Song 3:1-5
There is an untranslated hebrew word after love in verse one. It expands the idea of love to 'soul' or 'life' and can carry the idea of 'appetite'. From this we see the depth of the woman's love; she loves him with all her being. The seeking is probably in her bed, in her dreams. It's not likely she wandered the streets at night searching for him. She finally finds her lover and grabs onto him as if she would never let go. Bringing him to her mother's house conveys her intention for private and secure place for them. The phrase may also stem from mom's role in arranging the marriage.
We see the same refrain we saw in 2:7; don't wake up these feelings until the right time.
Song 3:6-11
The woman fansasizes about this wedding processional. This procession brings Solomon's couch to pick her up and carry her back to her beloved. It was extravagantly made; lined with love shows he spared nothing to impress her and shower her with blessings. This woman sends the other young ladies to look upon Solomon on his wedding day. This may well be the message to them that 'he is mine!'
Song 4:1-11
This man begins describing the Shulamite woman, starting at her head and moving down. He transitions to describing his love for her.
- Eyes like a dove – not particularly flattering in our eyes, but I'm sure she appreciated the comment
- Hair like a flock of goats – he probably didn't mean smelly, nasty and ornery. The thought is black goat flock spread out over a hill; flowing and lush.
- Teeth like shorn sheep – The sheep would be white from the washing. She also apparently had all of them.
- Lips like strand of scarlet – She may have worn some kind of lipstick.
- Temples like pomegranate – red & rounded?
- Neck like the tower of David – tall and slender for adornment
- Breast like two fawns – 'twins', soft and youthful.
It's about this time the man loses his train of thought and begins to speak of his desire. His intention to be with her; the hills and mountains refer to her breasts. In verse 8 he refers to her as his spouse for the first time.
This woman has stolen, ravished or captivated his heart; the phrase is translated from a word. Sister, spouse are both terms of endearment. There is no family connection. He is captivated by:
- A look from her eyes
- Her necklace (or ringlet of hair) hanging on her neck
- Her perfume
- Her lips
Song 4:12-15
The gardens at the time were luxurious and secure; sources of pleasure. This may be a reference to her purity; she has reserved herself for him alone – his private garden. The descriptions of fruits and spices portrays her as exotice, beautiful, sensuous and satisfying.
Song 4:16
The woman invites the winds to blow through the garden; bringing them to life. This is an invitation to open the gates of the garden; for him to enter in and partake of the fruit and spices. He previously (10-11) described her love as wine and she had milk under her tongue. He now said he drank the wine and the milk.
©2018 Doug Ford
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