THE FLORIST. 293 



SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The Lily. — The word in the Hebrew Scriptures translated Lily, 

 and plainly answering to our flower of that name, is of most inter- 

 esting origin ; and the references to the flower itself may teach us 

 many things. 



One of England's satirical poets writes — 



" 'Tis said that Hebrew roots are found 

 To flourish most in barren ground." 



But we can say from experience, that Hebrew roots, wherever they 

 nourish most, are of a most fruitful nature, and, unlike those of the 

 florist, almost every one of them produces several varieties, and 

 often so different from each other, that only the learned and inge- 

 nious will find out the real relationship between them. Let us take, 

 for instance, the root of the word Lily, which, by the way, may be 

 almost exactly seen in its Hebrew shape in the pretty English name 

 Susan or Susanna. 



1 . The root in its simplest form signifies, as a verb, to be brisk, 

 alive, sprightly, cheerful, to rejoice ; and as a noun, hilarity, exulta- 

 tion, cheerfulness, triumphant joy, and the object of affection or joy. 



2. As a noun of number it signifies six, which the learned Dr. 

 Parkhurst thus explains : the sixth day was the day of exultation 

 for the finishing of the creation, when the morning stars sang toge- 

 ther, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. 



3. The same word, slightly varied, stands for the fine white linen 

 or cotton cloth so often referred to as the habiliments of the priests : 

 in this sense the word still expresses cheerful vivid whiteness, 



4. Again, it is used to signify white marble, where the same idea 

 of purity and brightness is clearly retained. 



5. And now we arrive at the fifth meaning, viz. the Lily. And 

 how could this flower be better described, with its six leaves, white as 

 marble or fine linen, — the very emblem of cheerfulness and joy flowing 

 from the possession of purity ? 



1. The first reference to the form of the Lily in Scripture is 

 1 Kings vii. 26, and the parallel passage, 2 Chron. iv. 5; it is in 

 the description of the molten sea : " Its brim was wrought like the 

 brim of a cup, with flowers of Lilies /" We may see the beauty of the 

 connexion, in remembering that the sea was intended for the wash- 

 ing of the priests, and typified that holiness without which no man 

 shall see the Lord. 



2. Again, on the top of the two pillars in the porch of the 

 temple — the pillars called Jachin and Boaz (1 Kings vii. 15-22), as 

 meaning the establishment and strength given by God — there was 

 lily-work, shewing forth, as it appears to me, this truth, "The joy 

 of the Lord is your strength." 



3. The word elsewhere translated Lily is seen at the heading of 

 Ps. lx., lxix., xlv., and lxxx , and is left in its Hebrew form in our 



