King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 1:12 Mean?

“While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.”

Context

Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. camphire: or, cypress

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **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 mistress prefer his love to wine, so here she prefers the thought of union with him to all the imagined pleasures of the royal table. **Spikenard**—Heb., *nerd*—is exclusively an Indian product, procured from the *Nardostachys jatamansi, *a plant of the order *Valerianaceœ. *It was imported into Palestine at a very early period. The perfume is prepared by drying the shaggy stem of the plant (see Tristram’s *Nat. Hist. of Bible, *pp. 484, 485). There is a sketch of the plant in Smith’s *Bibl. Dict.*

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Song of Solomon. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Song of Solomon 1:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.