_In this chapter,_ (1.) _The daughters of Jerusalem, moved with the description which the church had given of Christ, inquire after him,_ Song of Solomon 6:1. (2.) _The church directs them where they may meet with him,_ Song of Solomon 6:2. (3.) _Christ is now found of those that sought him, and ver... [ Continue Reading ]
WHITHER IS THY BELOVED GONE— This is the address of the virgins to the spouse; and, in the Vulgate, LXX, &c. is included in the former chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART BEAUTIFUL—AS TIRZAH— Tirzah was a beautiful situation in the tribe of Ephraim chosen by Jeroboam for his place of residence till he removed to Samaria. Its etymology in the Hebrew signifies a _delightful city. Comely_ or _graceful as Jerusalem,_ alludes to the known estimation in which Jeru... [ Continue Reading ]
THY HAIR IS A FLOCK OF GOATS— See on chap. Song of Solomon 4:1 and the _Explication des Textes Difficiles,_ p. 323.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DOVE, MY UNDEFILED, &C.— The author of the new version renders it thus, _But, my dove, my undefiled is but one,_ (that is to say, stands alone in my affections;) _she is dear to me as an only child to her mother; as her darling to her that bare her. The maidens saw her, and blessed her,_ &c. _and... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS SHE THAT LOOKETH FORTH— _Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, dazzling as all the starry hosts?_ The gradation of images so naturally leads to the interpretation here given, that it seems impossible that the passage could have had any other meanin... [ Continue Reading ]
I WENT DOWN INTO THE GARDEN OF NUTS— The nut-tree is a plant which delights in a cold climate, and therefore must have been valued as a rare and curious exotic in Palestine. Josephus speaks of it as an uncommon proof of the fine temperature of the air, that this shrub flourished in Galilee near the... [ Continue Reading ]
OR EVER I WAS AWARE, &C.— _I knew_ [_them_] _not: my heart set me upon the chariots of my willing people._ Carpzov. _Crit. Sacr._ p. 904. See Aquila, and Symmachus. According to the common rendering, _chariots of Ammi-nadib,_ is supposed to be a proverbial expression for chariots of an extraordinary... [ Continue Reading ]
RETURN, RETURN, O SHULAMITE— שׁולמית _Shulamith._ SHULAMITE is evidently formed from שׁלמה _shelomah,_ SOLOMON; as _Charlotte_ from _Charles,_ &c. and is equivalent to _wife_ or _bride of Solomon._ This appellation is the more remarkable, as it was inconsistent with the Jewish customs to give the na... [ Continue Reading ]