
Text -- The Song of Songs 2:16 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Sos 2:16 - -- These are the words of the bride, who having come to him upon his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him.
These are the words of the bride, who having come to him upon his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him.
JFB: Sos 2:16 - -- Rather, "is for me . . . for Him" (Hos 3:3), where, as here, there is the assurance of indissoluble union, in spite of temporary absence. Son 2:17, en...
Rather, "is for me . . . for Him" (Hos 3:3), where, as here, there is the assurance of indissoluble union, in spite of temporary absence. Son 2:17, entreating Him to return, shows that He has gone, perhaps through her want of guarding against the "little sins" (Son 2:15). The order of the clauses is reversed in Son 6:3, when she is riper in faith: there she rests more on her being His; here, on His being hers; and no doubt her sense of love to Him is a pledge that she is His (Joh 14:21, Joh 14:23; 1Co 8:3); this is her consolation in His withdrawal now.


JFB: Sos 2:16 - -- As a "roe," or gazelle (Son 2:17); instinct is sure to lead him back to his feeding ground, where the lilies abound. So Jesus Christ, though now withd...
As a "roe," or gazelle (Son 2:17); instinct is sure to lead him back to his feeding ground, where the lilies abound. So Jesus Christ, though now withdrawn, the bride feels sure will return to His favorite resting-place (Son 7:10; Psa 132:14). So hereafter (Rev 21:3). Psa 45:1, title, terms his lovely bride's "lilies" [HENGSTENBERG] pure and white, though among thorns (Son 2:2).
Clarke: Sos 2:16 - -- My beloved is mine - The words of the bride on his entering: "I am thy own; thou art wholly mine.
My beloved is mine - The words of the bride on his entering: "I am thy own; thou art wholly mine.

Clarke: Sos 2:16 - -- He feedeth among the lilies - The odor with which he is surrounded is as fine as if he passed the night among the sweetest scented flowers.
He feedeth among the lilies - The odor with which he is surrounded is as fine as if he passed the night among the sweetest scented flowers.
TSK -> Sos 2:16
TSK: Sos 2:16 - -- beloved : Son 6:3, Son 7:10, Son 7:13; Psa 48:14, Psa 63:1; Jer 31:33; 1Co 3:21-23; Gal 2:20; Rev 21:2, Rev 21:3
he : Son 2:1, Son 1:7, Son 6:3

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Sos 2:8-17
Barnes: Sos 2:8-17 - -- The bride relates to the chorus a visit which the beloved had paid her some time previously in her native home. He on a fair spring morning solicits...
The bride relates to the chorus a visit which the beloved had paid her some time previously in her native home. He on a fair spring morning solicits her company. The bride, immersed in rustic toils, refuses for the present, but confessing her love, bids him return at the cool of day. It is a spring-time of affection which is here described, still earlier than that of the former chapter, a day of pure first-love, in which, on either side, all royal state and circumstance is forgotten or concealed. Hence, perhaps, the annual recitation of the Song of Songs by the synagogue with each return of spring, at the Feast of Passover, and special interpretations of this passage by Hebrew doctors, as referring to the paschal call of Israel out of Egypt, and by Christian fathers, as foreshadowing the evangelic mysteries of Easter - Resurrection and Regeneration. The whole scene has also been thought to represent the communion of a newly-awakened soul with Christ, lie gradually revealing Himself to her, and bidding her come forth into fuller communion.
Voice - Better, "sound."Not a voice, but the sound of approaching footsteps is meant (compare "noise,"Isa 13:4).
Like a roe - Gazelle (compare Pro 5:19 note). The points of comparison here are beauty of form, grace, and speed of movement. In 2Sa 2:18; 1Ch 12:8, princes are compared to "gazelles."
Wall - The clay-built wall of the house or vineyard of the bride’ s family, different from the strong wall of a city or fortress Son 5:7; Son 8:9-10.
Looketh forth at the windows - The meaning evidently is, that he is looking in at, or through, the window from the outside. Compare Son 5:4 note.
Shewing himself - Or, peering. Some, taking the marginal rendering, imagine that the radiant face of the beloved is thus compared to some beautiful flower entangled in the lattice-work which protects the opening of the window, from where he gazes down upon the bride.
Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come away - The stanza begins and ends with this refrain, in which the bride reports the invitation of the beloved that she should come forth with him into the open champaign, now a scene of verdure and beauty, and at a time of mirth and mutual affection. The season indicated by six signs Son 2:11-13 is that of spring after the cessation of the latter rain in the first or paschal month Joe 2:23, i. e., Nisan or Abib, corresponding to the latter part of March and early part of April. Cyril interpreted Son 2:11-12 of our Lord’ s Resurrection in the spring.
The time of the singing ... - i. e., The song of pairing birds. This is better than the rendering of the ancient versions, "the pruning time is come."
The vines ... - The vines in blossom give forth fragrance. The fragrance of the vine blossom ("semadar"), which precedes the appearance of "the tender grape,"is very sweet but transient.
The secret places of the stairs - A hidden nook approached by a zig-zag path. The beloved urges the bride to come forth from her rock-girt home.
The bride answers by singing what appears to be a fragment of a vine-dresser’ s ballad, insinuating the vineyard duties imposed on her by her brethren Son 1:6, which prevent her from joining him. The destructive propensities of foxes or jackals in general are referred to, no grapes existing at the season indicated. Allegorical interpretations make these foxes symbolize "false teachers"(compare Eze 13:4).
Feedeth among the lilies - Pursues his occupation as a shepherd among congenial scenes and objects of gentleness and beauty.
Until the day break - Or, rather, until the day breathe, i. e., until the fresh evening breeze spring up in what is called Gen 3:8 "the cool"or breathing time of the day.
And the shadows flee - i. e., Lengthen out, and finally lose their outlines with the sinking and departure of the sun (compare Jer 6:4). As the visit of the beloved is most naturally conceived of as taking place in the early morning, and the bride is evidently dismissing him until a later time of day, it seems almost certain that this interpretation is the correct one which makes that time to be evening after sunset. The phrase recurs in Son 4:6.
Mountains of Bether - If a definite locality, identical with Bithron, a hilly district on the east side of the Jordan valley 2Sa 2:29, not far from Mahanaim (Son 6:13 margin). If used in a symbolic sense, mountains of "separation,"dividing for a time the beloved from the bride. This interpretation seems to be the better, though the local reference need not be abandoned.
Poole -> Sos 2:16
Poole: Sos 2:16 - -- My Beloved is mine, and I am his: these are the words of the bride, who having come to him upon his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him,...
My Beloved is mine, and I am his: these are the words of the bride, who having come to him upon his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him, and of that intimate union and communion which was between them.
He feedeth among the lilies either,
1. He feedeth his flock in sweet and lovely pastures, where there is not only herbage to feed them, but lilies to delight them. Or rather,
2. He feedeth himself, i.e. he abideth and refresheth himself amongst his faithful people, which are compared to lilies, above, Son 2:2 , and Hos 14:5 , as Christ also is here, Son 2:1 .
Gill -> Sos 2:16
Gill: Sos 2:16 - -- My beloved is mine, and I am his,.... These are the words of the church; who, having had such evidences of Christ's love to her, and care of her, ex...
My beloved is mine, and I am his,.... These are the words of the church; who, having had such evidences of Christ's love to her, and care of her, expresses her faith of interest in him, and suggests the obligations she lay under to observe his commands. The words are expressive of the mutual interest had property Christ and his church have in each other: Christ is the church's, by the Father's gift of him to her, to be her Head, Husband, and Saviour; and by the gift of himself unto her, to be her Redeemer and ransom price; and by marriage, having espoused her to himself, in righteousness and lovingkindness; and by possession, he living and dwelling in her, by his Spirit and grace: the church also acknowledges herself to be his, as she was, by the Father's gift of her to Christ, as his spouse and bride, his portion and inheritance; and by purchase, he having bought her with his precious blood; and by the conquest of her, by his grace in effectual calling; and by a voluntary surrender of herself unto him, under the influence of his grace: hence all he is, and has, are hers, his person, fulness, blood, and righteousness; and therefore can want no good thing. Moreover, these words suggest the near union there is between Christ and his church; they are one in a conjugal relation, as husband and wife are one; which union is personal, of the whole person of Christ to the whole persons of his people; it is a spiritual one, they having the same Spirit, the one without measure, the other in measure; it is a vital one, as is between the vine and its branches; and it is a mysterious one, next to that of the union of the three Persons in the Godhead, and of the two natures in Christ; it is an indissoluble one, the everlasting love of Christ being the bond of it, which call never be dissolved; and from this union flow a communication of the names of Christ to his church, conformity to him, communion with him, and an interest in all he has. Likewise these phrases express the mutual affliction, complacency, and delight, Christ and his church have in each other; he is beloved by his church, and she by him; she seems to have a full assurance of interest in him, and to make her boast of him; excluding all other beloveds, as unworthy to be mentioned with him: of whom she further says,
he feedeth among the lilies; which is either an apostrophe to him, "O thou that feedest", &c. thou only art my beloved; or is descriptive of him to others, inquiring who he was, and where to be seen: the answer is, he is the person that is yonder, feeding among the lilies; either recreating and delighting himself in his gardens, the churches, where his saints are, comparable to lilies; See Gill on Son 2:1, and See Gill on Son 2:2; or feeding his sheep in fields where lilies grow: and it may be observed, it is not said, he feedeth on, or feeds his flock with lilies, but among them; for it is remarked y, that sheep will not eat them: or the sense may be, Christ feeds himself, and feeds his people, and feeds among them, as if he was crowned with lilies, and anointed with the oil of them; as was the custom of the ancients at festivals z, thought to be here alluded to by some who read the words, "that feeds"; that is, sups in or with lilies, being anointed and crowned with them. The lily is a summer flower a; the winter was now past, Son 2:11.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Sos 2:1-17
TSK Synopsis: Sos 2:1-17 - --1 The mutual love of Christ and his church.8 The hope,10 and calling of the church.14 Christ's care of the church.16 The profession of the church, her...
MHCC -> Sos 2:14-17
MHCC: Sos 2:14-17 - --The church is Christ's dove; she returns to him, as her Noah. Christ is the Rock, in whom alone she can think herself safe, and find herself easy, as ...
Matthew Henry -> Sos 2:14-17
Matthew Henry: Sos 2:14-17 - -- Here is, I. The encouraging invitation which Christ gives to the church, and every believing soul, to come into communion with him, Son 2:14. 1. His...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Sos 2:15-16
Keil-Delitzsch: Sos 2:15-16 - --
There now follows a cantiuncula . Shulamith comes forward, and, singing, salutes her beloved. Their love shall celebrate a new spring. Thus she wi...
Constable -> Sos 1:2--3:6; Sos 2:8-17
Constable: Sos 1:2--3:6 - --II. THE COURTSHIP 1:2--3:5
Perhaps the outstanding characteristic of this first major section of the book is the...
