About Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon celebrates romantic love and marriage, while also picturing the love between God and His people.

Author: SolomonWritten: c. 965 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 16

LoveBeautyDevotionMarriageDesireCovenant

Places in This Chapter

Jerusalem(Settlement)Lebanon(Region)

King James Version

Song of Solomon 5

16 verses with commentary

The Bridegroom Comes to His Garden

1

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. yea: or, and be drunken with loves

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KJV Study Commentary

The bridegroom responds to the bride's invitation (4:16): 'I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk.' The phrase 'I am come into my garden' (bati le-gani, בָאתִי לְגַנִּי) indicates arrival and full entry. The repeated possessive 'my' emphasizes belonging and intimacy. The verb...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

**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 invitation to an actual marriage feast; and if sung as an epithalamium, the song might have this ...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5. Compare Pr 19:9, where perish explains not escape here (compare Psa 88:9, 10).

The Bride's Dream of Separation

2

I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

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KJV Study Commentary

The bride recounts another experience of separation: 'I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.' The paradox 'I sleep, but my heart waketh' describes a state between sleeping and waking—perhaps literal light sleep with awareness, ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **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 realities which had hindered their union reappear in the fancies of sleep. Then, when the seeming hind...

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3

I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?</strong> (pashatni et kutanti eykhah elbashena rachatsti et raglai eykhah atanaphem, פָּשַׁטְתִּי אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתִּי אֵיכָכָה אֶלְבָּשֶׁנָּה רָחַצְתִּי אֶת־רַגְלַי אֵיכָכָה אֲטַנְּפֵם)—this verse depicts the bride's reluctant hesitation when her beloved knocks (verse 2). She's prepared for sleep, u...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Coat.**—Heb. *cutoneth=cetoneth;* Gr. χίτων, tunic.

4

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. for him: or, (as some read) in me

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door</strong> (dodi shalach yado min hachor, דּוֹדִי שָׁלַח יָדוֹ מִן־הַחֹר)—the beloved reaches through the door's opening, attempting entry despite the bride's hesitation. This demonstrates persistent love that doesn't abandon the reluctant beloved but continues seeking access. The imagery is both literal (physical door) and metaphorical (the...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **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 a staple fixed to the door and into the door-post. In the staple are a number of movable pins,...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

8. (Compare Margin; Pr 15:32). **loveth ... soul--**or, "himself," which he evinces by regarding his best interests. **keepeth--**or, "regards."

5

I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. sweet: Heb. passing, or, running about

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I rose up to open to my beloved</strong> (qamti ani liphtoach ledodi, קַמְתִּי אֲנִי לִפְתֹּחַ לְדוֹדִי)—the bride finally responds, rising to open the door. The verb qamti (קַמְתִּי, I rose) suggests decisive action overcoming her previous reluctance. Her love overcomes her comfort. <strong>And my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the ...

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6

I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone</strong> (patachti ani ledodi vedodi chamaq avar, פָּתַחְתִּי אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי חָמַק עָבָר)—this devastating moment teaches the cost of delayed response. The verb chamaq (חָמַק) means "turned away" or "slipped away." When the bride finally opened, the beloved had departed. Her hesitation cost her his immediat...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10. (Compare Pr 17:7). The fool is incapable of properly using pleasure as knowledge, yet for him to have it is less incongruous than the undue elevation of servants. Let each abide in his calling (1Co 7:20).

7

The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me</strong> (metsauni hashomrim hasovevim bair hikuni petsauni, מְצָאוּנִי הַשֹּׁמְרִים הַסֹּבְבִים בָּעִיר הִכּוּנִי פְצָעוּנִי)—the bride, searching desperately for her beloved through the city, encounters hostile watchmen. Those who should protect her instead abuse her. The verbs hikuni (הִכּוּנִי, they struck m...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32). This inculcation of a forgiving spirit shows that true religion is always the same (Mt 5:22-24).

8

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love. that ye: Heb. what, etc

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love</strong> (hishbati etkhem benot yerushalayim im timtse'u et dodi mah tagidu lo shecholat ahavah ani, הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי אֶתְכֶם בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָיִם אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ אֶת־דּוֹדִי מַה־תַּגִּידוּ לוֹ שֶׁחוֹלַת אַהֲבָה אָנִי)—the desperate bride solicits help from others. The verb hishbati (הִשְׁ...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. (Compare Pr 16:14, 15; 20:2). A motive to submission to lawful authority.

9

What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women?</strong> (mah dodekh midod hayaphah banashim, מַה־דּוֹדֵךְ מִדּוֹד הַיָּפָה בַּנָּשִׁים)—the daughters of Jerusalem challenge the bride to explain what makes her beloved so special. The repeated question (asked twice in this verse) presses for compelling answer. Why this overwhelming devotion? What distinguishes thi...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **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 Catullus, vying the one in praise of the bridegroom, the other of the bride. Mere love-poems c...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. calamity--**literally, "calamities," varied and many. **continual dropping--**a perpetual annoyance, wearing out patience.

The Bride Praises Her Beloved

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. the chiefest: Heb. a standard bearer

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KJV Study Commentary

When asked by the daughters of Jerusalem what makes her beloved special (5:9), the bride begins an elaborate description: 'My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.' The terms 'white' (tsach, צַח, dazzling/radiant) and 'ruddy' (adom, אָדֹם, red/rosy) describe healthy, vibrant appearance—probably fair complexion with rosy color, indicating vigor and vitality. Some translations...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **Chiefest**.—Marg., *a standard bearer; *Heb. *dagûl, *participle of a word occurring in Psalm 20:5, where the Authorised Version gives “we will set up our banners.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. A contrast of men's gifts and God's, who, though author of both blessings, confers the latter by His more special providence. **and--**or, "but," implying that the evils of Pr 19:13 are only avoided by His care.

His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. bushy: or, curled

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>His head is as the most fine gold</strong> (rosho ketem paz, רֹאשׁוֹ כֶּתֶם פָּז)—the bride begins describing her beloved in response to the daughters' question (verse 9). The phrase "most fine gold" (ketem paz, כֶּתֶם פָּז) means pure, refined gold of highest quality. The head represents supremacy, authority, and preeminence. Christ is the Church's head (Ephesians 5:23)—supreme authority ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. a deep sleep--**a state of utter indifference. **idle soul--**or, "person" (compare Pr 10:4; 12:24).

His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set . fitly: Heb. sitting in fulness, that is, fitly placed, and set as a precious stone in the foil of a ring

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set</strong> (eynav keyonim al apikey mayim rochotsot bechalav yoshevot al miluet, עֵינָיו כְּיוֹנִים עַל־אֲפִיקֵי מָיִם רֹחֲצוֹת בֶּחָלָב יֹשְׁבוֹת עַל־מִלֵּאת)—this complex metaphor celebrates the beloved's eyes. Doves represent gentleness, purity, faithfulness, and the Holy Spirit. "By the rivers of w...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **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 perfect, owing to the ring of bright red skin round the eye of the turtle-dove. But there is n...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. (Compare Pr 10:17; 13:13). **despiseth ... ways--**opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Pr 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. sweet flowers: or, towers of perfumes

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers</strong> (lechayyav ka'arugat habosem migdelot merqachim, לְחָיָיו כַּעֲרוּגַת הַבֹּשֶׂם מִגְדְּלוֹת מֶרְקָחִים)—the beloved's cheeks are compared to spice beds—cultivated gardens producing aromatic plants. "Sweet flowers" (migdelot merqachim, מִגְדְּלוֹת מֶרְקָחִים) literally means "towers of perfumers" or "raised beds of fragrant herbs....

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **His cheeks are as a bed of spices**—Probably with allusion to the beard perfumed (Marg., *towers of perfumes*)*, *as in Psalm 133:2. **Lilies.**—Comp. “He pressed the *blossom *of his lips to mine “(Tennyson, (*Enone*)*.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. (Compare Pr 14:21; Psa 37:26). **hath pity--**shown by acts (compare Margin).

His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl</strong> (yadayv geliyley zahav memulaim batarshish, יָדָיו גְּלִילֵי זָהָב מְמֻלָּאִים בַּתַּרְשִׁישׁ)—the beloved's hands are compared to gold cylinders (seals or rods) set with beryl (tarshish, תַּרְשִׁישׁ)—precious yellow or golden-brown gemstones. This imagery celebrates strength, value, and beauty. Hands represent action and work—the bel...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **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 have been first found in Tartessus, an ancient city of Spain, between the two mouths of...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. (Compare Pr 13:24; 23:13). **let not ... spare--**literally, "do not lift up thy soul" (Psa 24:4; 25:1), that is, do not desire to his death; a caution to passionate parents against angry chastisement.

His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold</strong> (shoqav amudey shesh meyusadim al adney paz, שׁוֹקָיו עַמּוּדֵי שֵׁשׁ מְיֻסָּדִים עַל־אַדְנֵי־פָז)—the beloved's legs are compared to marble pillars on gold bases. Marble pillars represented strength, permanence, and architectural beauty—supporting temples and palaces. Gold sockets indicated supreme value and stabili...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **Marble.**—Heb. *shesh. *Here and in Esther 1:6.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19. Repeated efforts of kindness are lost on ill-natured persons.

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. mouth: Heb. palate

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KJV Study Commentary

The bride concludes her description of her beloved: 'His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.' The phrase 'his mouth is most sweet' (Hebrew 'chikko mamtaqim,' חִכּוֹ מַמְתַקִּים) suggests both his speech (words are sweet, gracious, true) and his kisses (physical intimacy is delightful). The climactic declaration 'he...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **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). **Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. **Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20. (Compare Pr 13:18-20). **latter end--**(Pr 5:11). In youth prepare for age.

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