MY HONEYCOMB - literally, “my reed” or “my wood,” i. e., the substance itself, or portions of it in which the comb is formed. The bees in Palestine form their combs not only in the hollows of trees and rocks, but also in reeds by the river-banks. The king’s meaning appears to be: “All pleases me in... [ Continue Reading ]
Some time may be supposed to have elapsed since the bride’s solemn espousals with the king Song of Solomon 4:7-5. A transient cloud of doubt or estrangement is now passing over her soul, as by the relation of this dream she intimates to her friends. Ancient allegorical interpreters find here a symbo... [ Continue Reading ]
She makes trivial excuses, as one in a dream.... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT IN HIS HAND - Through (literally “from”) the hole (of the lock), in order to raise the pins by which the bolt was fastened. The Oriental lock is a hollow piece of wood attached to the doorpost, into which a sliding-bolt is made to run. As soon as the bolt has been driven home a number of pins dr... [ Continue Reading ]
SWEET SMELLING MYRRH - Or (as in the margin) “running myrrh,” that which first and spontaneously exudes, i. e., the freshest, finest myrrh. Even in withdrawing he has left this token of his unchanged love.... [ Continue Reading ]
The bride, now awake, is seeking her beloved. The dream of his departure and her feelings under it have symbolized a real emotion of her waking heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
Section 5:9–6:3: The bride’s commendation of the beloved. In the allegorical interpretations of Jewish expositors all is here spoken by exiled Israel of the Holy One whose praise she sings “by the waters of Babylon” Psalms 137:1. Christian interpreters apply the description directly to the Incarnate... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BELOVED IS WHITE AND RUDDY - Compare 1 Samuel 16:12; Daniel 7:9. The complexion most admired in youth. Jewish interpreters remark that he who is elsewhere called “the Ancient of Days” is here described as the Ever-Young. “White in His virgin-purity,” says Jerome, “and ruddy in His Passion.” THE... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HEAD IS AS THE MOST FINE GOLD - Perhaps in the sense of noble and precious as the finest gold. Lamentations 4:2. BUSHY - Waving like branches of the palm.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, His eyes are doves. The comparison is to doves seen by streams of water washing in milk (i. e., milk-white), and sitting on fulness (i. e., on the full or abundant water-flood). FITLY SET - This rendering supposes that the eyes within their sockets are compared to precious stones set in the foi... [ Continue Reading ]
SWEET FLOWERS - Better as in the margin, i. e., plants with fragrant leaves and flowers trained on trellis-work. LIKE LILIES - Are lilies dropping liquid myrrh (see the Song of Solomon 5:5 note). Perhaps the fragrance of the flowers, or the delicate curl of the lip-like petals, is here the point of... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HANDS ... - Are golden rings or cylinders. The fingers of the bent or closed hand are compared to a massive ring or set of rings; or, if outstretched or straightened, to a row of golden rods or cylinders. THE BERYL - The “tarshish” (compare Exodus 28:20), probably the chrysolite of the ancients... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS COUNTENANCE - Or, his appearance (his whole port and mien, but especially head and countenance) “is as the Lebanon.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY - literally, the whole of him desires or delights; the plural substantive expressing the notion of the superlative. Theodoret, applying to our Lord the whole description, interprets well its last term: “Why should I endeavor to express His beauty piecemeal when He is in Himse... [ Continue Reading ]