Henry: Hello I'm Henry
Max the monkey: And I'm Max
Henry: Welcome to Bible Glory Games
Max the monkey: Henry? Why do wear rose?
Henry: After the game, me and my wife are going on a date. My wife love flowers so much that I might see her wearing when I arrive at the restaurant.
Max the monkey: So romantic. Today topic is flowers
Henry: Q1. Ornithogallum umbellatum: The second book of Kings refers to this plant as "dove's dung." But modern gardeners refer to it by a more endearing moniker that comes from the Matthew's Gospel. What's that? Is it A) Veronica, B) Mary’s Tears, C) Crown of Thorns, or D) Star of Bethlehem?
Max the monkey: Q2. Scripture does mention roses from time to time, but the bloom referenced in Isaiah 35:1 (“...and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose”) is a different flower. and the rose that appears in Song of Solomon 2:1 (I Am the Rose of Sharon) is not the rose that we are all familiar with. Which is the native bulbous bloom of the Holy Land? Is it A) Freesia, B) Frittilaria, C) Narcissus, or D) Oxalis?
Henry: Q3. Jesus emphasises the beauty of the "lilies of the field" in Matthew 6:28–29 of his Gospel. These "lilies" might be any number of plants, including those in the family Lily. But which of them is NOT a native of the Holy Land? Is it A) Hyacinth, B) Anemone, C) Lily of the Valley, or D) Iris?
Max the monkey: Q4. Saffron is derived from a flower that blossoms in both the autumn and the early spring, as mentioned in the Song of Solomon (4:14). Which flower is it? Is it A) Eranthis, B) Galanthus, C) Muscari, or D) Crocus?
Henry: Last one. The manna that miraculously sustained the Israelites in the wilderness is compared to the seed (or dried fruit) of a culinary herb in the book of Numbers (11:7). Which herb is it? Is it A) Fennel, B) Anise, C) Coriander, or D) Caraway?
Max the monkey: The last one is true or false. Q1. True or False: The Bible contains references to various flowers
Henry: Q2. True or False: The Bible specifically mentions the sunflower.
Max the monkey: Q3. True or False: The Bible mentions the rose as we know it today.
Henry: For the answers. The first one is D. Consider the lilies of the field is a phrase used by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew to highlight how much God cares for His creation. It is thought that the "lilies" being discussed here are actually the Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogallum umbellatum). This lovely white flower is endemic to the Mediterranean region and blooms in the spring. Its brilliant yellow centre and star-shaped petals make it a wonderful representation of purity and hope. Even if the term "dove's dung" in 2 Kings 6:25 probably refers to a different plant entirely, it's amazing to see how language changes with time!
Max the monkey: Second answer is C. When the Song of Solomon mentions the “Rose of Sharon,” it’s not referring to the familiar garden rose. Instead, it likely describes the Narcissus, a bulbous flower native to the Holy Land. The Narcissus has trumpet-shaped blooms and a sweet fragrance. Its association with beauty and love aligns with the romantic imagery in the Song of Solomon.
Henry: The third answer is also C. While the “lilies of the field” could refer to various plants, the Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is not indigenous to the Holy Land. This fragrant flower grows in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Its bell-shaped white flowers symbolize humility and purity. The mention of lilies in the Bible often underscores God’s care for His creation and encourages trust in His provision.
Max the monkey: The fourth one is D. In the Song of Solomon (4:14), saffron is compared to the fragrance of the beloved’s garments. Saffron is derived from the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower. This purple-flowered crocus blooms in fall and early spring. Its vibrant color and precious stigmas have made it a valuable spice throughout history. The comparison highlights the richness and beauty of the beloved.
Henry: The fifth answer is C. In the book of Numbers (11:7), the manna that sustained the Israelites in the desert is likened to coriander seed. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a culinary herb with aromatic leaves and seeds. The seeds resemble tiny spheres and have a citrusy flavor. The analogy emphasizes God’s provision and sustenance during challenging times.
Max the monkey: Now for the first one from true or false is true. The Bible does mention several flowers, including the lily, rose, hyacinth, and crocus. These floral references often carry symbolic meanings and are used in various contexts throughout the scriptures.
Henry: The second one is false. The sunflower is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the Bible does refer to other flowers, as mentioned earlier. The sunflower became more widely known in Europe and the Americas after the biblical period.
Max the monkey: Third one is also false. The majority of modern botanists concur that the flower mentioned in the Bible as a "rose" is actually the narcissus, a native of the Holy Land, rather than the rose as we know it.
Henry: Thank you for playing with us
Max the monkey: We hope that you will join again
Both: (Waving their hands) Bye!
Comments