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Contemporary English Version

Song of Solomon 3:6

Their Friends Speak: What do we see approaching from the desert like a cloud of smoke? With it comes the sweet smell of spices, including myrrh and frankincense.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commerce;   Frankincense;   Merchant;   Myrrh;   Perfume;   Thompson Chain Reference - Frankincense;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Commerce;   Deserts;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Incense;   Spices;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Perfumes;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Canticles;   ;   Frankincense;   Incense;   Magi;   Marriage;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ointment;   Powders, Fragrant;   Song of Solomon;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Frankincense;   Song of Songs;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Frankincense,;   Myrrh;   Perfume;   Song of Solomon;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Weighing;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Medicine;   Pillar;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Perfume;   Pillar;   Smoke;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Myrrh;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Frankincense;   Myrrh;   Perfume;   Powders;   Wisdom of Solomon, the;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Angelology;   Ark of the Covenant;   Eleazar ben Simon;   Frankincense;   Hawkers and Pedlers;   Incense;   Perfume;   Pillar;   Shekinah;  

Parallel Translations

English Standard Version
What is that coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of a merchant?
Geneva Bible (1587)
Who is shee that commeth vp out of the wildernes like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrhe and incense, and with all the spices of the marchant?
Christian Standard Bible®
Who is this coming up from the wildernesslike columns of smoke,scented with myrrh and frankincensefrom every fragrant powder of the merchant?
Hebrew Names Version
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all spices of the merchant?
Darby Translation
Who is this, [she] that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant? …
Easy-to-Read Version
Who is this woman coming from the desert with this large group of people ? The dust rises behind them like clouds of smoke from burning myrrh and frankincense and other spices.
Amplified Bible
"What is this coming up from the wilderness Like [stately] pillars of smoke Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the fragrant powders of the merchant?"
American Standard Version
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?
Complete Jewish Bible
Who is this, coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, chosen from the merchant's crushed spices?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
King James Version (1611)
Who is this that commeth out of the wildernes like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrhe and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Who is this that comes up from the wilderness as pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the perfumer?
English Revised Version
Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Berean Standard Bible
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?
Lexham English Bible
What is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense from all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
Literal Translation
Who is this who comes up out of the wilderness like columns of smoke, sacrificing as incense myrrh and frankincense, from all powders of the merchant?
New Century Version
Who is this coming out of the desert like a cloud of smoke? Who is this that smells like myrrh, incense, and other spices?
New English Translation

The Speaker:

Who is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, like a fragrant billow of myrrh and frankincense, every kind of fragrant powder of the traveling merchants?
New King James Version
Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant's fragrant powders?
New Living Translation

Young Women of Jerusalem

Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness like a cloud of smoke? Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense and every kind of spice?
New Life Bible
"I tell you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the deer of the field, you must not wake up my love until it is pleasing to her." "What is this coming up from the desert like smoke? It has the smell of special perfumes, with all the perfumes of the traders.
New Revised Standard
What is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
THEYWho is this, coming up out of the wilderness, like pillars of smoke, - with perfume of myrrh, and frankincense, besides all the aromatic powder of the merchant?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who is she that goeth up by the desert, as a pillar of smoke of aromatical spices, of myrrh, and frankincense, and of all the powders of the perfumer?
George Lamsa Translation
Who is this that comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, compounded from all kinds of powdered sweet spices?
Good News Translation

The Woman

What is this coming from the desert like a column of smoke, fragrant with incense and myrrh, the incense sold by the traders?
New American Standard Bible
"What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the scented powders of the merchant?
King James Version
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Who is this that commeth vp out of the wyldernesse like vapours of smoke, as it were a smell of myrre, frankensence, and all maner spices of the Apothecarie?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Who is this womman, that stieth bi the deseert, as a yerde of smoke of swete smellynge spices, of mirre, and of encence, and of al poudur of an oynement makere?
Young's Literal Translation
Who [is] this coming up from the wilderness, Like palm-trees of smoke, Perfumed [with] myrrh and frankincense, From every powder of the merchant?
World English Bible
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all spices of the merchant?
Revised Standard Version
What is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
Update Bible Version
Who is this that comes up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?
Webster's Bible Translation
Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Bible in Basic English
Who is this coming out of the waste places like pillars of smoke, perfumed with sweet spices, with all the spices of the trader?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Who is this, that commeth out of ye wyldernesse like pilers of smoke, as it were a smell of Myrre, frankencense and all maner spyces of the Apotecary?
THE MESSAGE
What's this I see, approaching from the desert, raising clouds of dust, Filling the air with sweet smells and pungent aromatics? Look! It's Solomon's carriage, carried and guarded by sixty soldiers, sixty of Israel's finest, All of them armed to the teeth, trained for battle, ready for anything, anytime. King Solomon once had a carriage built from fine-grained Lebanon cedar. He had it framed with silver and roofed with gold. The cushions were covered with a purple fabric, the interior lined with tooled leather.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant?
Legacy Standard Bible
"Who is this coming up from the wildernessLike columns of smoke,As rising incense of myrrh and frankincense,With all scented powders of the merchant?

Contextual Overview

6 Their Friends Speak: What do we see approaching from the desert like a cloud of smoke? With it comes the sweet smell of spices, including myrrh and frankincense.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

this: Song of Solomon 8:5, Deuteronomy 8:2, Isaiah 43:19, Jeremiah 2:2, Jeremiah 31:2, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 12:14

like: Probably the clouds of incense arising from the palanquin, which seemed like pillars of smoke. Exodus 13:21, Exodus 13:22, Joel 2:29-31, Acts 2:18-21, Colossians 3:1, Colossians 3:2

perfumed: Song of Solomon 1:3, Song of Solomon 1:13, Song of Solomon 4:12-14, Song of Solomon 5:5, Song of Solomon 5:13, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Philippians 4:18, Revelation 5:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:34 - frankincense Exodus 30:35 - perfume Judges 20:40 - a pillar Esther 2:12 - six months Psalms 45:8 - All Proverbs 7:17 - perfumed Proverbs 27:9 - Ointment Song of Solomon 4:10 - the smell Song of Solomon 6:10 - Who Isaiah 63:1 - is this Jeremiah 46:7 - Who Joel 2:30 - pillars Matthew 21:10 - Who

Cross-References

Genesis 3:1
The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the Lord God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, "Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?"
Genesis 3:2
The woman answered, "God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden,
Genesis 3:12
"It was the woman you put here with me," the man said. "She gave me some of the fruit, and I ate it."
Genesis 3:14
So the Lord God said to the snake: "Because of what you have done, you will be the only animal to suffer this curse— For as long as you live, you will crawl on your stomach and eat dirt.
Genesis 3:15
You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel."
Genesis 3:17
The Lord said to the man, "You listened to your wife and ate fruit from that tree. And so, the ground will be under a curse because of what you did. As long as you live, you will have to struggle to grow enough food.
Genesis 3:19
You will have to sweat to earn a living; you were made out of soil, and you will once again turn into soil."
Genesis 39:7
and Potiphar's wife soon noticed him. She asked him to make love to her,
Joshua 7:21
While we were in Jericho, I saw a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred pieces of silver, and a gold bar that weighed the same as fifty pieces of gold. I wanted them for myself, so I took them. I dug a hole under my tent and hid the silver, the gold, and the robe." Joshua had some people run to Achan's tent, where they found the silver, the gold, and the robe.
2 Samuel 11:2
Late one afternoon, David got up from a nap and was walking around on the flat roof of his palace. A beautiful young woman was down below in her courtyard, bathing as her religion required. David happened to see her, and he sent one of his servants to find out who she was. The servant came back and told David, "Her name is Bathsheba. She is the daughter of Eliam, and she is the wife of Uriah the Hittite." David sent some messengers to bring her to his palace. She came to him, and he slept with her. Then she returned home.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness,.... This is said by the daughters of Jerusalem, adjured in Song of Solomon 3:5; who, upon the happy meeting of Christ and his church, saw a greater glory and beauty in her than they had seen before; and therefore put this question, not as ignorant of her, but as admiring at her. By the wilderness she is said to "come out" of is meant either a state of nature, as Theodoret; in which all the elect of God are before conversion, and out of which they are brought by efficacious grace; called a wilderness, because of the barrenness and unfruitfulness of persons in such a state; and because of the perplexed ways and tracks in it, which bewilder a man that he knows not which to take; and because of the want of spiritual provisions in it; and because of the danger men are exposed unto through holes and pits, and beasts of prey: in such a state God finds his people, convinces them of it, and brings them out of it; which is an instance of surprising and distinguishing grace: or else the world itself may be meant, the wilderness of the people, Ezekiel 20:35; so called because of the roughness of the way, the many tribulations the saints pass through in it; and because of the traps and snares that are in it, through evil men, the lusts of the flesh, and the temptations of Satan; because of the many evil beasts in it, ungodly men, false teachers, and Satan the roaring lion; and because of the plentiful table God furnishes here for his people, feeding them in the wilderness with Gospel doctrines and spiritual ordinances, Revelation 12:14; and because of the many windings and turnings of Providence in it, through all which they are led in a right way to the city of their habitation: now though they are in the world, they are not of it; they are called out of it, and quit as much as may be the company and conversation of the men of it; and through the grace of God are more and more weaned from it, and long after another and better world; all which may be intended by their coming out of this: or else this may design a state of sorrow and distress when under desertion, and without the presence of Christ; which had lately been the case of the church, who had been in a bewildered condition, and not knowing where her beloved was, ran about here and there in quest of him, like one in a wood, seeking him and calling after him; but now having sight of him, and some communion with him, is represented as coming out of that state. She is further described as being

like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense; her heart being inflamed with love to Christ, her affections moved upwards, heavenwards, and were set on things above; and which were sincere and upright, rose up in the form of palm trees, as the word n signifies, a very upright tree; and these moved steadily towards Christ, and could not be diverted from him by the winds of temptation, affliction, and persecution; and though there might be some degree of dulness and imperfection in them, hence called "pillars of smoke"; yet being perfumed with the sweet smelling myrrh of Christ's sacrifice, and the incense of his mediation, became acceptable to God. It is added,

with all powders of the merchant: odorous ones, such are the graces of the Spirit, which Christ the merchantman is full of; and makes his people, their affections and prayers, of a sweet smelling savour with. Ben Melech interprets it of garments perfumed with spices; see

Psalms 45:8; Some render the words, "above" or "more excellent than all powders of the merchant" o, druggist or apothecary p; no such drug nor spice to be found in their shops, that smell so sweet as Christ, his grace and righteousness.

n כתימרות "ut columnae ad formam palmae assurgntes", Buxtorf; "ut palmae", Mercerus, Cocceius; "instar palmarum", Tigurine version, Michaelis. o so Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt. p רוכל μυρεψου, Sept. "pigmentarii", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus "pharmacopolae", Tigurine version; "seplasiarii", Mercerus, Cocceius; "aromatarii", Junius & Tremellius, Marckius.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The principal and central action of the Song; the bride’s entry into the city of David, and her marriage there with the king. Jewish interpreters regard this part of the poem as symbolizing the “first” entrance of the Church of the Old Testament into the land of promise, and her spiritual espousals, and communion with the King of kings, through the erection of Solomon’s Temple and the institution of its acceptable worship. Christian fathers, in a like spirit, make most things here refer to the espousals of the Church with Christ in the Passion and Resurrection, or the communion of Christian souls with Him in meditation thereon.

Song of Solomon 3:6-11

Two or more citizens of Jerusalem, or the chorus of youths, companions of the bridegroom, describe the magnificent appearance of the bride borne in a royal litter, and then that of the king in festive joy wearing a nuptial crown.

Song of Solomon 3:6

“wilderness” is here pasture-land in contrast with the cultivated districts and garden-enclosures round the city. Compare Jeremiah 23:10; Joel 2:22; Isaiah 42:11; Psalms 65:12.

Pillars of smoke - Here an image of delight and pleasure. Frankincense and other perfumes are burned in such abundance round the bridal equipage that the whole procession appears from the distance to be one of moving wreaths and columns of smoke.

All powders of the merchant - Every kind of spice forming an article of commerce.

Song of Solomon 3:7

Bed - Probably the royal litter or palanquin in which the bride is borne, surrounded by his own body-guard consisting of sixty mighties of the mighty men of Israel.

Song of Solomon 3:8

Because of fear in the night - i. e., Against night alarms. Compare Psalms 91:5.

Song of Solomon 3:9, Song of Solomon 3:10

A stately bed hath king Solomon made for himself of woods (or trees) of the Lebanon. The word rendered “bed” occurs nowhere else in Scripture, and is of doubtful etymology and meaning. It may denote here

(1) the bride’s car or litter; or

(2) a more magnificent vehicle provided for her reception on her entrance into the city, and in which perhaps the king goes forth to meet her.

It has been made under Solomon’s own directions of the costliest woods (ceda and pine) of the Lebanon; it is furnished with “pillars of silver” supporting a “baldachin” or “canopy of gold” (not “bottom” as in the King James Version), and with “a seat (not ‘covering’) of purple cushions,” while “its interior is paved with (mosaic work, or tapestry of) love from (not ‘for’) the daughters of Jerusalem;” the meaning being that this part of the adornment is a gift of love, whereby the female chorus have testified their goodwill to the bride, and their desire to gratify the king.

Song of Solomon 3:11

Daughters of Zion - So called here to distinguish them from the bride’s companions, who are always addressed by her as “daughters of Jerusalem.”

His mother - Bathsheba 1 Kings 1:11. This is the last mention of her in sacred history.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Song of Solomon 3:6. Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness — Going to Egypt was called descending or going down, coming from it was termed coming up. The bride, having risen, goes after her spouse to the country, and the clouds of incense arising from her palanquin seemed like pillars of smoke; and the appearance was altogether so splendid as to attract the admiration of her own women, who converse about her splendour, excellence, &c., and then take occasion to describe Solomon's nuptial bed and chariot. Some think that it is the bridegroom who is spoken of here.

With this verse the third night is supposed to end.


 
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