King James Version

What Does Song of Solomon 7:13 Mean?

Song of Solomon 7:13 in the King James Version says “The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for th...” — study this verse from Song of Solomon chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.”

Song of Solomon 7:13 · KJV

Context

11

Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.

12

Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves. appear: Heb. open

13

The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved. The bride concludes her invitation by describing sensory delights awaiting her beloved. The Hebrew haduda'im natenu reach ve-al-petacheinu kol-megadim chadashim gam-yeshanim dodi tsafanti lakh (הַדּוּדָאִים נָתְנוּ רֵיחַ וְעַל־פְּתָחֵינוּ כָּל־מְגָדִים חֲדָשִׁים גַּם־יְשָׁנִים דּוֹדִי צָפַנְתִּי לָךְ) employs botanical and architectural imagery emphasizing abundance and anticipation.

"The mandrakes give a smell" (haduda'im natenu reach)—mandrakes (duda'im, דּוּדָאִים) were plants with fragrant fruit and roots, believed to enhance fertility and love (Genesis 30:14-16). The Hebrew root connects to dod (love), making duda'im wordplay on love-plants. Their fragrance signals season of love and fruitfulness. "At our gates" (al-petacheinu) indicates doorway or entrance—threshold between public and private, suggesting immediate accessibility. "All manner of pleasant fruits" (kol-megadim) uses meged (מֶגֶד), meaning choice things, precious fruits, delicacies—only the best.

"New and old" (chadashim gam-yeshanim) indicates both fresh recent harvest and preserved stored fruits—complete provision spanning seasons. This suggests the bride has prepared comprehensively, holding nothing back. "Which I have laid up for thee" (tsafanti lakh) uses tsafan (צָפַן), meaning to treasure, store, hide away for future use. The phrase emphasizes intentionality—she's been preparing, saving, anticipating this moment. "O my beloved" (dodi) intensifies intimacy and ownership. Applied to Christ and church: believers store up spiritual treasures—acts of obedience, growth in grace, fruit of Spirit—as offerings to Christ (Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 1:10, Galatians 5:22-23). The "new and old" treasures might represent progressive sanctification—both recent growth and longstanding faithfulness (Matthew 13:52).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mandrakes grew wild in ancient Israel, flowering in spring with apple-like fragrant fruit ripening by summer. Ancient Near Eastern cultures attributed aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties to mandrakes, making them valuable (Genesis 30:14-16). Storing "new and old" fruits was necessary in pre-refrigeration culture—preservation through drying, pickling, or storing in cool locations. Wealthy households maintained storerooms of preserved foods, spices, and delicacies. The bride's claim to have "laid up" such treasures demonstrates planning, resources, and devotion—she's prepared specifically for her beloved's enjoyment, not merely general housekeeping.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of storing up "new and old" fruits model the Christian life of continual growth while treasuring longstanding faithfulness?
  2. What spiritual "mandrakes"—fragrances of devotion and obedience—does Christ desire to find at the "gates" of our hearts?
  3. In what ways can believers intentionally "lay up" spiritual treasures—acts of love, service, worship—specifically for Christ's pleasure rather than human recognition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הַֽדּוּדָאִ֣ים1 of 13

“The mandrakes”

H1736

a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac)

נָֽתְנוּ2 of 13

“give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

רֵ֗יחַ3 of 13

“a smell”

H7381

odor (as if blown)

וְעַל4 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּתָחֵ֙ינוּ֙5 of 13

“and at our gates”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

כָּל6 of 13
H3605

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

מְגָדִ֔ים7 of 13

“are all manner of pleasant”

H4022

properly, a distinguished thing; hence something valuable, as a product or fruit

חֲדָשִׁ֖ים8 of 13

“fruits new”

H2319

new

גַּם9 of 13
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

יְשָׁנִ֑ים10 of 13

“and old”

H3465

old

דּוֹדִ֖י11 of 13

“for thee O my beloved”

H1730

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

צָפַ֥נְתִּי12 of 13

“which I have laid up”

H6845

to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk

לָֽךְ׃13 of 13
H0

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 7:13 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 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 30:14Matthew 13:52Matthew 25:40Philippians 1:11Galatians 5:22-231 Peter 4:11

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