Songs of Solomon

ribbonChapter 1: The Bride Confesses Her Love

(Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

1The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love is better than wine.

3Because of the smell of your good ointments your name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you.

The Friends

4Draw me, we will run after you: the king has brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you, we will remember your love more than wine: the upright love you.

Notes:
song
שִׁיר shîyr, sheer; or feminine שִׁירָה shîyrâh; from H7891; a song; abstractly, singing:—musical(-ick)
H7892 matches the Hebrew שִׁיר (shiyr), which occurs 90 times in 87 verses
song (74x), musick (7x), singing (4x), musical (2x), sing (1x), singers (1x), song (with H1697) (1x) 
Solomon = “peace”
20th son of David
Father’s successor
celebrated for his riches, splendour, and wisdom
son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs
H8010 matches the Hebrew שְׁלֹמֹה (Shĕlomoh), which occurs 293 times in 263 verses 
savour
רֵיחַ rêyach, ray’-akh; from H7306; odor (as if blown):—savour, scent, smell.
H7381 matches the Hebrew רֵיחַ (reyach), which occurs 58 times in 55 verses
scent, fragrance, aroma, odour
scent, odour
odour of soothing (technical term for sacrifice to God)
ointments
fat, oil, fatness
oil, olive oil
as staple, medicament or unguent
for anointing
fat (of fruitful land, valleys) (metaph)
a feast of fat things, “and the yoke (of Israel) is broken becauseof fatness”, a metaphor taken from a fat bull that casts off and breaks the yoke, also fruitfullness of the earth 
שֶׁמֶן shemen, sheh’-men; from H8080; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness:—anointing, × fat (things), × fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, pine.
KJV translates Strongs H8081 in the following manner: oil (165x),ointment (14x), olive (4x), oiled (2x), fat (2x), things (2x), miscellaneous (4x).
H8081 matches the Hebrew שֶׁמֶן (shemen), which occurs 193 times in 176 verses
virgin, young woman, of marriageable age, maid or newly married
KJV translates Strongs H5959 in the following manner: virgin (4x),maid (2x), damsels (1x).
עַלְמָה ʻalmâh, al-maw’; feminine of H5958; a lass (as veiled or private):—damsel, maid, virgin.
“There is no instance where it can be proved that ‘almâ designates a young woman who is not a virgin. The fact of virginity is obvious in Gen 24:43 where ‘almâ is used of one who was being sought as a bride for Isaac.” (R. Laird Harris, et al. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, p. 672.)
 
chamber, room, parlour, innermost or inward part, within
(1) a chamber, especially an inner apartment, whether of a tent or of a house, hence a bed chamber, women’ts apartement, a bridal chamber, a store room
(2) metaphorically, the chambers of the south, the most remote southern regions; the innermost parts of the breast
חֶדֶר cheder, kheh’-der; from H2314; an apartment (usually literal):—((bed) inner) chamber, innermost(-ward) part, parlour, south, × within.
H2315 matches the Hebrew חֶדֶר (cheder), which occurs 38 times in 33 verses
 KJV translates Strongs H2315 in the following manner:
chamber (21x), inner (4x), bedchamber (with G4296) (3x), bedchamber (with G4904) (3x), inward parts (2x), innermost parts (2x), parlours (1x), south (1x), within (1x). 

The Bride

5I am black, but comely, O you daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

6Look not on me, because I am black, because the sun has looked on me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not kept.

7Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where you feed, where you make your flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turns aside by the flocks of your companions?

Solomon Speaks

8If you know not, O you fairest among women, go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed your kids beside the shepherds’ tents.

9I have compared you, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.

10Your cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, your neck with chains of gold.

Notes:
 comely, beautiful, seemly

H5000 matches the Hebrew נָאוֶה (na’veh),  which occurs 9 times in 9 verses

  1. comely, beautiful

  2. seemly 

daughter

 

בַּת bath, bath; from H1129 (as feminine of H1121); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively):—apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, × first, × old, owl, town, village.

H1323 matches the Hebrew בַּת (bath), which occurs 588 times in 499 verses

  1. daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

  1. young women, women

  2. Lexicon
    1. “daughters of men” (Gen 6:2)
    2. a queen herself is addressed as daughter (Psalm 45)
    3. a maiden, young woman
    4. foster daughter, adopted daughter (Esther 2:7)
    5. female disciple, worshipper (Mal 2:11)
    6. It is supposed to mean a branch of a tree (Gen 49:22), “the daughters” ie branches of a fruit tree “go up over the wall”

tent

KJV translates Strongs H168 in the following manner:

tabernacle(s) (198x), tent(s) (141x), dwelling (2x), place(s) (2x), covering (1x),home (1x).

אֹהֶל ʼôhel, o’-hel; from H166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance):—covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.

H168 matches the Hebrew אֹהֶל (‘ohel), which occurs 345 times in 314 verses

  1. nomad’s tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience

  2. dwelling, home, habitation

  3. the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)

Kedar = “dark”

קֵדָר Qêdâr, kay-dawr’; from H6937; dusky (of the skin or the tent); Kedar, a son of Ishmael; also (collectively) Bedouin (as his descendants or representatives):—Kedar.

H6938 matches the Hebrew קֵדָר (Qedar), which occurs 12 times in 11 verses

  1. a son of Ishmael

  2. the descendants of Kedar

  3. “black skin”

keepers

נָטַר nâṭar, naw-tar’; a primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger):—bear grudge, keep(-er), reserve.

to keep, keep guard, reserve, maintain, to keep watch, to guard a vineyard 

vineyard

כֶּרֶם kerem, keh’-rem; from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard:—vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage.

H3754 matches the Hebrew כֶּרֶם (kerem), which occurs 93 times in 82 verses

flocks to rest 

KJV translates Strongs H7257 in the following manner:

lay down (15x),lay (9x), couch beneath (1x), couched (1x), miscellaneous (4x).

H7257 matches the Hebrew רָבַץ (rabats), which occurs 30 times in 30 verses

רָבַץ râbats, raw-bats’; a primitive root; to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed:—crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay, (cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit.

to stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out, laying(stones)

Lexicon

used of quadrupeds, whic hlie on their breasts with their feet gathered under them (gen 29:2)

used of a bird brooding over her young (Deu 22:6)

a lier in wait, spoken of the lion

sin will always lie in wait fro thee, like a wild beast, lying at the door

to waters resting on the bosom of the arth (gen 49 : 25)

 companions

united, associate, fellow, worshippers

fairest, beautiful, handsome

H3303 matches the Hebrew יָפֶה (yapheh),
which occurs 41 times in 38 verses

fooststeps

עָקֵב ʻâqêb, aw-kabe’; or (feminine) עִקְּבָה ʻiqqᵉbâh; from H6117; a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army):—heel, (horse-) hoof, last, lier in wait (by mistake for H6120), (foot-) step.

H6119 matches the Hebrew עָקֵב (`aqeb), which occurs 13 times in 13 verses

Lexicon

(1) the heel (Gen 3:15), of horses, the hoof (Gen 49:17)

(2) metaphorically the extreme rear of an army

shephards

רָעָה râʻâh, raw-aw’; a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend):—× break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.

H7462 matches the Hebrew רָעָה (ra`ah), which occurs 173 times in 144 verses

to pasture, tend, graze, feed, people as flock, herdsman, special friend

kids, young female goats

cheeks, jaw, cheek (of man). jawbone (of animal)

לְחִי lᵉchîy, lekh-ee’; from an unused root meaning to be soft; the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone:—cheek (bone), jaw (bone).

H3895 matches the Hebrew לְחִי (lĕchiy), which occurs 21 times in 20 verses

Lexicon

(1) the cheek, so called as being the seat of beauty (from its fresh colour), to smite any one on the cheek, implies castigation or insult

(2) jaw-bone, an image taken from beasts of prey, which, when their jaw is broken and their teeth extracted, can no longer do harm.

neck, back of neck

צַוָּאר tsavvâʼr, tsav-vawr’; or צַוָּר tsavvâr; (Nehemiah 3:5), or צַוָּרֹן tsavvârônlemma צַוָּרן missing vowel, corrected to צַוָּרֹן; (Song of Solomon 4:9), or (feminine) צַוָּארָה tsavvâʼrâh; (Micah 2:3), intensively from H6696 in the sense of binding; the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound):—neck.

H6677 matches the Hebrew צַוָּאר (tsavva’r), which occurs 42 times in 39 verses

  1. neck, back of neck (of man)

  2. neck (of animals)

chains, a beaded necklace, string of beads

The Friends

11We will make you borders of gold with studs of silver.

The Bride

12While the king sits at his table, my spikenard sends forth the smell thereof.

13A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved to me; he shall lie all night between my breasts.

14My beloved is to me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

Notes:

 borders 

KJV translates Strongs H8447 in the following manner: turn (2x),row (1x), border (1x).

תּוֹר tôwr, tore; or תֹּר tôr; from H8446; a succession, i.e. a string or (abstractly) order:—border, row, turn.

H8447 matches the Hebrew תּוֹר (towr), which occurs 4 times in 4 verses (Esther 2:12, 15)

  1. circlet, plait, turn (of hair or gold)

  2. (CLBL) succession, order

  3. Lexicon
    1. order, row, turn, especially what goes round in a circle (Esther 2:12, 15)
    2. a string of pearls, or gold or silver beads (as an ornament for the head)

gold

H2091 matches the Hebrew זָהָב (zahab), which occurs 389 times in 336 verses

  1. as precious metal

  2. as a measure of weight

  3. of brilliance, splendour (fig.)

studs, point, drop (of silver)

נְקֻדָּה nᵉquddâh, ned-ood-daw’; feminine of H5348; a boss:—stud.

silver, money

כֶּסֶף keçeph, keh’-sef; from H3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money:—money, price, silver(-ling).

H3701 matches the Hebrew כֶּסֶף (keceph), which occurs 403 times in 343 verses

  1. silver (as metal, ornament, colour)

  2. money, shekels, talents

table, round thing, surroundings, round about, that which surrounds, that which is round

מֵסַב mêçab, may-sab’; plural masculine מְסִבִּים mᵉçibbîym; or feminine מְסִבּוֹת mᵉçibbôwth; from H5437; a divan (as enclosing the room); abstractly (adverbial) around:—that compass about, (place) round about, at table.

H4524 matches the Hebrew מֵסַב (mecab), which occurs 5 times in 5 verses

spikenard, nard

  1. an odoriferous aromatic plant from India

 myrrh

  1. an Arabian gum from the bark of a tree, used in sacred oil and in perfume

camphire

כֹּפֶר kôpher, ko’-fer; from H3722; properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as used for coating), and the henna plant (as used for dyeing); figuratively, a redemption-price:—bribe, camphire, pitch, ransom, satisfaction, sum of money, village.

H3724 matches the Hebrew כֹּפֶר (kopher), which occurs 17 times in 17 verses

  1. price of a life, ransom, bribe

  2. asphalt, pitch (as a covering)

  3. the henna plant, name of a plant (henna?)

  4. village

En-gedi = “fount of the kid”

  1. a town in the wilderness of Judah on the western shore of the Dead Sea

  2. Lexicon
  3. an eye
  4. face
  5. fountain, so called from its resemblance to an eye
    1. fountain of the gardens
    2. fountain of habitation
    3. fountain of sharpness
    4. fountain of judgement
    5. fountain of two calves
    6. fountain of the sun
    7. a town of the Levites

Solomon

15Behold, you are fair, my love; behold, you are fair; you have doves’ eyes.

The Bride

16Behold, you are fair, my beloved, yes, pleasant: also our bed is green.

Solomon

17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

Notes:
 rafter, beam

house

The KJV translates Strongs H1004 in the following manner: house (1,881x),household (54x), home (25x), within (22x), temple (11x), prison (16x), place (16x),family (3x), families (with H1) (2x), dungeon (2x), miscellaneous (23x).

בַּיִת bayith, bah’-yith; probably from H1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.):—court, daughter, door, +dungeon, family, + forth of, × great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet, temple, web, + within(-out).

H1004 matches the Hebrew בַּיִת (bayith), which occurs 2,055 times in 1,718 verses

  1. house, dwelling habitation

  2. shelter or abode of animals

  3. human bodies (fig.)

  4. of Sheol

  5. of abode of light and darkness

  6. of land of Ephraim

  1. place

  2. receptacle

  3. home, house as containing a family

  4. household, family

    1. those belonging to the same household

    2. family of descendants, descendants as organized body

  5. household affairs

  6. inwards (metaph.)

  7. (TWOT) temple

cypress, fir, juniper, pine

ribbonChapter 2 : The Bride

1I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

Solomon

2As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Notes:

 rose

meadow-saffron, crocus, rose, sometimes translated as lily

חֲבַצֶּלֶת chăbatstseleth, khab-ats-tseh’-leth; of uncertain derivation; probably meadow-saffron:—rose.

H2261 matches the Hebrew חֲבַצֶּלֶת (chabatstseleth),which occurs 2 times in 2 verses

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. (isaiah 35:1)

lily

שׁוּשַׁן shûwshan, shoo-shan’; or שׁוֹשָׁן shôwshân; or שֹׁשָׁן shôshân; and (feminine) שׁוֹשַׁנָּה shôwshannâh; from H7797; a lily (from its whiteness), as a flower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape):—lily, Shoshannim.

H7799 matches the Hebrew שׁוּשַׁן (shuwshan), which occurs 15 times in 15 verses

(Psalm 45, 69)(Hosea 14:5)

  1. probably any lily-like flower

  2. Shoshannim, in title of Ps. 45

valley, vale, lowland, open country

H6010 matches the Hebrew עֵמֶק (`emeq), which occurs 69 times in 64 verses

Sharon = “a plain”

שָׁרוֹן Shârôwn, shaw-rone’; probably abridged from H3474; plain; Sharon, the name of a place in Palestine:—Lasharon, Sharon.

H8289 matches the Hebrew שָׁרוֹן (Sharown), which occurs 7 times in 7 verses

(Isaiah 33:9, 35:2, 65:10)

  1. the district lying between the mountains of central Palestine and the Mediterranean Sea and north of Joppa

  2. a district on the east of the Jordan around Gilead and Bashan

thorn 

  1. thorn, brier, bramble, thornbush, thicket

  2. hook, ring, fetter, put through the nostrils of the larger fishes after they were caught, which were again put into the water

apple, apple tree

תַּפּוּחַ tappûwach, tap-poo’-akh; from H5301; an apple (from its fragrance), i.e. the fruit or the tree (probably includ. others of the pome order, as the quince, the orange, etc.):—apple (tree). See also H1054.

Beth-tappuah = “house of the apple” of “place of apples” a town in Judah

The Bride

3As 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.

4He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

5Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.

6His left hand is under my head, and his right hand does embrace me.

7I charge you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

Notes:

 flagons

אֲשִׁישָׁה ʼăshîyshâh, ash-ee-shaw’; feminine of H808; something closely pressed together, i.e. a cake of raisins or other comfits:—flagon.

raisin-cake, used in sacrificial feasts

  1. consistently translated in AV as “flagon of wine”

the left, the left hand, the left side

שְׂמֹאול sᵉmôʼwl, sem-ole’; or שְׂמֹאל sᵉmôʼl; a primitive word (rather perhaps from the same as H8071 (by insertion of the aleph) through the idea of wrapping up); properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand:—left (hand, side).

H8040 matches the Hebrew שְׂמֹאל (sĕmo’wl), which occurs 54 times in 53 verses

  1. left

  2. left hand

  3. north (as one faces east)

  4. Lexicon 
  5. (1) the left side, the north (in reference to Damascus), Simonis supposes the left hand and side to have been so called from being covered; because of its being wrapped up in the outer garment thrown over the left shoulder; and that the right hand on the conrtrary was called because it was given as the pledge of faithfulness in promises 

head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

H7218 matches the Hebrew רֹאשׁ (ro’sh), which occurs 598 times in 548 verses

רֹאשׁ rôʼsh, roshe; from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, etc.):—band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, × every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), × lead, × poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.

KJV translates Strongs H7218 in the following manner:

head (349x),  chief (91x),  top (73x),  beginning (14x), company (12x), captain (10x), sum (9x), first (6x), principal (5x), chapiters (4x), rulers (2x), miscellaneous (23x)

  1. head (of man, animals)

  2. top, tip (of mountain)

  3. height (of stars)

  4. chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)

  5. head, front, beginning

  6. chief, choicest, best

  7. head, division, company, band

  8. sum 

right, right hand, right side

יָמִין yâmîyn, yaw-meen’; from H3231; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south:— left-handed, right (hand, side), south.

H3225 matches the Hebrew יָמִין (yamiyn), which occurs 139 times in 133 verses

  1. right hand

  2. right (of direction)

  3. south (the direction of the right hand when facing East)

  4. Lexicon
  5. to stand on the right hand of any one is the same as to aid him

Jerusalem = “teaching of peace”

יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם Yᵉrûwshâlaim, yer-oo-shaw-lah’-im; rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yᵉrûwshâlayim; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of H3390)); probably from (the passive participle of)H3384 and H7999; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine:—Jerusalem.

H3389 matches the Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַם (Yĕruwshalaim), which occurs 643 times in 600 verses

  1. the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split

roes

H6643 matches the Hebrew צְבִי (tsĕbiy), which occurs 32 times in 32 verses

  1. beauty, glory, honour

    1. beauty, decoration

    2. honour

  2. roebuck, gazelle

    1. perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown

skipping

to draw together, close, shut, shut up, stop up

  1. (Qal) to shut

  2. (Niphal)

    1. to draw oneself together (of death)

    2. to be shut up to death

  3. (Piel) springing, skipping (participle)

The Bride’s Adoration

8The voice of my beloved! behold, he comes leaping on the mountains, skipping on the hills.

9My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he stands behind our wall, he looks forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice.

10My beloved spoke, and said to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11For, see, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

12The 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;

13The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Notes:

 window (piercing of the wall)

H2474 matches the Hebrew חַלּוֹן (challown), which occurs 31 times in 27 verses

(1st) And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window H2474 of the ark which he had made:

lattice, other opening through which one may look

חֶרֶךְ cherek, kheh’-rek; from H2760; properly, a net, i.e. (by analogy) lattice:—lattice.

fig tree

H8384 matches the Hebrew תְּאֵנָה (tĕ’en), which occurs 39 times in 35 verses

to sit under one’s vine and under one’s fig tree is  said of those who lead a tranquil and happy life

green fig, early fig, unripe fig which hang on the tree through the winter

the vines

H1612 matches the Hebrew גֶּפֶן (gephen), which occurs 55 times in 53 verses

vine, vine tree

  1. of Israel (fig.)

  2. of stars fading at Jehovah’s judgment (metaph.)

  3. of prosperity

Solomon

14O my dove, that are in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely.

15Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Notes:
 

The Bride

16My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feeds among the lilies.

17Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be you like a roe or a young hart on the mountains of Bether.

Notes:
 Bether = “cleft”

  1. a mountainous region in Palestine, site unknown

  2. Lexicon (1) a divided part of victims (2) section, a dividing

ribbonChapter 3 :The Bride’s Dream

1By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

2I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

3The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw you him whom my soul loves?

4It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

5I charge you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

Notes:

 watchman

שָׁמַר shâmar, shaw-mar’; a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:—beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).

H8104 matches the Hebrew שָׁמַר (shamar), which occurs 468 times in 440 verses

to keep, guard, observe, give heed

  1. (Qal)

    1. to keep, have charge of

    2. to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

      1. watch, watchman (participle)

    3. to watch for, wait for

    4. to watch, observe

    5. to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)

    6. to keep (within bounds), restrain

    7. to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)

    8. to keep, preserve, protect

    9. to keep, reserve

  2. (Niphal)

    1. to be on one’s guard, take heed, take care, beware

    2. to keep oneself, refrain, abstain

    3. to be kept, be guarded

  3. (Piel) to keep, pay heed

  4. (Hithpael) to keep oneself from

Solomon’s Wedding Day

6Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

7Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; three score valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.

8They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man has his sword on his thigh because of fear in the night.

9King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.

10He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the middle thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.

11Go forth, O you daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Notes:
 pillar, column

תִּימָרָה tîymârâh, tee-maw-raw’; or תִּמָרָה timârâh; from the same as H8558; a column, i.e. cloud:—pillar.

Joel 2:30

  1. palm-like spreading at top

perfumed

קָטַר qâṭar, kaw-tar’; a primitive root (identical with through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship):—burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).

H6999 matches the Hebrew קָטַר (qatar), which occurs 117 times in 112 verses

  1. to sacrifice, burn incense, burn sacrifices, make sacrifices smoke

    1. (Piel)

      1. to make sacrifices smoke

      2. to sacrifice

    2. (Pual) to smoke a sacrifice

    3. (Hiphil)

      1. to make sacrifices smoke

      2. to cause incense to smoke, offer incense

      3. to make smoke upon

    4. (Hophal) to be made to smoke

  2. incense

  3. incense-altar

myrrh

  1. an Arabian gum from the bark of a tree, used in sacred oil and in perfume

frankincense

H3828 matches the Hebrew לְבוֹנָה (lĕbownah),
which occurs 21 times in 21 verses

  1. a white resin burned as fragrant incense

    1. ceremonially

    2. personally

    3. used in compounding the holy incense

merchant

H7402 matches the Hebrew רָכַל (rakal), which occurs 17 times in 15 verses

to go about (meaning dubious)

  1. (Qal) trafficker, trader (participle) (subst)

war

מִלְחָמָה milchâmâh, mil-khaw-maw’; from H3898 (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. war-fare):—battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior).

H4421 matches the Hebrew מִלְחָמָה (milchamah),
which occurs 319 times in 308 verses

fear

H6343 matches the Hebrew פַּחַד (pachad), which occurs 49 times in 48 verses

terror, dread

  1. dread

  2. object of dread

pillars, column

עַמּוּד ʻammûwd, am-mood’; or עַמֻּד ʻammud; from H5975; a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform:—× apiece, pillar.

H5982 matches the Hebrew עַמּוּד (`ammuwd), which occurs 110 times in 84 verses

  1. pillar

  2. column, upright

  3. column (of smoke)

purple

H713 matches the Hebrew אַרְגָּמָן (‘argaman), which occurs 38 times in 38 verses

midst, middle

H8432 matches the Hebrew תָּוֶךְ (tavek), which occurs 415 times in 390 verses

  1. midst, middle

  2. into, through (after verbs of motion)

  3. among (of a number of persons)

  4. between (of things arranged by twos)

  5. from among (as to take or separate etc)

 crown, wreath, diadem

“a virtous woman is a crown to her husband” (Prov 14:2, 16:31, 17:6)

H5850 matches the Hebrew עֲטָרָה (`atarah), which occurs 23 times in 23 verses

ribbonChapter 4 : Solomon Admires his Beloved

1Behold, you are fair, my love; behold, you are fair; you have doves’ eyes within your locks: your hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.

2Your teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.

3Your lips are like a thread of scarlet, and your speech is comely: your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within your locks.

4Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, where on there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

5Your two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

6Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Notes:

 locks, veil, woman’s veil

Gilead = “rocky region”, hard stony region

H1568 matches the Hebrew גִּלְעָד (Gil`ad),
which occurs 134 times in 123 verses

  1. a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called ‘Mount Gilead’ or the ‘land of Gilead’ or just ‘Gilead’. Divided into north and south Gilead

  2. a city (with prefix ‘Jabesh’)

  3. the people of the region

  4. son of Machir and grandson of Manasseh

  5. father of Jephthah

  6. a Gadite

goats,  female goat, she-goat, goat, kid

עֵז ʻêz, aze; from H5810; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat’s hair):—(she) goat, kid.

H5795 matches the Hebrew עֵז (`ez), which occurs 74 times in 74 verses

teeth, tooth, ivory

H8127 matches the Hebrew שֵׁן (shen),
which occurs 55 times in 48 verses

  1. tooth

    1. of man, lex talionis, beast

  2. tooth, tine (of fork)

  3. ivory

    1. as material

    2. of commerce

  4. sharp pointed rock

twins, to be doubled, be joined

lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

שָׂפָה sâphâh, saw-faw’; or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת sepheth; probably from H5595 or H8192 through the idea of termination (compare H5490); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):—band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.

H8193 matches the Hebrew שָׂפָה (saphah),
which occurs 176 times in 164 verses

  1. lip (as body part)

  2. language

  3. edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

scarlet, crimson

  1. properly, the insect ‘coccus ilicis’, the dried body of the female yielding colouring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to colour it scarlet or crimson

tower

מִגְדָּל migdâl, mig-dawl’; also (in plural) feminine מִגְדָּלָה migdâlâh; from H1431; a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers:—castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following

H4026 matches the Hebrew מִגְדָּל (migdal),
which occurs 50 times in 45 verses

  1. tower

  2. elevated stage, pulpit

  3. raised bed

shield, buckler

מָגֵן mâgên, maw-gane’; also (in plural) feminine מְגִנָּה mᵉginnâh; from H1598; a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile:—× armed, buckler, defence, ruler, scale, shield.

H4043 matches the Hebrew מָגֵן (magen), which occurs 63 times in 60 verses

(1st) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, H4043 and thy exceeding great reward.

7You are all fair, my love; there is no spot in you.

8Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

9You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck.

10How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is your love than wine! and the smell of your ointments than all spices!

11Your lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under your tongue; and the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

12A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

Notes:
 Amana = “support”

  1. a river flowing into the plain of Damascus from Antilebanon

  2. mountainous area of the river’s origin

Senir or Shenir = “snow mountain”

  1. the Amorite name for Mount Hermon

  2. (1st) (Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;) H8149 (deut 3:9)

my spouse

KJV translates Strongs H3618 in the following manner: daughter in law (17x), bride (9x), spouse (8x).

כַּלָּה kallâh, kal-law’; from H3634; a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son’s wife:—bride, daughter-in-law, spouse.

H3618 matches the Hebrew כַּלָּה (kallah), which occurs 34 times in 34 verses

honeycomb

flowing honey, honey from the comb, a dropping down, honey, honeycomb

נֹפֶת nôpheth, no’-feth; from H5130 in the sense of shaking to pieces; a dripping i.e. of honey (from the comb):—honeycomb.

H5130 matches the Hebrew נוּף (nuwph), which occurs 37 times in 35 verses

KJV translates Strongs H5130 in the following manner:

wave (16x),shake (7x), offer (5x), lift up (4x), move (1x), perfumed (1x), send (1x), sift (1x),strike (1x).

נוּף nûwph, noof; a primitive root; to quiver (i.e. vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinadoing, sawing, waving, etc.):—lift up, move, offer, perfume, send, shake, sift, strike, wave.

garment, outer garment, wrapper, mantle

H8008 matches the Hebrew שַׂלְמָה (salmah), which occurs 16 times in 16 verses

  1. garment, outer garment

13Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,

14Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

15A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

Notes:

 orchard

park, preserve, enclosed garden, forest

saffron

  1. an orange-yellow flower of the crocus family, used for flavouring in drinks and confections in order to promote perspiration for cooling of the body

calamus, reed, stalk, bone, balances

קָנֶה qâneh, kaw-neh’; from H7069; a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard):—balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, × spearman, stalk

H7070 matches the Hebrew קָנֶה (qaneh), which occurs 62 times in 38 verses

KJV translates Strongs H7070 in the following manner:

reed (28x),branch (24x), calamus (3x), cane (2x), stalk (2x), balance (1x), bone (1x),spearmen (1x).

  1. stalk

  2. water-plant, reed

  3. calamus (aromatic reed)

  4. derived meanings

    1. measuring-rod

    2. reed (as unit of measure – 6 cubits)

    3. beam (of scales – for scales themselves)

    4. shaft (of lampstand)

    5. branches (of lampstand)

    6. shoulder-joint

garden, enclosure

H1588 matches the Hebrew גַּן (gan), which occurs 42 times in 37 verses

  1. enclosed garden

    1. (fig. of a bride)

  2. garden (of plants)

  3. Garden of Eden

well, pit, spring

H875 matches the Hebrew בְּאֵר (ĕ’er), which occurs 37 times in 33 verses

Lebanon = “whiteness”

H3844 matches the Hebrew לְבָנוֹן (Lĕbanown), which occurs 71 times in 64 verses

  1. a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

The Bride

16Awake, O north wind; and come, you south; blow on my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Notes:
 

ribbonChapter 5 : Solomon

1I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Notes:

gathered, to pluck, gather H717 matches the Hebrew אָרָה (‘arah),

undefiled, perfect, complete

  1. complete, perfect

    1. one who lacks nothing in physical strength, beauty, etc

  2. sound, wholesome

    1. an ordinary, quiet sort of person

  3. complete, morally innocent, having integrity

    1. one who is morally and ethically pure

coat, tunic, under-garment

H3801 matches the Hebrew כֻּתֹּנֶת (kĕthoneth), which occurs 29 times in 26 verses

  1. a long shirt-like garment usually of linen

  2. (1st) gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats H3801 of skins, and clothed them.
  3. (2nd) gen 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat H3801 of many colours.

ruddy

red, ruddy (of man, horse, heifer, garment, water, lentils)

אָדֹם ʼâdôm, aw-dome’; from H119; rosy:—red, ruddy.

multitude, myriad, ten thousand

רְבָבָה rᵉbâbâh, reb-aw-baw’; from H7231; abundance (in number), i.e. (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite):—many, million, × multiply, ten thousand.

H7233 matches the Hebrew רְבָבָה (rĕbabah), which occurs 16 times in 16 verses

The Bride Searches for Her Beloved

2I sleep, but my heart wakes: it is the voice of my beloved that knocks, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

3I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

4My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

5I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

6I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spoke: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

7The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

8I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him, that I am sick of love.

Notes:
 

The Friends

9What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? what is your beloved more than another beloved, that you do so charge us?

Notes:
 

Admiration by the Bride

10My beloved is white and ruddy, the most chief among ten thousand.

11His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

12His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.

13His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

14His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

15His legs are as pillars of marble, set on sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

16His mouth is most sweet: yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Notes:
 leg, thigh

שׁוֹק shôwq, shoke; from H7783; the (lower) leg (as a runner):—hip, leg, shoulder, thigh.

H7785 matches the Hebrew שׁוֹק (showq), which occurs 19 times in 19 verses

KJV translates Strongs H7785 in the following manner: shoulder (13x),legs (4x), hip (1x), thigh (1x).

  1. of man; specifically the lower leg (calf) as opposed to the thigh

  2. of sacrificial animal; specifically the thigh, upper leg, hind leg, as the portion eaten

marble 

KJV translates Strongs H8336 in the following manner: linen (20x), fine linen (17x),  marble (3x), silk (1x), variant (1x).

H8336 matches the Hebrew שֵׁשׁ (shesh), which occurs 42 times in 37 verses

  1. something bleached white, byssus, linen, fine linen

  2. alabaster, similar stone, marble

sockets

base, pedestal, socket (strong, firm)

  1. pedestals of gold on which marble pillars were set

  2. pedestals of the earth, foundation of the earth

  3. pedestals, bases, or sockets on which tabernacle stood

אֶדֶן ʼeden, eh’-den; from the same as H113 (in the sense of strength); a basis (of a building, a column, etc.):—foundation, socket.

H134 matches the Hebrew אֶדֶן (‘eden),
which occurs 57 times in 39 verses

cedar

  1. cedar tree

  2. cedar timber, cedar wood (in building)

  3. cedar wood (in purifications)

  4. H730 matches the Hebrew אֶרֶז (‘erez), which occurs 73 times in 69 verses 

ribbonChapter 6 : The Friends

1Where is your beloved gone, O you fairest among women? where is your beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with you.

The Bride

2My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

3I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feeds among the lilies.

Notes:
 

Mutual Delight

4You are beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.

5Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me: your hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.

6Your teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one bears twins, and there is not one barren among them.

7As a piece of a pomegranate are your temples within your locks.

8There are three score queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

9My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bore her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yes, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

10Who is she that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

Notes:
 Tirzah = “favourable”

  1. one of the 7 daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher of the tribe of Manasseh

  2. one of the kingdoms on the west of the Jordan conquered by Joshua and the Israelites

  3. a Canaanite city, later capital of the northern kingdom of Israel

  4. H8656 matches the Hebrew תִּרְצָה (Tirtsah), which occurs 18 times in 17 verses

The Bride

11I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded.

12Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.

The Friends

13Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look on you. What will you see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.

Notes:
 to return, turn back

KJV translates Strongs H7725 in the following manner: return (391x),…again (248x), turn (123x), …back (65x), …away (56x), restore (39x), bring (34x),render (19x), answer (18x), recompense (8x), recover (6x), deliver (5x), put (5x),withdraw (5x), requite (4x), miscellaneous (40x).

H7725 matches the Hebrew שׁוּב (shuwb), which occurs 1,117 times in 952 verses

  1. (Qal)

    1. to turn back, return

      1. to turn back

      2. to return, come or go back

      3. to return unto, go back, come back

      4. of dying

      5. of human relations (fig)

      6. of spiritual relations (fig)

        1. to turn back (from God), apostatise

        2. to turn away (of God)

        3. to turn back (to God), repent

        4. turn back (from evil)

      7. of inanimate things

      8. in repetition

  2. (Polel)

    1. to bring back

    2. to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

    3. to lead away (enticingly)

    4. to show turning, apostatise

  3. (Pual) restored (participle)

  4. (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

    1. to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

    2. to bring back, refresh, restore

    3. to bring back, report to, answer

    4. to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

    5. to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse

    6. to turn away (face), turn toward

    7. to turn against

    8. to bring back to mind

    9. to show a turning away

    10. to reverse, revoke

  5. (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back

  6. (Pulal) brought back

ribbonChapter 7 : Admiration by the Bridegroom

1How beautiful are your feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter! the joints of your thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.

2Your navel is like a round goblet, which wants not liquor: your belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.

3Your two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.

4Your neck is as a tower of ivory; your eyes like the fish pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: your nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looks toward Damascus.

5Your head on you is like Carmel, and the hair of your head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.

6How fair and how pleasant are you, O love, for delights!

7This your stature is like to a palm tree, and your breasts to clusters of grapes.

8I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also your breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of your nose like apples;

9And the roof of your mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goes down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.

Notes:

 fish pools

בְּרֵכָה bᵉrêkâh, ber-ay-kaw’; from H1288; a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place):—(fish-) pool.

H1295 matches the Hebrew בְּרֵכָה (bĕrekah), which occurs 17 times in 15 verses

(1st) 2Sa 2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool H1295 of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, H1295 and the other on the other side of the pool. H1295

ivory

tooth, ivory

H8127 matches the Hebrew שֵׁן (shen), which occurs 55 times in 48 verses

  1. tooth

    1. of man, lex talionis, beast

  2. tooth, tine (of fork)

  3. ivory

    1. as material

    2. of commerce

  4. sharp pointed rock 

Heshbon = “stronghold”

H2809 matches the Hebrew חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbown), which occurs 38 times in 37 verses

  1. the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad

gate

H8179 matches the Hebrew שַׁעַר (sha`ar), which occurs 371 times in 302 verses

  1. gate (of entrance)

  2. gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)

    1. city, town

  3. gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle)

  4. heaven

Bath-rabbim = “daughter of multitudes”

  1. the city of Heshbon or one of its gates

Damascus = “silent is the sackcloth weaver”

H1834 matches the Hebrew דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq), which occurs 45 times in 40 verses

  1. an ancient trading city, capital of Syria, located in the plain east of Hermon, 130 (205 km) miles northeast of Jerusalem

Carmel = “garden-land”

H3760 matches the Hebrew כַּרְמֶל (Karmel), which occurs 26 times in 25 verses

  1. a mountain on the Mediterranean coast of northern Israel, just below Haifa

  2. a town in the mountains on the west side of the Dead Sea and south of Hebron

palm tree, date palm

תָּמָר tâmâr, taw-mawr’; from an unused root meaning to be erect; a palm tree:—palm (tree).

(1st) exo 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: H8558 and they encamped there by the waters.

bough, fruit-stalk (of date tree)

סַנְסִן çançin, san-seen’; from an unused root meaning to be pointed; a twig (as tapering):—bough. 

The Bride Promises Her Love

10I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.

11Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.

12Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give you my loves.

13The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.

Notes:
 mandrake, love-apple

H1736 matches the Hebrew דּוּדַי (duwday), which occurs 7 times in 5 verses

  1. as exciting sexual desire, and favouring procreation

  2. pot, jar, basket, kettle

ribbonChapter 8 : Longing for Her Beloved

1O that you were as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find you without, I would kiss you; yes, I should not be despised.

2I would lead you, and bring you into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause you to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

3His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

4I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

Notes:
 

The Friends

5Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? I raised you up under the apple tree: there your mother brought you forth: there she brought you forth that bore you.

Solomon

6Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which has a most vehement flame.

7Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Notes:
 

The Friends

8We have a little sister, and she has no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?

9If she be a wall, we will build on her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.

The Bride

10I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favor.

11Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard to keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

12My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: you, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

Notes:

 wall

חוֹמָה chôwmâh, kho-maw’; feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection:—wall, walled.

H2346 matches the Hebrew חוֹמָה (chowmah), which occurs 133 times in 123 verses

(1st)  Exo 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall H2346unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

enclose

H6696 matches the Hebrew צוּר (tsuwr), which occurs 38 times in 38 verses

  1. to bind, besiege, confine, cramp

    1. (Qal)

      1. to confine, secure

      2. to shut in, beseige

      3. to shut up, enclose

  2. (Qal) to show hostility to, be an adversary, treat as foe

  3. (Qal) to form, fashion, delineate

  4. (1st) exo 23:22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. H6696

board, slab, tablet, plank

H3871 matches the Hebrew לוּחַ (luwach), which occurs 43 times in 33 verses

  1. tablets (of stone)

  2. boards (of wood)

  3. plate (of metal)

  4. (1st) exo 24:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables H3871 of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

Baal-hamon = “lord (possessor) of abundance”

  1. the site of Solomon’s vineyard

Solomon

13You that dwell in the gardens, the companions listen to your voice: cause me to hear it.

The Bride

14Make haste, my beloved, and be you like to a roe or to a young hart on the mountains of spices.

Notes: