King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
As the lily among thorns, so [is] my love among the daughters.
Complete Jewish Bible:
[He] Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the other women.
Berean Standard Bible:
Like a lily among the thorns is my darling among the maidens.
American Standard Version:
As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
As the lily{H7799} among thorns{H2336}, so is my love{H7474} among the daughters{H1323}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Peter 2:12
- Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Matthew 10:16
- ¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Isaiah 55:13
- Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off.
Philippians 2:15
- That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians 2:16
- Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Matthew 6:28
- And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Matthew 6:29
- And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Song Of Solomon 2:2
Song of Solomon (also known as Song of Songs or Canticles) is a book in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament that is unique in its celebration of love, romance, and sexuality. It is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, who is said to have written 1,005 songs, and this poem is described as the best of them. The historical context of the book is generally placed during the monarchic period of Israel's history, around the 10th century BCE.
Song of Solomon 2:2 is a verse within a larger poetic dialogue between two lovers. The speaker in this verse compares his beloved to "the lily among thorns," which is a metaphor for her exceptional beauty and purity standing out among other women, who are likened to the less desirable thorns. The lily, a symbol of beauty, grace, and renewal, is a common motif in ancient Near Eastern love poetry, and here it emphasizes the beloved's uniqueness and the speaker's deep admiration for her.
The themes of this verse include the beauty and uniqueness of the beloved, the power of comparison in expressing affection, and the celebration of romantic love. It reflects the broader themes of the Song of Solomon, which include the joy of mutual attraction, the delight in physical beauty, and the sanctity of the love between two people. The verse also hints at the exclusivity and intensity of true love, as the beloved is not just beautiful but distinctly so in the eyes of her admirer, rising above all others.
In a historical and cultural context, the verse reflects the pastoral and agrarian setting of ancient Israel, where flowers and thorns would be familiar sights. The metaphor would resonate with readers familiar with the natural landscape, underscoring the poet's skill in using everyday imagery to convey deep emotional truths. The Song of Solomon, as a whole, is often interpreted allegorically in Jewish and Christian traditions, with the love between the characters symbolizing the love between God and Israel or Christ and the Church. However, the literal interpretation also stands as a testament to the beauty of human love and desire within the bounds of a committed relationship.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7799
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּשַׁן
Transliteration: shûwshan
Pronunciation: shoo-shan'
Description: or שׁוֹשָׁן; or שֹׁשָׁן; and (feminine) שׁוֹשַׁנָּה; from שׂוּשׂ; a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape); lily, Shoshannim. - Strong's Number: H2336
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוֹחַ
Transliteration: chôwach
Pronunciation: kho'-akh
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to pierce; a thorn; by analogy, a ring forthe nose; bramble, thistle, thorn. - Strong's Number: H7474
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַעְיָה
Transliteration: raʻyâh
Pronunciation: rah-yaw'
Description: feminine of רֵעַ; a female associate; fellow, love. - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.