שָׁרוֹן
plain, Sharon, the name of a place in Palestine
Definition
Sharon refers to a coastal plain region in ancient Israel, known for its fertility and beauty. In its primary geographical sense, it denotes the plain along the Mediterranean coast, as in Joshua 12:18 where it lists the 'king of Aphek in Sharon' among conquered territories. The word also carries a metaphorical sense of lushness and abundance, famously used in Song of Solomon 2:1 where the speaker declares, 'I am a rose of Sharon,' symbolizing beauty and desirability. In prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 35:2, Sharon's splendor is used as an image of God's future restoration and blessing.
Biblical Usage
The word is used seven times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical, poetic, and prophetic contexts. In historical books (Joshua 12:18, 1 Chronicles 5:16, 27:29), it functions as a straightforward geographical identifier for the plain. In poetic books (Song of Solomon 2:1), it becomes a metaphor for beauty. In the prophets (Isaiah 33:9, 35:2, 65:10), Sharon is employed in visions of both judgment—where its fertility fails (Isaiah 33:9)—and glorious future restoration, where it blossoms abundantly as a sign of God's salvation (Isaiah 35:2).
Etymology
The name Sharon (שָׁרוֹן) is likely derived from the Hebrew root יָשַׁר (yāšar, H3474), meaning 'to be straight, right, or level.' This root aptly describes the characteristic flat, level geography of the coastal plain. The name essentially means 'the plain' or 'the flat place,' directly reflecting the region's physical topography.
Semantic Range
Sharon is theologically significant as a powerful symbol of God's provision, beauty, and restorative power. Its portrayal shifts from a literal fertile land to a metaphor for the beloved in Song of Solomon, and finally to a prophetic image in Isaiah. In Isaiah 35:2 and 65:10, the blossoming of Sharon represents the transformative joy and abundance of God's coming kingdom, contrasting with its withering in Isaiah 33:9 as a consequence of judgment. Understanding 'Sharon' enriches reading by connecting physical geography with spiritual promise, showing how God's redemption will renew even the natural world.
In its original context, the Plain of Sharon was renowned for its exceptional fertility, famous for its oak forests, pastures, and flowers. This made it a culturally understood symbol of wealth, abundance, and natural beauty. The modern reader might simply see a place name, but the ancient audience would immediately associate 'Sharon' with lush, productive land, making its use in poetry and prophecy particularly vivid and impactful.
עֵמֶק (ʿēmeq, H6010) — A valley or vale, often deeper and more enclosed than a broad plain like Sharon. כִּכָּר (kikkār, H3603) — A round district or circuit, often translated 'plain' (e.g., the plain of the Jordan), but can imply a circular area as opposed to a coastal strip.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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