Bible Commentary

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so [is] my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit [was] sweet to my taste. 3. the apple tree ] The Heb. word is tappach. Tristram, Fauna and Flora of Palestine, p. 294, takes it to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:3”

As the lily among thorns, so [is] my love among the daughters. 2. Solomon replies, turning her modest comparison into an exaltation of her above the ladies of the palace by saying, “My friend is indeed a lily and she is out of place, but only because the palace ladies are as thistles in comparison.” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:2”

I [am] the rose of Sharon, [and] the lily of the valleys. Ch. Son 2:1-2. In Son 2:1 the bride speaks, describing herself as a humble meadow flower unfit to be in such a luxurious place as that in which she now finds herself, and in Son 2:2 Solomon replies. 1. Render, I am a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 2:1”

The beams of our house [are] cedar, [and] our rafters of fir. 17. Render, The beams of our houses are cedars, and our rafters are cypresses. The meaning is not that their houses are built of cedar, but that the cedar trees and fir trees form the roof over their heads as they seek shelter … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:17”

Behold, thou [art] fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed [is] green. 16. our bed is green ] R.V. rightly, our couch. She recalls the green sward of the meadows, or possibly some leafy arbour where she had reclined with her beloved. Siegfried would understand the words of the marriage bed, sprinkled with sweet … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:16”

Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves’ eyes. 15. thou hast doves’ eyes ] Rather, as R.V., thine eyes are (as) doves, i.e. are dove-like. As a rule in such comparisons the particle of comparison ke = as stands before the predicate (see Ges. Gramm. 141 d, note). But … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:15”

My beloved [is] unto me [as] a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. 14. camphire ] R.V. henna-flowers, the Lawsonia inermis or henna plant, from which Eastern women get the reddish yellow colour with which they stain their hands and feet (Tristram, op. cit. p. 340). It has a strongly perfumed flower which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:14”

A bundle of myrrh [is] my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night between my breasts. 13. A bundle ] From Isa 3:20 we learn that Israelite women were accustomed to carry perfume boxes. The bundle of myrrh here would seem to be something of that kind, probably a small bag with myrrh resin … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:13”

While the king [sitteth] at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 12. While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof ] R.V. sat sent forth. So long she says as the king was on his divan her spikenard gave forth its perfume. his table ] Heb. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:12”

We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 11. We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver ] Rather, strings of golden beads will we make thee, with points of silver. These more splendid adornments will be substituted for her modest country ornaments. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:11”