Lavender is a fragrant purple flower that has been used for centuries for its pleasant aroma and medicinal properties. In the Bible, lavender is not mentioned by name, but its symbolism and significance can be inferred from various scriptures. The color purple in general has rich meaning in the Bible, often associated with royalty, wealth, and nobility. As a purple flower, lavender likely carried some of these connotations in Biblical times. Additionally, the soothing, peaceful properties of lavender oil and aroma suggests connections to calmness, blessing, and anointing. Looking at the cultural and botanical history of lavender can shed light on what lavender may have symbolized to Biblical people.
The Color Purple in the Bible
The color purple is strongly associated with royalty, wealth, and high status in the Bible. In ancient times, purple dye was very rare and expensive, made from a secretion of a Mediterranean sea snail called murex. As a result, the color purple became associated with royalty, nobility, and wealth. Here are some examples of purple in the Bible:
– In the Book of Exodus, God instructs Moses to have the Israelites make special garments for the priests that include purple fabrics (Exodus 28:5-6). This shows purple as a symbol of honor and status.
– When Mordecai is rewarded by King Xerxes in the Book of Esther, he is dressed in royal garments of purple (Esther 8:15).
– In the Book of Mark, Jesus is dressed in purple by Roman soldiers to mock his claim to be King of the Jews (Mark 15:17). The color purple is directly connected to royalty.
– In the Book of Acts, Lydia, a wealthy tradeswoman, is mentioned as being a seller of purple fabrics (Acts 16:14).
– In the Book of Revelation, one of the prostitute Babylon’s fine merchandise is purple fabric – a symbol of her wealth and luxury (Revelation 18:12).
So in the Bible, the color purple is consistently associated with status, prestige, riches, and royalty. As a purple flower, lavender likely invoked these same associations for Biblical people.
Lavender as a Fragrance
The pleasant aroma of lavender is highlighted in its Biblical symbolism. Lavender oil was likely used in Biblical times for its sweet, calming scent, just as it is today. The Bible speaks positively of sweet aromas, associating them with blessing:
– In the Song of Solomon, the woman’s perfume is like the scent of a garden, bringing great pleasure to her beloved (Song of Solomon 1:12-14).
– In the Book of Isaiah, the mountains are described as being covered with sweet-smelling plants at the return of the exiles to Jerusalem, signifying blessing and prosperity (Isaiah 35:1-2).
– In the New Testament, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with hugely expensive perfumed oil, filling the house with its fragrance (John 12:3). This lavish use of perfume signals Mary’s great devotion to Jesus.
The calming properties of lavender may also evoke the Biblical concept of inner peace through relying on God. Lavender oil’s ability to soothe anxiety and induce sleep connects to verses about finding rest in God:
– Psalms 4:8: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
– Psalms 23:2: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”
So lavender as a fragrance had associations of sweetness, extravagance, and inner stillness for Biblical people.
Lavender’s Medicinal Purposes
Lavender oil has been used since ancient times for its healing properties. In the Bible, oil is often linked with healing, blessing, and consecration to God:
– In the Old Testament, the High Priest and prophets were anointed with consecrated oil as a sign of being set apart for God (Exodus 30:22-33).
– The New Testament tells of sick people being anointed with oil and healed through prayer (Mark 6:13, James 5:14).
– Jesus’ disciples anointed people with oil to heal the sick (Mark 6:13).
– The Samaritan in Luke 10 pours oil and wine on the wounds of a beaten man to help heal him.
So in the Bible, holy anointing oils signify healing, blessing, and consecration to God. The medicinal value of lavender oil would align it with these Biblical associations.
Lavender in Ancient Culture
Looking at how lavender was used in the cultures of Biblical times can also lend meaning. In ancient Greece and Rome, lavender was considered a holy herb, used to prepare baths and to scent incense in religious rituals. In ancient Egypt, lavender was used in the mummification process and placed on the linen used to wrap mummies.
In the Old Testament period, Israel likely had contact with ancient Egypt and Greece through trade. So they would have been familiar with lavender’s cultural associations with spirituality and death. To an ancient Israelite, the use of lavender in rituals and burials would give it solemn connotations.
Lavender Symbolism in the Bible
Though not named specifically, based on its qualities we can surmise the symbolic meanings of lavender in a Biblical context:
– Purple color – royalty, luxury, high status
– Sweet aroma – pleasure, blessing, devotion
– Medicinal value – healing, consecration, anointing
– Cultural associations – spirituality, solemnity, death
Biblical peoples would immediately recognize lavender’s elevated nature and rich scent. Its use in balms and oils would connect to healing and blessing. And its solemn use in rituals would give lavender a hallowed aura. All these associations deepen the flower’s symbolism.
Lavender Representing Jesus
For Christians, lavender also takes on a special meaning representing the sacrifice of Christ. The color purple in the mocking of Christ evokes lavender’s regional symbolism. The spiking of the sponge with sour wine mirrored the spiking of lavender buds to release scent (John 19:28-30). And anointing Christ’s body with burial spices was like rubbing lavender oil on linen (John 19:38-42). Just as lavender was used in death rituals, so Jesus’ death brought eternal life. Finally, lavender given as a gift echoes Christ’s words – “Your sins are forgiven” – which was seen as blasphemy by the teachers of the law (Luke 7:48-49). So lavender takes on layers of symbolism representing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Lavender in Modern Christian Culture
In modern Christianity, lavender maintains some symbolic associations:
– It is given as gifts, representing Christ’s forgiveness.
– Used in rituals, denoting spiritual blessing.
– Planted around the church, signifying life springing from death.
– Potpourri from dried lavender reminds of the sweet sacrifice of Christ.
So from ancient to modern times, this fragrant purple flower carries rich spiritual meaning for Christians. Whenever it is seen, lavender can remind believers of the Bible’s teachings and Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity.
Conclusion
Though never directly named, lavender has symbolic resonance in the Bible. Its royal purple color connects it to prestige and wealth. Its sweet fragrance calls to mind pleasure, blessing, and consecration. Its use in balms and healing points to medicinal purpose and anointing. And its presence in ancient death rituals gave it solemnity. For Christians in particular, lavender represents facets of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. So lavender has a storied history of Biblical meaning that continues to enrich its significance for Christians today.