What does Shoshana mean?

Posted: Wed, May 09 2012, 5:05 am Post subject: What does Shoshana mean?

In some books/ websites it says that Shoshana means Lily and in others it says it means Rose, so which is it?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that there is a reason for the difference in meaning in different places but I can't remember where I read that or what the details were. Does anyone know?

Gold Member Joined: Oct 06 2009 Posts: 1074

I always knew that Shoshana meant a rose, but I might have "known" wrong.

Posted: Wed, May 09 2012, 7:03 am Post subject: re: What does Shoshana mean?

My name is Shoshana. I was named after a relative named Rose.

Silver Member Joined: Jun 12 2011 Posts: 785

In the beginning of Perek B in Shir Hashirim the phrase "shoshanas ha'aumkim" is used, which for some reason in many translations of the Bible is translated as "lily of the valley". That is probably where those websites/ books get the translation "lily". However most of the meforshim on that Pasuk (including Rashi), translate it as a rose of the valley, which would seem to fit in better with the next Pasuk which says "k'Shoshana bein hachochim" -- "like a 'shoshana' among the thorns" -- I don't think lilies have thorns.

You can look up the meforshim there if you want to see if there is any more info. Maybe someone translates it as a narcissus? I might remember something like that. There is also a bit of a discussion if "chavatzeles" and "shoshana" refer to the same plant.

Beginner Joined: Mar 11 2011 Posts: 19

Ibn Ezra says that it is referring to a beautiful smelling, white flower with six petals (shesh/shoshana), which would seem to imply either a lily or narcissus.

Overall, there seems to be debate as to what this pasuk in Shir HaShirim is referring to, be it a rose, lily, tulip, etc. However, I recently read an article by an Israeli botanist which appears in the introduction to Shir HaShirim in Da'at Mikra in which he argues that the "shoshana" is in fact a type of lily.

Posted: Sun, Jun 10 2012, 1:39 am Post subject: re: What does Shoshana mean?

I was told that Shoshana means a rose or a lily.
_________________
If you're gonna be blue, be bright blue!

Posted: Sun, Jun 10 2012, 1:42 am Post subject: re: What does Shoshana mean?

Rose/lily

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 3165

Does a lily even have thorns like a rose does?

Executive Member Joined: Dec 27 2011 Posts: 435

Shoshana does not mean Lily. It means Rose.

Posted: Sun, Jun 10 2012, 3:06 am Post subject: re: What does Shoshana mean?

Shoshana is usually a rose. There are many women who are called Shoshana Raizel, or their English name is Rose or Rosa and their Hebrew name is Shoshana.

Shoshana is not a hideous red butterfly .... Wink

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 04 2008 Posts: 8180

And early though the lily grows
It withers quicker than the rose.

Sorry, couldn't resist.
_________________
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.

Posted: Sun, Jun 10 2012, 3:14 am Post subject: re: What does Shoshana mean?

http://www.balashon.com/2009/03/shoshana.html