King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 5:1 Mean?

Song of Solomon 5:1 in the King James Version says “I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with m...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Song of Solomon 5:1 · King James Version

Context

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

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.

3

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

Read Song of Solomon 5 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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 verbs 'gathered,' 'eaten,' 'drunk' suggest full participation in the garden's delights. This verse celebrates consummated covenant love—the bridegroom responds to the bride's invitation by fully entering and enjoying what she offers. The following line, 'Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved,' appears to be divine blessing on their union. This verse affirms the goodness of marital intimacy within covenant relationship. Spiritually, it represents Christ's response to the Church's invitation—He delights in His people and finds satisfaction in relationship with them.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient weddings culminated in consummation—the completion of covenant union. The Song's celebration of this is unabashed yet within proper covenant context. The garden imagery continues from 4:12-16, where the bride is described as enclosed garden. Now the bridegroom enters. Ancient Near Eastern love poetry employed similar garden imagery, but the Song uniquely places it within exclusive covenant commitment. Early church fathers carefully navigated this passage—maintaining both literal affirmation of marital sexuality and allegorical reading as Christ entering His Church. Bernard of Clairvaux emphasized Christ's delight in His people—He finds joy in relationship with the redeemed. The Reformers rejected medieval asceticism by affirming marital sexuality as divine gift, not merely procreative duty. Modern readers benefit from the Song's holistic affirmation of covenant love encompassing emotional, spiritual, and physical dimensions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage affirm that physical intimacy within marriage is good, God-honoring, and mutually delightful—not shameful or merely functional?
  2. What does Christ's delight in His Church ('I am come into my garden') teach about God's disposition toward His people?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
בָּ֣אתִי1 of 21

“I am come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְגַנִּי֮2 of 21

“into my garden”

H1588

a garden (as fenced)

אֲחֹתִ֣י3 of 21

“my sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

כַלָּה֒4 of 21

“my spouse”

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

אָרִ֤יתִי5 of 21

“I have gathered”

H717

to pluck

מוֹרִי֙6 of 21

“my myrrh”

H4753

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

עִם7 of 21
H5973

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

בְּשָׂמִ֔י8 of 21

“with my spice”

H1313

the balsam plant

אִכְל֣וּ9 of 21

“I have eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

יַעְרִי֙10 of 21

“my honeycomb”

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

עִם11 of 21
H5973

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

דִּבְשִׁ֔י12 of 21

“with my honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

שְׁת֥וּ13 of 21

“I have drunk”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

יֵינִ֖י14 of 21

“my wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

עִם15 of 21
H5973

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

חֲלָבִ֑י16 of 21

“with my milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

אִכְל֣וּ17 of 21

“I have eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

רֵעִ֔ים18 of 21

“O friends”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

שְׁת֥וּ19 of 21

“I have drunk”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְשִׁכְר֖וּ20 of 21

“yea drink abundantly”

H7937

to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence

דּוֹדִֽים׃21 of 21

“O beloved”

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

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 5:1 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 5:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 6:2Song of Solomon 4:16Song of Solomon 4:9-14Revelation 22:17Proverbs 9:5Isaiah 61:11

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