israel

Flowers: Representations of, on The: Golden Candlestick

Flowers: Representations of, on The: Sea of Brass

Flowers: Representations of, on The: Wood Work of the Temple

Flowers: Rich Men

Flowers: Shortness of Man's Life

Flowers: Sweet

Flowers: The Graces of Christ

Flowers: The Lily

Flowers: The Lily of the Valley

Flowers: The Rose

Flowers: The Rose of Sharon

Flowers: Wild in Fields

Related Terms

Flower (33 Occurrences)

Buds (20 Occurrences)

Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)

Figtree

Bloom (9 Occurrences)

Knobs (9 Occurrences)

Knops (8 Occurrences)

Blossoms (16 Occurrences)

Lily (9 Occurrences)

Fig (45 Occurrences)

Bud (23 Occurrences)

Openings (27 Occurrences)

Ornamented (14 Occurrences)

Flourish (26 Occurrences)

Floral (2 Occurrences)

Myrtle (7 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Bulbs (6 Occurrences)

Cups (28 Occurrences)

Carvings (6 Occurrences)

Carved (36 Occurrences)

Capitals (21 Occurrences)

Calyxes (6 Occurrences)

Saffron (1 Occurrence)

Drop (32 Occurrences)

Flowerlike (2 Occurrences)

Dries (10 Occurrences)

Palm-trees (23 Occurrences)

Shaft (13 Occurrences)

Hammered (22 Occurrences)

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)

Branch (60 Occurrences)

Tree (245 Occurrences)

Palm (49 Occurrences)

Lights (71 Occurrences)

Winged (69 Occurrences)

Blossom (23 Occurrences)

Designs (118 Occurrences)

Candlestick (34 Occurrences)

Lampstand (38 Occurrences)

Beaten (73 Occurrences)

Pillar (72 Occurrences)

Support (135 Occurrences)

Design (84 Occurrences)

Metal (69 Occurrences)

Vegetable (3 Occurrences)

Nisan (2 Occurrences)

Lamp-stand (17 Occurrences)

Lilies (15 Occurrences)

Garden (68 Occurrences)

Foliage (14 Occurrences)

Flowering (6 Occurrences)

Flax (11 Occurrences)

Thread (32 Occurrences)

Tops (37 Occurrences)

Tongs (6 Occurrences)

Resemble (15 Occurrences)

Radiant (14 Occurrences)

Damask (1 Occurrence)

Mandrakes (4 Occurrences)

Plated (29 Occurrences)

Blind (91 Occurrences)

Camphire (2 Occurrences)

Crocus (1 Occurrence)

Candlesticks (11 Occurrences)

Almond-blossoms (4 Occurrences)

Almonds (6 Occurrences)

Shaped (10 Occurrences)

Mankind (80 Occurrences)

Lieth (135 Occurrences)

Hyacinth (1 Occurrence)

Almond (7 Occurrences)

Overlaid (50 Occurrences)

Crown (94 Occurrences)

Lamps (45 Occurrences)

Itself (203 Occurrences)

Base (127 Occurrences)

Botany

Floweth (16 Occurrences)

Flowers: The Lily
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