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Song of Songs
(Lexical Notes/Comments)
Introduction and Chapter 4
4:1. “Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have doves’ eyes behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, going down from Mount Gilead.”
Word by word comment. It could be read: Behold you! It’s an exclamation of wonder and excitement. Love. Word denotes companion or friend. Doves. Symbol of innocence, fidelity, gentleness. Hair is a symbol of consecration. Going down - descending, flowing, cascading downward. Veil is humility hiding virtue.
Lexical translation: “Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead.” Simmons: Mount Gilead is where the sacrificial animals were kept in preparation for temple sacrifices. So, a goat coming down from Gilead was a sacrifice ready to be offered.
Hair is a symbol of our devotion to Christ. Mount Gilead means the Mountain of Witness or Testimony. Gen. 31: 47-48? Origin. “Gilead is the church adorned with grace coming down from spiritual heights to feed the world. Hair is the multitude of individual members united to the head.
Bickle. Bickle titles all of chapter 4: “Jesus’ Ravished Heart. V. 1-8, he titles: The Cherished Heart of Jesus: Equipped to Love Him. The Bridegroom King gave eight Shulamite maiden characteristics that spoke of her physical beauty - symbolic of budding spiritual characteristics. The King described her beauty (4:1-5), even while her obedience was immature. He saw her sincere desire to obey before it was fully manifested in her character. In Song 4:1-5, we see the cherishing heart of Jesus our Bridegroom King. He washes and cherishes His Church. Ep. 5: 26-29. With tender love, Jesus corrects, rebukes, and calls us to greater zeal and repentance (Rev. 3:19) as He invites us to deeper fellowship (Rev. 3:20) and partnership with Him (Rev. 3:21). The devil assaults us with accusation to influence us to give up in despair (Rev. 12:10).
The whole truth about our life includes so much more than the wrong we have done. Our obedience begins when we sincerely set our heart to obey Him, not after we gain full victory in an area of our life. I Cor. 4:5. Ro. 4:17. In the O.T., while Israel was being attacked by a mighty Midianite army, Gideon hid in the winepress in fear (Judg. 6:11-12). An angel appeared to him and called him a mighty man of valor. The Lord saw in Gideon what he could not see in himself. The Lord named Gideon according to what he would become in the future, and he went on to become one of Israel’s great military leaders. Jesus called Peter a rock, one who was reliable and stable (Mt. 16:18). He knew Peter would one day deny Him, but He also saw the seeds of stability in Peter and so named him the rock. We see the Lord’s “editing process” in Abraham’s life, saying that he never wavered in his faith. Ro. 4:20. David’s failures are recorded in the Scripture, yet God’s testimony of his life was that David did all of God’s will and fulfilled God’s purpose (Acts 13:22, 36).
The King highlighted eight-character traits that He develops in His Bride (4:1-5). 1. Dove’s eyes: Eyes of single-minded devotion and loyalty. 2. Hair like goats: Dedication (sacrifice) to God (hair may point to a Nazirite dedication). 3. Teeth like shorn sheep: Chewing the meat of the Word. 4. Lips like scarlet: Godly speech that calls forth God’s redemptive (scarlet) purposes in others. 5. Kisses of the mouth: Intimacy with God in receiving the kisses of His Word. 6. Veiled temples (cheeks/countenance): Emotions empowered by the grace of God. 7. Neck like David’s tower: Setting our will to obey God without any stiff-necked resistance. 8. Breasts like fawns: The power to edify and nurture others with the milk of the Word.
4:2. Your teeth are as white as shorn sheep which have come up from washing, everyone with its twin. None is along among them. “Lexicon. “Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes, that have come up from the washing; all of them bear twins, and none among them has lost their young.”
Lexical notes. Gen. 49:12. Used symbolically for purity. That have come up from washing is being cleansed or renewed. From the washing’s root means to bathe or wash. Gen. 30:19.
Origin. “Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes. Just as teeth chew food to make it digestible, so ministers digest the Word spiritually (chew it) and explain it to others. He saw “the flock” as the group of ministers who do this. That they were shorn indicates that worldly attachment has been stripped away and they are humble and stripped of excess. Twin-bearing indicates balance in doctrine. None barren indicates fruitfulness.
Teeth chew the word carefully. Washing is internal cleanness and purity.
What gives the Bride to Be beauty? The Bridegroom/King repeats that she is so. Repetition shows His fervency. She is beautiful because of the Gift of Righteousness that she has been given. She is beautiful because Jesus in Her is Who God sees. It is the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit that make her beautiful. The Bride has complete perfection. Having eyes “behind a veil.” Does that speak of humility?
*Hair is the symbol for devotion to Christ. Remember Samson. Mt. Gilead is where the sacrificial animals were kept in preparation for Temple sacrifice. Thus, the flock of goats running/walking down Mt. Gilead is a “sacrifice ready to be offered.” Simmons.
Wesley. Fair — Being clothed with My Righteousness and adorned with all the graces of My spirit. Doves’ eyes and other individual descriptors: The chief design of the description is to show that completeness and perfection of the church (hath in part received) and shall receive in full in the future life.
Guyon. You are lovelier than ever before, although you may not fully realize it. Simplicity and faithfulness emanate from your eyes. Your hair represents your affection for Him,
Kale. At this point, she hasn't gotten in the carriage. She is holding onto him, but
she has not fully committed. The Hebrew literally means “your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.” “How beautiful you are My darling!” You are beauty itself to Me. The author of beauty, the standard for beauty, declares that you are beautiful. He prophesies of her maturity in these 8 features. The radiant bride: (in chapter 4, head to toe; in chapter 6, toe to head) 4:1 Her eyes - your eyes behind your veil are doves. 2. You now perceive who I am and where I can take you. Doves’ eyes are eyes of wisdom and revelation. a. She has the revelation of grace. b. The revelation of the mercy seat; the beauty is starting to shine from her eyes. 3. The revelation she has is hidden behind a veil. A veil of humility. a. There are aspects to this relationship with Jesus that are just between us and Jesus and aren't meant to be shared. We hold it close, behind the veil b. The apostle Paul was taken to heaven. He waited 14 years before he wrote about it. c. Joseph sharing his dream with his brothers resulted in being sold into slavery. Sometimes our revelation is greater than our depth of maturity, God gives us a crown that we grow into. 4:1 Her hair - is like a flock of goats. Hair is a symbol of devotion and consecration to God. Hair is a picture of devotion, commitment; our vow to love God. Samson - his strength wasn't in his hair. It was in his devotion to God. His hair was a sign of that. Hair, like a flock of goats coming down the mount Gilead, is a picture of devotion that is so strong to do the will of God, you become a living sacrifice. You are a sacrifice ready to be offered. Willing to lay your life down. Hair is multi-faceted. There are many hairs to cut, and a flock is many goats to kill. There are many sacrifices a Shulamite makes (take up cross daily, daily sacrifice).
Nee. These 7 features of the Bride Jesus loves. Nee thinks that these 7 features describe a Bride in full union with Jesus. Doves’ eyes? Perception. Discernment of the spirit. Also, single focus. No peripheral vision in a dove. Hair. Whole Consecration. Teeth. The ability to chew food and get nourishment from food. Only a mature person can masticate food. Nee says that wool represents carnal life and natural zeal. Shorn of it. Lips. Expression of what we receive from Him. Thread of scarlet. Redemption (Josh. 2:21). Authority – her lips are under the King’s authority. (Mt. 27:28-29). Ps. 12:4.
4:3. “Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like a piece of pomegranate.” Lit. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of pomegranate behind your veil.”
Words from Lexicon. Thread. Jos. 2:18. Scarlet or crimson. Symbol of royal beauty or atonement. Is. 1:18. Your lips – a pair. Symbolize speech. Mouth could be translated speech – not symbolically, but literally. Literally, it is “your speaking” which can mean word, speech, or utterance. Lovely can also be fitting. Pomegranate is a symbol for fertility or abundance. Ex. 28:33. Literally “side of the face” so it could be temple or cheeks. Veil here is a veil or braid covering the head or partially covering the face. Origin. The church’s confession is the blood of Christ.
The scarlet ribbon is a comparison to the ribbon Rahab placed at her dwelling to show the place where mercy would spare her life. The color scarlet points us to the Blood of Mercy, Christ’s sacrifice that spared us. Josh. 2.
Kale. This “scarlet ribbon” is an obvious comparison to the scarlet ribbon Rahab placed at her dwelling to show where mercy would spare her life. The color scarlet points us to the blood of mercy, Christ’s sacrifice that has spared us. See Joshua 2. a. 4:3 Pomegranates were engraved on the top of the pillars of Solomon’s Temple and were also sewn into the hem of the robe of the High Priest. They speak of our opened hearts of love, filled with passion for Him. Her lips - like a scarlet ribbon. Rahab had a scarlet ribbon; a scarlet ribbon on her lips is a prophetic revelation that when she speaks, 1. She speaks to others as the king speaks to her. 2. She speaks with forgiveness, grace & mercy. Redemption flows out of her mouth. She doesn't condemn. 4. Rahab - in Hebrew "overcome" - "Rahab" is found in 6:5 "your eyes have Rahab'ed me" in Hebrew text. "You have overcome me with your eyes. You have conquered Me. You have rahab'd My heart, My bride. The last day's church is Rahab. Rahab married and had a son "Boaz". She is now in the genealogy of Jesus. 4:3 Her mouth - the place of intimacy
Nee. “Temples” can be translated “cheeks,” the seat of emotions. It is the part of the face that most conveys emotion. Pomegranates speak of fullness of life because of its many, many seeds. A piece of pomegranate means that it is exposed. Christ’s life within shines out.
4:4. “Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory on which hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.” Lexicon translation: “Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory, where on their hangs a thousand shields, all shields of mighty men.” Tower- strength/stability. David. Royal might and Divine favor. Neck. Symbol of the will; it connects the head (Christ) to the body. Built. Symbol for spiritual formation. Armory is a rare term which likely means place of hanging shields or rows of defenses. Thousand. Symbol of abundance or completeness. Shield. Protection or faith. Gen. 15:1. Origin. The Tower of David represents fortified faith and spiritual discipline that defends truth. Bernard. The thousand shields represent the many graces that God provides to protect our souls.
Wesley. Her neck may represent the grace of faith by which, we as His body, are joined to Him, the head. Faith is the means by which we receive our spiritual food, supernatural ability and grace. Indeed, every weapon in our armory is received and put on by faith.
Guyon. David represents the House of Jesus Christ. Ps. 61.
Kale. 4:4 Her neck – represents the will of man. Her neck compared to a high tower is a symbol of an upright one who has determined to do the right thing. David's tower - Her will is now like the heart of David. David's tower is the place where the weapons of warfare were stored. A surrendered will is like a storehouse of mighty weapons against the opposition of the enemy. On it hang 1000 shields - a symbol of abundant protection and strength against the enemy. Hebrew - a more accurate translation is "shields of 1000 warriors have been surrendered to your beauty." The only way to get a warrior's shield is when they surrender to you. This is a metaphor that the mighty ones have yielded to the beauty of the Shulamite. A true lover of God is a living martyr who has no will but His.
Nee. Neck represents our will. Our will dedicated to Jesus fully is beautiful to Him. This Shulamite is not bowed down or burdened (see Lu. 13: 11-16). This one has been set free. Her neck is like a tower. Tower of David? Is she like David? Acts 13:22. Why was the tower built? In the matter of spiritual warfare, the battle centers around the will. This one had many shields, many “Nos” and therefore many protections which the Lord was able to build up in her. Defensive watchfulness is their use. She is like David in obedience. Her full surrender to the Lord allowed Him to make her an immovable and steadfast tower to do the will of God.
4:5: “Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle which feed among the lilies. Origin. Breasts are the OT/NT from which we are nourished. Milk of the breasts feeds young believers. Lilies are the pure hearts of the saints. Bernard. “These are the breasts of the Bride, the twin affections of faith and love, wherein the soul finds her nourishment. But they also are the Bridegroom’s, the two natures of Christ, full of grace and truth.”
Kale. Her breasts - are like twin fawns of a gazelle. The breasts speak of nourishment for a new generation. She imparts gentleness, innocence and purity. She is able to release a double portion. Those with a pure heart will feed the next generation with purity. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 "having put on the breastplate of faith and love"; nursed at the breasts of faith and love.
7 Things Your Soul Needs
(adapted from the writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux 1090-1153, A Commentary on
the Song of Songs) 1. To seek the Living Word. 2. To accept correction from the Word. 3. To be enlightened and filled with joy from the Word. 4. To be reformed by wisdom through the help of the Word. 5. To be transformed into His likeness. 6. To be full of fruit and goodness. 7. To delight and enjoy His presence.
Nee. Faith and Love. Together they are the only means whereby we are joined to Jesus. Nees says that a better translation of “two young does that are twins” is “a pair of young dears born of the same mother.” Faith and Love are of equal size, both required to grow. Gal. 5:6; I Tim. 1:5, 14; Phil. 5. “Lillies.” Faith and Love grew in the spouse from an environment of nourishment. She was living in holiness, purity. Her conscience is pure with no condemnation.
Wurmbrand. Deals with v. 1-5 together. Her eyes cannot look upon unrighteousness. The two rows of her teeth represent faith and meditation, by which we chew and digest spiritual nutrition from the Word. Her faith is white and pure – real. Teeth chew for others; Christians lay down their lives for others. Cheeks show humility and modesty. The Church is the Body; Jesus is the head. The neck joins them. The neck is faith. When David’s name is first given in the Bible, when he was easily capable of sin, it was spelled DVD. Later, when He became more united with God, more mature, it is spelled DVYD – adding the holy letter in Yahweh. At such times a Y, the first letter of God's name, is added, and it is written DVYD. That is how his name is written at the end of his
life's story. He had his wanderings, but he finished the course well. And now, in the Hebrew text of the Song, David's name is not only written DVYD, to emphasize the godly side of his character, but above it is inscribed a circle, showing that because his son has written a song such as this, David has reached the highest point of union with God.
Guyon. To be fed “among the lilies” is to be fed with Christ’s Purity.
4:6: “Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the Mountain of Myrrh and the hill of frankincense.” Lexicon literal: ““Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.”
Lexical Words: Until – a period of waiting or anticipation. Breathes or blows is the dawn breaking or morning wind. Symbolically “until the Spirit breathes.” The day is a symbol of “light, revelation, or the coming of Christ.” Until the day breathes is the dawn or the renewal of light which is an anticipation of revelation or resurrection. Shadows flee is fear, ignorance, or darkness fleeing.
I will go indicates personal desire or resolve. Hill of Frankincense. Lev. 2:1-2. Worship, divine communion, and prayer. It’s a hill covered with incense bearing trees. Mountain of Myrrh is the symbol of love mingled with sacrifice (myrrh = suffering perfume). Origin. Sees this as Jesus. The Beloved (Christ) speaks: He withdraws “to the mountain of myrrh” — the place of His Passion and burial, perfumed with myrrh and aloes (John 19:39). The “hill of frankincense” signifies His ascension and the heavenly sanctuary where prayer and intercession rise like incense. “Until the day breathes” means until the day of resurrection; the “shadows” are the obscurities of mortal life and the Law, which flee when the light of Christ dawns. Gregory. The “mountain of myrrh” is the height of self-denial—the soul ascending through taking up the cross, self-denial, suffering and mortification. The “hill of frankincense” is prayer and contemplation, where the soul’s desires ascend like incense to God. “Until the day breathes” = eternal union with Christ at the marriage feast and beyond.
“The day that breathes is the day of the Resurrection, and the mountain of myrrh is the Cross, fragrant with the perfume of His suffering.”
*The “mountain of myrrh” is the emblem of suffering love. To become the Bride, she must experience Calvary, as did Jesus. We must be His co-crucified partner who will embrace the fellowship of his sufferings. Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10.
Kale. What is the mountain of myrrh? "I will go to the mountain of myrrh." – She says "yes" to the cross. She is agreeing to the marriage contract. From this point on the whole book changes. (The first four chapters are about the beauty of the bride. The last four chapters are about the beauty of Christ.). She uses the same phrases from chapter 2 when she wouldn't go; "until the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will go" I don't have to have all the answers, even if it is still dark, I am still going with You. Even if I have doubts, anxieties, fears, I will go with You. The mountain they are going to... is Calvary. I will go to the mountain of myrrh... I will go to the mountain of suffering love. A bride follows her husband. Shulamites are a company of people who will follow the Lamb. To follow the Lamb is to become a sacrifice. The Shulamite is agreeing to not just wear the cross, but to bear the cross; being crucified with Christ. What is the hill of incense? Prayer as incense is a valid metaphor; but the hill of incense speaks to the fragrance of His life, to the beauty and glory of the life of Jesus. It is the beauty of His nature; to live as He lived, not just die as He died.
Guyon. The Bridegroom invites you to the mountain. Where the myrrh grows and from the hill from where frankincense is collected. Your sufferings will arise to God as incense.
Wesley. Until — The bride said this in chap. 2:17, and here the bridegroom answers. This may be understood as the Day of Glory. To the hill — To my church upon earth, which was typified by the mountain of Moriah and the temple upon it. Thus, Christ directs believers, where they may find him, namely in his church.
*********Bickle. The Bride responds to the King’s affirmations of her beauty (4:1-5) by setting her heart to obey Him and going to the mountain with Him (4:6). She walked this out fully in Song 5-8. V. 6: Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. (Song 4:6). The King had called her to rise up to go to the mountains with Him in Song 2:10. She refused, telling Him to turn and go to the mountains without her (2:17). Later, He comes leaping upon the mountains…. V. 10: My Beloved spoke… “Rise up…and come away...” V. 17. Until the day breaks…turn, my Beloved, and be like a gazelle…upon the mountains… (Song 2:8-17). In Song 3:2 she had agreed to arise to go to the city, but not the mountains. Here, she commits to obey by going to the mountains (4:6).
Myrrh speaks of Jesus’ death. He ascended the mountain of myrrh when He went to the cross. We are also to take up our cross to deny ourselves as we ascend the mountain of our myrrh to obey God’s will (Lk. 9:26). Frankincense speaks of prayer (Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8). We ascend the hill of frankincense—engage in prayer—for strength to ascend our mountain of myrrh. I will go. The maiden decides to leave her comfort zone to go up the mountain—to walk in all God’s will without fear. My way. Each of us has a “tailor-made path” that the Lord has chosen for. “Our way” to the mountain involves difficulties unique to God’s calling on each life.
Nee. Review. 3: 6-11 spoke of her union with the Lord. Ch. 4: 1-5-the resultant outcome of that union: namely that the Lord found satisfaction in His loved one and praised her beauty. What followed from that union was her adoration of the King. Ch. 1:2-2:7 also records the Shulamite’s praise of the King. But there, her experiences were not as deep. She is more mature in 4:7, she speaks less, is able to receive the Lord’s praise without self-exaltation. Nee sees this as the Bride speaking. Before “the day breaks” into full light and the “shadows flee away,’ she knew that she had to go further into the Cross. If I do so, I can move into the perfect break of day. He must find nothing of my old creation; only the new. I attain that by faith, consecration, love.
Wurmbrand. The mountain of myrrh recalls Mount Moriah, on which the Temple was built, and in which so much incense mixed with spices was burnt daily to the glory of God that (so says the Talmud) the daughters of Jerusalem did not need to perfume themselves. There the bride will retire for prayer. He sees her as going to the place of prayer.
4:7: “You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.” Lexicon lit. “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no blemish in you.” This verse has been loved by Christian mystics for centuries as the moment of union, justification, and perfected love. All beautiful is all of you together. There are a totality and completeness of beauty in you. Beautiful. Gen. 12:11. Both outward and inward beauty. My love connotes covenant companionship and intimate spiritual union. No spot is no lack of consecration. See Lev. 21:17. Ep. 5:27. There is complete purity with no flaw. Christ speaks to the church here. Origin. “Altogether beautiful” is the soul transformed by grace. There is no blemish because Jesus has removed all sin and infused us with His righteousness. The Bride has ascended through the trials (the mountain of myrrh) and now stands radiant in sanctification. Gregory of Nyysa. Gregory interprets this as the culmination of the soul’s purification. The “beauty” here is spiritual conformity to the divine image — the soul now reflects God’s own loveliness. The absence of blemish does not mean the soul is divine by nature, but that sin’s deformity is healed. He likens this to Moses’ face shining after seeing God’s glory (Ex 34:29). “When the soul ascends to the mountain of myrrh and breathes the fragrance of virtue, she hears that divine voice: ‘You are all fair, my love, and there is no stain in you.’ For she bears the beauty of Him whose image she reflects.”
***Kale. “There is no flaw in you… My Bride.” When we surrender to Jesus, we become the flawless Bride. Holiness is not what you do, it is who you embrace. In chapter 4, still in her imperfection, he calls her flawless. Now he calls her "bride”, 1st time in the book. She is a living sacrifice, no more counting the cost. Beauty is a transformed heart. It’s who you ARE, not what you DO. You ARE crucified, redeemed, clean, flawless. Holiness is the embrace of the Holy within. We become what we absorb. Moses was in front of the burning bush for a while and absorbed the fire inside. Spend time with Jesus. Psalms 16:3 We are His glorious ones. Receive His promises now.
Nee titles 4:7-15 “The Call to the Heavenlies.” He sees 4:7-8 as the BK calling her to a higher plane. See lyrics in Bible notes. V. 7. Compare 4:1/4:7. He called her fair, but now she is all fair. In v. 7, she appears to have reached full consecration.
Guyon. He calls you to your wedding and to your coronation. Before, He has called her fair one, my beloved, my dove, but not my bride. She sees the highest mountain tops as being the practice of the highest virtues. You will be accosted by human and spiritual enemies. But rise above it. At this summit, you will enter with Him into the bosom of the Father.
4:8: “Come with me from Lebanon, My bride. Come with me from Lebanon. Look with me from the top of Amana, from the top of Senire and Hermon. From the lions’ dens, from the mountain haunts of the leopards.”
Lexical Word by Word notes
“Come with me,” is a strong (importuning) invitation to intimate union and shared journey with the idea of entering covenant.
“Look with me,” is literally to gaze or survey from above; figuratively, spiritual perception or vision.
“Lebanon,” from the Hebrew “lavan” (white) implies purity, separation, majesty, holiness.
Lions’ dens and mountains of leopards are places where the enemy dwells, dangerous places where warfare must be fought. Could also be the trials, evil oppression which opposes love, faith, and purity in the believer’s life.
Top of Amana, Hermon, and Senir is the summit of those mountains.
Hermon is the highest peak in Northern Israel. Senir is the Amorite name for Mt. Hermon. It’s the same mountain, the same peak.
*******Amana derives from “aman.” This Hebrew root gives us “amen” and is one of the Hebrew roots from which we derive “faith or trust”. The Summit of Amana is Summit of Trust. The Summit of Amana is where all the promises of God are yes and amen. Amana could also be translated “the place of settled security.” The bride is to walk and stand in steadfast faith and trust in the love of Jesus from her position as co-heir with Christ. She is co-exalted with Him. She is to see the world through faith and love, the same perspective as Christ.
*Madame Guyon sees this as the Lord’s request for her to leave “quiet time” and venture into dangerous, active, difficult ministry in union with Him.
Origin points out that Jesus does not say “go,” but “come with me” and we will face the spiritual enemy together.
Gregory of Nyssa. Sees this as Jesus calling the bride higher (from Lebanon (virtue/holiness) to the Summit of Amana which is steadfast faithfulness. He sees the beasts below as the fleshly passions which still must be overcome by Christ.
Bernard. “The bride has enjoyed Lebanon (prayer, praise, and heavenly communion). His “come with me from Lebanon” is a call to descend from delight to service, from private love into the love that labors.” “Come with me” is a call to share in Jesus’ compassion for others. The lions and leopards are the dangers, burdens, and difficulties of ministry. Christ calls her to follow Him into the misery of human suffering—to bring love and healing where there is only hurt and fear.” He bids her to leave her joy to comfort others; to go with Him where the lions lie. For love is perfected in giving.
* It seems to me that Jesus is asking the Bride to be united with Him in Heavenly places, to be seated with Him in heavenly places and to look from that vantage point upon the field. She sees the demon powers in opposition, but as long as she stays in union with her beloved who is seated on the throne, she is capable of ministry in the world.
Amana is one of the Hebrew words for faith. The crest of Amana is the place where all God’s promises are kept and realized. Amana can also be translated: Place of Settled Security. “Look” includes the idea of survey, inspect, look all around, observe. The Bride of Christ is seated on High with Jesus and is encouraged to survey all the blessings heaven contains – it is a picture of our co-exultation with Christ.
Bickle. THE PROPHETIC HEART OF THE BRIDEGROOM GOD (SONG 4:1-8) A. The maiden rose up to go into the city (3:2), but she does not go to the mountains until Song 4:6. Yet she was beautiful to the King. He described eight aspects of beauty that He saw in her (4:1- 5). He prophetically proclaimed her “budding virtues.” God defines us by the cry in our heart, not by our struggles. He calls things that are not as though they were (Rom. 4:17). The Lord called Gideon a mighty man while he was hiding from his enemies with fear (Judg. 6:11-12). 1. Behold, you are fair [beautiful], My love! Behold, you are fair. (Song 4:1) God…calls those things which do not exist as though they did. (Rom. 4:17) The Angel…said [to Gideon], “The LORD is with you…mighty man of valor!” (Judg. 6:12) B. Initially she refused to obey His call to come to the mountain (2:10-14). But in Song 4:6, she commits to go to the mountain of myrrh—a fragrant burial spice that speaks of suffering. 6 I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh. (Song 4:6).
Wesley. Come — Unto the mountains of myrrh. Look — To the place to which I invite you to go, to those high mountains. Of Leopards — This seems to be added as an argument to move the spouse to go with him, because the places where now she was, were not only barren, but also dangerous.
Kale. What are the mountains? There is a realm where every promise is fulfilled, and every longing satisfied. It is the Zion realm where we walk in His glory and are consumed with His love. The mountain names become realms of revelation. Lebanon - snowy peak; the highest mountain top. There is a debate in translation whether it says, "Come WITH me to Lebanon" or "Come DOWN from Lebanon." Lebanon - It is known as the white mountain, because it is covered in snow. Le bo’nah - Frankincense (from its whiteness). The crest of Amana - "the archway of trust", the seal of covenant; The crest of Amana is the realm where all God's promises are kept and realized. Amana can also be translated "a place of settled security." A ma’na - Constancy: a settled provision [names dictionary, JB Jackson] Amana - Support (Strongs). Amana comes from the Hebrew root word for which we also get the English
word "amen". This is also one of the Hebrew words for "faith", Emunah. Amana - "the archway of trust", translated from Septuagint. The top of Senir - glistening peak. Senir - "snow mountain" [Strongs]. Se’nir - Bear the lamp, [names dictionary, JB Jackson]
The Targum of Jerusalem, an ancient Aramaic translation of the Bible, says
that on this mountain so much fruit grows that it cannot all be harvested.
The summit of Hermon - high & majestic. Her’mon - Devoted: banned [names dictionary, JB Jackson]. Hermon - "a sanctuary" [Strongs]. The lion's den and the mountain haunt of the leopards. Lions and leopards are spiritual forces of evil that roam in the high place. The maiden is taking her place at the side of her king to war against principalities. Lion’s den - is the spirit of Babylon, Daniel in Babylon. Leopard - the political spirit (the religious and political spirit are always found
together). Where you bring most fruit, you attract the enemy's worst fury. [Richard
Wurmbrand, The Sweetest Song]. From this trusting place of glory, He will use her to topple the strongholds of demons. For the first time she understands there is warfare coming. She must focus on the eternal rather than the natural. We are become the Bride who looks exactly like her husband. The enemy always runs from Jesus.
Bickle. The King called the Bride to come with Him from the mountains of Lebanon (4:8). With her new commitment to go to the mountain (4:6), she now carried her heart as a loyal Bride. Over the next four chapters of the Song, we see the development and expression of her maturity in love. Lions and leopards: She must war against lions and leopards, animals that devour humans. Satan is likened to a roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8). This verse speaks of spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-12).
Nee. In 2: 14-15, He talked about and asked her to go to the mountains. Did she go? In 4:8, He asks again. In v. 8, He repeats the call twice. Increased urgency? He does not see her as departing from Lebanon, but to come with Him into a spiritual outlook represented by “the fragrant heights of Lebanon.” He wants her to come to several High Lookouts from which she can take in the view from Lebanon. This is a new phase in her experience. Lebanon is known for tall, scented Cedar Trees. This speaks of her moving into a higher heavenly position in Christ. She is to be with Christ in His exaltation to be able to look down to earthly ministry, problems with a new view of her authority in Christ. Her position in Christ is one of Heavenly Elevation. The three peaks of Lebanon give the idea of enlargement spiritually for her. Amana means “confirmation or truth.” It is a word related to Amen or so be it.” Do we look down from where we are seated with Christ, take the promise, look down upon a circumstance in our life or in the lives of others, plead that promise, and count it done? Amen. So be it. Shenir indicates flexible armor. This speaks of the armor given us by the Holy Spirit. It focuses our thoughts on warfare. Hermon denotes destruction and speaks of the Victory of the Cross. It speaks of Jesus destroying the works of the devil. We view Christ’s full victory only as we cling to the Cross, meditate on it. See Ephesians 1-2. We see there that even from the Heavenlies, the presence of the enemy is real and operative. Ep. 6:12. Lion’s Dens and Leopard’s liars. From the mountaintops of Lebanon, looking at the high points of Amana, Shenir, and Hermon, one would also necessarily see lions’ and leopards’ dens. So here we may see more elevated demonic power to what we are used to on earth when we walked in less power. Lions roar to cause fear; leopards devour (steal, kill, and destroy is able). So, the Bride, in coming to a higher plane, did not escape the Enemy of her soul; rather, she encountered a more powerful variety of Him. The mountaintop is the height of Divine Truth. If we try to solve problems only with natural perception, we may be frustrated. We are speaking of spiritual warfare. We first of all, take the mountaintop position.
Wurmbrand. Treats v. 7-8 together. Do we see our wives without spot? This is the first time the BK calls her Bride. 'Look . . . from the top of Shenir'. The Targum of Jerusalem, an ancient Aramaic translation of the Bible, says that on this mountain so much fruit grows that it cannot all be harvested, and much of it rots. Here the bride learns to bring her fullness of harvest to the Bridegroom. It is interesting to observe that the 'lions' dens', the dens of those lions which desire to consume believers, are situated on the heights of Amana. Amana shares the same
root as the Hebrew word for 'faith', Emunah. Nowhere is one exposed to the devil's attacks so much as on these peaks. Where you bring most fruit, you attract his worst fury. Those who have not themselves passed through the lions' dens, who have always lived in comfortable places and never on the mountains of leopards, who do not ascend the peaks of faith and prayer, are often apathetic towards the sufferings of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
4:9. “You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace.”
Lexicon. Sister. (Hebrew Root ahot). Literal “sister.” Nuances: “term of endearment,” expressing intimacy or equality, not literal sibling.” Hebrew kinship terms are broad – much broader than English. They describe not only blood relationships, but also social, emotional, and covenantal bonds. Pro. 7:4. The term “sister” in the Song of Solomon is an emotional and covenantal bond or partner, not a biological bond. See also Ez. 16:46.
So, “sister” can connote parity (equality), intimacy, shared nature, or covenantal kinship. Bernard focuses on “sister – ahot” as “a shared nature.” The bride partakes of Christ’s life and is in union with the Bridegroom.”
Ravished. Lexicon nuances. From heart plus intensification. “You have deeply moved me. You have ravished my heart, or you’ve made my heart skip a beat. Notice that it’s doubled here. With one look of your eye (eye is singular) might be better as “with one glance of your eye.” Jewel of your necklace is better than one link of your necklace. Neck symbolizes submission.
The He. For “you have ravished my heart” is taken from a He. Root meaning to “tear bark off a tree.” Our loving eyes of worship have uncovered His heart and laid it bare, making Him vulnerable to you. Your worship brings Jesus such ecstasy and delight that it becomes hard to imagine. We do this even when we feel weak and incomplete.
Guyon. You are my sister, says the Bridegroom, because we have the same father.
Wesley. One chain — With one of those other graces and perfections wherewith thou art adorned. Remember, even one aspect of her virtue takes His heart – and He gave her the virtue.
Kale. 4:9 Literally, “the ornaments of your neck.” “You have stolen my heart”
ravished/stolen/conquered; Hebrew "You cause my heart to skip a beat." Just one glance - Jesus cannot resist one look from the eyes of one who is sincere in seeking Him. John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. My equal partner, My Bride. It says, "my sister, my bride" four times in Song of Songs. Marrying a sister is illegal in most cultures. "Sister" - in Hebrew actually means sibling which comes from a Hebrew family term meaning "as equal standing". 2 Corinthians 6:1 The Temple of the Living God "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" Would the Father unequally yoke his son? Co-signers, joint heirs; you sit at the right hand of the father with Jesus Christ, ruling with him. Everything that is true about Jesus becomes true about you. You become bread for the nations. You become the poured-out wine. You become the banqueting table. You become the water for a dry and thirsty land. Others feed upon you and eat upon the Christ
in you. As his equal, you become his counterpart here. The same Jesus that heals the sick, raises the dead, walks on water is in you. He possesses you. You become a dispenser for God. You become an outlet for his glory. Is the revelation of becoming a 200% person (me and Jesus). As you are healed on the inside, the fullness of Christ becomes affixed to your spirit. 6. Proverbs 31 is a prophetic picture of the last days church. The virtuous woman is description of the Bride of Christ. Read it again in those terms. There are two pictures of women in the Bible, the harlot and the Bride/virtuous woman. One jewel of your necklace - "yes" is the jewel on our necklace. The necklace is the submitted will to the purpose of God.
Bickle. God’s heart is ravished for His people (4:9). He has deep desire for His people. “Ravished” means to be filled with emotions of joy and delight because of one who is unusually attractive. “You have ravished My heart, My sister, My spouse; You have ravished My heart.” (Song 4:9) and “I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is toward me.” (Song 7:10).
God As Revealed in Scripture. Jesus revealed and demonstrated God’s tenderness and deep love for His people (including His emotions). God as a tender Father and a passionate Bridegroom was a new thought in religious history. Jewish tradition emphasized God’s holiness, the sense of His being totally separate from sin. They did not think of a holy God as sharing human experience; they thought him incapable of sharing our experience. They saw God as being “above” sharing the human dilemma by the very definition of being God. But Christ subjected Himself to human emotion and suffering (Heb. 4:15; 5:8).
Nee. For the first time, He addresses her as “my sister (treasure), my spouse.” His heart has not changed, but perhaps she is receiving more of his love than before. Her desires for Him are identified with His desires for her. Does He trust her enough now to trust her with more? They are now of kindred nature. He. 2:11. Jesus’ bride has the same essential nature as Himself, having been born of heaven. “You have seized upon my love and drawn me to yourself.” “I (Jesus) am satisfied in being close to you.” Her neck showed obedience. Pro. 1:9. Bridegroom: “By your obedience to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, you have gained spiritual wisdom in your character, and you have ravished my heart.”
Wurmbrand. 9-10 together. Jesus tells the bride, 'You have ravished my heart.' There is no satisfactory translation of the Hebrew expression in the European languages. The nearest would be to say, 'My love for you drives me out of my mind.' The Hebrew word for love' used here is a plural form - 'loves'. The bride loves him with intellectual love, with rational love and with
passionate love. The Son of God acknowledges that through love, he has become our prisoner. How does this happen? Then, oriental girls veiled their faces. To be flirtatious they would lower their veil just a fraction, showing one eye, if they were near somebody in whom they had an interest. So, the believing soul ravishes the heart of the Savior with one of her eyes, with one of her glances. One look at Jesus is sufficient to bring a soul to salvation and to make him an heir of the eternal life. How can a mere look have such huge results? It is because we ravish his heart. We take from his mind everything but ourselves. Through a single look, we inflame him with love. You cannot obtain from God by mighty deeds what you can obtain from him by a single loving look.
4:10. “How fair is your love(s), my sister, my bride. How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes better than all spices!”
*Bernard. Love is the fragrance of the soul poured out.
Bickle. Jesus has great love for His Bride (4:9-10c). The maiden’s twofold identity as His sister and spouse/bride is emphasized seven times (4:8, 9, 10, 11, 12; 5:1, 2). Being called Jesus’ spouse, or bride, reminds us of His desire for deep partnership with His people. Being Jesus’ sister reminds us of His humanity and His partnership with His people (Mt. 12:48-50; Heb. 2:11, 17). Jesus’ heart moves with each “look of devotion and love” that we give Him. The very movement of our heart to love Him touches Him. Our obedience begins when we set our heart to obey Him, not after we gain the full victory in a specific area. With one link of your necklace: In Scripture, the neck can speak of the will, which can be resistant (stiff-necked) or submissive. Spiritually, each link of her necklace may represent each individual response of obedience that we give the Lord. Each decision for love that we make moves Jesus’ heart. He remembers every movement of love that our heart makes towards Him. How fair is your love: The Lord considers our love beautiful in His sight; therefore, our life is defined as successful and great. Our obedience, based in love, brings great delight to Jesus. How much better than wine is your love: The King turned around her earlier statement, when she cried out, “For Your love is better than wine” (1:2). The wine metaphor speaks of that which exhilarates the heart. The “scent” of our perfumes speaks of our thoughts expressed to God in our prayers, meditation on the Word, and desire to obey Him (Ps. 141:2; Isa. 60:6; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4). That our lips drip as the honeycomb speaks of our words being sweet like honey when we speak to God in worship and prayer (2:14) and when we bless and encourages others. The fragrance of our garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon: This refers to her deeds being fragrant before God. Garments speak of the Bride’s acts of obedience (Rev. 19:7-8).
Kale. “How delightful is your love.” He speaks to her of how she delights Him. “More pleasing than wine” - These are the words she used to describe him. Now he speaks it to her. Her love is intoxicating to him. Our fragrance to Him - Our intercession and worship is fragrance to Him.
Lips drop sweetness - Lips point to worship, our speech. Milk & honey - Under your tongue is milk and honey, the promise land. Your worship is His inheritance. "The Jews endured forty years of hardship, to finally see the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey...But all those years they already had the joyous realms of honey and milk--right under their tongues. We all have the Promised Land the moment we stop looking for it in the far distance. It is there, in the power of our tongue. Our own bitter words bring us to hell. But confessing with the mouth that Jesus Christ is our Lord, brings us salvation." Richard Wurmbrand, The Sweetest Song. Milk is formed when a cow eats grass. When the higher kingdom consumes the lower kingdom, milk comes forth. The bee and honey are the same principle. When Jesus consumes me, milk and honey come out of my inner being, the promise land. Fragrance of our garments - is like the fragrance of Lebanon. The fragrance of Lebanon - Lebanon means "whiteness". The fragrance of your garments is the fragrance of holiness. She has spent so much time with him that she smells like him now. His fragrance is upon her. Acts of service she performs out of love for the King.
Guyon. He foresees the victories you will win and the souls you will nourish. The fragrance of Jesus coming through the Bride draws many to Jesus.
Wesley. Ointments — Of the gifts and graces of God's Spirit, wherewith thou art anointed.
Nee. In Ch. 1-2, when the Shulamite praised the King for His love, she declared it to be “better than wine.” Jesus says the same about her here. She has the scent of His perfume on her. It was the anointing (the fragrance) which permits v. 11.
4:11. “Your lips, O my bride drip sweetness as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue; and the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.”
See Ps. 19:10; I Pe. 2:2; Ps. 45:8. Christian mystics saw Lebanon as the heavenly realm, or Christ’s own purity; the Bride’s life carries His fragrance.
Origin considered “milk” to the simpler instruction for beginners (1 Cor 3:2) and “honey” to the sweet mystery for the mature. “The Bride’s speech feeds the simple with milk, yet from the same mouth distills honey for the wise. Bernard. “The tongue of the Bride speaks only what love dictates.” Lebanon for Bernard. The height of heavenly virtues and the odor of resurrection life. For Bernard, Lebanon represents Christ himself — white, pure, and fragrant — whose scent the Bride carries.
Wesley. Your lips — Your speeches both to me in prayer and praises, and to men for their edification, are highly acceptable to me. Milk — Words sweeter and more comfortable than honey or milk. Garments — Of My Righteousness with which I have adorned you.
Nee. Honey is not made quickly, but over time. So, gaining the anointing takes time. “Honey and milk are under your tongue.” Honey strengthens weakness. Milk builds up what is young and tender. “Garments have fragrance of Lebanon.” Her clothes were of a heavenly nature.
Guyon. You are become like a nursing mother. Your lips drip honey (sweetness, love, encouragement, nourishment) to those you touch. The Bridegroom is rich within you. He places honey and milk under your tongue so that you can speak winsomely and with nourishment. You are all honey to those to be won by the sweetness of comfort; you are all milk to all those who need nourishment.
4:12. “A garden enclosed is my sister, My Bride. A spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Lex. Lit. “A garden enclosed, my sister, bride; a spring locked, a fountain sealed.”
Literally word by word. *The enclosed garden is shut and locked against outside harm (it’s covered/protected). The idea of cultivation is suggested, so this is a cultivated garden – indicates planned work, discipline, endurance, perseverance.” *The flowing spring is shut up, locked to the outside, and bolted - protected. The fountain sealed and affixed with a seal which shows the owner – someone else. *The imagery suggests purity (bride), exclusivity (Bride/Bridegroom), intimacy (same). The bride is the garden (gan-singular). Cf. v. 15.
Kale. His Private Paradise. A garden locked up - He describes her as the Garden of Eden. The garden was sealed with the flaming cherubim and sword. You are sealed. He is the only one that will be allowed into the garden. You are His delight. You are His pleasure. Paradise restored is in the heart of the Bride. A spring enclosed - Fresh water is springing up inside of you to water this garden. Isaiah 58:11-12 And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
There is a legend that King Solomon had a secret sealed cistern that could only be opened with his signet ring. A sealed fountain - She is a sacred fountain, hidden from public use. Jesus Himself drinks from your cistern. Proverbs 5:15-19 Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. We have become Jesus' holy and sacred fountain, sealed by the Holy Spirit. Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Wesley. A garden — For order and beauty, for pleasant walks, and flowers, fruits, and communion. Enclosed — Defended by the care of my providence: and reserved for my proper use. Shut up — To preserve it from all pollution, and to reserve it for the use of its owner, for which reason, springs were shut up in those countries where water was scarce and precious. Nee. V. 12 (a garden); v. 13 (an orchard); v. 14 (my garden and his garden); 5:1 (my garden). All singular. But gardens, waters, and streams in 4:15. A garden is for the production of beauty and pleasure. She was delightful to the Lord. She was His garden. She realized that she was for the pleasure and satisfaction of the Bridegroom. “Enclosed, shut up, and sealed” suggests that she was only for her beloved – not for others. Not a public garden. See Num. 19:15.
Guyon. You are shut up unto Him alone. All is totally for Him. You are a fountain whose waters feed many. The water is pure.
Wurmbrand. Jesus praises her chastity. Nobody can enter a closed garden or draw water from a sealed fountain except the owner. When he does not come to visit her, the garden of the bride is locked. She knows that, just as a perfume bottle does not lose its fragrance if it is kept closed, neither does the soul which tends only to God lose the warmth of love and the power of virtue.
We have to be wary and lock our doors against influences which are harmful to our souls. Spiritual enemies can quench the Spirit in us. They take God from us and spoil our intimacy with him. Why should you be an open fountain, at everybody's disposal, even the devil, so that men and demons can spit in it or throw their garbage in? Is there anything that pleases you more than the presence of the Holy Spirit?
4:13: “Your shoots are an orchard yielding pomegranates, with other pleasant fruits, fragrant henna with spikenard…”
Lexicon Lit. “Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits.”
*” Your shoots” or branches comes (flowing shoots, outgrowths) from a Hebrew word meaning “sending out, flowing, spreading.” It suggests growth. *“Your shoots” are the character virtues (perfected love) and the Holy Spirit-carried out deeds of believers that flow from the Bride from her union with Jesus the Anointed One.
*” Orchard” is from a Persian loan word meaning an enclosed garden or park. It was later related to Paradise. Calls to mind the Garden of Eden. *An orchard of pomegranates is a “paradise of pomegranates” The paradise of pomegranates is the inner life filled with character graces from Jesus who lives in us.
Encyclopedia: Pomegranate fruit comes from the small tree or shrub – 5-10 yards tall. It has narrow glossy leaves, opposite in arrangement. The flowers are bright red or orange-red, TRUMPET shaped. In ancient cultures, it represented beauty or FERTILITY. The rind of the fruit is red or purplish.
The pomegranate was pictured on the robe of the High Priest (Ex. 28: 33-34) and the pillars of Solomon’s Temple. I Kings 7: 28-30. There are hundreds of tiny seeds (arils) packed within each pomegranate. Each aril is a jewel-like sac of translucent ruby-red juice surrounding a small, crunchy seed. The aril juice bursts with juice when it is bitten.
*” Pleasant fruits” is “choicest fruits, precious fruits” from a root word meaning excellence, sweetness, choice, exquisite, delight, or a precious thing. “Pleasant fruits” are choice spiritual fruits produced by the Holy Spirit in our lives: faith, humility, love, patience, and joy.
*In the allegory, the Bride has become a garden of delights for the Bridegroom’s pleasure — cultivated, fragrant, and fruitful. The Bride is a cultivated Garden of Christ, filled with holy shoots of virtues and works that spread upward and outward. Each pomegranate represents fruitful love and hidden inner richness. There are many, many seeds in one pomegranate.
Septuagint. “Your paradise produces pomegranates together with choice fruits. *The paradise is the garden. Indeed, the Bride is the Garden – a restored Eden. Greek “paradeisos” evokes the Garden of God (Gen. 2:8, Lu. 23: 43; Rev. 2:7). The Bride becomes the dwelling of Divine Presence — a place where God walks. He walks in the New Jerusalem. From the bride’s inner being flow virtues that please Jesus: faith, gentleness, purity, and love. She is Eden restored. She is the New Jerusalem.”
Lexicon: Is the Hebrew root for ‘pomegranate’ related to the Hebrew root for “exalted?” Yes, there is a close linguistic and conceptual connection between these two related root words. They share two of the three basic Hebrew markings found in root words. So, the meaning, instead of pomegranate, could be “to be high, ““to be exalted,” or “to be lifted up.” See Ex. 15:2; Ps. 18:46; Is. 52:13.
*Henna (Kopher). (4:13b). Found in 1:14 and 4:13. It is the Henna Blossom (Camphire). It is a flowering plant used for perfume and its leaves produce a red dye which covers the skin if applied. Kopher also means “to cover,” “to appease,” “to make atonement.” “Kipper” is the verb form meaning “he made atonement.” Lev. 17:11. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls.” Her, Kipper means to cover or remove guilt through sacrifice. Ex. 30:12. Here Kopher is a ransom payment, a covering for one life. Bernard of Clairvaux. Henna represents the Blood of Christ that pays the price for sin and removes it from the human soul and thus redeems the soul. Thus, Kopher is the beauty of the Redeemer’s sacrifice. Henna would symbolize also “devotion” because of the Savior’s devotion to you and me to set us free from sin. The natural henna flower is fragrant, red staining, representing the beauty of love that covers sin. KIPPUR (of Yom Kippur) means atonement which is a sacrifice that provides a blood covering. There is forgiveness through love. Henna is 4:13-14 means, then, that the life of the Bride is made whole and purified by the Blood of Christ.
So, in the spiritual sense, Kopher means 1) covering, atonement, ransom. Remember, Henna Dye covers the skin with a red stain – a symbolic covering. In OT, atonement is the covering of sin through Blood. Kopher as ransom is covering of sin through love or sacrifice.
Kale. The nine fruits of his life. Pomegranate - taken from a word that means "exalted"
The temple pillars are adorned with pomegranates on the top. The hem of the robes of the priests was lined with pomegranates. The pomegranate was listed as one of the fruits of the Promise Land. The pomegranate was also used to signify covenant in early Hebrew tradition and is linked to the design of the Star of David. Henna - comes from a root word for "ransom price" or redemption. It is the fruit of mercy. Spikenard - Hebrew root word is "light". Saffron - is the crocus, the lover's perfume, costly and fragrant. Calamus - taken from a marsh plant known as "sweet flag" that produces fragrant oil. The Hebrew word for this spice means "purchased" or "redeemed". Cinnamon - emits a fragrance that is representative of an odor of holiness to the Lord. It is used in the sacred anointing oil of the priests and the tabernacle. Trees of frankincense - the incense that would burn on the golden altar in the Holy Place. Myrrh - known as "tears from a tree" was harvested by cutting a tree. It is a picture of the suffering love of Jesus on the cross. Aloes - a healing balm. The robes of the Lord smell of aloes. Psalm 45:8
4:14. “Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices…”
Lexicon literal into English from Septuagint: “Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the woods of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.”
*Nard or spikenard: This word is not, and does not have, a trilateral Hebrew root. Rather, it is borrowed from Sanskrit and Persian and the ancient perfume trade. It’s a costly, luxury perfumed oil. The perfumed oil is produced from its root. It symbolizes extravagant, costly devotion, worship, extravagant love, consecration, self-sacrificial love. Ancient rabbis saw nard as representing the righteous acts and prayers of Israel. It’s an inner spiritual perfume of devotion to the Beloved that pleases Him. “The deeds of the righteous spread the fragrance of the Torah in the world.” So, the nard fragrance symbolizes faithfulness, covenant love, holiness. It’s the aroma of love offered to the Beloved. See Jo. 12:3 and compare with 4:14. “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” Comparisons: 1) 1:12 “nard gave forth its fragrance; 12:3-the house was filled with the fragrance. 2) Bride’s perfume honors the Beloved; Mary’s perfume honors Christ; 3) Symbol of covenant love; Symbol of sacrificial love; 4) The King at His table; Jesus reclining at table.
Lexicon. There is a connection between the Hebrew (and related Semitic) word for spikenard and the idea of light or shining (every root has 3 letters). It comes from the sound pattern. The sound pattern for the nard root evokes the Hebrew root for light or lamp. It’s a homonym: Two words that sound the same but have different meanings.
Nard gives off fragrance; Jesus’ love gives off light.
Saffron is a gold/yellow spice from the crocus flower. It represents joy and brightness. Saffron is one of the most precious and aromatic substances on earth — both a spice and a symbol of beauty, fragrance, and rarity. It is the Crocus — a small, lilac-purple flower. Each flower produces only three threads, which must be hand-picked at dawn and carefully dried — it takes about 75,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron. The flower’s color is brilliant red-gold — it was used in ancient times as a dye, especially for royal or priestly garments. Color of the dye is luminous gold. In the Song of Songs, saffron represented the Shulamite’s inner life which exudes Godly character. It’s very costly because of it had to be imported and also because of the number of flowers it took to made it.
Calamus. Can the Hebrew root also mean purchased or redeemed? Yes. The root meaning is “to get, acquire, buy, purchase, possess, or redeem.” The core idea in the root is “ownership by acquisition,” “ownership due to creatorship,” “ownership by purchase,” “or ownership by redemption. Gen. 4:1; 14:19; Pro. 23:23. The word in the natural means reed, stalk, or cane. Although qāneh literally means “calamus/reed,” its root connection is to qānāh (“to purchase, redeem”). This gives the word a theological depth that Hebrew listeners would have known.
Dt. 32:6 – God as Father-Redeemer. “Is He not your Father, who bought you (qanah)? He made you and established you.” Here, the Father has a right of ownership, possession through creating and redeeming. The Septuagint renders it: “He acquired you for Himself.” 3) Ex. 15:16
Cinnamon is a sweet spicy bark which represents warmth and zeal of affection. Cinnamon (Hebrew (kinnāmōn) is found at Song of Songs 4:14. “Cinnamon is a symbol of love and intimacy… the deep bond between two lovers, and on a higher level, the love of Christ for His people.” Cinnamon is also part of the list of spices used in sacred anointing oil (see Exodus 30:23) and in worship contexts. Thus, cinnamon in the allegory may signify the believer’s anointed life, the fragrance of worship, or the offering of self to God. The bride is not only loved and intimate with the Beloved, but is also adorned, valued, and fruitful.
All trees of frankincense. Lebōnāh is frankincense — from a root meaning “white” (laban, “to be white”). Frankincense is from Boswellia trees. Resin is tapped from the bark and hardened into white droplets (“tears”), then burned as incense burned in worship at the Temple. This is prayer and worship arising to God It was used for: Temple worship (Exodus 30:34–38), Priestly offerings (Leviticus 2:1– and Royal processions (Matthew 2:11 — the Magi’s gift). In Hebrew imagery: Frankincense is worship, prayer, adoration rising to the Father.
Trees of frankincense is the multiplicity of spiritual offerings — all the sources of prayerful devotion. Psalm 141:2: “Let my prayer be set before You as incense. Malachi 1:11: “In every place incense shall be offered to My name.” Thus, when the Beloved (the Bridegroom/Christ) describes the Bride as a garden “with all trees of frankincense,” He sees her life as full of prayer, adoration, and sanctified fragrance. Summary meaning:
|
Trees” |
Stable, rooted, enduring qualities of virtue — as opposed to mere flowers that fade quickly. The “trees” are deep, enduring habits of holiness. |
|
“Frankincense” |
Worship, prayer, adoration, and pure intention — the inner life lifted up to God. |
|
“All trees of frankincense” |
The full harmony of virtues and acts of prayer that rise from a sanctified soul; or the diversity of holy lives in the Church. |
Myrrh is an aromatic resin used as a perfumed ointment (Es.2:12); as sacred anointing oil in Ex. 30:23; and for burial and embalming Jo. 19: 39. “Myrrh and aloes are often used together. It symbolizes suffering and sacrificial love. Even at the literal level, myrrh carries a dual meaning: beauty and pain, love and sacrifice. In Song of Song 1:13 and 5:5, it’s used to mean “intimate love.” Jesus is offered myrrh at His birth (Matthew 2:11) and again at His death (Mark 15:23; John 19:39) — the gift of costly suffering love. Myrrh signifies the aroma of His suffering and redeeming love. Myrrh is suffering love, self-sacrifice, and participation in Christ’s passion. It’s taking up His cross to follow Him. Pope Gregory: “Myrrh’s fragrance comes from the wounds of love — the soul’s participation in the Cross. For Bernard of Clairveaux, the Bride’s “myrrh” is the willingness to share in the Beloved’s suffering — the love that bleeds. It is the odor of crucified love — humility, sacrifice, and compassion flowing from union with Christ.
Simmons: “Known as ‘tears from a tree,’ myrrh was a resin spice formed by cutting a tree. It is a picture of the suffering love of Christ dripping down from Calvary.”
Aloes is a fragrant wood, possibly eaglewood or sandalwood. This represents inner healing and humility. Apparently, the church fathers understood frankincense, myrrh, and aloes as a unit with deep Christological meaning. Literally, the Hebrew “ahalot” refers to a fragrant wood — aloeswood or eaglewood. When burned or crushed, it produced a deep, sweet, woody aroma used in perfumes and burial ointments. Jo. 19:39. Biblical. Ps. 45:8; Jo. 19:39. Aloes is linked to the King’s burial and the promise of resurrection. Origen interprets aloes alongside myrrh: “Myrrh signifies death to the flesh; aloes represents the peace and sweetness that follows in resurrection. Origen: Myrrh is the bitterness of dying to self. Aloes is the fragrant repose that follows — the peace of soul with spiritual resurrection. After the soul has passed through the discipline of suffering (myrrh), it enters the rest (aloes) of the new creation. In summary for Origen: “Aloes represents the fragrance of resurrection life following the death of the self-life.”
Simmons: “Aloe is considered by many to be a healing balm. The presence of the Lord within Bride is released as a healing balm to those she touches. Jesus’ robes smelled of aloe (Ps. 45:8). One of the names used for aloes is “eagle wood.” Like eagles, we fly above our wounds, free from the past as we walk in intimacy with Jesus.
All the chief spices. Chief is the finest, most excellent; the fullness of graces blended together.
Spiritual Meaning. The “garden” of v. 13 displays Jesus’ fragrant virtues through the Bride because she is joined to Jesus. They are produced only through union. Each spice represents one of the Holy Spirit’s spiritual graces: 1) nard – the Bride’s love poured out freely to the Bridegroom: devoted worship. 2) Saffron — the Holy Spirit’s joy and radiance. 3) cinnamon — the Holy Spirit’s zeal. 4) frankincense — Holy Spirit working in us an attitude and a lifestyle of prayer. 5) myrrh — Holy Spirit working in us self-sacrifice in order to obey, endurance in obedience during persecution. 6) aloes —Holy Spirit’s meekness and being a channel of healing for others. The soul becomes a garden of Divine Grace-Fragrances. Every Holy Spirit Grace showing in and through the Bridegroom is sweetness to Him.
Myrrh (English from Hebrew) is Smyrna (Hebrew-Greek English), and it means “bitter yet fragrant – a symbol of suffering love. Aloes is a fragrant wood used in embalming. See Jo. 19:39.
Spiritual Reflection in the Hebrew/Greek. The Hebrew emphasizes the variety of plants in the Bride’s garden-the many forms of Grace; the Greek does also and directs the idea of abundance into the matter, so that these plants, graces, gifts are in abundance. “The Bride becomes the Bridegroom’s fragrant paradise. Her life exhibits devotion (nard), joy (saffron), integrity (calamus), zeal (cinnamon), worship (frankincense), suffering love (myrrh), and meek endurance in obedience and faithfulness (aloes) — all blended together into the single perfume of holiness.
With all the Chief Spices? The bride is described as overflowing with every fragrant plant and perfume. The Hebrew phrase is: im kol-rōʾsh bĕśāmîm. Rosh is “chief, best, or first. Then spices and perfumes. This is a summary of all the above spices and perfumes – the Bride’s entire aromatic abundance. Literal imagery. “All the chief spices” evokes completeness, perfection, and abundance of fragrance. In the ancient Near East, the most prized perfumes (nard, saffron, cinnamon, myrrh, etc.) were brought from distant lands; a garden with all of them signified paradise restored, a place of divine delight. Origin. “The Bridegroom finds in His spouse every fragrance of the Spirit; none of the virtues is lacking, but all have reached their perfection.”
He links the “chief spices” with the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isa 11:2). Thus, the Bride’s garden is the soul fully adorned with divine graces — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, humility, purity, and so forth — all perfumed by the Spirit. Bernard of Clairveaux. “These chief spices are the principal virtues, the noblest affections of the heart: faith, hope, love, humility, obedience, faithfulness, mercy, compassion (Wesley’s Perfect Love). When all these abound, then the soul is indeed a garden enclosed, a paradise of God.” For Bernard, each spice corresponds to a particular virtue, but the phrase “all the chief spices” means that none is lacking. He often calls this state perfection of charity — where all virtues are ordered under love, their fragrance mingling in harmony.
Nee. Comments on v. 13-14 together. “Plants” means in He. “sprouts or shoots” (resurrection life.) Pomegranate conveys the idea of “abundance of fruit.” Edible and sweet seed. Orchard of pomegranates was 1) abundant in fruit; 2) beautiful. “All trees of frankincense and all chief spices” is how the Bridegroom sees the maiden. She is fully pleasing to Him. 2 Cor. 9:8. Col. 1: 9-11. A fountain speaks of energetic and continuous outflow; a well speaks of depth. Both irrigate the garden which allows for the growth of lawn, flowers, and trees. See Rev. 22:1. River of the water of life flowing from the Throne. The River of Life describes the function of the Holy Spirit in the lives of saints. Jo. 16:7.
Guyon. The church will be fruitful. As the pomegranates give nourishment to each of its seeds, so the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself to individual members in different ways. Many gifts are seen in the church. All are made fruitful by the crucified Christ.
Kale. The fruit of mercy is seen in His maturing bride. The Hebrew root word for spikenard is “light.” She is walking in the light as He is in the Light. Saffron is the crocus, the lover’s perfume, costly and fragrant. Calamus is taken from a marsh plant known as “sweet flag,” that produces fragrant oil. The Hebrew word for this spice means “purchased” or “redeemed.” Cinnamon emits a fragrance that is representative of an odor of holiness to the Lord. This was used in the sacred anointing oil of the priests and tabernacle. This is the incense that would be burned on the golden altar in the Holy
Place. Known as “tears from a tree,” myrrh was a resin-spice formed by cutting a tree. It is an obvious picture of the suffering love of Christ dripping down from Calvary’s tree. Aloes are considered by many as the healing balm. The presence of the Lord within her is now released as healing balm to those she touches. Jesus’ robes smelled of aloes (Psalm 45:8). One of the names used by some for aloes is the “Eagle Wood.” Like eagles, we fly above our wounds, free from the past as we walk in intimacy with Him.
4:15: “You are a fountain of gardens, a well (spring) of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.” Lexicon literal translation: “A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams flowing from Lebanon.”
Linguistic note. See v. 12. “Gardens” is “gannin,” which is the plural of “gan” in verse 1. In v. 12, Jesus is speaking of the bride’s heart. In v. 15, He is speaking of the Bride being “a fountain of gardens” or a fountain for multiple other gardens.
Fountain could be fountain, source, spring, or wellspring. Gardens could be gardens, enclosed gardens, or cultivated gardens. The idea of cultivation is introduced. Well could be well, water source, pit, or spring. Waters could be water or waters. Living could be living, life-giving, or alive. Flowing (from Lebanon) could be flowing, streaming, running, pouring down. Lebanon’s root means “white.” Lebanon is “the while mountain, famed for its purity, snow, and cedars.
Imagery. 1) “Fountain of gardens” → a fountain nourishing multiple other gardens. 2) “Well of Spring-fed, life-giving waters” → an inexhaustible, deep, inner source of ever-giving and ever-flowing zoe life.
Wesley. Living water — Though my spouse be in some sort of a fountain shut up, yet that is not so to be understood as if she kept her waters to herself, for she is like a fountain of living or running water, which flows into gardens, and makes its flowers and plants to flourish. The church conveys those waters of life which she receives from Christ to particular believers.
Kale. A garden spring of living water. The Bride is a flowing fountain that flows right into the heart of Jesus. We become a river that flows into Him. When the river flows out of us, it flows into Him.
Bickle. The Bride’s dedication to the King is described as a garden with a spring and a fountain (4:12). The garden of a king was private; it was enclosed with a fence to keep animals from polluting it. The Bride’s life and ministry were described as an orchard filled with fruits, plants, trees, and spices (4:13-14). This speaks of the fruitfulness of her life.
Guyon. The fountain (of grace) is Jesus. He is a well of living waters. Mt. Lebanon sends forth wildly flowing streams that overflow all the earth.
4:16: “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to His garden and eat its pleasant fruits.”
Lex. Word/work: 1) Awake! means “stir yourself up!” “Arouse yourself!” “Ask God to renew you spiritually, to revive you spiritually. 2) The “winds” are the work of the Holy Spirit. The north wind is cold and strong and represents temptation, trials, persecutions, difficulties. In allegory: discipline or testing. 3) Come! An invitation or call for presence. A deep desire for eternal union. Could even be a call for Jesus to return in His Parousia. 4) The south wind is warm and gentle. Allegory: Grace induced comfort, the flame of God’s love and His divine presence. It takes both winds to complete the work of Christ in the soul. 5) Blow upon. To cause the Spirit to breath or blow upon my garden. The bride does not fear trials, temptation, persecutions, nor blessings, comfort, and joy. She invites both. Total surrender. 6) My garden. The Shulamite’s inner life, the Holy of Holies. 7). Flow out. A continuous, gently outpouring or outflow. 8) spices. Symbols of spiritual fruit and Holy Spirit graces or virtues. 9). And eat. Christ finding delight in the fruit and virtues of the Holy Spirit in His peoples’ lives.10) pleasant fruits. The sweet and previous characteristics that Jesus values, enjoys, and delights in — those fruits, gifts, power gifts, and virtues given to the bride by the Holy Spirit. These virtues are produced by Divine Life, not by human effort.
*The North wind is the purifying work of the Holy Spirit; the south is he comforting work of the Holy Spirit. *The bride invites the Holy Spirit to awaken her inner life (through the work of the north and south winds) to complete the work of Christlikeness in her life. *She still longs for her bridegroom’s presence. *Jesus delights in the fruit (character and power) of the Holy Spirit in his bride’s heart. Jesus coming into his garden is not just a visit. He comes to stay there. *When Jesus comes into His garden, He delights in the virtues, gifts, and fruits of the Holy Spirit that He himself has planted, watered, caused to grow and is, thus, responsible for.
Guyon and St. John of the cross. This is the bride’s complete readiness and desire for full union with Jesus. “When the soul can say ‘let both winds blow,’ she has died to self and is alive only to God.” Madame Guyon. “Let my beloved come into His garden” is a prayer of total union — a state where ‘God tastes His own sweetness ‘within the surrendered heart.” When this prayer of union is complete, Jesus can come and “feed among the lilies.” After the work of the North Wind and the South Wind have done their work, Jesus can come and reside.
North wind. The He. Word for “north” comes from a root word for “hidden, hidden ones, or treasure up.” It takes both the cold north wind (God’s hidden ways when we don’t understand the adversity and pain) and the south wind (God’s pleasant, refreshing dealings with us) to bring forth the fragrance of his life in us.
Wesley. My garden — This verse is spoken by the spouse. And he calls the garden both hers and his, because of that oneness, which is between them. May flow — That my graces may be exercised. Let — Let Christ afford his gracious presence to his church. And eat — And let him delight himself in that service, which is given him, both by the religious worship, and by the holy conversation of his people.
Guyon. Invite the Holy Spirit to come breathe through you. Desire (and pray) that your garden be filled with flowers and fruits and that their fragrance draws others to Him.
Kale. 4:16-5:1 The scene of a garden and the breath of God point us back to the Paradise of Eden. Now this paradise is found in His bride. This is the reason why the reference of Adam is given, to help the reader connect with the mystery of this scene. The Winds of His Breath. She says, "Do in me whatever it takes to make my garden beautiful. Make me fragrant to the nations!" North Wind - The north wind is the cold wind of testing and trial. If I have to suffer to become more like You, then so be it. Weed me, prune me. South Wind - The south wind is the warm wind of refreshing, restoration, blessing. It takes both adversity & blessing to bring the aroma of Christ from within us. ******"His" garden. Up until this verse, she uses the phrase, "my garden." She is transferring ownership. Now she is His garden.
Bickle. Bickle describes this verse as the Bride’s Cry to Receive More of His Presence. She now has enough confidence in God’s goodness to offer this important twofold prayer. She prayed for both the north winds of adversity and the south winds of blessing, that the spices of grace might flow in her life. She knew that both played an important role in her life becoming a fragrant garden. Only God has the wisdom to know the right combination of the north and the south winds necessary in each season of our life. Jesus has an inheritance in the Church (Eph. 1:18). This is the turning point in the Song: Song 1-4 is focused on us receiving our inheritance in God; Song 5-8 is focused on God receiving His inheritance in us. The Bride now lives under the King’s full ownership (5:1). Spiritually speaking, Jesus is now enjoying His inheritance as His people live under His ownership. Nine times He says “My” to depict His ownership of her life and ministry (three times in 5:1 and six in 5:2). “Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones! (Song 5:1).
Nee. 4: 1-5 speaks of the Beauty of the New Creation work, the full and deep resolve in the maiden (4:6), her elevated position with Christ in the heavenlies (4: 7-15). Then she responds in 4: 16. She realizes that the garden of her heart is for the King. Adversity and the blessing of the Spirit cause her heart to bear fruit pleasing to Jesus. She is not bound by one set of circumstances. If the north wind is blowing, she still wants her beloved to have fruit from her garden; if the south winds blow, she wants Him to have the credit. She is more stable, less dependent on how she feels. As long as there is spiritual stability within, she could adjust to outward circumstances. Phil. 4:12; 1:20. The difficulties of the North Wind and the blessings of the South Wind are divinely appointed by the Holy Spirit to develop and deepen her spiritual life. She is trusting the Holy Spirit to make her like Jesus and to use all circumstances to do so. Verse 16: She becomes less self-centered. It was first “my garden,” then quickly “his garden.” The fruit of the Spirit within us, the power of the Spirit within us to accomplish miracles, the answered prayer are for His benefit, not to make us popular among men.