Advanced Commentary

(ex.: John 3:14-18)

Table of Contents Bible Dictionary
Hymns
Arts
Questions
Resources/Books

Context
5:2 The Beloved about Her Lover: I <0589> was asleep <03462>, but my mind <03820> was dreaming <05782>. Listen <06963>! My lover <01730> is knocking <01849> at the door! The Lover to His Beloved: “Open <06605> for me, my sister <0269>, my darling <07474>, my dove <03123>, my flawless <08535> one! My head <07218> is drenched <04390> with dew <02919>, my hair <06977> with the dampness <07447> of the night <03915>.” 5:3 The Beloved to Her Lover: “I have already <0349> taken off <06584> my robe <03801>– must I put <03847> it on <03847> again? I have already <0349> washed <07364> my feet <07272>– must I soil <02936> them again?” 5:4 My lover <01730> thrust <07971> his hand <03027> through <04480> the hole <02356>, and my feelings <04578> were stirred <01993> for <05921> him. 5:5 I <0589> arose <06965> to open <06605> for my beloved <01730>; my hands <03027> dripped <05197> with myrrh <04753>– my fingers <0676> flowed <05674> with myrrh <04753> on <05921> the handles <03709> of the lock <04514>. 5:6 I <0589> opened <06605> for my beloved <01730>, but my lover <01730> had already turned <02559> and gone away <05674>. I <05315> fell <03318> into despair when he departed <01696>. I looked for <01245> him but did not <03808> find <04672> him; I called <07121> him but he did not <03808> answer <06030> me. 5:7 The watchmen <08104> found <04672> me as they made <05437> their rounds <05437> in the city <05892>. They beat <05221> me, they bruised <06481> me; they took away <05375> my cloak <07289>, those watchmen <08104> on <05921> the walls <02346>! 5:8 The Beloved to the Maidens: O maidens <01323> of Jerusalem <03389>, I command <07650> you– If <0518> you find <04672> my beloved <01730>, what <04100> will you tell <05046> him? Tell him that I <0589> am lovesick <0160> <02470>! 5:9 The Maidens to The Beloved: Why <04100> is your beloved <01730> better than others <01730>, O most beautiful <03303> of women <0802>? Why <04100> is your beloved <01730> better than others <01730>, that you would command <07650> us in this <03602> manner? 5:10 The Beloved to the Maidens: My beloved <01730> is dazzling <06703> and ruddy <0122>; he stands out <01713> in comparison to all other <07233> men. 5:11 His head <07218> is like the most pure gold <06337> <03800>. His hair <06977> is curly <08534>– black <07838> like a raven <06158>. 5:12 His eyes <05869> are like doves <03123> by <05921> streams <0650> of water <04325>, washed <07364> in milk <02461>, mounted <03427> like <05921> jewels <04402>. 5:13 His cheeks <03895> are like garden beds <06170> full of balsam trees <01314> yielding perfume <04840>. His lips <08193> are like lilies <07799> dripping <05674> with drops <05197> of myrrh <04753>. 5:14 His arms <03027> are like rods <01550> of gold <02091> set <04390> with chrysolite <08658>. His abdomen <04578> is like polished <06247> ivory <08127> inlaid <05968> with sapphires <05601>. 5:15 His legs <07785> are like pillars <05982> of marble <08336> set <03245> on <05921> bases <0134> of pure gold <06337>. His appearance <04758> is like Lebanon <03844>, choice <0977> as its cedars <0730>. 5:16 His mouth <02441> is very sweet <04477>; he is totally desirable <04261>. This <02088> is my beloved <01730>! This <02088> is my companion <07453>, O maidens <01323> of Jerusalem <03389>!

• Sos 5:2-7 -- The Trials of Love: The Beloved's Dream of Losing Her Lover
• Sos 5:8-16 -- The Triumph of Love: The Beloved Praises Her Lover

• Fellowship

  [nave] FELLOWSHIP. Eccl. 4:9-12; Amos 3:3 See: Fraternity; Fellowship. With God Gen. 5:22, 24; Gen. 6:9; Ex. 29:45; Ex. 33:14-17; Lev. 26:12; Isa. 57:15; Zech. 2:10; Mark 9:37; John 14:23; John 17:21, 23; 2 Cor. 6:16; 2 Cor. 13:...
  

• Personification

  [nave] PERSONIFICATION Of wisdom, Prov. 1; 2:1-9; 8; 9. possibly of the Church or Israel, Song 1-8.
  

• Song

  [nave] SONG Sung at the passover, Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26. Didactic, Deut. 32. See: Psalms, Didactic. Impersonation of the church, Song 1-8. Of Moses and the Lamb, Rev. 15:3, 4. New, Psa. 33:3; 40:3. Prophetic, See: Psalms, P...
  

• Lovers

  [nave] LOVERS. Instances of Isaac for Rebekah, Gen. 24:67. Jacob for Rachel, Gen. 29:20, 30. Shechem for Dinah, Gen. 34:3, 12. Boaz for Ruth, Ruth 2-4. of romance, mistresses, paramours Song 1:13, 14, 16; 2:3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 1...
  

• Lily

  [isbe] LILY - lil'-i (shushan (1 Ki 7:19), shoshannah (2 Ch 4:5; Song 2:1 f; Hos 14:5); plural (Song 2:16; 4:5; 5:13; 6:2 f; 7:2; Ecclesiasticus 39:14; 50:8); krinon (Mt 6:28; Lk 12:27)): The Hebrew is probably a loan word from the...
  [smith] (Heb. shushan, shoshannah). Although there is little doubt that the Hebrew word denotes some plant of the lily species, it is by no means certain what individual of this class it specially designates. The plant must have been...
  [nave] LILY The principal chapiters of the temple ornamented with carvings of, 1 Kin. 7:19, 22, 26. Molded on the rim of the molten layer in the temple, 1 Kin. 7:26; 2 Chr. 4:5. Lessons of trust gathered from, Matt. 6:28-30; Luke...
  

• Gold

  [isbe] GOLD - gold (zahabh; chrusos): 1. Terms: No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic e...
  [nave] GOLD Exported from Havilah, Gen. 2:11, 12. From Ophir, 1 Kin. 9:28; 10:11; 1 Chr. 29:4; 2 Chr. 8:18; Job 22:24; Tarshish, 1 Kin. 22:48; Parvaim, 2 Chr. 3:6; Sheba, 1 Kin. 10:10; 2 Chr. 9:9; Psa. 72:15; Uphaz, Jer. 10:9. Re...
  

• Myrrh

  [isbe] MYRRH - mur: (1) (mor or mowr; Arabic murr]): This substance is mentioned as valuable for its perfume (Ps 45:8; Prov 7:17; Song 3:6; 4:14), and as one of the constituents of the holy incense (Ex 30:23; see also Song 4:6; 5:1...
  [nave] MYRRH, a fragrant gum. A product of the land of Canaan, Song 4:6, 14; 5:1. One of the compounds in the sacred anointing oil, Ex. 30:23. Used as a perfume, Esth. 2:12; Psa. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Song 3:6; 5:13. Brought by wise ...
  

• HAIR

  [isbe] HAIR - har (se`ar, sa`ar, Aramaic se`ar, and their derivatives; thrix, gen. case trichos, kome): 1. Hair Fashions: Hair was worn in different fashions by the Orientals of Biblical times, and not always in the same way among ...
  [smith] The Hebrews were fully alive to the importance of the hair as an element of personal beauty. Long hair was admired in the case of young men. (2 Samuel 14:26) In times of affliction the hair was altogether cut off. (Isaiah ...
  

• ADJURATION

  [isbe] ADJURATION - ad-ju-ra'-shun: The act of requiring or taking a solemn oath. In a time of military peril Saul adjured the people ('alah, "to take oath") and they took oath by saying "Amen" (1 Sam 14:24). When Joshua pronounced...
  

• Raven

  [isbe] RAVEN - ra'-vn (`orebh; korax; Latin Corvus corax): A large family of the smaller birds of prey belonging to the genus Corvus corax. A bird of such universal distribution that it is known from Iceland to Japan, all over Asia...
  [nave] RAVEN A black carnivorous bird, Prov. 30:17; Song 5:11. Forbidden as food, Lev. 11:15; Deut. 14:14. Preserved by Noah in the ark, Gen. 8:7. Fed Elijah, 1 Kin. 17:4-6. Cared for by divine providence, Luke 12:24.
  

• Marble

  [isbe] MARBLE - mar'-b'-l (shayish, shesh, 'abhne shayish, "stones of marble" (1 Ch 29:2); ritspath bahat wa-shesh we-dhar we-cochareth, "a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble," or, according to the margin, "a ...
  [nave] MARBLE In the temple, 1 Chr. 29:2. Pillars of, Esth. 1:6; Song 5:15. Merchandise of, Rev. 18:12. Mosaics of, Esth. 1:6.
  

• Watchman

  [isbe] WATCHMAN - woch'-man (tsopheh, shomer, metsappeh, notser): Used to designate a sentinel on the city walls (2 Sam 18:25; 2 Ki 9:18; Ps 127:1; Isa 62:6) or on the hilltops (Jer 31:6). Song 3:3; 5:7 introduces another class, "t...
  [nave] WATCHMAN, a sentinel. On the walls of cities, Song 3:3; 5:7; of Jerusalem, 2 Sam. 13:34; 18:24, 25; Neh. 4:9; 7:3; Isa. 52:8; 62:6; of Babylon, Jer. 51:12. On towers, 2 Kin. 9:17; 2 Chr. 20:24; Isa. 21:5-12; Jer. 31:6. At t...
  

• LOCKS

  [isbe] LOCKS - loks ((1) tsitsith, (2) pera'; (3) machlaphah, (4) qewutstsah): See in general the article on HAIR. (1) The first word, tsitsith, means really a tassel, such as is worn by the Jews on the four corners of the prayer-s...
  

• Ivory

  [isbe] IVORY - i'-vo-ri ((1) shen, "tooth" (translated "ivory," 1 Ki 10:18; 22:39; 2 Ch 9:17; Ps 45:8; Song 5:14; 7:4; Ezek 27:6,15; Am 3:15; 6:4); (2) shenhabbim; Septuagint odontes elephdntinoi, "elephants' teeth" (1 Ki 10:22; 2 ...
  [nave] IVORY. Song 5:14; 7:4; Ezek. 27:15. Exported from Tarshish, 1 Kin. 10:22; 2 Chr. 9:21; Chittim, Ezek. 27:6. Ahab's palace made of, 1 Kin. 22:39. Other houses made of, Psa. 45:8; Amos 3:15. Other articles made of: String...
  

• BEARD

  [isbe] BEARD - berd: (1) Western Semites in general, according to the monuments, wore full round beards, to which they evidently devoted great care. The nomads of the desert, in distinction from the settled Semites, wore a clipped ...
  

• DROP, DROPPING

  [isbe] DROP, DROPPING - "To drop" expresses a "distilling" or "dripping" of a fluid (Jdg 5:4; Prov 3:20; Song 5:5,13; Joel 3:18; Am 9:13; compare 1 Sam 14:26, "the honey dropped" (margin "a stream of honey")); Job 29:22 and Isa 45:...
  

• COLOR; COLORS

  [isbe] COLOR; COLORS - kul'-er, kul'-erz: The word translated "color" in the King James Version is `ayin, which literally means "eye" or "appearance," and has been so translated in the Revised Version (British and American). In the...
  

• STONES, PRECIOUS

  [isbe] STONES, PRECIOUS - || 1. Ancient and Modern Names 2. Change of Signification of Names 3. Three Important Lists of Stones 4. Interpretation of Greek Names Used by John 5. Interpretation of Hebrew Names 6. Greek and Latin Equi...
  [smith] Precious stones are frequently alluded to in Scriptures; they were known and very highly valued in the earliest times. The Tyrians traded in precious stones supplied by Syria. (Ezekiel 27:16) The merchants of Sheba and Raamah...
  

• DRESS

  [isbe] DRESS - In the Hebrew and Greek there is a wonderful wealth of terminology having to do with the general subject of dress among the ancient Orientals. This is reflected in the numerous synonyms for "dress" to be found in Eng...
  [smith] This subject includes the following particulars: Materials; Color and decoration; Name, form, and mode of wearing the various articles; Special usages relating thereto. Materials .--After the first "apron" of fig leaves, (Ge...
  

• SET

  [isbe] SET - Few words in the English language have such a rich variety of meaning and are used in so rich a variety of idiomatic expression as the word "set." A glance at any of the great dictionaries will convince anyone of the t...
  

• Song of Songs

  

• [Sos 5:9] Wond’ring World Inquires To Know, The

  The wond’ring world inquires to know Why I should love my Jesus so: “What are His charms,” say they, “above The objects of a mortal love?” Yes! my Belovèd, to my sight Shows a sweet mixture, red and white: All human beauties, all divine, In my Belovèd meet and shine. White is His soul, from blemish free; Red with the blood He shed for me; The fairest of ten thousand fairs; A sun among ten thousand stars. His head the finest gold excels; There wisdom in perfection dwells, And glory like a crown adorns Those temples once beset with thorns. Compassions in His heart are found, Hard by the signals of His wound: His sacred side no more shall bear The cruel scourge, the piercing spear. His hands are fairer to behold Than diamonds set in rings of gold; Those heav’nly hands, that on the tree Were nailed, and torn, and bled for me! Though once He bowed His feeble knees, Loaded with sins and agonies, Now on the throne of His command His legs like marble pillars stand. His eyes are majesty and love, The eagle tempered with the dove; No more shall trickling sorrows roll Through those dear windows of His soul. His mouth, that poured out long complaints, Now smiles and cheers His fainting saints; His countenance more graceful is Than Lebanon with all its trees. All over glorious is my Lord; Must be beloved, and yet adored; His worth if all the the nations knew, Sure the whole earth would love Him, too.

  Play

  source: Cyberhymnal

• [Sos 5:10] Savior Comes, No Outward Pomp, The

  The Saviour comes, no outward pomp, Bespeaks His presence nigh; No earthly beauty shines in Him, To draw the carnal eye. Refrain All beauty may we ever see, In God’s belovèd Son, The chiefest of ten thousand He, The only lovely One! Rejected and despised of men, Behold a man of woe! Grief was His close companion here, Through all His life below. Refrain Yet all the griefs He felt were ours, Ours were the woes He bore; Pangs not His own, His spotless soul, With bitter anguish tore. Refrain We all like sheep had gone astray, In ruin’s fatal road; On Him were our transgressions laid; He bore the mighty load. Refrain

  Play

  source: Cyberhymnal

• [Sos 5:16] My Soul’s Best Friend, What Joy And Bless­ing

  My soul’s best Friend, what joy and blessing My spirit ever finds in Thee! From gloomy depths of doubt distressing Into Thine arms for rest I flee. There will the night of sorrow vanish When from my heart Thy love doth banish. All anguish and all pain and fear. Yea, here on earth begins my heaven; Who would not joyful be when given A loving Savior always near! For though the evil world revile me And prove herself my bitter foe Or by her smile seek to beguile me, I trust her not; her wiles I know. In Thee alone my soul rejoices, Thy praise alone it gladly voices, For Thou art true when friendships flee. The world may hate but cannot fell me; Would mighty waves of trial quell me I anchor in Thy loyalty. Thro’ deserts of the cross Thou leadest; I follow, leaning on Thy hand. From out the cloud Thy child Thou feedest And givest water from the sand. I trust Thy ways, howe’er distressing; For I know my path will end in blessing; Enough that Thou wilt be my Stay. For whom to honor Thou intendest Oft into sorrow’s vale Thou sendest; The night must e’er precede the day. My soul’s best Friend, how well contented Am I, reposing on Thy breast; By sin no more am I tormented Since Thou dost grant me peace and rest. Oh, may the grace that Thou has given For me a foretaste be of Heaven, Where I shall bask in joys divine! Away, vain world, with fleeting pleasures; In Christ I have abiding treasures. O, comfort sweet, my Friend is mine!

  Play

  source: Cyberhymnal

• [Sos 5:16] O God Of Loveliness

  O God of loveliness, O Lord of Heaven above, How worthy to possess my heart’s devoted love. So sweet Thy countenance, so gracious to behold That one, one only glance to me were bliss untold. Thou art blest Three in One, yet undivided still, Thou art the One alone, whose love my heart can fill. The heav’ns and earth below were fashioned by Thy Word, How amiable art Thou, my ever dearest Lord. To think Thou art my God—O thought forever blest! My heart has overflowed with joy within my breast. My soul so full of bliss, is plunged as in a sea, Deep in the sweet abyss of holy charity. O Loveliness supreme, and Beauty infinite, O ever flowing Stream and Ocean of delight, O Life by which I live, my truest Life above, To Thee alone I give my undivided love.

  Play

  source: Cyberhymnal

• What Were the Characteristics of Jesus That Made Him So Worthy of Following?
  He was altogether lovely, Song of Solomon 5:16; holy, righteous, good, faithful, true, just, guileless and sinless, spotless, innocent, harmless (Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27; Is. 53:11; Matt. 19:16; Is. 11:5; John 1:14; John 7:18; Z...
• Where did the idea that Jesus is the Rose of Sharon come from?
  This may have developed from those who see the Song of Solomon as a picture of Christ and the church, though this is certainly not the primary purpose of this book and is really a strong typological use the book. Below are co...

Back to Commentary Page