Song of Solomon 5:1

CHAPTER V

The bridegroom calls on his spouse to admit him, 1-3.

She hesitates; but arising finds him gone, seeks him, and

is treated unworthily by the city watch, 4-7.

Inquires of the daughters of Jerusalem, who question her

concerning her beloved, 8, 9.

This gives her occasion to enter into a fine description of

his person and accomplishments, 10-16.

NOTES ON CHAP. V

Verse Song of Solomon 5:1. I am come into my garden] באתי bathi, I came, or have come; this should be translated in the past tense, as the other preterite verbs in this clause. I think the latter clause of the preceding verse should come in here: "Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. I have come into my garden, my sister, callah, or spouse; I have gathered my myrrh," c. I have taken thee for my spouse, and am perfectly satisfied that thou art pure and immaculate.

Eat, O friends-drink abundantly] These are generally supposed to be the words of the bridegroom, after he returned from the nuptial chamber, and exhibited those signs of his wife's purity which the customs of those times required. This being a cause of universal joy, the entertainment is served up and he invites his companions, and the friends of both parties, to eat and drink abundantly, as there was such a universal cause of rejoicing. Others think that these are the words of the bride to her spouse: but the original will not bear this meaning; the verbs are all plural.