III. (1) A reminiscence (elaborated in Song of Solomon 5:2 _seq._) of the intensity of their love before their union, put by the poet into his lady’s mouth. She “arises from dreams” of him, and goes to find him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WATCHMEN THAT GO ABOUT THE CITY. — “Henceforward until morning the streets are deserted and silent, with only here and there a company returning from a visit, with a servant bearing a lantern before them. The city-guard creeps softly about in utter darkness, and apprehends all found walking in t... [ Continue Reading ]
I HELD HIM... — Bossuet, following Bede, regards this as prophetic of Mary Magdalen (type of the Church) on the morning of the Resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH. — The dramatic feeling is decidedly shown in the passage introduced by this verse, but we still regard it as a scene passing only in the theatre of the fancy, introduced by the poet in his Epithalamium, partly from his sympathy with all newly-wedded people, partly (as Song o... [ Continue Reading ]
BED. — Heb., _mitta._ Probably, from context, a _litter. _... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF FEAR — _i.e.,_ because of the alarms common at night. For _fear_ in the sense of object of fear, comp. Psalms 91:5; Proverbs 3:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CHARIOT. — Marg., _bed;_ Heb., _appiryôn._ A word of very doubtful etymology. Its derivation has been sought in Hebrew, Persian, Greek, and Sanskrit. The LXX. render φορεῖον; Vulg., _ferculum;_ and it seems natural, with Gesenius, to trace the three words to the root common in _parah,_ φέρω_,_ fer... [ Continue Reading ]
BOTTOM. — Heb., _rephidah = supports._ Probably the back of the litter on which the occupant leaned. THE MIDST THEREOF... — Literally, _its interior paved love from the daughters of Jerusalem._ There are three possible renderings. (1) Its interior made bright by a lovely girl of, &c; and (2) its in... [ Continue Reading ]