Bible Commentary

Thy cheeks are comely with rows [of jewels], thy neck with chains [of gold]. 10. Thy cheeks are comely ] The LXX have , ‘How comely are thy cheeks,’ which would be a very good reading. with rows of jewels] Most probably these are strings, either of beads formed of the precious metals, or of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:10”

I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots. 9. O my love ] Rather, O my friend; cp. the use of ami in French between lovers. This word rayh is found only in the Song of Solomon, except once in the plural in Jdg 11:37, where Jephthah’s daughter … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:9”

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents. 8. by the footsteps of the flock ] i.e. hard on the footsteps, in the very tracks of the sheep, until she reaches the place where the shepherds’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:8”

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest [thy][flock] to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? 7. where thou feedest, &c.] Rather, where thou wilt pasture (thy flock), where thou wilt make (them) rest at noon. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:7”

Look not upon me, because I [am] black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; [but] mine own vineyard have I not kept. 6. because I am black ] The word for black here is a diminutive of the former … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:6”

I [am] black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 5. Here the Shulammite, under the inquisitive glances of the court ladies, who probably desire to see whether they have in any degree accomplished their purpose of rousing her admiration for the king, remembers her … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:5”

Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. 4. Draw me, we will run after thee ] Better, Draw me after thee, that we may run. This rendering … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:4”

Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name [is as] ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 3. Because of the savour of thy good ointments ] Lit. ‘For fragrance thy ointments are good,’ i.e. as R.V. Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance. This clause is a continuance of the praise … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:3”

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love [is] better than wine. 2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth ] It may be doubted whether this is spoken by the Shulammite of her absent lover, or by one of the ladies of the court, of Solomon, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:2”

The song of songs, which [is] Solomon’s. Chap. Son 1:1 1. The song of songs, which is Solomon’s ] For the superscription, which probably comes from a later hand than that of the author, see Introduction, 1, p. ix. Chap. Son 1:2-8. In the King’s Household The first scene from the life of the heroine … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 1:1”