κρίνον
krínon
G2918 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of flowering plant, specifically a lily, characterized by prominent flowers and often noted for its beauty or fragrance. In literary and biblical contexts, denotes the botanical lily, with potential metaphorical usage for beauty or splendor, depending on context.
Semantic Range
lily (the plant); by extension, a flower of striking beauty or purity; concrete reference to a botanical lily, occasionally used as a symbol of beauty, purity, or splendor
Root / Etymology
From the root κριν- (krin-). The term κρίνον is of uncertain further etymology but is attested in classical Greek for the lily flower. Some ancient lexica connect it with Proto-Indo-European roots for white or bright, but this is not definitive.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κρίνον consistently refers to the lily, especially the white lily (Lilium candidum), sometimes regarded as a symbol of beauty, purity, or transience. In the Septuagint and New Testament (notably Matthew 6:28 and Luke 12:27), κρίνον is employed in a didactic context: 'Consider the lilies of the field.' The word translates the Hebrew שׁוּשַׁן (shushan), a term for lilies or possibly other similarly shaped flowers. No evidence supports a broader or metaphorically extended sense in Koine outside such passages. English translations often render κρίνον as 'lily,' but specific identification with cultivated lilies or wild flowers is sometimes debated. Unlike some Greek terms for flowers used metaphorically, κρίνον retains a fairly concrete botanical reference.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps a prim word; a lily:--lily.
Root Family
κρίνον (krinon) — lily, flower
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2918-01 |
κρίνα | krina | N ACC N PL |
lilies | lilies | lilies | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2918-01 |
Matthew 6:28 | κρίνα | krina | N ACC N PL |
lilies | lilies | lilies |
G2918-01 |
Luke 12:27 | κρίνα | krina | N ACC N PL |
lilies | lilies | lilies |