Song of Solomon 4:13

Thy plantsare an orchard Better, Thy shoots make an orchard. These shoots denote all the bride's charms. Orchardis in Heb. pardçs, which is merely a grander word for gan, and is originally Persian=-a paradise." It is found elsewhere in the O.T. only in Nehemiah 2:8 and Ecclesiastes 2:5. It is usually and rightly regarded as a proof of the late origin of this book. Cp. Introduction, § 4.

pleasant fruits Lit. fruits of excellence, R.V. precious fruits.

camphire Properly, henna. See note on ch. Song of Solomon 1:14.

spikenard Cp. ch. Song of Solomon 1:12. Grätz for nerâdhîmreads werâdhîm= roses. Rather than that Budde would strike out the last three words as a repetition. But either suggestion would detract from the poetical character of the passage.