Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
A maiden dances, and her body is described. The man then describes his intense physical desires in great detail, and the woman responds affirmatively. She then invites him to join her in the vineyards.
II. Photo
The woman invites her lover in v. 13: “Let us go early to the vineyards; Let us see if the vine has flowered, If its blossoms have opened, If the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give my love to you.”
III. Important Verses
v. 1: Turn back, turn back, O maid of Shulem! Turn back, turn back, That we may gaze upon you. “Why will you gaze at the Shulammite In the Mahanaim dance?”
vv. 8-10: Your stately form is like the palm, Your breasts are like clusters. I say: Let me climb the palm, Let me take hold of its branches; Let your breasts be like clusters of grapes, Your breath like the fragrance of apples, And your mouth like choicest wine. “Let it flow to my beloved as new wine Gliding over the lips of sleepers.”
vv. 12-13: Come, my beloved, Let us go into the open; Let us lodge among the henna shrubs. Let us go early to the vineyards; Let us see if the vine has flowered, If its blossoms have opened, If the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give my love to you.
IV. Outline
1. Desire to gaze upon the Shulammite
2-6. A description of the Shulammite (feet, thighs, navel and belly, breasts, neck, eyes, nose, head, hair)
7-10. The man describes his physical desire for the woman
11. The woman responds affirmatively
12-14. The woman invites the man to join her in the vineyards so that she can give him her love.
V. Comment
No comment today. I hope to revisit this chapter at the end of the cycle. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Murphy, Wisdom Literature (Forms of Old Testament Literature)
Photo taken from http://worthenbury.com/images/p_grapes.jpg
