Song of Solomon 5
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1I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Friends Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved. 2I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.” 3I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them? 4My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him. 5I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. 6I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left; and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer. 7The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me. 8I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love. 9How is your beloved better than another beloved, you fairest among women? How is your beloved better than another beloved, that you do so adjure us? 10My beloved is white and ruddy. The best among ten thousand. 11His head is like the purest gold. His hair is bushy, black as a raven. 12His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks, washed with milk, mounted like jewels. 13His cheeks are like a bed of spices with towers of perfumes. His lips are like lilies, dropping liquid myrrh. 14His hands are like rings of gold set with beryl. His body is like ivory work overlaid with sapphires. 15His legs are like pillars of marble set on sockets of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. 16His mouth is sweetness; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking. 'Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one.'"”
Song of Solomon 5:2
Summary
Song of Solomon chapter 5 begins with the lover, often interpreted as Solomon, responding to an invitation to a banquet, symbolizing a deep and intimate connection. The beloved describes a dreamlike encounter where she hesitates to respond to her lover's call, leading to a search filled with longing and desire. This search reflects the deep passion and often the challenges intrinsic to love. As the beloved continues her search, she encounters the daughters of Jerusalem, who question her about the nature of her beloved, highlighting the uniqueness and irresistibility of true love. Furthermore, the beloved extols the virtues of her lover, depicting him with vivid and poetic imagery, revealing not only admiration and affection but also the inherent magnetic quality of love.
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Chapter outline
How Song of Solomon 5 unfolds
Song of Solomon 5:1 Invitation to Abundant Love
The lover expresses joy in the garden, inviting friends to partake in the richness of love, symbolized by food and drink.
Song of Solomon 5:2 Awakening to the Beloved's Call
The beloved awakens to her lover's voice, illustrating her inner emotional readiness despite her physical slumber.
Song of Solomon 5:3 Hesitation to Respond
The beloved hesitates, contemplating the implications of opening the door after having removed her robe.
Song of Solomon 5:4–5 The Beloved's Yearning
She feels her heart race as her beloved reaches out, a physical expression of her desire and anticipation.
Song of Solomon 5:6 A Moment of Loss
After finally opening the door, she finds her beloved gone, leading to feelings of longing and disappointment.
Song of Solomon 5:7–8 A Search Through the City
The beloved encounters danger in her search, symbolizing the trials faced in love, and calls out for help.
Song of Solomon 5:9–16 Celebrating the Beloved's Beauty
The daughters of Jerusalem question her about her beloved, prompting her to vividly describe his admirable qualities, reinforcing her love.
Key verses
Song of Solomon 5:2This verse captures the essence of longing and connection, highlighting the emotional depth of the beloved's experience.
Main themes in Song of Solomon 5
Love and Longing
This theme surfaces in the beloved's yearning for her lover, particularly in verses 6-8 where she expresses her deep desire and search for him. The chapter complicates this longing through her experience of searching for him and facing disappointment, showcasing the emotional struggles inherent in love. Within the larger movement of the chapter, this theme emphasizes the tension between the intense desire for connection and the realities of fulfillment that can often remain elusive.
Intimacy
Intimacy is evident in the cherished, personal language used in verses 1 and 2 as the lover calls to his beloved. The chapter develops this intimacy through the physical and emotional connection, even in absence, emphasizing the sacred bond. Ultimately, it illustrates that true intimacy involves vulnerability, longing, and deep affection.
Search and Desire
The theme of search and desire is prominent as the beloved actively seeks her lost love in verses 6-8. Her pursuit reflects a passionate desire that drives her actions, even in the face of adversity. This theme contributes to the chapter's overall narrative of longing and the complexities accompanying love.
Beauty and Admiration
Beauty and admiration are central to the chapter as the beloved articulates her admiration for her lover's qualities in verses 10-15. Her descriptions reveal how deeply his beauty impacts her emotions and strengthens her love, suggesting that admiration plays a vital role in romantic relationships. Within the chapter's context, this theme highlights that love often finds its depth and resilience through the recognition and celebration of the beloved's unique attributes.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Song of Solomon 5
- Song of Solomon 1This passage echoes the theme of intimacy and love's richness established in earlier chapters.
- Song of Solomon 2The connection lies in mutual longing and the celebration of love's beauty, as seen in both texts.
- Song of Solomon 4This chapter develops the theme of admiration through the detailed descriptions of the beloved's beauty.
- Song of Solomon 6The longing and search motifs in both chapters reflect the deep emotional ties between lovers.
- Revelation 3This passage connects through the imagery of the beloved calling, reminiscent of a longing relationship.
- Song of Solomon 3The search for the beloved in this chapter echoes earlier themes of pursuit and desire in relationships.
Study questions
Questions for studying Song of Solomon 5
- What does the beloved’s hesitation to open the door signify about her feelings in verse 3?
- How does the imagery of the garden in verse 1 enhance the understanding of love?
- What challenges does the beloved face in her search for her lover in verses 6-7?
- Why does the beloved describe her lover in such elaborate detail in verses 10-15?
- What does the response of the daughters of Jerusalem reveal about societal views on love in verse 9?
- How does the beloved's emotional state shift throughout this chapter?
- What role does longing play in the dynamics of their love relationship?
Song of Solomon 5: frequently asked questions
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