King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 4:14 Mean?

Song of Solomon 4:14 in the King James Version says “Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:”

Song of Solomon 4:14 · KJV

Context

12

A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. inclosed: Heb. barred shut up: Heb. barred

13

Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, camphire: or, cypress

14

Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

15

A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

16

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Read Song of Solomon 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices (nerd vekarkom qaneh veqinamon im kol atsey levonah mor va'ahalot im kol roshey vesamim, נֵרְדְּ וְכַרְכֹּם קָנֶה וְקִנָּמוֹן עִם כָּל־עֲצֵי לְבוֹנָה מֹר וַאֲהָלוֹת עִם כָּל־רָאשֵׁי בְשָׂמִים)—this remarkable catalog lists expensive imported spices from across the ancient world. Spikenard from the Himalayas, saffron from Persia, calamus from India, cinnamon from Ceylon, frankincense from Arabia, myrrh from Somalia, aloes from southeast Asia.

The beloved sees his bride as containing the world's most precious aromatics. The phrase "all the chief spices" (kol roshey vesamim, כָּל־רָאשֵׁי בְשָׂמִים) means "every premier spice"—comprehensive, supreme value. This extravagant list teaches that the beloved sees infinite worth in his bride. She isn't common or ordinary but supremely precious. Christ views His Church this way—worth His life, containing immeasurable value, producing diverse spiritual graces.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This spice catalog reads like an ancient Near Eastern luxury import manifest. International trade brought these aromatics to Israel at great expense. Spikenard cost a year's wages (John 12:5). Saffron required 70,000 crocus flowers to produce one pound. These spices were used in worship (temple incense), royalty (anointing), medicine (healing), and romance (fragrant oils). The beloved's comparison to exotic spices celebrated the bride's supreme worth and rarity. Early church fathers saw each spice as representing different spiritual graces: spikenard (devotion), saffron (joy), cinnamon (prayer), myrrh (suffering), frankincense (worship). The diversity celebrated the Church's varied gifts and members producing complementary fragrances. The Reformers emphasized that the Church's value comes from Christ's valuation, not inherent worth. The Puritans taught that believers should cultivate diverse virtues, becoming fragrant with Christ's character.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's extravagant valuation—seeing you as containing "all the chief spices"—transform your understanding of your worth in His eyes?
  2. What diverse spiritual "spices" (gifts, graces, virtues) is the Spirit developing in your life to create comprehensive Christlikeness?
  3. In marriage, how can spouses cultivate seeing and declaring each other's infinite, multi-faceted worth, not taking each other for granted?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
נֵ֣רְדְּ׀1 of 14

“Spikenard”

H5373

nard, an aromatic

וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם2 of 14

“and saffron”

H3750

the crocus

קָנֶה֙3 of 14

“calamus”

H7070

a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)

וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן4 of 14

“and cinnamon”

H7076

cinnamon bark (as in upright rolls)

עִ֖ם5 of 14
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כָּל6 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲצֵ֣י7 of 14

“with all trees”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

לְבוֹנָ֑ה8 of 14

“of frankincense”

H3828

frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)

מֹ֚ר9 of 14

“myrrh”

H4753

myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)

וַאֲהָל֔וֹת10 of 14

“and aloes”

H174

aloe wood (i.e., sticks)

עִ֖ם11 of 14
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כָּל12 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רָאשֵׁ֥י13 of 14

“with all the chief”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

בְשָׂמִֽים׃14 of 14

“spices”

H1314

fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

Study Guide

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 4:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Song of Solomon 4:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 30:23Song of Solomon 4:6Song of Solomon 6:2Song of Solomon 3:6Proverbs 7:17Ezekiel 27:19

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