← Song of Songs

On the Hebrew text. The Hebrew follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition, as represented by standard diplomatic editions in their main wording; distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Versification follows the MT.

The Book of Song of Songs (MT) — Interlinear Summary

A consolidated companion to the Masoretic-Text Song of Songs data set: each chapter rendered as a six-tier Hebrew reverse-interlinear (Hebrew · gloss · parsing · syntax · semantic force · lexical note), with per-verse discourse analysis and a chapter argument-outline.

This document gathers, for each annotated chapter, the theme, the argument outline, and the textual / exegetical note (the text_note of each file, with the shared critical-text preface removed since it is stated once above). Love poetry long read both literally and theologically. The Hebrew follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition (Westminster Leningrad Codex / OSHB); distinctively copyrighted apparatus is not reproduced, and Hebrew (MT) versification is used throughout.

Scope. 8 chapters · 117 verses · 1,255 annotated words.

Song of Songs

Song of Songs 1 — שיר השירים 1

Theme. Song of Songs 1 (17 verses in the MT) opens: The song of songs, which Solomon's. The middle of the chapter continues: I have compared you, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. It closes: The beams of our house cedar, our rafters of fir.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 1 comprises 17 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — The song of songs, which Solomon's. The song of songs, which Solomon's. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love better than wine. Because of the savour of your good ointments your name ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you. Draw me, we will run after you: the king has brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you, we will remember your. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — I black, but comely, O you daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar. I black, but comely, O you daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Look not upon me, because I black, because the sun has looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; mine own vineyard have I not kept. Tell me, O you whom my soul loveth, where you feedest, where you. Movement III (vv. 9-12) — I have compared you, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's char. I have compared you, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. Your cheeks are comely with rows , your neck with chains . We will make you borders of gold with studs of silver. While the king at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. Movement IV (vv. 13-16) — A bundle of myrrh my wellbeloved to me; he shall lie all night betwixt m. A bundle of myrrh my wellbeloved to me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. My beloved to me a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. Behold, you fair, my love; behold, you fair; you doves' eyes. Behold, you fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed green. Movement V (vv. 17) — The beams of our house cedar, our rafters of fir. The beams of our house cedar, our rafters of fir. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

Song of Songs 2 — שיר השירים 2

Theme. Song of Songs 2 (17 verses in the MT) opens: I the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. The middle of the chapter continues: My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. It closes: Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be you like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 2 comprises 17 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — I the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. I the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me love. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I sick of love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I sick of love. His left hand under my head, and his right hand does embrace me. I charge you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that you stir not up, nor awake love, till he please. The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon. Movement III (vv. 9-12) — My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. My beloved spake, and said to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing is come, and the. Movement IV (vv. 13-16) — The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines the tender grap. The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines the tender grape give a smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret of the stairs, let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice; for sweet your voice, and your countenance comely. Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the. Movement V (vv. 17) — Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be you like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

Song of Songs 3 — שיר השירים 3

Theme. Song of Songs 3 (11 verses in the MT) opens: By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. The middle of the chapter continues: Who this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? It closes: Go forth, O you daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 3 comprises 11 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I. By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. The watchmen that go about the city found me: , Saw you him whom my soul loveth? but a little that I passed from them, but. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — I charge you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hind. I charge you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that you stir not up, nor awake love, till he please. Who this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? Behold his bed, which Solomon's; threescore valiant men about it, of the. Movement III (vv. 9-11) — King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars thereof silver, the bottom thereof gold, the covering of it purple, the midst thereof being paved love, for the daughters of Jerusalem. Go forth, O you daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

Song of Songs 4 — שיר השירים 4

Theme. Song of Songs 4 (16 verses in the MT) opens: Behold, you fair, my love; behold, you fair; you doves' eyes within your locks: your hair as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. The middle of the chapter continues: You have ravished my heart, my sister, spouse; you have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck. It closes: Awake, O north wind; and come, you south; blow upon my garden, the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 4 comprises 16 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Behold, you fair, my love; behold, you fair; you doves' eyes within your. Behold, you fair, my love; behold, you fair; you doves' eyes within your locks: your hair as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Your teeth like a flock shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none barren among them. Your lips like a thread of scarlet, and your speech comely: your temples like a piece of a. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Your two breasts like two young roes that are twins, which feed among th. Your two breasts like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. You all fair, my love; no spot in you. Come with me from Lebanon, spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and. Movement III (vv. 9-12) — You have ravished my heart, my sister, spouse; you have ravished my hear. You have ravished my heart, my sister, spouse; you have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck. How fair is your love, my sister, spouse! how much better is your love than wine! and the smell of your ointments than all spices! Your lips, O spouse, drop the honeycomb: honey and milk under your tongue; and the smell of your. Movement IV (vv. 13-16) — Your plants an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire,. Your plants an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind; and come, you south; blow upon my garden, the spices. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

Song of Songs 5 — שיר השירים 5

Theme. Song of Songs 5 (16 verses in the MT) opens: I am come into my garden, my sister, 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. The middle of the chapter continues: What your beloved more than beloved, O you fairest among women? what your beloved more than beloved, that you dost so charge us? It closes: His mouth most sweet: yea, he altogether lovely. This my beloved, and this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 5 comprises 16 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — I am come into my garden, my sister, spouse: I have gathered my myrrh wi. I am come into my garden, my sister, 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. I sleep, but my heart waketh: the voice of my beloved that knocketh, , Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped myrrh, and my fing. I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped myrrh, and my fingers sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. The watchmen that went about the city found me,. Movement III (vv. 9-12) — What your beloved more than beloved, O you fairest among women? what you. What your beloved more than beloved, O you fairest among women? what your beloved more than beloved, that you dost so charge us? My beloved white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head the most fine gold, his locks bushy, black as a raven. His eyes as of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, fitly set. Movement IV (vv. 13-16) — His cheeks as a bed of spices, sweet flowers: his lips lilies, dropping. His cheeks as a bed of spices, sweet flowers: his lips lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands gold rings set with the beryl: his belly bright ivory overlaid sapphires. His legs pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth most sweet: yea, he altogether lovely. This my beloved, and. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

Song of Songs 6 — שיר השירים 6

Theme. Song of Songs 6 (12 verses in the MT) opens: Whither is your beloved gone, O you fairest among women? whither is your beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with you. The middle of the chapter continues: As a piece of a pomegranate your temples within your locks. It closes: Or ever I was aware, my soul made me the chariots of Amminadib.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 6 comprises 12 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Whither is your beloved gone, O you fairest among women? whither is your. Whither is your beloved gone, O you fairest among women? whither is your beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with you. My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I my beloved's, and my beloved mine: he feedeth among the lilies. You beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem,. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me: your hair as a f. Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me: your hair as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. Your teeth as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and not one barren among them. As a piece of a pomegranate your temples within your locks. There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and. Movement III (vv. 9-12) — My dove, my undefiled is one; she the one of her mother, she the choice. My dove, my undefiled is one; she the one of her mother, she the choice of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; , the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. Who she looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, terrible as with banners? I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley,. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

Song of Songs 7 — שיר השירים 7

Theme. Song of Songs 7 (14 verses in the MT) opens: Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon you. What will you see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. The middle of the chapter continues: This your stature is like to a palm tree, and your breasts to clusters . It closes: The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates all manner of pleasant , new and old, I have laid up for you, O my beloved.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 7 comprises 14 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon you. Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon you. What will you see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. How beautiful are your feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of your thighs like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman. Your navel a round goblet, wanteth not liquor: your belly an heap of. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Your neck as a tower of ivory; your eyes the fishpools in Heshbon, by th. Your neck as a tower of ivory; your eyes the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: your nose as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus. Your head upon you like Carmel, and the hair of your head like purple; the king held in the galleries. How fair and how pleasant are you, O love, for delights! This your stature is like to a palm. Movement III (vv. 9-12) — I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs th. I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also your breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of your nose like apples; And the roof of your mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak. I my beloved's, and his desire toward me. Come, my. Movement IV (vv. 13-14) — Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, t. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, the tender grape appear, the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give you my loves. The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates all manner of pleasant , new and old, I have laid up for you, O my beloved. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

Song of Songs 8 — שיר השירים 8

Theme. Song of Songs 8 (14 verses in the MT) opens: O that you as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! I should find you without, I would kiss you; yea, I should not be despised. The middle of the chapter continues: We have a little sister, and she has no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? It closes: Make haste, my beloved, and be you like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

Outline.

Textual note. Song of Songs 8 comprises 14 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — O that you as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! I should. O that you as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! I should find you without, I would kiss you; yea, I should not be despised. I would lead you, bring you into my mother's house, would instruct me: I would cause you to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. I. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Who this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I. Who this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised you up under the apple tree: there your mother brought you forth: there she brought you forth bare you. Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm: for love strong as death; jealousy cruel as the grave: the coals thereof coals of fire, most vehement flame. Many. Movement III (vv. 9-12) — If she a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she a d. If she a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. I a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard to keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand of silver. My vineyard,. Movement IV (vv. 13-14) — You that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to your voice:. You that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to your voice: cause me to hear . Make haste, my beloved, and be you like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.