The name Sharon, of Jewish origin, means fertile plain. The Hebrew meaning contains significant spiritual symbolism and it is often associated with beauty and abundance. In the Bible, the Sharon plain is referred to as a pleasant place of prosperity and fertility, reflecting God’s blessings on His people.
The plain of Sharon
The plain of Sharon is one of the largest and most beautiful in all the Holy Land. It is a pleasant, gracious and prosperous place which even in biblical times was known for its majestic beauty and abundance of flowers.
This fertile coastal region lies between the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Samarian Hills to the east. It runs along the Mediterranean coast, skirting Mount Carmel.
Sharon is mentioned in various Bible passages:
- 1 Chronicles 5:16
- Song of Songs 2:1
- Isaiah 33:9
- Isaiah 65:10
- Acts 9:35
But perhaps the most beautiful passage is Isaiah 35:1-2, which contains a wonderful promise for all who seek the Lord.
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a wildflower. It will blossom abundantly and will also rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.
Isaiah 35:1-2
Christ as the Rose of Sharon?
The term “rose of Sharon” occurs only once in Scripture, in Song of Songs 2:1. It has often been applied to Jesus, although it was actually the description King Solomon’s wife gave to herself. (“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.”)
It is not known for certain why this name has been associated with Jesus. But we do know that the Rose of Sharon (often called the Rock Rose) was known for its pleasant, soothing fragrance and pain-relieving properties.
It is not surprising, then, that the name of this sweet and healing flower would be attributed to our “Great Physician,” who came to heal the sick and especially to cancel the spiritual plague of sin.
Jesus is more beautiful and fragrant than any flower, and His presence in our lives is the sweetest thing we can experience. His name will always remain the most beautiful of all.
The Biblical Rose of Sharon?
The exact identity of the biblical Rose of Sharon is uncertain. However, it is clear that its name comes from the beautiful plain of Sharon.
Bible scholars believe that it was probably not a ‘true rose’ at all, but likely a cistus flower known as the Rock Rose. It blooms in various parts of Israel and is abundant in the plain of Sharon.
Scholars suggest that the biblical Rose of Sharon could be one of the following flowers:
- Sea Daffodil
- Safron Crocus
- Cistus o Rock Rose
- Tulip of Sharon
- White Lily
- Meadow Saffron or Naked Ladies
- Mountain Tulip
- Paperwhite Narcissus
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Sharon’s significance for our church
The Bible refers to Sharon as a pleasant plain, a place of prosperity, fertility, and blessing. The name comes from the root word “yashar” which means straight, right, upright, pleasing.
Three things the name Sharon teaches us:
- The necessity of taking the straight and narrow path, and of walking righteously before God.
How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s instruction! Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart. – Psalm 119:1
- The importance of living in fellowship and unity with one another so that others find our assembly to be a good and pleasant place.
How good and how pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. – Psalm 133:1
- The importance of seeking the Lord, because when we do He will make us blossom like the rose, even when we go through dry and desert times.
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a wildflower. It will blossom abundantly and will also rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. – Isaia 35:1-2
“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:3
And He will make us blessed, fruitful, prosperous, and overflowing with joy – like the plain of Sharon!
Images: Plain of Sharon by Heatkernel; Sea daffodil by Stemonitis; Saffron crocus by coniferconifer; Rock Rose by Alvegaspar; Tulip of Sharon by Zachi Evenor; White lily by Zachi Evenor; Meadow Saffron by Anenome123; Mountain Tulip by Kenpei; Paperwhite Narcissus by Zachi Evenor.
Chiesa Sharon Lanciano 