Bible Commentaries
Song of Solomon 3

Verse 3

bed = couch, not the same word as in Song of Solomon 1:16 ; Song of Solomon 3:7 , &c.

sought = still sought.

my soul = I myself.

Verse 4

It was but a little that = Scarcely.

a little = a little while. See note on "almost", Proverbs 5:14 .

from them = them.

but = when.

held = seized.

chamber = inner chamber.

Verse 5

I charge you = I have adjured you.

you. See note on Song of Solomon 2:7 .

roes = gazelles.

stir not up . . . awake. See note on Song of Solomon 2:7 .

love. Hebrew. 'ahabah Ferm, as in Song of Solomon 2:7 ; Song of Solomon 8:4 .

he = she.

Verse 6

Who is this? = What is this? A question asked by anJerusalem. inhabitant of Jerusalem.

bed. Hebrew. mittah . Not the same word as Song of Solomon 1:16 ; Song of Solomon 3:1 ; Song of Solomon 5:13 , or Song of Solomon 6:2 .

valiant men. Hebrew. gibbor App-14 .

Verse 8

every man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

night = nights (Plural)

Verse 9

King Solomon made, &c. The remark of a third inhabitant of Jerusalem. See the Structure (above).

a chariot = a palanquin.

Verse 10

the bottom thereof = its support.

the covering of it = its seat.

the midst thereof = its interior.

being paved = tessellated.

with love = most lovely.

for = by.

Verse 11

Go forth. The remark of a fourth inhabitant of Jerusalem. See the Structure (p. 7).

daughters of Zion. Occurs only here, and Isaiah 3:16 , Isaiah 3:17 ; Isaiah 4:4 ; always by way of reproof. Can it be so here? Does it imply the envy or jealousy of Song of Solomon 8:6 ? (Compare "haughty", Isaiah 3:16 .) Note the difference between the sing, and plural

espousals = marriage.