Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon front

Introduction to the Song of Songs

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Song of Songs

1. The bride longs for the bridegroom to arrive (1:1–2:7)
2. The bridegroom praises the woman he loves (2:8–3:5)
3. The bridegroom arrives and praises the bride (3:6–5:1)
4. The bride longs for the bridegroom (5:2–6:9)
5. The bridegroom praises the beauty of his bride (6:1–8:4)
6. Final thoughts about love between a man and a woman (8:5–14)

What is the Song of Songs about?

The Song of Songs is a poem or a series of poems that celebrate love and intimacy between a man and a woman. Jews traditionally have interpreted the book as a picture of God’s love for his people Israel. In the same way, many Christians interpret it as a picture of love between Christ and his bride, the church of all believers.

Who wrote the Song of Songs?

The first verse of the book (“The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s”) gives the idea that King Solomon of Israel wrote it. However, people have interpreted this verse in different ways, so not everyone is persuaded that Solomon wrote it.

How should the title of this book be translated?

This book is traditionally titled “Song of Songs,” which means the very best song, or “Song of Solomon.” It may also be called “Songs of Love,” “Great Poems of Love,” or “The Love Songs of Solomon.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What place do the descriptions of sexual behavior have in the Song of Songs?

The Song of Songs approves of sexual behavior expressing love between a husband his wife.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

How many characters are in the Song of Songs?

The two main characters in this book are the man and the woman, who love each other. The woman also speaks to a group of women called the “daughters of Jerusalem,” and these women make comments. However, it is possible that the group of women is not real and the woman is only imagining them.

Some interpreters believe there may be more characters than these, but this is not certain. The ULT and UST versions recognize only the man, the woman, and the group of women.

What are the lines about people speaking?

The Song of Songs is a poem that shows the thoughts and words of a man, a woman, and the woman’s friends. Throughout the poem, the author does not identify the speakers and their audience. So to help readers understand the poem, some translations attempt to identify the speaker and the audience. It is not always certain who the speaker is, so sometimes translations disagree about who is speaking.

Before each speech, the ULT identifies the speaker and the audience like this: “The woman speaking to the other women,” “The woman speaking to the man,” “The man speaking to the woman,” or “The woman speaking to herself.” Translators are encouraged to include these ways of identifying the speaker and the audience, and to format them differently from the scripture text. The translators should also include a note explaining that these explanations are not actually part of the scripture.

How should one translate the Song of Songs if the readers will view certain terms as coarse, vulgar, or improper?

Readers might consider many images or forms appearing in the Song of Songs as improper when translated. The translator should try to avoid offensive language if possible, by using expressions that will not cause offense. (See: Euphemism)

How do I translate metaphors and similes in this book?

There are many metaphors and similes in this book. These figures of speech are often unclear. If they have sexual meanings, figures of speech describing feelings or emotions are often used to avoid offense by hiding their meaning. However, since their meanings are often unclear, ambiguity in translation is encouraged. You can translate the words as they are written in order to avoid committing to a specific meaning. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 1

Song of Songs 1 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Kisses

The kisses in this chapter are a type of kiss that was only done between a husband a wife. It is an intimate kiss. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Love and affection

This chapter is centered on the feelings of love, affection, and attraction. Different cultural standards may make translation difficult and the translator may use euphemisms to avoid offending people. (See: Euphemism)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using metaphors involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. Different metaphors of beauty are used in different cultures. (See: Metaphor)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“I am dark”

In the ancient Near East, rich people usually had lighter skin because they did not need to work outside in the sun. This young woman had to work out in the sun, and her skin became darker than it was when she was younger.

Song of Solomon 1:1

See: Poetry and Parallelism

Alternate translation: “The Best Song” or “The Most Excellent Song”

Possible meanings are “which is about Solomon” or “which Solomon composed.”

Song of Solomon 1:2

The first part of the book begins with this verse.

Alternate translation: “I enjoy having you near me more than I enjoy drinking wine”

Song of Solomon 1:3

Alternate translation: “The oils that you put on your body”

Alternate translation: “smell wonderful”

Perfume has a good smell that spreads as the air moves. The name is either a metonym for: (1) the person’s reputation, what other people think of him. Here the speaker says that people always think that the hearer is a good person, or (2) the person himself. (See: Simile and Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 1:4

“The word “you” refers to the man and so is singular. (See: Forms of You)

“Pull” or “Drag.” Here the woman described as being like a captive who is willing to follow her captor. (See: Metaphor)

The word “we” refers to the young woman together with the man. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

The woman speaks of herself as if she were more than one person. Many versions change the pronoun to “I” as the UST does. Other versions present these as the words of the woman’s friends speaking about either the woman or the man. (See: Pronouns and Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Alternate translation: “because of you”

Alternate translation: “let us praise”

Alternate translation: “Women who adore you are doing as they should do”

Song of Solomon 1:5

Alternate translation: “My skin is dark, but I am still beautiful” or “Even though my skin is dark, I am beautiful”

The nomadic tribes in Kedar used black goat skins to build their homes. The woman is comparing her skin to these tents. (See: Simile)

Solomon produced beautiful curtains either for his own palace or for the Temple. She says that her skin is beautiful. (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 1:6

This exaggeration for “burned” or “made black” refers to the sun changing her skin from light to dark. (See: Hyperbole)

“My half-brothers.” These brothers probably had the same mother as the woman but not the same father.

Alternate translation: “made me take care of the vineyards”

The woman compares herself to a vineyard. Alternate translation: “but I have not been able to take care of myself” (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 1:7

The soul is a metonym for the person. Alternate translation: “I love” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “graze your flocks”

Alternate translation: “have your flock lie down”

The woman asks this question to emphasize that she has a closer relationship to the man than other women do. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me so that I will not need to wander around among the flocks of your companions when I am looking for you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“who goes all around.” She does not want to have to look for the man. Perhaps she is afraid other men will think she is a prostitute looking for business. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “your friends” or “your co-workers”

Song of Solomon 1:8

Alternate translation: “you who are the most beautiful of all women”

Alternate translation: “follow along behind the flock”

marks of the hooves of the flock on the ground

Alternate translation: “graze your young goats” or “let your young goats eat”

Song of Solomon 1:9

The Jews of those days considered horses beautiful, and the Pharaoh’s horses would have been the most beautiful he could find. The man considers the young woman beautiful. Alternate translation: “My love, you are as beautiful as any of Pharaoh’s chariot horses” (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “you whom I love”

Alternate translation: “the horses that pull Pharaoh’s chariots”

Song of Solomon 1:10

These ornaments could be: (1) jewels hanging from a band around the head or (2) earrings or (3) a metaphor for her long hair. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 1:11

The man speaks as if he were many people. Some versions change this to singular “I.” Other versions take these to be the words of the woman’s friends. (See: Pronouns and Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Alternate translation: “with spots of silver”

Song of Solomon 1:12

“sat eating his special meal.” This probably refers to one of the couches on which people would lie around a table at a banquet. You could translate using the common word for what people do with their bodies when they eat special meals.

an oil that people got from the expensive nard or spikenard (valerian plant with small pink or white flowers) and used to make their skin soft and to have a pleasant odor.

Alternate translation: “gave off its good smell”

Song of Solomon 1:13

Women would place a small bag or pouch of myrrh on a necklace so it would lie between their breasts and they could enjoy its pleasant fragrance. This woman enjoys having her beloved close to her. She adds “to me” to show that she does not expect anyone else to enjoy her beloved in this way. Alternate translation: “I enjoy my beloved as much as I enjoy having a bag of myrrh … breasts” (See: Simile)

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” Alternate translation: “My dear one” or “My lover”

If this phrase would offend your readers, you could use a euphemism. Alternate translation: “close to me” (See: Euphemism)

Song of Solomon 1:14

Henna flowers have a fragrance that people enjoy. The woman enjoys her beloved. She adds “to me” to show that she does not expect anyone else to enjoy her beloved in this way. Alternate translation: “I enjoy my beloved as much as I enjoy the smell of clusters of henna flowers” (See: Simile)

flowers from a small desert tree that people used as a perfume

Song of Solomon 1:15

Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: you”

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9

This could mean: (1) the Israelites considered doves to be gentle and soft birds, and the man considers the woman’s eyes beautiful because the way the woman looks at him makes him think she is gentle. Alternate translation: “you are very gentle” or (2) the man is speaking of the woman’s white eyeballs or the shape of her eyes as being like the shape of a dove. (See: Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 1:16

Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: you”

Use the word in your language that describes a good-looking man.

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

This speaks of the lush plants as if they were a bed. Alternate translation: “lush plants are what we lie down on to sleep” (See: Metaphor)

plants that are green, moist, and grow abundantly

Song of Solomon 1:17

The woman describes the forest as though it were a house in which they were lying down. (See: Metaphor)

This could mean: (1) “beams” refers to large logs used to support everything above the walls and “rafters” refers to the large pieces of wood to which the roof is attached or (2) “beams” refers to the rafters and “rafters” refers to the strips attached to the beams, onto which the builders attached the roofing materials.

Cedars were large and strong trees. The word translated “firs” is a general term for trees like cedars but smaller. If cedar and fir trees are unknown in your area, you could use general terms for the tallest and strongest trees. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Song of Solomon 2

Song of Songs 2 General Notes

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

Women are compared to flowers in this chapter. This metaphor may describe a woman’s beauty and delicacy. (See: Metaphor)

Euphemisms

It is possible that some of the metaphors used in this chapter are actually euphemisms. These euphemisms would refer to sex or the physical love between a husband a wife. (See: Euphemism)

Song of Solomon 2:1

See: Poetry and Parallelism

The woman speaks as if she were one of many flowers in a land known for beautiful flowers. (See: Metaphor)

the name of a land that is flat, has no trees, and grows many different kinds of grasses and flowers

The woman speaks as if she were one of many flowers in a land known for beautiful flowers. (See: Metaphor)

a sweet smelling flower that grows in places where there is much water. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:1-2.

flat areas between mountains and near water

Song of Solomon 2:2

A flower is much more beautiful than a thorn bush. The man thinks the woman is much more beautiful than the other women. (See: Simile)

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9.

Alternate translation: “the other young women”

Song of Solomon 2:3

People enjoy the fruit of an apricot tree, but the trees of the forest do not bear fruit. The woman enjoys being with the man, but not with the other young men. (See: Simile)

a tree that produces a small yellow fruit that is very sweet. If your readers will not know what this is, you could use the word for another fruit tree or the general word “fruit tree.”

The Hebrew word here refers to land where trees grow for which people have no use.

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

The woman finds great joy and comfort in being so near to the man. (See: Metaphor)

The woman enjoys eating sweet fruit, and she enjoys being near to the man. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 2:4

This could mean: (1) the very large room where the king would serve many people large meals with wine or (2) a small booth in a vineyard where the man and woman could be alone together.

This could mean: (1) the banner is a metonym for a military escort. And, the military escort is a metaphor that represents the man’s love which gives courage to the woman who was nervous to enter the large room where the king served many people. Alternate translation: “but his loving protection guided me and gave me courage” or (2) the woman knew that the man wanted to make love to her from the way he looked at her. Alternate translation: “he looked at me lovingly” or “when he looked at me, I knew he wanted to make love to me” or (3) they made love. Alternate translation: “he lovingly covered me” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 2:5

Alternate translation: “Return my strength” or “Give me energy”

“by giving me raisin cakes to eat.” Raisin cakes were cakes made of dried grapes pressed together.

Alternate translation: “support me by giving me apricots” or “help me by giving me apricots”

The woman speaks of feeling weak because her love is so strong as if love were a kind of sickness. Alternate translation: “because my love is so strong that I feel feeble” (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 2:6

Alternate translation: “left arm … right arm”

Alternate translation: “holds me”

Song of Solomon 2:7

“young women of Jerusalem.” These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. (See: Apostrophe)

Although the daughters of Jerusalem could not hear her, the woman speaks to them as if they could hear saying that the gazelles and the does will punish them they break their promise. (See: Apostrophe)

These are animals that look like deer and move quickly.

female deer

“that live in the countryside.” This was land that has not been farmed.

Here “love” is spoken of as if it were a person asleep that does not want to be awakened. This is a metaphor that represents the man and woman who do not want to be disturbed until they are finished making love. Alternate translation: “will not disturb us until we have finished making love” (See: Personification and Metaphor)

If your language has only one word for waking people out of sleep, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “will not awaken” (See: Doublet)

Song of Solomon 2:8

The second part of the book begins here. It is not clear whether the woman is speaking to herself or to the daughters of Jerusalem.

This could mean: (1) “Listen carefully to what I am about to say.” You could use a word in your language that tells the hearer to listen carefully, or (2) “Listen so you can hear him coming.”

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

The woman shows that she is excited to see the man come by using as few words as possible to describe what he is doing. Your language may have a different way of showing that the speaker is excited about what is happening.

“leaping on the mountains, running quickly on the hills.” The woman speaks of the man as if he were “a gazelle or a young stag” (verse 9) coming quickly toward her over rough ground. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 2:9

The woman shows that she is excited to see the man come by using as few words as possible to describe what he is doing. Your language may have a different way of showing that the speaker is excited about what is happening.

Gazelles and young stags move quickly over rough ground. The woman imagines the man coming as fast as he can to be with her. You could translate using animals in your language that people think of as fast. (See: Simile)

This is an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly. Translate as the singular of “the gazelles” as in Song of Songs 2:7.

Alternate translation: “a young male deer”

“listen carefully” or “what I am about to say is important.” You could use a word in your language that tells the hearer to listen carefully.

“on the other side of our wall.” The woman is in a house and the man is outside the house.

The word “our” refers to the woman and the other people in the house with her. If she is speaking to herself, it is inclusive, but if she is speaking to the daughters of Jerusalem, whether she is referring to herself and her companions or to herself only in plural, as in “We are glad … We rejoice … let us celebrate” (Song of Songs 1:4), it is exclusive. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Alternate translation: “he stares in through the windows”

Alternate translation: “he peeks through the lattice”

a cover for a window or some other entrance that someone has made by weaving long strips of wood together. Lattices have holes that people can look through.

Song of Solomon 2:10

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “My dear one” or “My lover”

Alternate translation: “Get out of bed, my love”

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9

Song of Solomon 2:11

“Listen carefully” or “What I am about to say is important.” You could use a word in your language that tells the hearer to listen carefully.

In winter it is too cold and wet to make love outside, but the cold, wet time has passed.

Winter is the cold time of year when plants do not grow and people prefer to stay inside their houses. You could use the term in your language for that time of year.

In Israel it only rains during the winter. The rain here is cold and unpleasant, not the refreshing rain of the hot season.

Song of Solomon 2:12

Alternate translation: “People can see flowers”

Alternate translation: “all over this land”

for cutting off branches from a plant so that it will produce more fruit or look better

Alternate translation: “for birds to sing”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “people can hear the sound of doves” or “the doves are cooing” (See: Active or Passive)

Song of Solomon 2:13

The tree is spoken of as if it were actively causing its fruit to ripen. This is a collective singular and can be translated as a plural. Alternate translation: “The figs on the trees are becoming ripe” (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “vines are flowering” or “vines have flowers”

The word “they” refers to the blossoms on the vines.

Alternate translation: “their sweet smell”

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9

Song of Solomon 2:14

The man is speaking.

The Israelites considered doves beautiful birds with pleasant voices. The man thinks the woman’s face and voice are beautiful. If calling a woman a “dove” would be offensive, you could leave out the metaphor. Alternate translation: “My beautiful woman” (See: Metaphor)

large cracks in the side of mountain rocks large enough for people to hide in

Alternate translation: “the steep rocks on the sides of the mountains”

Some versions translate this as “your appearance” or “your form” or “what you look like.”

Song of Solomon 2:15

This is plural, as if the woman is speaking to more than one man, but most versions translate who she is speaking to as the man, so you could translate this as singular. (See: Forms of You)

These animals look like small dogs and were often used in love poetry to represent eager young men who would spoil a young woman. (See: Metaphor)

The words us and our could possibly be: (1) exclusive, referring to the woman herself, as in Song of Songs 1:4, or (2) inclusive, referring to the woman and the man, or (3) exclusive, referring to the woman and the rest of her family. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

Another possible meaning is “jackals.” A jackal is a type of thin wild dog with long legs.

Foxes spoil or destroy vineyards by digging holes and eating vines and grapes. This could be a metaphor for young men who spoil young women. (See: Metaphor)

This implies that the vineyard is healthy and the grapes have appeared, but they are not ready for harvest. This could be a metaphor for a young lady ready for marriage and bearing children. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:13. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 2:16

Alternate translation: “My beloved belongs to me”

Alternate translation: “I belong to him”

“feeds” or “eats grass.” The woman speaks of the man as if he were “a gazelle or a young stag” (verse 17) that eats plants among the lilies. Grazing is probably a metaphor for lovemaking (Song of Songs 2:1-2). (See: Metaphor)

sweet-smelling flowers that grow in places where there is much water. Translate as the plural of “lily” in Song of Songs 2:1.

Song of Solomon 2:17

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

the part of the day when the sun is rising

The woman describes the shadows as though they were running away from the light of the sun. Alternate translation: “the shadows disappear” (See: Metaphor)

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:9.

an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly. Translate as the singular of “gazelles” as in Song of Songs 2:7.

an adult male deer

Alternate translation: “rocky mountains” or “rough mountains”

Song of Solomon 3

Song of Songs 3 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Longing

This chapter describes a feeling of longing, or the waiting in anticipation of the one you love. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Metaphors

In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using metaphors involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. Different metaphors of beauty are used in different cultures. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 3:1

Alternate translation: “I had a strong desire to be with him … loves, but he was not there”

The soul is a metonym for the whole person. Here it makes a stronger statement of the woman’s love for the man than “my beloved” (Song of Songs 1:14). (See: Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 3:2

Alternate translation: “walk through the city”

The word “squares” indicates the center area of a town where streets or roads come together. It is often an area where people sell items, a market, and a place where people come together to talk.

Alternate translation: “will to look for”

Song of Solomon 3:3

men who have the job of keeping guard of the town at night to keep the people safe

Alternate translation: “who were walking around the city on the walls”

The soul is a metonym for the whole person. Here it makes a stronger statement of the woman’s love for the man than “my beloved” (Song of Songs 1:14). See how you translated this in Song of Songs 3:1. (See: Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 3:4

Alternate translation: “the room for sleeping”

This is a metonym for her mother. (See: Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 3:5

Translate this verse as in Song of Songs 2:7.

“young women of Jerusalem.” These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. (See: Apostrophe)

Although the daughters of Jerusalem are not there to hear her, the woman is telling them that the gazelles and the does will punish them they break their promise. (See: Apostrophe)

animals that look like deer and move quickly.

female deer

“that live in the countryside.” This refers to land that has not been farmed.

Here “love” is spoken of as if it were a person asleep that does not want to be awakened. This is a metaphor that represents the man and woman who do not want to be disturbed until they are finished making love. Alternate translation: “will not disturb us until we have finished making love” (See: Personification and Metaphor)

If your language has only one word for waking people out of sleep, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “will not awaken” (See: Doublet)

Song of Solomon 3:6

The third part of the book begins here. It begins with a description of sixty men carrying Solomon’s bed up from the wilderness to Jerusalem.

The group of people is traveling from the wilderness to Jerusalem. They must go up in order to reach Jerusalem because the wilderness is low in the Jordan valley and Jerusalem is high in the mountains.

Many versions translate this “Who is that.”

The dust looked like smoke from far away because the people raised much dust in the air as they traveled. (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “with the sweet smell of myrrh and frankincense”

The words “perfumed with” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “perfumed with all the powders sold by merchants” or “and with the sweet smell of all the powders that merchants sell” (See: Ellipsis)

a fine dust made by crushing something solid

Song of Solomon 3:7

“Listen carefully” or “What I am about to say is important.” You could use a word in your language that tells the hearer to listen carefully. The speaker now discovers the answer to the question in verse 6.

This refers to a bed with a cover that can be carried from one place to another.

These two phrases refer to the same sixty people. The second phrase clarifies that the “warriors” are “soldiers of Israel.” (See: Doublet)

men who fight

Song of Solomon 3:8

A description of the bed itself begins in verse 9. You could use words in your language that show that this is background information. (See: Background Information)

Alternate translation: “can fight battles well”

Alternate translation: “so that he can fight against”

Here, “terrors” is a metonym for evil people who frighten others by attacking them. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word terrors, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “evil people who attack others at night” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 3:9

This is a chair or couch for important people to sit or lie on. It rests on long poles that people can use to carry it

Song of Solomon 3:10

The description of the bed itself that began in Song of Songs 3:9 continues. (See: Background Information)

The word “its” refers to King Solomon’s sedan chair.

The word “posts” here refers to pieces either made of silver or made of wood covered with silver that hold up the tent of cloth around his chair.

Alternate translation: “The inside of it was”

This could mean: (1) “with love,” indicating that the women made the sedan beautiful in a special way to show their love for Solomon, or (2) “with leather.”

Song of Solomon 3:11

Alternate translation: “you young women who live in Zion”

“look at King Solomon.” The word “gaze” refers to look at someone or something for a long time, usually with strong emotional feeling.

Alternate translation: “wearing the crown”

The word “heart” is a metonym for the person. Alternate translation: “the day on which he truly rejoiced” or “the happiest day of his life” (See: Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 4

Song of Songs 4 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Beauty

The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel. Not all cultures share the same the same standards of beauty.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Metaphors

In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using metaphors involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. Different metaphors of beauty are used in different cultures. (See: Metaphor)

“My sister, my bride”

The woman described is not the sister of her husband. They are not related. Instead, this is a reference to a woman who is a fellow Israelite.

Song of Solomon 4:1

See: Poetry and Parallelism

One possibility is that the man is speaking of the woman’s white eyeballs or the shape of her eyes, the shape of a dove. Another possibility is that the Israelites considered doves to be gentle and soft birds, and the man considers the woman’s eyes beautiful because the way the woman looks at him makes him think she is gentle. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:15. Alternate translation: “You are very gentle” (See: Metaphor)

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9.

Goats in Israel were usually dark in color. The woman’s hair was probably dark. You may need to specify that the goats were dark or even use another simile that the reader will understand that refers to something dark and beautiful. People thought of Mount Gilead as beautiful and fertile. The speaker considered the woman beautiful and ready to become the mother of his children. If you remove the simile of the goats, you may have to remove the simile of the mountain as well. Alternate translation: “Your hair is as dark as storm clouds above a fertile land” (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 4:2

After sheep have their wool cut off, they are washed and their skin looks very white. The woman’s teeth are white. (See: Simile)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “a flock of ewes whose wool people have cut off” (See: Active or Passive)

The ewes are coming up out of the water. Alternate translation: “that are coming up out of the water after people have washed them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Sheep usually give birth to two lambs at one time. These twin lambs usually look like one another. Each of the woman’s teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth. (See: Metaphor)

Each of the woman’s teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth. She has not lost any of her teeth.

lost a loved one who has died

Song of Solomon 4:3

Scarlet is a beautiful red color, and scarlet thread was very expensive. The woman’s lips were red. Alternate translation: “are a deep red like scarlet thread” or “are red and very beautiful” (See: Simile)

a dark red color that is very similar to the color of blood

Alternate translation: “is beautiful”

Pomegranates are smooth, round, and rich red. The man thinks the woman’s cheeks are beautiful and show that she is healthy. Alternate translation: “are red and round like two halves of a pomegranate” or “are red and full and healthy” (See: Simile)

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:1.

Song of Solomon 4:4

No one knows if this was a real tower. A tower is a tall, slender building, and saying that David built it implies that it was beautiful. The man considered the woman’s neck long and slender and so beautiful. Alternate translation: “Your neck is long and beautiful like the tower of David” (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “that David built”

Women had necklaces that covered their entire necks with rows of decorations. The man compares these rows of decorations with the rows of stone on the tower. Alternate translation: “that has many rows of stone” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

The man compares the decorations of the woman’s necklace with shields hanging on the tower. The necklace probably went around her neck many times. (See: Metaphor)

“1,000 shields.” (See: Numbers)

Alternate translation: “all of the shields belong to mighty warriors”

Song of Solomon 4:5

If the word “two” seems unnecessary and so out of place, you could omit it.

The man implies that the woman’s breasts are matching, soft, and perhaps small. (See: Simile)

the babies of a mother who gave birth to two babies at one time

an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly. Translate as the singular of “gazelles” as in Song of Songs 2:7.

“eating plants among the lilies.” While it is clear that the man “grazing among the lilies” is a metaphor for making love (Song of Songs 2:16), it is not clear what these words refer to. It is best to translate them literally.

sweet-smelling flowers that grow in places where there is much water. Translate as the plural of “lily” in Song of Songs 2:1.

Song of Solomon 4:6

Translate similar wording in this line as you did the line in Song of Songs 2:17.

The “mountain of myrrh” and “hill of frankincense” are metaphors for the woman’s breasts (Song of Songs 1:13). Alternate translation: “I will lie close to your breasts, which are like mountains that smell like myrrh and frankincense” or “I will lie close to your breasts, which smell very sweet” or “I will go to the sweet-smelling mountains” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “the mountain made of myrrh” or “the mountain that has myrrh growing on it”

Alternate translation: “the hill where there are clouds of smoke from burning frankincense in the air”

Song of Solomon 4:7

Alternate translation: “Every part of you is beautiful” or “All of you is beautiful”

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9.

Alternate translation: “you have no blemish”

Song of Solomon 4:8

Alternate translation: “away from Lebanon”

This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son’s wife. If your language has a polite word that a man would use to his wife and that has not been used yet in this book, you could use it here. Otherwise you could use any polite term a man would use with his wife.

the name of a mountain north of Israel (See: How to Translate Names)

the name of a mountain near Amana and Hermon. Some people think that this refers to the same mountain as Hermon. (See: How to Translate Names)

places where lions and leopards live, like caves or holes in the ground

Song of Solomon 4:9

This idiom could mean: (1) “My heart now belongs completely to you” or (2) “I strongly desire to make love to you” (See: Idiom)

This is an idiom of affection. They are not actually brother and sister. Alternate translation: “my dear” or “my darling” (See: Idiom)

This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son’s wife. If your language has a polite word that a man would use to his wife and that has not been used yet in this book, you could use it here. Otherwise you could use any polite term a man would use with his wife. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:8.

“heart. All you have to do is look at me once or show me just one jewel.” Both the woman’s eyes and her jewelry attract the man to her.

This necklace probably went around her neck many times (Song of Songs 4:4).

Song of Solomon 4:10

Alternate translation: “Your love is wonderful”

This is an idiom of affection. They are not actually brother and sister. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9. Alternate translation: “my dear” or “my darling” (See: Idiom)

This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son’s wife. If your language has a polite word that a man would use to his wife and that has not been used yet in this book, you could use it here. Otherwise you could use any polite term a man would use with his wife. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9.

“Your love is much better than wine.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Song of Songs 1:2.

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “how much better is the fragrance of your perfume than the fragrance of any spice” (See: Ellipsis)

See how you translated these words in Song of Songs 1:3.

dried plants or seeds that have a good smell or taste

Song of Solomon 4:11

Possible meanings are that honey is a metaphor for (1) the sweet taste of the woman’s kisses or (2) the woman’s words. (See: Metaphor)

Because “milk and honey” is a common phrase in the Bible, you should translate literally. Possible meanings are that honey is a metaphor for: (1) the sweet taste of the woman’s kisses or (2) the woman’s words. Milk is a metaphor for luxury, owning many things that help people enjoy life. When the woman kisses the man, he enjoys life. (See: Metaphor)

“the smell of your clothes is like the smell of Lebanon.” Many cedar trees grew in Lebanon. Cedar trees smell very good, so Lebanon would have smelled sweet and fresh.

Song of Solomon 4:12

This is an idiom of affection. They are not actually brother and sister. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9. Alternate translation: “My dear” or “My darling” (See: Idiom)

This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son’s wife. If your language has a polite word that a man would use to his wife and that has not been used yet in this book, you could use it here. Otherwise you could use any polite term a man would use with his wife. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9.

“is a garden that no one can enter.” The garden is a metaphor for the woman, and the lock is a metaphor for her still being a virgin. (See: Metaphor)

“a spring with a cover on it.” The spring or well is a metaphor for the woman, and the cover is a metaphor for her being a virgin. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 4:13

branches or channels of rivers, a clear euphemism for the female body part. If any reference to this would be offensive, translate it as a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “You” (See: Euphemism and Synecdoche)

a place where many trees grow together

Alternate translation: “with the best kinds of fruits”

plants that give oil that people used to make their skin soft and to have a pleasant odor. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:14.

small desert trees that people used as a perfume. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:14.

Song of Solomon 4:14

a spice that comes from the dried parts from the yellow thread in the center of a certain flower

a reed with a pleasant smell that people used to make anointing oil.

a spice made from the bark of a tree that people used for cooking

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13.

a type of large plant that had a very sweet smell

Alternate translation: “all the best spices”

Song of Solomon 4:15

“You are a spring in a garden.” A garden spring gives sweet, clean water that people enjoy drinking. The man enjoys being close to the woman. (See: Metaphor)

water that is good to drink

Because Lebanon had mountains covered with trees, the streams from Lebanon were clean and cool.

Song of Solomon 4:16

The woman speaks to the north wind and the south wind as though they were people. Alternate translation: “I wish the north wind and south wind would come and blow” (See: Personification)

Alternate translation: “North wind, start blowing”

The garden is a metaphor for her body, which she has covered with sweet-smelling oils (Song of Songs 4:14). (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “may send out their good smells”

The woman is inviting the man to make love to her. (See: Metaphor)

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

Alternate translation: “wonderful fruit”

Song of Solomon 5

Song of Songs 5 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Verses 2-7 describe a dream the woman had.

Special concepts in this chapter

Beauty

The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel. Not all cultures share the same standards of beauty.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using metaphors involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. Different metaphors of beauty are used in different cultures. (See: Metaphor)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“My sister, my bride”

The woman described is not the sister of her husband. They are not related. Instead, this is a reference to a woman who is a fellow Israelite.

Song of Solomon 5:1

See: Poetry and Parallelism

It is clearly the woman’s lover who is speaking.

The word “garden” is a metaphor for the woman. The man is finally able to fully enjoy the woman as they make love. (See: Metaphor and Euphemism)

This is an idiom of affection. They are not actually brother and sister. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9. Alternate translation: “my dear” or “my darling” (See: Idiom)

This Hebrew word can refer to a woman who is married or to one whom a man has arranged to become his son’s wife. If your language has a polite word that a man would use to his wife and that has not been used yet in this book, you could use it here. Otherwise you could use any polite term a man would use with his wife. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9.

These are all metaphors for the man enjoying the woman’s body (Song of Songs 1:13, Song of Songs 2:4, Song of Songs 4:11, and Song of Songs 4:14). (See: Metaphor)

plants that have a strong smell or taste

Eating and drinking are metaphors for making love. Alternate translation: “Make love … make love … make love until you are fully satisfied” (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 5:2

The fourth part of the book begins here. The young woman uses euphemisms to describe her dream so that it can be interpreted in two different ways: (1) the woman describes a dream about a night when the man came to visit her at her house; and (2) the woman describes a dream about starting to sleep with the man. (See: Euphemism)

The heart is the center of thought and feeling. Alternate translation: “but I could think clearly” or “but I knew what I was feeling” (See: Idiom)

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

This could mean: (1) literal, “Open the door for me,” or (2) metaphorical, “Let me make love to you.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Metaphor)

This is an idiom of affection. They are not actually brother and sister. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:9. Alternate translation: “my dear” or “my darling” (See: Idiom)

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9.

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:14.

Alternate translation: “my perfect one” or “my faithful one” or “my innocent one”

drops of water or mist that form as the night becomes cool

The words “is wet” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “my hair is wet with the night’s dampness” (See: Ellipsis)

Song of Solomon 5:3

This is what the woman thought to herself when she heard the man speak. (Song of Songs 5:2). This could be translated with the woman saying that this is what she was thinking, or the woman could just explain the situation and her thoughts as in the UST. Alternate translation: “I thought to myself, ‘I have taken off my robe … dirty?’” or “I had taken off my robe and I did not want to put it on again. I had washed my feet and I did not want to get them dirty.” (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)

thin linen clothing that people wore on their skin

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I do not want to put it on again.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

While the word “feet” can be a euphemism for private parts, this probably refers to literal feet. The woman seems more likely to want to make love than to want to refrain from lovemaking because she has just bathed. (See: Euphemism)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I do not want to get them dirty.”

Song of Solomon 5:4

Possible interpretations are: (1) literal, the lover reaches into the house through a hole in the door in order to open the door or (2) euphemisic, they have begun to make love. (See: Euphemism)

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “My dear one” or “My lover”

Alternate translation: “door lock”

Song of Solomon 5:5

This could mean: (1) literal, the young woman got out of bed in order to let the man into the house, or (2) metaphorical. Alternate translation: “I prepared myself to make love with my beloved” (See: Metaphor)

While these may be euphemisms for the woman’s and man’s bodies, it is best to translate literally. (See: Euphemism)

Alternate translation: “with liquid myrrh”

Song of Solomon 5:6

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13.

The heart is a metaphor for the person, and sinking, going down, is a metaphor for becoming weak or sad. Alternate translation: “I was very sad” (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 5:7

men who have the job of keeping guard of the town at night to keep the people safe. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 3:3.

“who were walking around the city on the walls.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 3:3.

found the woman

Alternate translation: “beat me” or “hit me”

Alternate translation: “injured me”

Alternate translation: “the men who guard the walls”

a garment that people wore over the other clothing on their upper body when they went outdoors in public

Song of Solomon 5:8

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7.

“young women of Jerusalem.” These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7. (See: Apostrophe)

The woman uses a question to introduce what she wants the daughters of Jerusalem to tell her beloved. Alternate translation: “my beloved, this is what I want you to say to him: tell him that” (See: Rhetorical Question)

She loves the man so strongly that she feels sick. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 5:9

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for the other women to refer to him as “your lover.” See how you translated “my beloved” in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “your dear one” or “your lover”

“you who are the most beautiful of all women.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:8.

Alternate translation: “What makes your beloved better”

Alternate translation: “and causes you to have us take this oath”

the oath in Song of Songs 5:8

Song of Solomon 5:10

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “My dear one” or “My lover”

This phrase refers to his complexion. Alternate translation: “has radiant and ruddy skin” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

“is completely healthy” or “is pure.” The man has skin that does not have any problems.

a healthy color of the skin that is brownish red

“the best of 10,000.” Alternate translation: “better than anyone else” or “no one else is like him.” (See: Metaphor and Numbers)

Song of Solomon 5:11

The man’s head is as precious to the woman as the purest gold. (See: Metaphor)

a bird with very black feathers (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 5:12

Translate “eyes are like doves” as in Song of Songs 1:15. This could mean: (1) the Israelites considered doves to be gentle and soft birds, and the woman considers the man’s eyes beautiful because the way the man looks at her makes her think he is gentle. Alternate translation: “His eyes are gentle like doves” or (2) the woman is speaking of the man’s white eyeballs or the shape of his eyes, the shape of a dove. (See: Metonymy)

Birds that the Israelites considered gentle sitting beside a gently flowing stream are a metaphor for a gentle person. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “gently flowing water”

Milk is a metaphor for the whiteness of the doves. Alternate translation: (1) “doves that are white like milk” or (2) milk is a metaphor for the white part of the man’s eyes. Alternate translation: “his pupils are like doves bathing in white milk” (See: Metaphor)

His eyes are beautiful. Jewels that a craftsman has carefully put in place are beautiful. (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 5:13

This explains that his cheeks are like beds of spices because they both give off wonderful smells. (See: Simile)

gardens or parts of gardens where people grow spices. Spices give people pleasure. The man’s body gives the woman pleasure. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “that give off wonderful smells.”

The woman probably compares his lips with lilies because they are beautiful and smell wonderful. (See: Metaphor)

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:16.

“that drip with the best myrrh.” His lips are moist and have a wonderful smell like myrrh. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 5:14

“His arms are cylinders of gold that have jewels all over them.” The woman uses this image to say that his arms are beautiful and precious. The first readers would have understood this as a metaphor for the male body part (Song of Songs 5:3), but this would be difficult to bring out in translation. (See: Metaphor)

“his belly is smooth ivory that has sapphires all over it.” The woman uses this image to say that his belly is beautiful and precious. (See: Metaphor)

the white tusk or tooth of an animal that is similar to bone. People use ivory to make smooth and shiny pieces of art.

valuable stones that are either: (1) blue or (2) clear and either blue or golden

Song of Solomon 5:15

Marble and gold are strong and beautiful. (See: Metaphor)

a very strong stone that has many different colors and that people polish to make very smooth

“he looks like Lebanon.” Lebanon was a very beautiful area with many mountains and cedar trees. (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 5:16

The mouth is a metonym for either: (1) the man’s sweet kisses or (2) the sweet words that he says. (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “every part of him is lovely” or “all of him is lovely”

The word “This” refers to the man that the woman has just finished describing. Alternate translation: “That is what the one I love is like, and that is what my friend is like”

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

“young women of Jerusalem.” These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7. (See: Apostrophe)

Song of Solomon 6

Song of Songs 6 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Beauty

The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel. Not all cultures share the same standards of beauty.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Metaphors

In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe a woman using metaphors involving animals. In many cultures today, this can be considered offensive. Different metaphors of beauty are used in different cultures. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 6:1

See: Poetry and Parallelism. The fifth part of the book begins here.

Alternate translation: “Which way did your beloved go”

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for the other women to refer to him as “your lover.” See how you translated “my beloved” in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “your dear one” or “your lover” or “the man you love”

“you who are the most beautiful of all women.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:8.

The words “tell us” are understood from the context. They can be stated clearly Alternate translation: “gone? Tell us, so that we can look for him with you.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Song of Solomon 6:2

The word “garden” is a metaphor for the woman. The man is finally able to fully enjoy the woman as they make love. See the explanation of this metaphor in Song of Songs 5:1. (See: Metaphor and Euphemism)

gardens or parts of gardens where people grow spices. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 5:13. (See: Metaphor)

These words are metaphors for the man enjoying her body. (See: Metaphor)

“feeds” or “eats grass.” The woman speaks of the man as if he were “a gazelle or a young stag” (Song of Songs 2:17) that eats plants among the lilies. Grazing is probably a metaphor for lovemaking (Song of Songs 2:1-2). See how you translated “he grazes” in Song of Songs 2:16. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “to pick lilies”

sweet-smelling flowers that grow in places where there is much water. Translate as the plural of “lily” in Song of Songs 2:1.

Song of Solomon 6:3

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

See how you translated the similar phrase “My beloved is mine, and I am his” in Song of Songs 2:16.

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:16.

Song of Solomon 6:4

Here begins Part Five of the book

These cities were famous for being beautiful and pleasant to be in. The man thinks the woman is beautiful, and he takes pleasure in being with her. (See: Simile)

“you whom I love.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:9.

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:5.

The beauty of the woman is so powerful that it makes the man feel helpless, as if an army were approaching him.

Song of Solomon 6:5

“terrify me.” The eyes of the woman are so beautiful that it makes the man feel weak and afraid because he cannot resist their power.

Translate “Your hair … from Mount Gilead” as in Song of Songs 4:1.

Song of Solomon 6:6

After sheep have their wool cut off, they are washed and their skin looks very white. The woman’s teeth are white. See how “Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes” is translated in Song of Songs 4:2. (See: Simile)

The ewes are coming up out of the water. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:2. Alternate translation: “that are coming up out of the water after people have washed them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Sheep usually give birth to two lambs at one time. These twin lamb usually look like one another. Each of the woman’s teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:2. (See: Metaphor)

Each of the woman’s teeth has a matching tooth on the other side of her mouth. She has not lost any of her teeth. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:2.

lost a loved one who has died. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:2.

Song of Solomon 6:7

Pomegranates are smooth, round, and rich red. The man thinks the woman’s cheeks are beautiful and show that she is healthy. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:3. Alternate translation: “are red and round like two halves of a pomegranate” or “are red and full and healthy” (See: Simile)

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:1.

Song of Solomon 6:8

These numbers are to be large, then larger, and then beyond counting. Alternate translation: “There are 60 queens, 80 concubines … more young women than anyone could count” or “There are many queens, even more concubines, and more young women than anyone could count” (See: Numbers and Idiom)

Song of Solomon 6:9

The Israelites considered doves beautiful birds with pleasant voices. The man thinks the woman’s face and voice are beautiful. If calling a woman a “dove” would be offensive, you could leave out the metaphor. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:14. Alternate translation: “You beautiful woman” (See: Metaphor)

“my perfect one” or “my faithful one” or “my innocent one.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 5:2.

This is an exaggeration. Alternate translation: “her mother’s special daughter” or “completely different from her mother’s other daughters” (See: Hyperbole)

“the woman who gave birth to her.” This phrase refers to her mother.

the women spoken of in Song of Songs 6:8.

Alternate translation: “said that things had gone especially well for her”

Song of Solomon 6:10

The ULT understands this to be what the queens and the concubines said about the woman. However, some versions understand these to be the words of the man.

They are using this question to say that they think the young woman is amazing. Alternate translation: “This is an amazing woman! She comes into view like the dawn … banners!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The dawn is beautiful. The woman is beautiful. Alternate translation: “who comes into view like the dawn” (See: Simile)

The beauty of the woman is so powerful that it makes the other women feel helpless, as if an army were approaching them. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 6:4. (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 6:11

The man finishes speaking to himself. Looking to see if plants had matured is probably a metaphor for enjoying the sight of the woman’s body. (See: Metaphor)

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:13.

Alternate translation: “young plants” or “new shoots”

“had grown their buds.” Buds are the small round parts of plants which open up into flowers.

Alternate translation: “were opening their flowers”

Song of Solomon 6:12

The man uses this image to express how happy he is. (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 6:13

This is 7:1, the first verse of chapter seven, in some versions. The ULT understands this to be the friends and the woman talking to each other. Some versions understand this to be the man speaking to the woman.

Possible meanings here are: (1) the friends are speaking to the woman or (2) the man is referring to himself in plural. (See: Pronouns)

“Come back, come back.” This is repeated for emphasis.

Some versions understand the plural to refer to the man speaking of himself. Alternate translation: “I may gaze” (See: Pronouns)

look intently for a long time

Possible meanings here are: (1) the woman refers to herself as another person and is speaking to the friends or (2) the woman is speaking to the man as if he were many men. (See: Pronouns)

Alternate translation: “as if she were dancing between two armies”

Song of Solomon 7

Song of Songs 7 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Beauty

The woman is described as the epitome of beauty in ancient Israel. Not all cultures share the same the same standards of beauty.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Similes

There are many similes in this chapter. Their purpose is to describe the beauty of the woman. (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 7:1

This is 7:2, the second verse of chapter seven, in some versions.

It may be that the woman is dancing (Song of Songs 6:13). Alternate translation: “Your feet are so very beautiful in your sandals as you dance” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Another possible interpretation is “you who have a noble character.”

The shape of the woman’s thighs remind the speaker of a beautiful precious stone that a skilled workman has carved. Alternate translation: “The curves of your thighs are beautiful like the beautiful curves of jewel that a skilled craftsman has made” (See: Simile)

The word “thighs” refers to the hips of a woman and the part of her legs that is above her knee.

The hands are a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “the work of a master craftsman” or “something that a master craftsman has made” (See: Synecdoche)

Song of Solomon 7:2

A bowl is round. The woman’s navel is round. (See: Simile)

the spot on the stomach left from the cord that attaches a baby to its mother

People used large bowls to mix wine with water or spices at feasts. Drinking wine is a metaphor for enjoying beauty. The litotes can be translated as a positive. Alternate translation: “may it always contain mixed wine” or “may I always enjoy its beauty” (See: Metaphor and Litotes)

The Israelites thought mounds of wheat and lilies were pleasant to look at. Much wheat was a sign that there would be much food to eat. They threshed wheat in high, dry places, and lilies grow in low, wet places, so this simile combines beautiful sights that people would not usually see at the same time. (See: Simile)

People thought that the color of wheat was the most beautiful color of skin and that round piles of wheat were beautiful. Alternate translation: “Your belly has a beautiful color and is round like a pile of wheat” (See: Simile)

This is a pile of the grains of wheat after people remove the parts of it that they do not use.

Alternate translation: “with lilies all around it”

sweet-smelling flowers that grow in places where there is much water. Translate as the plural of “lily” in Song of Songs 2:1.

Song of Solomon 7:3

If the word “two” seems unnecessary and so out of place, you could omit it. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:5.

The man implies that the woman’s breasts are matching, soft, and perhaps small. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:5. (See: Simile)

the babies of a mother who gave birth to two babies at one time. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 4:5.

an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly. Translate as the singular of “gazelles” as in Song of Songs 2:7.

Song of Solomon 7:4

A tower is long and straight. Ivory is white. The woman’s neck is long and straight, and her skin is light in color. (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “a tower that people have decorated with ivory”

the white tusk or tooth of an animal that is similar to bone. People use ivory to make art and to make things look beautiful.

The woman’s eyes are spoken of as if they are clear pools of water. Pools of water are clear and sparkle in the sunlight and so are pleasant to look at. The woman’s eyes are clear and sparkle and so are pleasant to look at. This can be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: “your eyes are as clear as the pools in Heshbon” (See: Metaphor and Simile)

This is the name of a city east of the Jordan River (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

A tower is tall and straight, and her nose is tall and straight. (See: Simile)

The tower looking is a metonym for people on the tower looking. Alternate translation: “that allows people to look toward Damascus” (See: Metonymy)

Song of Solomon 7:5

Mount Carmel is higher than everything else around it. The man wants to look at the woman’s head more than at anything else. Alternate translation: “Your head is on you like a crown, higher than anything else” (See: Simile)

Other possible translations are: (1) “dark black” or (2) “dark red.”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Your hair that hangs down is so beautiful that the king is not able to stop admiring it” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

the clusters of hair that hang down from a woman’s head

Song of Solomon 7:6

Alternate translation: “my love. You delight me”

Song of Solomon 7:7

The man describes what he would like to do with the woman .

“You stand up like a date palm tree.” Date palm trees are tall and straight, and their branches are only at the top, with the fruit under the branches. (See: Simile)

a tall, straight tree that produces a sweet, brown, and sticky fruit that grows in groups

The dates on a palm tree grow soft and round in large bunches that hang from the tree just below the branches, which are all at the top. The woman’s breasts are soft and round and are just lower than her arms. (See: Simile)

Song of Solomon 7:8

“I thought” or “I said to myself.” The man said this silently.

The man wants to embrace the woman. (See: Metaphor)

The man wants to touch her breasts. Clusters of grapes are round and soft. (See: Simile)

The word “nose” is a metonym for the breath coming out of the nose. Alternate translation: “may the breath coming from your nose smell sweet like apricots” (See: Simile)

sweet yellow fruit

Song of Solomon 7:9

The palate is a metonym for the lips. Wine tastes good. The man wants to kiss the woman’s lips. (See: Metonymy and Simile)

“that flows smoothly for the one I love.” The man enjoys the smooth kisses of the woman.

Alternate translation: “that flows over our lips as we sleep”

Song of Solomon 7:10

See how you translated a similar phrase in Song of Songs 6:3.

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one’s” or “my lover’s”

Alternate translation: “he wants to make love to me” or “he wants me”

Song of Solomon 7:11

Though the words here translated “spends the night” and “villages” appear together in Song of Songs 1:13-14 as “spends the night” and “henna flowers,” and the context both here and there is lovemaking, the ULT chooses this reading because the immediate metaphor is of the man and woman sleeping in the village, rising in the morning, and going out into the vineyards. The word for “henna plants” and the word for “villages” sound exactly the same.

Song of Solomon 7:12

Alternate translation: “get up early” or “wake up early”

Alternate translation: “have begun to bloom”

flowers when they are open

Alternate translation: “have flowers open on the plant”

Alternate translation: “I will make love with you”

Song of Solomon 7:13

This is the name of plants that give off a strong but pleasant scent. The scent is slightly intoxicating and stimulating, which increases the desire to make love. (See: Translate Unknowns)

Alternate translation: “produce their scent” or “smell very nice”

The doors belong to their house. Alternate translation: “above the entrances of our house” or “by the doors of our house” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “is every kind of the best fruit, both old fruit and new fruit”

Alternate translation: “saved so I can give to you”

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

Song of Solomon 8

Song of Songs 8 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Kisses

The kisses in this chapter are a type of kiss that was only done between a husband a wife. It is an intimate kiss. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Passion

The chapter describes the passion that can exist between a husband a wife. This is the feeling of strong or uncontrollable desire for another person.

Song of Solomon 8:1

See: Poetry and Parallelism

A woman could show affection for her brother in public. This woman wanted to be able to show affection for the man in public. (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “you in public”

A woman would probably kiss her brother on his cheek order to greet him.

Alternate translation: “would think that I am a bad person”

Song of Solomon 8:2

taught her how to make love (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

The woman uses these images to say that she will give herself to the man and make love with him. (See: Metaphor)

“wine with spices” or “wine that has spices in it.” This represents the intoxicating power of lovemaking. (See: Metaphor)

Song of Solomon 8:3

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:6.

Alternate translation: “left arm … right arm”

Alternate translation: “holds me”

Song of Solomon 8:4

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7

“young women of Jerusalem.” These young women could not hear her and were not present, but the woman speaks as if they were present and could hear her. See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7. (See: Apostrophe)

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:7.

Song of Solomon 8:5

The fifth part of the book begins here.

They are using this question to say that they think the young woman is amazing. A similar phrase was translated in Song of Songs 6:10. Alternate translation: “Look at this amazing woman as she comes up” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “I woke you up” or “I aroused you”

a tree that produces a small yellow fruit that is very sweet. If your readers will not know what this is, you could use the word for another fruit tree or the general word “fruit tree.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:3.

under the apricot tree

Alternate translation: “she bore you”

Song of Solomon 8:6

This could mean: (1) because seals were very important, people always kept them around their neck or on their hand. The woman wants to be with the man constantly like a seal, or (2) a seal shows who owns the thing that has the seal on it, and the woman wants herself as the seal on the man’s heart and arm to show that all of his thoughts, emotions, and actions belong to her. (See: Metaphor and Simile)

Death is very strong because it overcomes even the most powerful people of the world. (See: Simile)

“as tough as Sheol.” Sheol never allows people to come back to life after they have already died. Love is as persistent as Sheol because it never changes. (See: Simile)

Love is very powerful like fire. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “burn suddenly”

Song of Solomon 8:7

Love is so strong that it is like a fire that is so hot that it cannot be put out even with an ocean full of water. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “Oceans of water” or “Huge amounts of water”

Alternate translation: “cannot extinguish” or “cannot put out”

Love never changes and always stays the same so it is like something that not even a powerful flood can move. (See: Metaphor)

In Israel, water from the rain flows into deep and narrow valleys. This creates a flood of water so powerful that it can move huge boulders and trees.

Alternate translation: “carry it away” or “wash it away”

This is something that could possibly happen. Alternate translation: “Even if a man … he would be utterly despised” (See: Hypothetical Situations)

offered to give

Alternate translation: “everything he owns”

Alternate translation: “in order to get love” or “in order to buy love”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “people would completely despise him” or “people would harshly ridicule him” (See: Active or Passive)

Song of Solomon 8:8

Alternate translation: “young sister”

The speaker uses this question to introduce what he wants to say. Alternate translation: “This is what we will do … in marriage.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “a man comes and wants to marry her” (See: Idiom and Active or Passive)

Song of Solomon 8:9

The young woman’s brothers continue to speak among themselves.

The little sister (Song of Songs 8:8) has very small breasts that either have not grown or are very small. (See: Metaphor)

The brothers decide to decorate the little sister with silver and cedar, symbols of riches, so that she will be more likely to attract a good husband. (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “will decorate her”

Song of Solomon 8:10

The wall is a metaphor for a woman with small breasts. (See: Metaphor)

Fortress towers are tall. (See: Simile)

Here eyes are a metonym for judgment or value. Alternate translation: “I am in his judgment as one” or “he thinks of me as one” (See: Metonymy)

You may need to make explicit to whom the woman brings peace. Alternate translation: “brings him peace” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “well-being”

Song of Solomon 8:11

Possible interpretations: (1) The woman contrasts the way she wants to give herself to the man, who will give her his love, to the way Solomon leases out his vineyard to those who will give him money. (2) The man contrasts the woman, whom he will not give to another man, to Solomon’s vineyard, which he gave to other men.

This is the name of a town in the northern part of Israel. (See: How to Translate Names)

leased, agreed to let other people pay him so they could grow grapes in the vineyard

Alternate translation: “to people who would take care of it”

It may be helpful to state that this payment was for the fruit of the vineyard. Alternate translation: “Each man was supposed to give Solomon a thousand shekels as payment for the fruit of the vineyard” (See: Ellipsis)

“to bring 1,000 shekels of silver.” (See: Biblical Money and Numbers)

Alternate translation: “coins”

Some versions understand the woman to be speaking directly to Solomon. Others understand her to be speaking in an apostrophe to her friends, to the man, or to herself. (See: Apostrophe)

Song of Solomon 8:12

The woman refers to herself as a vineyard, as in Song of Songs 1:6. Here she emphasizes that she and no one else will decide what she dies with the “vineyard.” (See: Metaphor)

This is an idiom that means the a person has the right to do what they want with something. Alternate translation: “is at my disposal” or “is mine to do with as I desire” (See: Idiom)

The woman knows that Solomon has leased out the vineyard so he can get money, but she does not want money.

The speaker has not mentioned these before, but the hearer would understand that she is speaking of the money that those who worked the vineyard would have left for their own after they paid Solomon.

Song of Solomon 8:13

The man is speaking to the woman, so “you” and “live” are feminine singular. (See: Forms of You)

The voice is a metonym for what the person says. If your language has a word for thinking only of what one is listening for, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “waiting to hear you start speaking” or “waiting to hear what you have to say” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “let me hear your voice.”

Song of Solomon 8:14

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as “my lover.” See how you translated this in Song of Songs 1:13. Alternate translation: “my dear one” or “my lover”

See how you translated this in Song of Songs 2:9.

a type of slender deer-like animal with long curved horns

an adult male deer

“the mountains that have spices all over them.” The woman uses this metaphor to invite the man to make love to her. See how the man uses the metaphor of a mountain of myrrh and a hill of frankincense in Song of Songs 4:6. (See: Metaphor)