Bible Commentary

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. 13. the fig tree putteth forth her green figs ] The word for ‘green fig’ is paggh, which occurs in its Aramaic form in the name Bethphage. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:13”

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 12. the flowers appear on the earth ] The outburst of spring flowers in Palestine is wonderful. Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 139, says: “The hills and valleys glow … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:12”

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over [and] gone; 11. In this and the two following verses we have one of the loveliest descriptions of the spring in Syria that was ever penned. the winter is past ] The word sth w, used for winter, does not occur elsewhere in the O.T., … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:11”

My beloved spoke, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 10. My beloved spake ] Lit. has answered or answers, but the word ’nh is constantly used like its Greek equivalent , of beginning to speak when occasion seems to demand it, though no word has been previously … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:10”

My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice. 9. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart ] Preferably, like a gazelle or a young hart. our wall ] The possessive pronoun here must, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:9”

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 8. The voice of my beloved ] This is the literal rendering of the Hebrew, but the word ql, ‘sound’ or ‘voice,’ is often used with a following genitive as an interjection, and then ‘Hark!’ is the best equivalent. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:8”

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please. 7. I charge you ] I adjure you. by the roes, and by the hinds of the field ] The tsbh , ‘roe,’ is according … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:7”

His left hand [is] under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 6. The verb here should be taken as expressing a wish. O that his left hand were under my head, and his right hand were embracing me: or, His left hand would be under my head. Cp. Son 8:3, where the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:6”

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I [am] sick of love. 5. flagons ] The Heb. ’ashshth means raisin cakes, cp. Hos 3:1, and is connected possibly with Arab. ’assasa, ‘to found’ or ‘establish,’ and so ‘cakes of pressed fruit.’ The LXX translate and the Vulg. floribus, under the impression that the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:5”

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me [was] love. 4. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love ] Such expressions as ‘banqueting house’ and ‘his banner’ suggest a regal magnificence which could not belong to any kindness or hospitality which a rustic lover … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:4”