Song of Solomon 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The bridegroom calls on his spouse to admit him, Sol 5:1-3. She hesitates; but arising finds him gone, seeks him, and is treated unworthily by the city watch, Sol 5:4-7. Inquires of the daughters of Jerusalem, who question her concerning her beloved, Sol 5:8, Sol 5:9. This gives her occasion to enter into a fine description of his person and accomplishments, Sol 5:10-16.
Open source ↗Answer to her prayer (Isa 65:24; Rev 3:20). am come--already (Sol 4:16); "come" (Gen 28:16). sister . . . spouse--As Adam's was created of his flesh, out of his opened side, there being none on earth on a level with him, so the bride out of the pierced Saviour (Eph 5:30-32). have gathered . . . myrrh--His course was already complete; the myrrh, &c. (Mat 2:11; Mat 26:7-12; Joh 19:39), emblems of the indwelling of the anointing Holy Ghost, were already gathered. spice--literally, "balsam." have eaten--answering to her "eat" (Sol 4:16). honeycomb--distinguished here from liquid "honey" dropping from trees. The last supper, here set forth, is one of espousal, a pledge of the future marriage (Sol 8:14; Rev 19:9). Feasts often took place in gardens. In the absence of sugar, then unknown, honey was more widely used than with us. His eating honey with milk indicates His true, yet spotless, human nature from infancy (Isa 7:15); and after His resurrection (Luk 24:42). my wine-- (Joh 18:11) --a cup of wrath to Him, of mercy to us, whereby God's Word and promises become to us "milk" (Psa 19:10; Pe1 2:2). "My" answers to "His" (Sol 4:16). The myrrh (emblem, by its bitterness, of repentance), honey, milk (incipient faith), wine (strong faith), in reference to believers, imply that He accepts all their graces, however various in degree. eat--He desires to make us partakers in His joy (Isa 55:1-2; Joh 6:53-57; Jo1 1:3). drink abundantly--so as to be filled (Eph 5:18; as Hag 1:6). friends-- (Joh 15:15).
Open source ↗INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 5 This chapter begins with Christ's answer to the church's request; in which he informs her, that he was come into his garden, as she desired, and gives an account of what he had done there; and kindly invites his dear friends to feast with him there, Sol 5:1; Then she relates her case and circumstances, which followed upon this, her sleepy frame, and ungrateful carriage to her beloved; which he resenting, withdrew from her, and this gave her sensible pain, Sol 5:2; what treatment she met with from the watchmen; her charge to the daughters of Jerusalem; and the questions they asked about her beloved, Sol 5:7; which put her upon giving a large description of him, by each of his parts, head, hair, &c. Sol 5:10; And the chapter is concluded with a general commendation of him and his loveliness, and a claim of interest in Sol 5:16.
Open source ↗5:1 I have entered my garden . . . myrrh with my spices . . . honeycomb with my honey . . . wine with my milk: In penetrating the garden, the man finds that there is no limit to what he can enjoy. They are ecstatic over finally unlocking the vast enjoyment of intercourse. • drink deeply of your love! The young women of Jerusalem encourage the couple to enjoy their sexual union to the fullest; there can be no guilt or shame in the deepest pleasure between husband and wife.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife אָרָה (ʼârâh, H717) — to pluck מֹר (môr, H4753) — myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter) בָּשָׂם (bâsâm, H1313) — the balsam plant אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) דְּבַשׁ (dᵉbash, H1706) — honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication חָלָב (châlâb, H2461) — milk (as the richness of kine) רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close)
Open source ↗יָשֵׁן (yâshên, H3463) — sleepy לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle דָּפַק (dâphaq, H1849) — to knock; by analogy, to press severely פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) רַעְיָה (raʻyâh, H7474) — a female associate יוֹנָה (yôwnâh, H3123) — a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating) תָּם (tâm, H8535) — complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) טַל (ṭal, H2919) — dew (as covering vegetation)
Open source ↗פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… כְּתֹנֶת (kᵉthôneth, H3801) — a shirt אֵיךְ (ʼêyk, H349) — how? or how!; also where לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda טָנַף (ṭânaph, H2936) — to soil
Open source ↗דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מִן (min, H4480) — properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses חוֹר (chôwr, H2356) — a cavity, socket, den מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578) — used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively,… הָמָה (hâmâh, H1993) — to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or…
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָטַף (nâṭaph, H5197) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak… מֹר (môr, H4753) — myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter) אֶצְבַּע (ʼetsbaʻ, H676) — something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… מַנְעוּל (manʻûwl, H4514) — a bolt
Open source ↗פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle חָמַק (châmaq, H2559) — properly, to wrap; hence, to depart (i.e. turn about) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;…
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) פָּצַע (pâtsaʻ, H6481) — to split, i.e. wound חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative רָדִיד (râdîyd, H7289) — a veil (as expanded)
Open source ↗שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)}
Open source ↗דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman כָּכָה (kâkâh, H3602) — just so, referring to the previous or following context שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
Open source ↗דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle צַח (tsach, H6703) — dazzling, i.e. sunny, bright, (figuratively) evident אָדֹם (ʼâdôm, H122) — rosy דָּגַל (dâgal, H1713) — to flaunt, i.e. raise a flag; figuratively, to be conspicuous רְבָבָה (rᵉbâbâh, H7233) — abundance (in number), i.e. (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)
Open source ↗רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… כֶּתֶם (kethem, H3800) — properly, something carved out, i.e. ore; hence, gold (pure as originally mined) פָּז (pâz, H6337) — pure (gold); hence, gold itself (as refined) קְוֻצָּה (qᵉvutstsâh, H6977) — a forelock (as shorn) תַּלְתַּל (taltal, H8534) — a trailing bough (as pendulous) שָׁחֹר (shâchôr, H7838) — properly, dusky, but also (absol.) jetty עֹרֵב (ʻôrêb, H6158) — a raven (from its dusky hue)
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יוֹנָה (yôwnâh, H3123) — a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating) אָפִיק (ʼâphîyq, H650) — properly, containing, i.e. a tube; also a bed or valley of astream; also a strong thing… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) חָלָב (châlâb, H2461) — milk (as the richness of kine) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מִלֵּאת (millêʼth, H4402) — fulness, i.e. (concretely) a plump socket (of the eye)
Open source ↗לְחִי (lᵉchîy, H3895) — the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone עֲרוּגָה (ʻărûwgâh, H6170) — something piled up (as if (figuratively) raised by mental aspiration), i.e. a paterre בֶּשֶׂם (besem, H1314) — fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant מֶרְקָח (merqâch, H4840) — a spicy herb מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… שׁוּשַׁן (shûwshan, H7799) — a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectural ornament; also a (straight)… נָטַף (nâṭaph, H5197) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… מֹר (môr, H4753) — myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)
Open source ↗יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky גָּלִיל (gâlîyl, H1550) — a valve of a folding door (as turning); also a ring (as round) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) תַּרְשִׁישׁ (tarshîysh, H8658) — a gem, perhaps the topaz מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578) — used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively,… עֶשֶׁת (ʻesheth, H6247) — a fabric שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff עָלַף (ʻâlaph, H5968) — to veil or cover; figuratively, to be languid סַפִּיר (çappîyr, H5601) — a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.
Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Breathe on my garden and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choicest fruits.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
You who dwell in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice. Let me hear it!
For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.
When you see, you will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; then the hand of the LORD will be revealed to His servants, but His wrath will be shown to His enemies.
For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.