Flowers and Plants of the Bible
God created plants on the third day (Gen. 1:11–13), and, when God created man, He placed him in a garden to tend and keep it (Gen. 2:15). One of the final moments of our Lord’s life was spent in a garden—praying and seeking His Father’s will (Matt. 26:36). The Bible says that Jesus often brought His disciples there. Every year the spring rains turn the parched and dry hillsides of Palestine into a vivid blaze of wildflowers and bulbous plants. Although ancient writers as well as biblical scholars debate some references to flora as to specifically which species is referenced, the following chart can help you visualize how the plants mentioned in the Bible may have looked.
See also Gen. 1:29, 31; 2:5, 8; Luke 22:39, 40; John 18:1, 2; chart on Flowers and Plants in the Song
Flowers | Reference/Biblical Term | Description/Use |
ANEMONE | “Lilies” | The single-flowered poppy anemone or windflower covers the hillsides of Palestine with dazzling color each spring. |
CROCUS | “Saffron” | Four thousand stigmas and upper portions of the style of the saffron crocus are needed to make an ounce of saffron, a valuable dye in biblical times and even in the modern era |
CYCLAMEN | “Lilies” | Also called Solomon’s crown and another possibility for “lily of the field.” It is often given at Christmastime because of its glorious blooms (pinks and reds) and deep biblical roots |
HYACINTH | “Lilies” | Native to eastern Mediterranean where it flowers in the wild with deep blue perfumed spikes. |
IRIS YELLOW FLAG | “Lilies” | In Palestine it grows in masses along streams and waterways. |
SCARLET TURK’S CAP LILY | “Lilies” | Probably refers to the scarlet lily, since the passage refers to the lips. Grows wild in the woods in Palestine. |
MADONNA LILY | “Lilies” | Grows wild in upper Galilee. Used in religious paintings to symbolize chastity, purity, and eternal beauty. |
NARCISSUS | “Rose” | Sweet smelling, it grows commonly in Palestine. Some scholars believe it to be Isaiah’s “rose.” |
STAR OF BETHLEHEM | “Dove Droppings” | This bulbous and delicate plant dots fields and hillsides with prolific white blossoms that resemble dove droppings. |
TULIP | “Rose” | The “Rose of Sharon” is believed to be the mountain tulip. The deep red flowers grow wild in the sandy plains of Sharon. |
Vegetables | Reference/Biblical Term | Description/Use |
CUCUMBER | “Cucumbers” | Grown along the Nile, a major food of the poor centuries before Christ. A “cooling fruit” enjoyed in Egypt during the summer heat. |
MELON MUSKMELON WATERMELON | “Melons” | Commentators believe the word “melons” refers to both the muskmelon and watermelon since both grew in Egypt prior to Israel’s deliverance. Served as an alternative to water, largely consumed by the poor. |
LEEK | “Leeks” | The leek’s delicate flavor replaced the stronger tasting onion in cooking. Regarded as a “sacred plant” for its multi-medicinal value. |
ONION | “Onions” | The “Egyptian Onion” was sweet and mild. It was highly esteemed and worshiped by the Egyptians; it flourished more than any other plant in tomb paintings. |
GARLIC | “Garlic” | This strongly scented vegetable, along with leeks and onions, was part of the diet of the slaves who built the pyramids. The juice was used to control many diseases. |
Bitter Herbs* | Reference/Biblical Term | Description/Use |
CHICORY | “Bitter Herbs” | Called “liver’s friend” by the Egyptians and consumed in large amounts. It was thought to purify the blood and liver. |
DANDELION | “Bitter Herbs” | Leaves were used as a vegetable and the root for making medicine. |
ENDIVE | “Bitter Herbs” “Herb” | Bitter tasting, a tall leafy plant related to chicory. Used as salad greens. |
LETTUCE | “Bitter Herbs” | A weedy, bitter-tasting plant with yellow flower heads. |
SORREL | “Herb” “Bitter Herbs” | Known to Israelites as sheep’s sorrel. Its sharp, bitter taste combined well with other greens to improve their flavor. |
WATERCRESS | “Herb” “Bitter Herbs” | Known for its pungent flavor and medicinal qualities. High in vitamins and iron. |
*“Bitter herbs” are bitter-tasting plants that grew in ancient Egypt and were eaten by Moses and the Israelites during Passover. Many botanical scholars feel these six plants are among the bitter herbs referenced in Scripture. Sometimes the text uses general terms for classification instead of specific species. Today these herbs are more commonly known as vegetables. | ||
Herbs were cultivated by the ancients for practical purposes ranging from the making of essential oils and culinary uses to the healing purposes of medicine (Gen. 1:29). The latter was the most important. See also Gen. 1:11, 12, 31; 2:5, 8–15; 3:23; 1 Kin. 21:1–16; Song 4:12–16; 6:11 | |||
Bitter Herbs* | Reference/Biblical Term | Usage | Description/Use |
ALOE | “Aloes” “Fragrant oil” | TP MD | Sap from the leaves is added to other spices to make anointing oil (Matt. 26:7). Used in religious rites and for purifying bodies of the dead. |
CORIANDER | “Coriander seed” | A CUL MD | One of the most ancient herbs. Valued for both its seasoning and medicinal properties. The fruit is similar to the “Israelites’ manna.” |
CUMIN TITHING HERB | “Cummin” | A CUL | Native to the Mediterranean region since the days of Isaiah. Used in unleavened bread and for digestive disorders. |
DILL TITHING HERB | “Anise” | A MD CUL | Experts agree this “anise” is the dill of our day. Used by the ancients for flavoring and in medicine. |
FENNEL | “Black Cummin” | A CUL | The aromatic hot-tasting seeds were an Eastern substitute for black pepper. The spicy oil from the seeds increased the appetite and saliva flow. |
FRANKINCENSE INCENSE | “Frankincense” | A ceremonial plant valued for the gum resin it produced. It symbolized holiness. | |
HYSSOP | “Hyssop” | TP CUL | Believed to be Syrian marjoram. This bushy herb was used by the Egyptians to cleanse the temples. Known as the holy herb because of its use in rituals as a symbol of purification. |
MARJORAM | *see Hyssop | Known to Israelites as sheep’s sorrel. Its sharp, bitter taste combined well with other greens to improve their flavor. | |
MINT TITHING HERB | “Mint” | HP CUL MD | Probably horsemint. Used for cooking, medicine, and worship. Often strewn in synagogues to reduce bad odors. |
MYRRH INCENSE | “Myrrh” | A gum resin highly valued as a perfume and as an incense. Used as a symbol of Christ’s future suffering. | |
*Key: A—Annual TP—Tender Perennial HP—Hardy Perennial CUL—Culinary MD—Medicinal O—Ornamental | |||
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