← H7798 H7800 →

שׁוּשַׁן

𐤔𐤅𐤔𐤍

shûwshan

H7799 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁושׁן to bloom, to be bright/joyful (if related to שׂוּשׂ); primary noun meaning 'lily, flower'

Definition

A lily, specifically a species of bright or white flowering plant, often used for ornamental, poetic, or symbolic purposes in biblical literature; also refers to a decorative or architectural motif inspired by the lily's form, and (metaphorically and secondarily) to a straight trumpet or musical instrument with a tubular, lily-like shape. In the Psalms, it appears in superscriptions, possibly as a tune title, a type of musical instrument, or an ornamental motif.—Semantic range includes botanical lily/flower, decorative motif, musical reference, and tune designation.

Semantic Range

lily (flower), architectural motif inspired by lily, musical instrument (lily-shaped trumpet), tune or musical designation in Psalms

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁושׁ (variant spelling of שׁושׁן), likely related to or derived from שׂוּשׂ (to rejoice), though the semantic connection is debated. The noun draws from the visual qualities of the lily—its whiteness and beauty. The word’s use for trumpets and ornamentation arises from the resemblance of the lily's tubular form to certain musical instruments and decorative features.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, שׁוּשַׁן primarily designates the lily, a flower associated with beauty, purity, and often abundance, especially in poetic literature (e.g., Song of Songs, where the lily is a frequent metaphor for beauty and loveliness). The term is frequently used decoratively to describe architectural elements (such as the capitals of the temple pillars, 1 Kings 7:19, 22, 26) shaped like lilies—these reflect the artistic influence of flora in temple design. Elsewhere, particularly in the superscriptions of certain Psalms (e.g., Psalms 45, 60, 69, 80), שׁוּשַׁן or its plural/extended forms may identify a musical tune or style, or possibly reference an instrument modeled after the lily's shape (akin to a trumpet), though the exact meaning is disputed. English translations often simply use 'lily,' 'lilies,' or leave the term untranslated in Psalms' headings, not capturing the breadth of its ritual, poetic, and artistic significance. It is distinct from other Hebrew botanical terms such as חבצלת (chavatzelet), another flower frequently mentioned. Over time, the word also became associated with place names (e.g., Susa/Shushan in Esther), but this is contextually distinct from its botanical/original usages.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or שׁוֹשָׁן; or שֹׁשָׁן; and (feminine) שׁוֹשַׁנָּה; from שׂוּשׂ; a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape); lily, Shoshannim.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

שׁושׁן (sh-w-sh-n) — lily, blooming, brightness, ornamental flower

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7799-01 בַּ/שּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים bashoshanim HRd/Ncbpa among the lilies in the lilies 4
H7799-07 שֹׁ֭שַׁנִּים shoshanim HNcbpa lilies lilies 4
H7799-04 שׁוֹשָׁ֑ן shoshan HNcbsa lily lily blossom 2
H7799-02 כַּ/שּֽׁוֹשַׁנָּ֑ה kashoshanah HRd/Ncbsa like the lily like a lily 1
H7799-08 שׁוּשַׁ֣ן shushan HNcbsa of lily lily 1
H7799-05 שֽׁוֹשַׁנָּ֑ה shoshanah HNcbsa of a lily lily blossom 1
H7799-03 כְּ/שֽׁוֹשַׁנָּה֙ keshoshanah HR/Ncbsa like a lily like a lily 1
H7799-06 שֽׁוֹשַׁנַּ֖ת shoshanat HNcbsc lily lily-of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7799-08 1 Kings 7:19 שׁוּשַׁ֣ן shushan HNcbsa of lily lily
H7799-04 1 Kings 7:22 שׁוֹשָׁ֑ן shoshan HNcbsa lily lily blossom
H7799-04 1 Kings 7:26 שׁוֹשָׁ֑ן shoshan HNcbsa of a lily lily blossom
H7799-02 Hosea 14:6 כַּ/שּֽׁוֹשַׁנָּ֑ה kashoshanah HRd/Ncbsa like the lily like a lily
H7799-07 Psalms 45:1 שֹׁ֭שַׁנִּים shoshanim HNcbpa the lilies lilies
H7799-07 Psalms 69:1 שׁוֹשַׁנִּ֬ים shoshanim HNcbpa lilies lilies
H7799-06 Song of Songs 2:1 שֽׁוֹשַׁנַּ֖ת shoshanat HNcbsc lily lily-of
H7799-03 Song of Songs 2:2 כְּ/שֽׁוֹשַׁנָּה֙ keshoshanah HR/Ncbsa like a lily like a lily
H7799-01 Song of Songs 2:16 בַּ/שּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים bashoshanim HRd/Ncbpa among the lilies in the lilies
H7799-01 Song of Songs 4:5 בַּ/שּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים bashoshanim HRd/Ncbpa among the lilies in the lilies
← H7798 Hebrew Lexicon H7800 →