Song of Solomon 2:2 · Bible study
Song of Solomon 2:2 Commentary: 'Lily Among Thorns'
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Song of Solomon 2:2: 'As a lily among thorns.' Commentary on the beloved's distinction, purity, and interpretive views.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The beloved stands out among others as a lily does among thorns, precious, beautiful, and distinct.
- Key words: Lily (shoshan, H7799), a wildflower symbolizing beauty; Thorns (choachim, H2336), noxious weeds; Beloved (ra'yah, H7474), female companion, used as a term of endearment.
- Main debate: Whether the verse is a literal romantic compliment (Solomon to Shulamith) or an allegory of Christ's love for the church (or both).
- Theological theme: God's chosen people are distinct and beloved, set apart not by their own merit but by the love of the speaker.
- Best use: Encouragement for believers to see themselves through God's eyes, as lovely and valuable even when surrounded by difficulty or opposition.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Like a lily among the thorns is my darling among the maidens.
WEB World English Bible 2000
As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
KJV King James Version 1769
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
So is my friend among the daughters!
Darby Darby Bible 1890
As the lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Como el lirio entre las espinas, así es mi amiga entre las doncellas.
Ele : Como um lírio entre os espinhos, assim é minha querida entre as moças.
Comme un lis au milieu des épines,
Wie eine Rose unter den Dornen, so ist meine Freundin unter den Töchtern.
Gelijk een lelie onder de doornen, alzo is Mijn vriendin onder de dochteren.
Quale un giglio tra le spine, tale è l’amica mia tra le fanciulle.
Jako lilija między cierniem, tak przyjaciółka moja między pannami.
Что лилия между тернами, то возлюбленная моя между девицами.
我的佳偶 在 女子中，好像百合花 在 荊棘內。
As the lily-flower among the thorns of the waste, so is my love among the daughters.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Song of Solomon 2:2
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse exalts the beloved by contrasting her with those around her. Barnes notes that the lily's beauty outshines the thorny shrubs among which it grows, and the beloved similarly excels her companions. The Cambridge Bible adds that the palace ladies are like thistles in comparison, with the lily representing simplicity and gentleness. Gill, reading allegorically, says Christ calls the church 'my love' and compares her to a lily among thorns, believers surpassing the wicked or carnal professors in grace and fruitfulness. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown also take an allegorical view, equating thorns with the wicked (2 Samuel 23:6; Psalm 57:4) and the lily with the pure church. Keil and Delitzsch emphasize the qualities of innocence and gentleness that make Shulamith stand out among all women. Whether read as a literal wedding compliment or a divine allegory, the core point is that the beloved is uniquely valuable and beautiful in the eyes of the speaker.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal/historical: Reads as Solomon praising Shulamith as the most beautiful among the court women, with no allegorical intent.
- Allegorical (Christ and Church): Based on historic Christian (and Jewish) interpretation, sees Christ exalting the church's purity amid a sinful world.
- Moral/exhortation: Luther and others apply the verse as a call for believers to remain distinct and humble, avoiding 'thorns' of pride and sin.
What is clear: The verse celebrates the beloved's exceptional worth and distinction, setting her apart from all others around her.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the speaker | The verse is spoken by the bridegroom (Solomon in the literal sense, Christ in the allegorical sense). | Interpreters differ on whether the historical king Solomon is the speaker, or whether the verse is a divine oracle about Christ and the church. Both readings affirm a voice of deep, personal love. |
| Meaning of 'thorns' | Thorns represent something inferior or hostile in contrast to the lily. They make the beloved's beauty more visible. | Some (Gill, JFB) see thorns as wicked or persecuting people; others (Cambridge) see them simply as less beautiful or noble, like the court ladies. There is no agreement on a single moral or ethical meaning. |
| Literal vs. allegorical interpretation | The verse emphasizes the beloved's distinctiveness and value. | Some Christians read the Song exclusively as God's love for Israel or the church (Jewish and Reformed traditions); others embrace both a literal marital meaning and a spiritual application. The Song's canonical inclusion supports both, but no consensus exists on which is primary. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Song of Solomon is a collection of love poems set against the backdrop of an ancient royal wedding, likely Solomon's own. The language is rich with imagery from pastoral and agricultural life in Israel. The 'lily' (shoshan) was a common wildflower in the valleys, often white or scarlet, prized for its beauty and fragrance. Matthew Henry notes that roses and lilies were used in garlands for festive occasions. The thorn plant (choach) refers to a noxious thistle like the Notobasis Syriaca, as Tristram observed, which grew in hedges and was a nuisance to farmers. In this verse, the beloved is not just a single lily but one set 'among thorns', the contrast would be immediate and obvious to anyone familiar with the landscape.
The 'daughters' are likely the other women of the court or the companions mentioned earlier in the song. In the broader context, the bride has just spoken modestly of herself as a 'rose of Sharon' (v.1). The bridegroom answers by turning her humility into a high compliment: she is not merely one lily among lilies, but a lily among thornbushes. This type of praise, known in Arabic as a wasf or descriptive poem, was common in ancient Near Eastern wedding festivities.
Culturally, the verse also echoes themes found throughout Scripture: God's people set apart amid surrounding nations (Exodus 19:5, 6; Philippians 2:15). The thorn-and-lily contrast reappears in Isaiah 55:13, where thornbushes are replaced by fruitful trees, and in Jesus' teaching on the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28, 29), which outshine even Solomon's glory. The image invites readers to see beauty and worth where others might see only what is ordinary or overlooked.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text (BHS) is consistent across manuscripts. The main difference in English translations is the presence or absence of the definite article: most read 'a lily' (WEB, ASV, BSB, YLT), while the KJV reads 'the lily.' The Hebrew has the article (ha/choshan), but it can function generically ('a lily' is correct for 'class of flower'). The YLT renders the second half differently ('So is my friend among the daughters!'), but the meaning is unchanged. No textual issue affects interpretation.
Reception History
This verse has been treasured in both Jewish and Christian traditions, almost always read allegorically. The Targum on Song of Songs (Aramaic paraphrase) interprets the lily as Israel and the thorns as the hostile nations. Early Christian writers like Origen of Alexandria saw the lily as the church, beautiful amid the thorns of heresy and persecution. Bernard of Clairvaux, in his sermons on the Song, used the image to describe the soul's distinctiveness when graced by God. Martin Luther, quoted in Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, turned the verse into a warning: 'If thou art the lily of Jesus Christ, take heed lest by impatience, rash judgments, and pride, thou thyself become a thorn.' In modern times, many readers recover the literal wedding context while still appreciating the symbolic richness. The verse remains a favorite for affirming identity and calling in a conflicted world.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Lily's Identity: The bridegroom calls the beloved 'my love' before comparing her to a lily. Her identity is rooted in relationship, not in her own efforts. She is precious because she is loved.
- The Thorn Contrast: Thorns represent what is harsh, unfruitful, or hostile. The Lily's beauty is not diminished by her surroundings; it is highlighted. This calls believers to live distinctly without becoming proud or withdrawn.
- The Bold Claim: The comparison is not a statement of what the beloved is despite others, it is a declaration that she is more than them. As Gill notes, the contrast underscores her superiority in grace and fruitfulness, encouraging the faithful to see themselves through God's affirming eyes.
Five-point outline
- The Speaker: Whose voice is this? In a literal reading, Solomon; in an allegorical reading, Christ. Either way, it is the voice of one who loves unconditionally.
- The Lily: Purity, simplicity, beauty. The lily does not strive (Matthew 6:28), it grows where planted and gives fragrance freely.
- The Thorns: Not the same thorns as in the rose, but the thorn-bushes around the lily. What do these represent in your context? Unbelief? Hostility? Temptation? The verse assures that the lily remains lovely even among them.
- The Daughters: The backdrop. They are not condemned; they simply are not the same. The beloved's distinction is not about competition but calling.
- The Gospel Echo: The New Testament picks up this theme: the church as a lily among thorns (Philippians 2:15; 1 Peter 2:12), called to shine as lights.
Illustration hooks
- A single sunflower in a vacant lot: Everyone notices the one bloom rising above the weeds, it draws the eye and gives hope that beauty can flourish anywhere.
- A teenager who refuses to join in gossip at school: They can feel isolated, but that difference becomes a witness. The verse reframes social pressure as an opportunity to stand out for good.
- A garden after a storm: The thornbushes get tangled and broken, but the lily still stands upright, its petals clean. The storms of life show what is resilient.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this verse justify pride in being 'better' than others, or is it about God's undeserved favor?
- How do I live as a 'lily' when I feel surrounded by 'thorns' in my workplace or family?
- If Christ is the lily (v.1), how am I also called a lily (v.2)? What does that say about union with him?
Leading a Discussion
This short verse is packed with meaning. The bridegroom's words turn the bride's self-deprecating comparison (v.1) into a lavish compliment. As you discuss, notice the contrast between 'lily' and 'thorns', it's not a neutral setting but an intentional juxtaposition. Think about the emotional effect: the beloved is publicly singled out and honored. How might that shape how we see ourselves, and how we treat others?
Discussion questions
- What do you know about lilies and thorns in the ancient world? Why do you think the writer chose exactly these images?
- Read verses 1 and 2 together. How does the bride's self-description differ from the bridegroom's description of her? What does that say about love and humility?
- In your own words, what is the main point of the comparison in verse 2? Is it about beauty, character, or something else?
- Some interpret the 'thorns' as wicked people (Gill, JFB), others as less attractive or unfruitful people. Which reading makes the most sense in the context of the Song? Why?
- How does this verse challenge or encourage you in your current relationships, with family, coworkers, or fellow believers?
- The New Testament applies 'lily among thorns' imagery to the church (Philippians 2:15). How might that affect the way you approach a culture that sometimes opposes Christian values?
- If you were to write a 'lily among thorns' statement for your own life, what would it be? What is the one way you stand out for good?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Isaiah 55:13 | Instead of the thorn the cypress tree will come up; and instead of the brier the myrtle tree will come up. It will make a name for Yahweh, for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.” |
| Matthew 6:28 | Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, |
| Matthew 6:29 | yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. |
| Matthew 10:16 | “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. |
| Philippians 2:15 | that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, |
| Philippians 2:16 | holding up the word of life, that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain. |
| I Peter 2:12 | having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that the king takes up the bride's own comparison and turns it back to praise her. As a lily surpasses the thorny shrubs around it, so she surpasses her companions. The same image that she used for him now becomes his tribute to her.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The king says his lover is better than other palace women because those women are like thistles. He compares her to a lily that does not belong there.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note draws attention to the striking contrast in the verse itself: the beloved stands out among other
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill sees the lily in this verse as a symbol of the church. It surpasses other people (like those in thorns) in beauty grace and fruitfulness because it depends on Christ.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Christians who hold this view point to Matthew 10:16 and John 15:19 as evidence that Jesus Christ is the Bride. They also understand that thorns represent the wicked as described in 2 Samuel 23:6 and Psalm 57:4. Both groups seek to be faithful to Scripture.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch note that החוחים refers to separate thorn plants surrounding the lily rather than thorns on the flower itself. Shulamith is seen as more pure gentle and innocent than other women because she shines like a lily among those bushes.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads Shulamith's self-description as a wildflower of Sharon and a lily of the valleys as a deliberate expression of humility and longing for her simple rural home, contrasting her natural beauty with the artificial splendor of Solomon's court. He insists this is not allegory but the realistic first act of a dramatic love story.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Christ calls himself the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys to show he is the only one with such perfect beauty and fragrance. Believers reflect this beauty by living like those who wore flowers in ancient times.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the speaker here as the bridegroom himself. Christ compares his own person to the rose and lily, emphasizing fragrance and beauty. Sharon is noted as a fruitful place especially famous for roses.