Bible Dictionary
Rose
The flower called “rose” in some English translations may have been a narcissus, autumn crocus, or another flowering plant; the exact identification is uncertain. Roses themselves were also known in Syria and Palestine.
Definition
The flower translated “rose” in certain English versions is uncertain. It may refer to the autumn crocus, narcissus, oleander, tulip, daisy, or another flowering plant. The “rose of Sharon” has been identified as the cistus or rock-rose, while ordinary roses were also known in Syria and Palestine.
Biblical Usage
The term occurs in the Song of Solomon and Isaiah. The exact plant intended in those passages cannot be affirmed with certainty; the margins identify it with the autumn crocus.
Historical Background
Several varieties of true rose were indigenous to Syria, including white, red, and yellow roses. The cistus was abundant in Palestine, especially on Mount Carmel, and narcissus grew in the Plain of Sharon. Roses were valued in the East particularly for rose-water.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Many varieties of the rose proper are indigenous to Syria. The famed rose of Damascus is white, but there are also red and yellow roses. In Cant. 2:1 and Isa. 35:1 the Hebrew word habatstseleth (found only in these passages), rendered “rose” (R.V. marg., “autumn crocus”), is supposed by some to mean the oleander, by others the sweet-scented narcissus (a native of Palestine), the tulip, or the daisy; but nothing definite can be affirmed regarding it. The “rose of Sharon” is probably the cistus or rock-rose, several species of which abound in Palestine. “Mount Carmel especially abounds in the cistus, which in April covers some of the barer parts of the mountain with a glow not inferior to that of the Scottish heather.” (See MYRRH [2].)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
occurs twice only, viz. in (Song of Solomon 2:1; Isaiah 35:1) There is much difference of opinion as to what particular flower is here denoted; but it appears to us most probable that the narcissus is intended. Chateaubriand mentions the narcissus as growing in the Plain of Sharon. Roses are greatly prized in the East, more especially for the sake of the rose-water, which is much request. Dr. Hooker observed seven species of wild roses in Syria.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>roz: (1) (chabhatstseleth; anthos, "a flower" (So 2:1) krinon, "a lily" (Isa 35:1)): By general consent English Versions of the Bible is wrong: in So 2:1 margin reads "Hebrew habazzeleth, the autumn crocus" and in Isa 35:1, margin reads "or autumn crocus." This is the Colchicum autumnale (Natural Order, Liliaceae). A Targum on So 2:1 explains the Hebrew word as "narcissus" , a very common plant in the plains and mountains of Palestine and a great favorite with the natives. Two species, N. tazetta and N. serolinus (Natural Order, Amaryllideae), occur, the latter being the finer; they are autumn plants. All authorities agree that the so-called "rose" was some kind of bulbed plant. (2) (rhodon, "the rose," mentioned in Ecclesiasticus 24:14; 39:13; 50:8; The Wisdom of Solomon 2:8; 2 Esdras 2:19): There is no reason why the rose, of which several varieties are common in Palestine, should not be meant. Tristram favors the rhododendron. The expression, "rose plants in Jericho," in Ecclesiasticus 24:14 has nothing whatever to do with what is now sold there as a "rose of Jericho," a dwarf annual plant, Anastatica hierochuntina (Natural Order, Cruciferae), which dries up and can be made to reexpand by placing the root in water.</p><p>E. W. G. Masterman</p>