Song of Solomon 1:1 contains the title of the book: literally, _A song of the songs_ (Heb., _Shîr hashîrîm_)_, which to Solomon, i.e., of which Solomon is author._ This has been understood as meaning “one of Solomon’s songs,” with allusion to the 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32) which that monarch compose... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVE. — Marg., _loves, i.e.,_ caresses or kisses, as the parallelism shows. The LXX., followed by the Vulg., read _breasts_ (probably _dadaï_ instead of _dôdaï_)_,_ the origin of many fanciful interpretations: _e.g.,_ the two breasts = the two Testaments which breathe love, the first promising, the... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THE SAVOUR. — The general sense of this verse is plain, though grammatical difficulties render the literal translation doubtful. It should be divided into three clauses, not into two only, as in the Authorised Version: “Because of their odour (or, with regard to their fragrance) thy ointm... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING HATH BROUGHT ME. — The dramatic theory of the poem (see _Excursus_ II.) has been in a great measure built up on interpretations given to this verse. We understand it as a repetition, in another form, of the protestation of love made in Song of Solomon 1:1. Like them, it forms a stanza of fi... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE TENTS OF KEDAR — _i.e., Dark as the Kedareen tents of black goats’ hair, beautiful as the royal pavilions with their rich hangings._ For a similar style of parallelism, comp. Isaiah 15:3 : “On her housetops, and to her open streets, every one howleth, descendeth with weeping.” For _Kedar,_ se... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK NOT..._ — i.e., with disdain,_ as in Job 41:34 (Heb. 26). BLACK. — Literally, _blackish._ THE SUN... — The word translated _looked upon_ occurs only twice besides (Job 20:9; Job 28:7). The “all-seeing sun” is a commonplace of poetry; but here with sense of scorching. The heroine goes on to ex... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE THOU FEEDEST... THY FLOCK... FOR WHY SHOULD I BE...? — The marginal reading, _that is veiled,_ follows the LXX. in rendering the Hebrew literally. But it has been found somewhat difficult to assign a meaning to a literal translation. The su_ggestions=unknown_ (Ewald), _veiled as a harlot_ (Del... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU KNOW NOT. — With this verse one subsection of the poem plainly ends. Most of the supporters of the dramatic theory make Song of Solomon 1:9 begin the second scene of Act I.; and many of them understand this reply to the heroine’s question as an ironical allusion on the part of the court ladi... [ Continue Reading ]
COMPANY OF HORSES. — So Vulg., _equitatus,_ but Heb. _susah_ more properly = _mare,_ as in LXX., Τῇ ἵππῳ μου. The ground of the comparison is variously understood. Some, offended at the comparison of female beauty to that of a horse, think the rich trappings of a royal equipage suggested it, while o... [ Continue Reading ]
ROWS. — Heb., _tôrim,_ from _tûr_ = went round; hence = either circlets or strings of jewels, or the round beads themselves of which necklaces, &c, were made. CHAINS. — Literally, _perforated, i.e._, beads, or possibly coins strung together. “Arab ladies, particularly the married, are extravagantly... [ Continue Reading ]
BORDERS. — The same word translated _rows_ in preceding verse. In the dramatic theory, this verse put into Solomon’s mouth takes the form of a seductive offer of richer and more splendid ornaments to dazzle the rustic maiden; but no theory is necessary to explain a fond lover’s wish to adorn the per... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE THE KING SITTETH. — There is no need to imagine a scene where the monarch, having failed in his attempt to allure the shepherdess by fine offers, retires to his banquet, leaving her to console herself with the thoughts of her absent shepherd love. As in Song of Solomon 1:2 the poet makes his m... [ Continue Reading ]
A BUNDLE OF MYRRH. — The mention of perfumes leads the poet to a new adaptation of the language of flowers. For myrrh (Heb., _môr_)_,_ see Genesis 37:25. For various personal and domestic uses, see Psalms 45:8; Proverbs 7:17; Proverbs 5:13. Ginsburg quotes from the Mischna to prove the custom, allud... [ Continue Reading ]
CAMPHIRE. — Marg_., cypress: Heb., côpher._ There is no doubt of the identity of this plant with the _Henna_ of the Arabs, the _Lawsonia aïba_ or _inermis_ of botanists. Robinson found it growing in abundance at En-gedi (where _alone_ it is found), and suggested the identification (see his Note, _Re... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THOU ART FAIR. — The song is now transferred to a male speaker — the advocates for the dramatic theory cannot agree whether Solomon or the shepherd; and no wonder, since the poem gives no indication. MY LOVE. — Marg., _companion,_ LXX. πλησίον_,_ in Heb. _rayati,_ is used for the female, _d... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR BED IS GREEN. — The heroine replies in similar terms of admiration, and recalls “the happy woodland places” in which they were wont to meet.... [ Continue Reading ]
RAFTERS. — Marg., _galleries_ (comp. Song of Solomon 7:5); LXX., φατνώματα; Vulg., _laquearia_; Heb., _rahît,_ from _rahat =_ run, flow: hence (1) _a gutter,_ from the water running down (Gen. 3:38); (2) _a curl,_ from its flowing down the neck (Song of Solomon 7:5 — Hebrews 6); (3) here _rafters,_... [ Continue Reading ]