The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV
Page 316
7f Like a piece of pomegranate
Are your temples behind your veil.
8There are sixty queens
And eighty concubines,
And gvirgins without number.
9My dove, my hperfect one,
Is the only one,
The only one of her mother,
The favorite of the one who bore her.
The daughters saw her
And called her blessed,
The queens and the concubines,
And they praised her.
10Who is she who looks forth as the morning,
Fair as the moon,
Clear as the sun,
i Awesome as an army with banners?
The Shulamite
11I went down to the garden of nuts
To see the verdure of the valley,
j To see whether the vine had budded
And the pomegranates had bloomed.
12Before I was even aware,
My soul had made me
As the chariots of 3my noble people.
The Beloved and His Friends
13Return, return, O Shulamite;
Return, return, that we may look upon you!
The Shulamite
What would you see in the Shulamite—
As it were, the dance of 4the two camps?
Expressions of Praise
The Beloved
Song of Solomon 7
1How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
a O prince’s daughter!
The curves of your thighs are like jewels,
The work of the hands of a skillful workman.
2Your navel is a rounded goblet;
It lacks no 1blended beverage.
Your waist is a heap of wheat
Set about with lilies.
3b Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle.
4c Your neck is like an ivory tower,
Your eyes like the pools in Heshbon
By the gate of Bath Rabbim.
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
Which looks toward Damascus.
5Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel,
And the hair of your head is like purple;
A king is held captive by your tresses.
6How fair and how pleasant you are,
O love, with your delights!
7This stature of yours is like a palm tree,
And your breasts like its clusters.
8I said, “I will go up to the palm tree,
I will take hold of its branches.”
Let now your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
The fragrance of your 2breath like apples,
9And the roof of your mouth like the best wine.
The Shulamite
The wine goes down smoothly for my beloved,
3 Moving gently the 4lips of sleepers.
10d I am my beloved’s,
And ehis desire is toward me.
11Come, my beloved,
Let us go forth to the field;
Let us lodge in the villages.
12Let us get up early to the vineyards;
Let us fsee if the vine has budded,
Whether the grape blossoms are open,
And the pomegranates are in bloom.
There I will give you my love.
13The gmandrakes give off a fragrance,
And at our gates hare pleasant fruits,
All manner, new and old,
Which I have laid up for you, my beloved.
Song of Solomon 8
Lovers Reunited at Their Country Home
1Oh, that you were like my brother,
Who nursed at my mother’s breasts!
If I should find you outside,
I would kiss you;
I would not be despised.
2I would lead you and bring you
Into the ahouse of my mother,
She who used to instruct me.
I would cause you to drink of bspiced wine,
Of the juice of my pomegranate.
(To the Daughters of Jerusalem)
3c His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces me.
4d I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.
Love Renewed in Lebanon
A Relative
5e Who is this coming up from the wilderness,
Leaning upon her beloved?
I awakened you under the apple tree.
There your mother brought you forth;
There she who bore you brought you forth.
The Shulamite to Her Beloved
6f Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
g Jealousy as 1cruel as 2the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
3 A most vehement flame.
7Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it.
h If a man would give for love
All the wealth of his house,
It would be utterly despised.
The Shulamite’s Brothers
8i We have a little sister,
And she has no breasts.
What shall we do for our sister
In the day when she is spoken for?
9If she is a wall,
We will build upon her
A battlement of silver;
And if she is a door,
We will enclose her
With boards of cedar.
The Shulamite
10I am a wall,
And my breasts like towers;
Then I became in his eyes
As one who found peace.
11Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon;
j He leased the vineyard to keepers;
Everyone was to bring for its fruit
A thousand silver coins.
(To Solomon)
12My own vineyard is before me.
You, O Solomon, may have a thousand,
And those who tend its fruit two hundred.
The Beloved
13You who dwell in the gardens,
The companions listen for your voice—
k Let me hear it!
The Shulamite
14l Make4 haste, my beloved,
And mbe like a gazelle
Or a young stag
On the mountains of spices.
Song of Solomon Commentaries
Song of Solomon 1
1:1 See Introduction: Title; Author and Date.
1:2—3:5 In this first of 3 major sections to the Song, 32 out of 39 verses are spoken by the Shulamite, with brief interludes by her beloved and the daughters of Jerusalem. This portion most likely represents her remembrances of past events combined with the desires of her heart to marry the king, as she anticipates his arrival to take her to Jerusalem for the wedding in 3:6 ff.
1:2, 3 Four features of Solomon attracted the beloved: 1) his lips, 2) his love, 3) his lotion, and 4) his pure lifestyle. Later Solomon noticed these same features in her (4:9–11).
1:3 the virgins. The daughters of Jerusalem (v. 5).
1:4 We will run. This is better understood as spoken by the Shulamite, rather than the daughters of Jerusalem, in the sense of “let us hurry/run.” The king has brought me. This is better understood as the desire of her heart—”Let the king bring me into his chambers”—rather than a statement of fact. We will remember your love. The daughters of Jerusalem affirmed the Shulamite’s praise in v. 2.
1:5, 6 I am dark. The Shulamite was concerned that the sun (from working outdoors) had marred her complexion (cf. vineyard, 7:12; 8:11).
1:6 my own vineyard. Speaks of herself (cf. 8:12).
1:7 veils herself. Valuing purity, she disclaimed the veil of the prostitute, unlike Tamar (Gen. 38:14–16). Rather, she would go as a shepherdess to a shepherd.
; Song 1:7
Local Color in the Song of Solomon
1:5
“tents of Kedar”—nomadic tribal tents made of dark goat hair
1:5
“curtains of Solomon”—most likely the beautiful curtains of Solomon’s palace
1:9
“my filly”—a young, female horse
1:12; 4:13, 14
“spikenard”—an aromatic oil taken from an Indian herb
1:13; 3:6; 4:6, 14; 5:1, 5, 13
“myrrh”—an aromatic gum from the bark of a balsam tree made into perfume in either liquid or solid form
1:14; 4:13
“henna blooms”—a common shrub whose white, spring blossoms give off a fragrant scent
1:14
“En Gedi”—a lush oasis just west of the Dead Sea
1:15; 4:1; 5:12
“dove’s eyes”—beautiful, deep, smoke gray eyes of the dove
2:1
“rose of Sharon”—probably a bulb flower like crocus, narcissus, iris or daffodil growing in the low country (plain of Sharon), south of Mt. Carmel
2:1, 16
“lily of the valleys”—possibly a six petaled flower that grew in the fertile, watered areas
2:3, 5; 7:8; 8:5
“apple”—an aromatic, sweet fruit—possibly an apricot
2:5
“cakes of raisins”—a food associated with religious festivals, having possible erotic significance (cf. 2 Sam. 6:19; Hos. 3:1)
2:7, 9, 17; 3:5; 8:14
“gazelles”—graceful members of the antelope family
2:7; 3:5
“does”—female deer
2:9, 17; 8:14
“stag”—a male deer
2:14; 5:2; 6:9
“dove”—a common symbol of love
2:17
“mountains of Bether”—a ravine or rugged hills in an unidentifiable location in Israel
3:6; 4:6, 14
“frankincense”—amber resin extracted from trees and used for incense/spice
3:6
“fragrant powders”—various spices
3:7, 9
“couch, palanquin”—a sedan chair that transported the king and his bride
3:9; 4:8, 11, 15; 5:15
“Lebanon”—a beautiful country, north of Israel on the coast, with rich natural resources
4:1; 6:5
“Mount Gilead”—the high plateau east of Galilee and Samaria
4:4
“tower of David”—probably the armory tower of Nehemiah 3:19, 25
4:8
“top of Amana”—the hill in which the Amana River has its source in Syria
4:8
“top of Senir and Hermon”—the Amorite and Hebrew names for the tallest summit in northern Israel (over 9,200 ft., cf. Deut. 3:9)
4:10, 14, 16; 5:1, 13; 6:2; 8:14
“spices”—the sweet smelling oil from the balsam
4:14
“saffron”—the dried, powdered pistils and stamens of a small crocus
4:14
“calamus”—a wild grass with a gingery scent
4:14
“cinnamon”—a spice taken from the bark of a tree
4:14
“aloes”—a spicy drug with a strong scent
5:14
“beryl”—possibly a yellowish or greenish stone such as topaz
5:14
“sapphires”—the azure-blue lapis lazuli which was abundant in the East
6:4
“Tirzah”—a site known for its natural beauty and gardens located seven miles northeast of Shechem in Samaria
6:13
“the dance of the two camps”—literally “the dance of the two companies” which is possibly a dance of unknown origin associated with the place of Mahanaim (cf. Gen. 32:2)
7:4
“the pools in Heshbon”—water reservoirs in the Moabite city of Heshbon near modern Amman
7:4
“the gate of Bath Rabbim”—possibly a gate name in Heshbon
7:4
“the tower of Lebanon”—most likely refers to the white color of the mountain rather than its elevation of 10,000 feet
7:4
“Damascus”—the capital city of Syria to the east of the Lebanon mountains
7:5
“Mount Carmel”—a prominent wooded mountain in northern Israel
7:13
“mandrakes”—a pungently fragrant herb considered to be an aphrodisiac (cf. Gen. 30:14)
8:11
“Baal Hamon”—an unknown location in the hill country north of Jerusalem
1:8 This could have been spoken by the daughters of Jerusalem. O fairest among women. The Shulamite received accolades as the best (cf. 5:9; 6:1). This is reminiscent of the Prov. 31 woman (v. 29).
1:9 my love. The first of 9 uses (1:15; 2:2, 10, 13; 4:1, 7; 5:2; 6:4) my filly. Coming from an accomplished horseman (1 Kin. 10:26–29), this speech figure makes perfect sense as a striking compliment of her dazzling beauty.
1:13 my beloved. The first of 24 appearances.
1:15 you are fair. Verbal affirmation fueled this romance. He used “fair” at least 10 times (1:15; 2:10, 13; 4:1, 7; 6:4, 10; 7:6). dove’s eyes. She returned the compliment in 5:12, which is best understood as beautiful eyes representing a beautiful personality.
1:16, 17 Actually an outdoor setting in the forest.
Song of Solomon 2
2:3–6 This scene pictures the loving desire of the Shulamite rather than her actual experience.
2:4 banqueting house. The scene continues in the outdoors. This “house of wine” symbolizes the vineyard, just as the beams and rafters of 1:17 refer to the forest. his banner. As a military flag indicates location or possession, so Solomon’s love flew over his beloved one (cf. Num. 1:52; Ps. 20:5).
2:7 I charge you. This refrain, which is repeated before the wedding (3:5) and also afterward (8:4), explicitly expresses her commitment to a chaste life before and during marriage. She invites accountability to the daughters of Jerusalem.
2:11–13 Winter past, rains over, flowers appearing, and vines blooming use springtime as a picture of their robust, growing love for one another.
2:14 This is best taken as a continuation of what Solomon said as quoted by the Shulamite (vv. 10–15).
2:15 Catch us the foxes. Perhaps, as she literally did in the vineyards, Solomon wanted her to do by analogy in their relationship, i.e., to remove those things in their relationship that would spoil their blossoming love. It could also be thought of as “Let us.…”
2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his. This clearly expresses the sanctity of a monogamous relationship that is built on mutual love (cf. 6:3; 7:10).
Song of Solomon 3
3:1–4 As the wedding time approaches, the Shulamite’s expectations grew more intense. It’s best to understand this as her dream, rather than a historical remembrance.
3:1 the one I love. She repeated this phrase once in each of the first 4 verses, expressing her exclusive love for Solomon.
3:3 watchmen. This imagined encounter resembles a later real experience (cf. 5:6–8).
3:4 The Shulamite finds Solomon in her dreams and brings him to where she actually resides—her mother’s house.
3:5 As in 2:7, the beloved knows that the intensity of her love for Solomon cannot yet be experienced until the wedding, so she invites the daughters of Jerusalem to keep her accountable regarding sexual purity. Up to this point, the escalating desire of the Shulamite for Solomon has been expressed in veiled and delicate ways as compared to the explicit and open expressions which follow, as would be totally appropriate for a married couple (cf. 4:1 ff.).
3:6—5:1 This second major section portrays the king actually coming for his bride and their return to Jerusalem (3:6–11), the wedding (4:1–7), and the couple’s consummation of their union (4:8–5:1). Unlike the previous section, Solomon does a majority of the speaking (15 of 23 verses).
&nbs
p; 3:6–11 This narrative would be better understood as spoken by the daughters of Jerusalem who are also called “the daughters of Zion” (v. 11).
Song 3:7
Geography of Solomon’s Song
Song of Solomon 4
4:1—5:1 Until 3:11, there has been no hint of a wedding or marriage; thus the scenario of events support the idea that 1:2–3:5 refers to premarital days, while 4:1ff. rehearses the wedding and their love life that followed. Several reasons support this explanation: 1) “wedding” is not mentioned before 3:11; 2) “bride” does not appear until 4:8, and then it is mentioned 6 times from 4:8 to 5:1; and 3) prior to 4:1 the beloved has a holy preoccupation with sexual restraint (cf. 2:7; 3:5), but not afterwards in the holy bonds of matrimony.
4:1–15 Possibly Solomon speaks vv. 1–7 in public and the far more intimate words of vv. 8–15 in private as they prepare to consummate their marriage in v. 16 and 5:1.
4:1–7 For other specific descriptions of the Shulamite’s beauty, see 6:4–9 and 7:1–7. He begins v. 1 and closes v. 7 with the same refrain, “you are fair my love.”
4:1, 3 veil. Not the veil of a prostitute (1:7), but rather the bride.
4:8 from Lebanon. This figuratively describes the distance that the couple had kept sexually, which is further described in v. 12 as an enclosed garden, a shut up spring, and a sealed fountain.
4:9 My sister. A common ancient Near Eastern term of endearment by a husband for his wife, which expresses closeness and permanence of relationship (cf. 4:10, 12; 5:1, 2).
4:15 a well of living waters. Solomon testified that whereas she was closed to his physical love before marriage (vv. 8, 12), now she is appropriately open to it (cf. Prov. 5:15–20).
4:16 The Shulamite then portrays herself as an open garden, whereas before she was closed (4:12). She describes herself as “his garden” signifying voluntary sexual surrender (cf. 1 Cor. 7:3–5).
Song of Solomon 5
5:1 I have. While the guests feasted, the couple consummated their marriage (cf. Gen. 29:23; Deut. 22:13–21) and Solomon announced the blessing (cf. Gen. 2:25). Eat, O friends! Given the intimate and private nature of sexual union, it seems difficult to understand anyone but God speaking these words (cf. Prov. 5:21). This is the divine affirmation of sexual love between husband and wife as holy and beautiful.
5:2—8:14 This third major section features the couple’s first argument (5:2–6:3) and their reconciliation (6:4–8:14).