V. (1) I AM COME INTO MY GARDEN. — This continues the same figure, and under it describes once more the complete union of the wedded pair. The only difficulty lies in the invitation, “Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved” (Marg., _and be drunken with loves_). Some suppose an invi... [ Continue Reading ]
I SLEEP. — This begins the old story under an image already employed (Song of Solomon 3:1). Here it is greatly amplified and elaborated. The poet pictures his lady dreaming of him, and when he seems to visit her, anxious to admit him. But, as is so common in dreams, at first she cannot. The realitie... [ Continue Reading ]
COAT. — Heb. _cutoneth=cetoneth;_ Gr. χίτων, tunic.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE HOLE — _i.e.,_ through (Heb. _min_), as in Song of Solomon 2:9. The hole is the aperture made in the door above the lock for the insertion of the hand with the key. The ancient lock was probably like the one in use in Palestine now. It consists of a _hollow_ bolt or bar, which passes through... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE SPAKE. — We can suppose an ejaculation of disappointment uttered by the lover as he goes away, which catches the ear of the heroine as she wakes.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WATCHMEN. — See Note on Song of Solomon 3:3. VEIL. — Heb. _redîd;_ LXX. θέριστρόν. Probably a light summer dress for throwing over the person on going out in a hurry, like the _tsaiph_ put on by Rebecca (Genesis 24:65). Only elsewhere in Isaiah 3:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS THY BELOVED? — This question, introducing the description of the bridegroom’s person, raises almost into certainty the conjecture that the poem was actually sung, or presented as an epithalamium, by alternate choirs (or single voices) of maidens and young men, as in the _Carmen Nuptiale_ of... [ Continue Reading ]
CHIEFEST. — Marg., _a standard bearer;_ Heb. _dagûl,_ participle of a word occurring in Psalms 20:5, where the Authorised Version gives “we will set up our banners.”... [ Continue Reading ]
BUSHY. — Marg., _curled;_ Heb., _taltallîm=_flowing in curls, or heaped up, _i.e.,_ thick, bushy, according as we derive from _talah_ or _tel._ The LXX. (followed by the Vulg.) take _taltallîm_ for another form of _zalzallîm_ (Isaiah 18:5, _sprigs_ of the vine), and render palm-leaves.... [ Continue Reading ]
FITLY SET. — Literally, _sitting in fulness,_ which the Margin explains, according to one received method of interpretation, as beautifully set, like a precious stone in the foil of a ring. If the comparison were to the _eyes_ of the dove, this would be a sufficient interpretation, the image being p... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS CHEEKS ARE AS A BED OF SPICES — Probably with allusion to the beard perfumed (Marg., _towers of perfumes_)_,_ as in Psalms 133:2. LILIES. — Comp. “He pressed the _blossom_ of his lips to mine “(Tennyson, (_Enone_)_. _... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HANDS... — Galil, translated _ring_, is more probably a _cylinder_ (from _galal,_ to roll), referring to the rounded arm, ending in a well-shaped hand with beautiful nails. BERYL. — Heb. _tarshish_; LXX. θαρσις. Possibly “stones of Tarshish,” and if so, either chrysolite or topaz, both said to... [ Continue Reading ]
MARBLE. — Heb. _shesh._ Here and in Esther 1:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS MOUTH IS MOST SWEET. — Literally, _his palate_ (see Margin) _sweetnesses, i.e.,_ his voice is exquisitely sweet. The features have already been described, and _chek,_ palate, is used of the organ of _speech_ and _speech_ itself (Job 6:30; Proverbs 5:3).... [ Continue Reading ]