Protection of Love and the Coming Spring
Song 2:3-13
Son.2.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כתפוח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעצי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- היער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כן: ADV
- דודי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- בין: PREP
- הבנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בצלו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss-3ms
- חמדתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- וישבתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ופריו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- מתוק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לחכי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
Parallels
- Psalm 1:3 (thematic): Both use the image of a flourishing, fruit-bearing tree by water to portray vitality and blessedness—likening a person (or beloved) to a standing, fruitful tree.
- Song of Solomon 7:8 (verbal): Another simile within the same book comparing the beloved to a tree (here a palm), continuing the corpus-wide motif of tree imagery to describe the beloved’s form and attractiveness.
- Song of Solomon 4:12 (thematic): Garden and orchard imagery (enclosed garden, spring, trees and fruits) recurs throughout the Song to portray the lovers’ intimacy; 2:3’s apple-tree simile functions within this larger garden motif.
- Proverbs 11:30 (thematic): The language of ‘fruit’ and the association of fruitfulness with righteousness or desirable quality echoes 2:3’s reference to the beloved’s sweet fruit—both use fruit as a metaphor for attractive, life-giving qualities.
- Ezekiel 17:22–24 (allusion): Ezekiel’s planting-and-tree metaphor for restoration and exaltation (taking a high branch and planting it to become a great tree) parallels the symbolic use of a tree to represent a prized, elevated figure or community, resonating with the beloved-as-tree image in Song 2:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- As an apple among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men; in his shade I longed and sat, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
- As an apple among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the young men; in his shade I delighted and sat, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Son.2.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הביאני: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היין: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ודגלו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,suff3m
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אהבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 1:4 (verbal): Both verses use the verb of being brought into an intimate space by the beloved ("the king hath brought me into his chambers"), linking the motif of the beloved leading the speaker into a place of closeness and fellowship.
- Song of Solomon 8:6 (thematic): Both passages portray love as a powerful, possessing and sealing force ("set me as a seal... for love is strong as death"), echoing the idea of love as a public mark or sign laid over the beloved (cf. "his banner over me was love").
- Psalm 23:5 (thematic): The banquet/feast imagery parallels the "house of wine"—both depict the beloved/host providing a lavish table or place of refreshment and abundance for the guest or beloved ("you prepare a table... my cup overflows").
- Exodus 17:15 (verbal): The use of banner/ensign language connects here: Moses names the altar Jehovah-nissi ("The LORD is my banner"); similarly the beloved's "banner over me was love" uses banner imagery to signify identity, protection, and possession.
- Hosea 2:19–20 (thematic): Hosea's betrothal language ("I will betroth you unto me in faithfulness... in lovingkindness") parallels Song 2:4's nuptial/covenantal imagery, linking divine or spousal love to a formal sign of commitment and possession.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought me into the house of wine; his banner over me is love.
- He brought me into the house of wine; his banner over me is love.
Son.2.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- סמכוני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- באשישות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- רפדוני: VERB,piel,imp,2,m,sg
- בתפוחים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- חולת: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- אהבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 1:2 (thematic): Both verses express intense erotic longing—'let him kiss me' and 'I am sick of love' share the motif of overpowering desire for the beloved.
- Song of Solomon 2:3 (verbal): Shares fruit/apple imagery and sensual delight (the 'apple tree' and 'his fruit was sweet') that echoes 'refresh me with apples' and the speaker's pleasure in the beloved.
- Song of Solomon 2:8 (thematic): Continues the same scene of ardent longing and the beloved's approach; both passages emphasize the beloved's power to stir and sustain the lover.
- Proverbs 5:18-19 (thematic): Celebrates rapturous, sustained erotic delight ('be thou ravished always with her love'), paralleling the Song's depiction of love as overpowering and consuming.
- Psalm 42:1-2 (allusion): Uses the imagery of urgent thirsting and panting ('As the hart panteth... so panteth my soul') to convey intense longing, a spiritual parallel to the Song's 'sick of love.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Sustain me with raisin‑cakes, refresh me with apples—for I am lovesick.
- Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples—for I am lovesick.
Son.2.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמאלו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3ms
- תחת: PREP
- לראשי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:1,m,sg
- וימינו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,poss3ms
- תחבקני: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg,obj1s
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 3:4 (thematic): Both passages depict intimate physical holding and refusal to let go—Song 2:6’s left hand under the head and right arm embracing parallels 3:4’s 'I held him, and would not let him go,' emphasizing possession and closeness between lovers.
- Song of Solomon 8:3 (thematic): Song 8:3 speaks of the woman 'leaning upon her beloved,' a similar image of bodily dependence and close contact that echoes the embrace language of 2:6.
- Psalm 63:8 (verbal): Psalm 63:8 says 'My soul follows hard after thee: thy right hand upholds me,' using the right hand as a sustaining/protecting image—paralleling 2:6’s motif of the beloved’s right hand as an embracing, supportive presence.
- Hosea 11:4 (thematic): Hosea 11:4 describes God 'drawing them with cords of a man, with bands of love,' a metaphor of being drawn and held in love comparable to the intimate embrace pictured in Song 2:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- His left is under my head, and his right embraces me.
- His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.
Son.2.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- השבעתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,com,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- בנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בצבאות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- או: CONJ
- באילות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אם: CONJ
- תעירו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ואם: CONJ
- תעוררו: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- האהבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- שתחפץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 3:5 (quotation): Repeats the same adjuration to the 'daughters of Jerusalem' and the formula 'by the gazelles and by the does of the field' with the injunction not to stir up or awaken love until it pleases — a near-verbatim parallel.
- Song of Solomon 8:4 (quotation): Another close repetition of the charge to the daughters of Jerusalem: do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases, echoing the exact refrain and its protective/social function.
- Song of Solomon 5:8 (thematic): Also addresses the 'daughters of Jerusalem' with an urgent appeal regarding the beloved; shares the motif of public intermediaries and concern for the state of love (here: reporting the lover's condition), linking communal involvement in private love.
- Song of Solomon 6:3 (thematic): Expresses mutual belonging and the proper timing/possession of love ('I am my beloved's'); thematically complements the injunction not to awaken love prematurely by emphasizing rightful possession and the appropriate onset of desire.
Alternative generated candidates
- I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and by the does of the field: do not awaken, do not stir up love until it pleases.
- I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and by the does of the field: do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
Son.2.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דודי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- הנה: PART
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מדלג: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ההרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מקפץ: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הגבעות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 2:9 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel in the same poem—continues the beloved-as-deer imagery and the lover’s movement, depicting him as a roe/young hart near the beloved.
- Song of Solomon 8:14 (verbal): Later stanza repeats the motif and language, urging the beloved to be like a roe/young hart upon the mountains—echo of the leaping/ascending imagery.
- Psalm 18:33 (allusion): Uses similar mountain-leaping/deer-foot imagery: 'He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and sets me upon my high places,' evoking agility and secure ascent.
- Habakkuk 3:19 (verbal): Parallel diction and metaphor—'He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me upon my high places'—sharing the motif of divine/heroic movement over heights.
- Psalm 42:1 (thematic): While not using the same verbs, the image of the hart panting after water expresses similar themes of yearning, pursuit, and the beloved/longed-for figure moving like a hart.
Alternative generated candidates
- The voice of my beloved—behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.
- The voice of my beloved! Look—he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.
Son.2.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- דומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דודי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- לצבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- לעפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האילים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הנה: PART
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- עומד: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- אחר: PREP
- כתלנו: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- משגיח: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- החלנות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מציץ: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- החרכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 1:8 (verbal): Uses the same deer/gazelle metaphor for the beloved (“like a gazelle, like a young stag”) and similar pastoral imagery of movement and pursuit.
- Song of Solomon 2:8 (structural): Immediate context: describes the beloved’s sudden, nimble arrival (“behold, he comes leaping upon the mountains”), which leads into the deer comparison in 2:9.
- Song of Solomon 8:14 (quotation): Reiterates the exact simile—“be like a gazelle or a young stag”—this time as an exhortation for the beloved to hurry, echoing the same animal imagery.
- Habakkuk 3:19 (thematic): Uses deer/hind imagery for swiftness and sure-footedness (“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer”), thematically paralleling the Song’s depiction of the beloved’s agile, mountain‑leaping movement.
Alternative generated candidates
- My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag; behold, he stands behind our wall, he looks in at the windows, he peers through the lattice.
- My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold—he stands behind our wall; he watches from the windows, he peers through the lattice.
Son.2.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דודי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- קומי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- רעיתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1
- יפתי: ADJ,f,sg,abs,poss:1s
- ולכי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 2:8 (thematic): Both verses present the arrival/voice of the beloved and the bride's response to his coming (movement from stillness to motion).
- Song of Solomon 2:13 (verbal): The same summons language ('Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away') recurs here, linking the spring imagery with the call to depart together.
- Song of Solomon 7:11 (verbal): Another direct invitation using 'Come, my beloved...' that echoes the mutual summons and desire for shared retreat in the lovers' dialogue.
- Song of Solomon 5:2 (thematic): Features the motif of the beloved's voice calling/knocking and rousing the lover—parallel emphasis on voice as summons and response.
- Revelation 22:17 (allusion): The Spirit and the Bride say 'Come'—an eschatological echo of bridal invitation language, resonating with the Song's summons motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- My beloved answered and said to me, "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away."
- My beloved answered and said to me, 'Arise, my beloved, my fair one, and come away.'
Son.2.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- הנה: PART
- הסתיו: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגשם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- חלף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 24:32-33 (thematic): Both passages use seasonal signs (buds/leaves or end of winter) to indicate that a desired or significant time (arrival of summer/fulfillment) is near.
- Joel 2:23 (thematic): Rain imagery signals restoration and renewal—Joel celebrates the coming rains as God's restorative act, paralleling Song’s announcement that winter (hardship) is past and new life begins.
- Isaiah 55:10 (thematic): Uses the natural cycle of rain to depict God's purposeful action in bringing fruitfulness and change, echoing Song 2:11’s connection between seasonal transition and renewal.
- Hosea 6:3 (allusion): Presents God (or his coming) as like the spring rain that brings life; relates to Song’s motif of winter passing and the life-giving effects of the rains ceasing and growth beginning.
Alternative generated candidates
- For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
- For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
Son.2.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנצנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- נראו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- עת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הזמיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגיע: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- וקול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נשמע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- בארצנו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 8:11 (thematic): A dove brings the first sign of renewal after the flood (olive leaf); both verses use dove imagery to signal a new season and restoration.
- Jeremiah 8:7 (verbal): Mentions the turtledove (and other birds) knowing their seasons—parallels Song 2:12's linking of the turtledove's voice with the arrival of a new time.
- Isaiah 55:12 (thematic): Speaks of creation breaking into singing and joy; parallels Song 2:12's 'time of singing' and the motif of nature responding in celebration.
- Isaiah 35:1-2 (thematic): Foretells the dry land's rejoicing and blossoming ('shall blossom like the crocus'), echoing Song 2:12's image of flowers appearing and the earth's renewal.
Alternative generated candidates
- The buds have appeared in the land; the time of song has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our country.
- The buds have appeared on the earth; the season of song has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Son.2.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- התאנה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- חנטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- פגיה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והגפנים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- סמדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- ריח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קומי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- רעיתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1
- יפתי: NOUN,f,sg,poss1
- ולכי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Song of Solomon 2:10-12 (structural): Immediate context: spring imagery and the summons to the beloved—'for the winter is past... arise, my love'—which parallels the imperative 'Arise... my fair one' in 2:13.
- Song of Solomon 4:12-15 (thematic): Garden/vegetation imagery (enclosed garden, beds of spices, vines, springs) and sensual pastoral motifs echo the fig‑tree and vine blossoming and the invitation to come away.
- Song of Solomon 7:12 (thematic): Another invitation to go to the vineyards and enjoy their fruit—parallels the call to 'come away' and the celebration of vines and seasonal abundance.
- Isaiah 5:1-2 (thematic): The 'song of the vineyard' uses vine and vineyard imagery and expectations of fruit, providing a prophetic/cultivated‑land parallel to the Song's vine/fig fertility motifs.
- Hosea 9:10 (verbal): Uses fig and early‑fruit language ('first ripe fig') and seasonal fruit imagery—verbally parallel to the fig‑tree/fruit language in 2:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- The fig tree has put forth its early figs, and the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
- The fig tree has put forth its figs, and the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance—Arise, my beloved, my fair one, and come away.
As an apple among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men; in his shade I took delight and sat, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me into the house of wine, and his banner over me is love.
Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am sick with love.
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field: do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
The voice of my beloved—behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag; behold, he stands behind our wall, he looks forth at the windows, he peers through the lattice.
My beloved answered and said to me, 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.'
For behold, the winter has passed, the rain is over and gone.
The buds appear on the earth; the season of song has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree has put forth its figs, and the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance—rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.