Shulamite (young woman)... Chapter 3. On waking (Song 3:5), she also counsels patience (as in Song 2:7). Day of his wedding...day of his gladness of heart - The association of his wedding with his joy is clear. Psychologists tell us that repression is harmful because repression is the subconscious attempt to pretend that you don’t have certain feelings. It is estimated that over 10,000 shellfish were required in order to collect one ounce of dye! The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last.”. Cyropaedia, l. 6. c. 29. . 5:19) and joy (Eccl. 37:34). Or, they may have been the city watchmen posted on the walls of Jerusalem. They all hold swords,.... Or a "sword"F18 ρομφαιαν Sept. "gladium", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius. (Song 3 NET Notes), NET Note on love - The noun אָהֲבָה (’ahavah, “love”) is often used in reference to the love between a man and woman, particularly in reference to emotional, romantic, or sexual love (2Sa 1:26; 13:15; Pr 5:19; 7:18; Song 2:4–5, 7; 3:5; 5:8; 8:4, 6–7; Jer 2:2, 33). Hosea 2:5, שַׂמְתִּיהָ כַמִּדְבָּר “I have made her as a desert,” i.e. Coming up does not refer to the direction they were traveling. Some commentators merely excise the name." TODAY IN THE WORD Song 3:1-5 How long, O Lord? NET - Come out, O maidens of Zion, and gaze upon King Solomon! 2, to lead to pasture, like the Germ. However, his name appears as a note of ownership. Whenever she is separated from her love, she actively longs and searches for the man she loves. Odyss. thy lips). Hero. As they come closer to marriage, restraint becomes more necessary." Song 4:9–11 depicts the lover absolutely smitten by the beauty of his girl. Song 3:6-5:1 introduces the couples' wedding day with the consummation and beginning of a godly marriage. , or "with the love of them"F6"Amore foeminarum", Tigurine version; "amore filiarum", Vatablus, Mercerus. 19:5). The picture is that of one completely filled with fragrance of these precious spices. This probably applied biblical times, so it only logical that young man’s under woman’s head, his caresses her. In her dream she lost her lover and sought to find him. Simchah refers to the reality, the experience and manifestation of joy and gladness. Regarding the identity of the one coming in the procession, it is interesting that the Septuagint (Lxx) translates "what/who" with two feminine pronouns "tis aute" = "who is this?" (Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible- Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon), Guzik - In either interpreting or applying Song of Solomon 3:1–4 to the relationship between Jesus and His people, many commentators have noted that this is an example of how the believer, under some sense of separation from Jesus, must seek after Him.. “When, either in a dream, or in reality we lose our sense of His presence, let us search for Him; and then in the finding, with new devotion, let us hold Him, and refuse to let Him go.” (Morgan) (Song of Solomon 3 Commentary), Guzik goes on to add that "Spurgeon also made great application of the fact that the maiden held him and would not let him go. It is seen as an expression of the friends’ affection in carefully crafting the interior. "It is used often and expresses strong feelings, surprise, hope, expectation, certainty, thus giving vividness depending on its surrounding context." , three only were carried, the bride, who sat in the middle, then the bridegroom, and then the friend of the bridegroom: something of this kind is the "palki" or "palanquin" of the Indians, in which the bride and bridegroom are carried on the day of marriage on four men's shouldersF1Agreement of Customs between the East Indians and Jews, artic. In this chapter an account is given of an adventure of the church, in quest of her beloved; of the time when, and places where, and the persons of whom she sought him; and of her success upon the whole; with a charge she give to the daughters of Jerusalem, Song of Solomon 3:1; by whom she is commended, Song of Solomon 3:6; and then Christ, her beloved, is … Perhaps the young woman’s friends embroidered expressions or sayings of love into the interior, or they might have laid mosaics in the surface in a pattern of erotic scenes. Carr observes that in Hebrew "The form (of "what" or "who") is feminine singular, and could refer either to the girl or to the ‘bed’ (v. 7, AV) which is also a feminine noun. The patriarch replied, ‘I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.’ This is one of Christ’s ways and manners; it is one of the peculiarities of his character. Whether it is in our marital relationships, love between a parent and child, or our love for God, we “run after” the ones we love. The custom was abandoned by the Jews in their sorrow caused by the tragic war with Rome and the loss of Jerusalem (A.D. 70). This violates the sanctity of marriage and is contrary to God’s standards of purity. Theme - The joy and intimacy of love within a committed marriage covenant. Song 3:7-11 describes the incredible sight of this magnificent wedding processional which would have stood out in even greater contrast with the wilderness. This seems to be God’s purpose for such trials. They transpired in homes rather than in the tabernacle or temple (or synagogue later). Her mother’s house was not in the city, but was in the mountains of southern Lebanon, at least fifty miles from Jerusalem. Daughters of Jerusalem. Song of Solomon The watchman who make the rounds - This indicates that she is referring to the night (even as she dreams in the night). The author of Hebrews adds his sanction to the marriage bed (cf. This dream was the fulfillment of that fear. Gladness (joy, pleasure, delight) (08057)(simchah from samach = to rejoice, be glad) is a feminine noun which means joy, gladness (with one's entire being as indicated by its association with the heart cf. Timber of Lebanon - Cedar from Lebanon was most prized in construction (1Ki 4:33; 5:6, 8-9, 1Ki 7:2; 10:17, 21), Daughters of Jerusalem. 26:9). Joel 2:22,דָּֽשְׁאוּ נְאוֹת מִדְבָּר “the pastures of the plain are flourishing;” Psalms 65:13, יְרְעֲפוּ נְאוֹת מִדְבָּר “the pastures of the plain drop (fatness or fertility).” And the contrary, Jeremiah 23:10,יָֽבְשׁוּ נְאוֹת מִדְבָּר “the pastures of the plain dry up,” Joel 1:19. The woman describes two things that seem to have nothing in common: lying on her bed and chasing after the one she loves. (Ibid), In many cultures there is an important distinction between the functions of right and left hands. This is indicated by Song 3:11, which refers to Solomon’s wedding day. They require effort on the part of everyone involved. The procession is still at a distance, but the panoply and wealth of the entourage make it obvious that this is a noble, if not a royal, wedding-train that has appeared. The Song of Solomon - Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries - G. Lloyd Carr), Hubbard observes that “living in the era of electricity has made it hard to grasp the intensity with which the ancients feared the night.”. A new cycle begins at Song 3:6 which continues through until the consummation of Song 5:1.....The cycle begins with 3:6, which I take to be an isolated independent verse, unconnected with what precedes and what follows; an exclamation of the breath-taking beauty of the girl, creating an atmosphere of ethereal beauty and fantasy. ", MacArthur - As the wedding time approaches, the Shulammite’s expectations grew more intense. Yet, although the wealthy are indicted for their leisure and lack of social concern (“beds of ivory” in Amos 6:4), the term is almost never used in sexual contexts. Song 3:11 " Go forth (imperative = command ) , O daughters of Zion, and gaze ( imperative = command ) on King Solomon with the crown with which his mother has crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of his gladness of heart ." The male understands that what approaches is no ordinary group of people, but one whose opulence is signaled in advance by columns of smoke burning fine aromatics. She could think of no place better than her mother’s home, the place where she had grown up and felt secure. Either a small moment of time, as the Targum and Aben Ezra; or a little distance of place, that is, from the watchmen or ministers, from whom she passed; not through disrespect to them, much less contempt of them; nor because she received no benefit at all from them; but her going on shows she did not rest in means, but looked beyond them, and went on further in the exercise of her faith, and hope of finding her beloved: and meeting with him a little after she had passed from the ministers suggests that Christ is not far from his ministers and ordinances; for it follows. Mighty...mighty (01368)(gibbor cp related verb gabar = be strong, accomplish, excel, prevail) is from a root which is commonly associated with warfare and has to do with the strength and vitality of the successful warrior. I held him, and would not let him go; which on the part of the church is expressive of her faith in him, signified by laying hold on him, his person, righteousness, grace, and strength, Proverbs 3:18; and of her strong affection to him, grasping and embracing him in her arms of faith and love; and of her fear and jealousy lest he should depart from her again; and of her steady resolution to hold him, whatever was the consequence of it: and, on his part, it intimates a seeming offer to be gone; and a gracious allowance to lay hold on him; and his wonderful condescension to be held by her; and the delight and pleasure he took in the exercise of her faith upon him; for it was not against but with his will he was held by her; and this she determined to do, and not let go her hold. Chasing is not wrong. The shorter length of this section as compared to the one corresponding to it is not uncommon in Hebrew chiasm. הַמִּדְבָּר always the desert of Arabia, Genesis 14:6, 16:7 Exodus 3:1, 13:18 Deuteronomy 11:24 the particular parts of which are distinguished by their own peculiar names (see סִין, סִינַי, שׁוּר, פָּארָן ). In the Song it is the male and female lovers, the bridegroom and bride. & Jarchi in ibid. Baqas refers to a conscious act, and often suggests a great deal of effort (1Sa 10:14; Pr 2:4). SELECT RESOURCES NET Note on frankincense (Song 3:6, 4:6, 4:14)- The term לְבוֹנָה (lévonah, “frankincense” 03828 - לְבוֹנָה - frankincense, incense) refers to fragrant incense (Ex 30:34; Lev 2:1, 15; 5:11; 6:8; 24:7; Num 5:15; Isa 43:23; 66:3; Jer 6:20; 17:26; 41:5; Neh 13:5, 9; 1 Chr 9:29; Song 3:6; 4:6, 14). [/FONT>, POSB presumes the young woman is addressing her friends - They must swear, make a commitment, to flee temptation swiftly, like the gazelle and doe flee from danger. Daughters of Jerusalem... While the crown could be made of gold and silver (Ps 21:3 [H 4]; Zech 6:11), it could also be a garland of flowers (Ezek 23:42). (Song of Solomon Commentary). Assuming his bride is in the processional, this double guard would speak of the practical side of Solomon’s love for his bride to be, his high value of her worth and his desire for her to feel safe and secure = a good model for all godly husbands! The mention of merchant indicates this was purchased perfume as could only be done by one who had considerable largess (as did Solomon himself, another reason I think the young man in this book is Solomon). This would support the premise that it was the young woman who was coming up in the grand procession. When he met with Jacob that night at the Jabbok, he said, ‘Let me go.’ He would not go without Jacob’s letting him, but he would have gone if Jacob had loosed his hold. Ovid. 2:31, הֲמִדְבָּר הָיִיתִי לְיִשְׂדָאֵל “was I a desert to Israel?” Have I commanded them to worship me for nothing? The best strategy is simply to wait. Though the feast was prolonged the couple consummated their marriage on the first night.