Song Of Solomon 1:13

A bundle of myrrh [is] my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

A bundle {H6872} of myrrh {H4753} is my wellbeloved {H1730} unto me; he shall lie {H3885} all night betwixt my breasts {H7699}.

to me the man I love is a sachet of myrrh lodged between my breasts;

My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.

My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh, That lieth betwixt my breasts.

Commentary

Context

Song of Solomon 1:13 is spoken by the Shulamite woman, expressing her deep affection and desire for her beloved. This verse is part of the opening declarations of love and longing that characterize the entire book, a poetic dialogue between a shepherdess (the Shulamite) and her king (Solomon, often interpreted as a shepherd). The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty, intimacy, and exclusivity of marital love, often seen allegorically as representing the relationship between Christ and His Church, or God and Israel. In the verses preceding this, the Shulamite has praised her beloved's beauty and expressed her longing for his presence (Song of Solomon 1:2).

Key Themes

  • Preciousness and Value: The comparison of her beloved to a "bundle of myrrh" highlights his immense value and preciousness to her. Myrrh was a highly prized, fragrant, and costly resin in ancient times, used for perfumes, incense, and anointing oils, signifying something cherished and delightful.
  • Intimacy and Closeness: The phrase "he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts" powerfully conveys a desire for profound intimacy, constant presence, and deep security. It speaks to a yearning for unwavering closeness and comfort in his embrace.
  • Enduring Affection: The image of him resting "all night" suggests a desire for a continuous, abiding presence, not just fleeting moments. Her love is constant and deeply rooted.

Linguistic Insights

The word "myrrh" (Hebrew: mor) refers to an aromatic gum or resin from a thorny tree. It was highly valued for its fragrance and medicinal properties, but also had associations with embalming and suffering due to its use in burial preparations (e.g., John 19:39). This dual symbolism makes the beloved both precious and, in an allegorical sense, connected to the idea of suffering and sacrifice, particularly when applied to Christ. The term "wellbeloved" (Hebrew: dodi) is a tender term of endearment, emphasizing personal and deep affection.

Practical Application

For a general audience, Song of Solomon 1:13 offers several insights:

  • In Human Relationships: It beautifully illustrates the depth of affection and desire for closeness within a loving, committed relationship. It encourages partners to cherish each other as supremely valuable and to seek profound intimacy and constant comfort in one another's presence. This verse celebrates the beauty and purity of devoted love in marriage.
  • In Spiritual Application: Allegorically, this verse speaks to the believer's profound love and devotion to Jesus Christ. He is our "wellbeloved," more precious than anything else, like the most fragrant and valuable myrrh. We desire His constant presence, finding our rest, security, and comfort in Him. Just as the Shulamite yearned for her beloved to be with her "all night," so believers long for an unbroken communion with Christ, abiding in His love and presence (John 15:4). Even if myrrh can symbolize suffering, it points to Christ's preciousness even in His sacrifice, which brought us redemption.

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Cross-References

  • John 19:39

    And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound [weight].

  • Psalms 45:8

    All thy garments [smell] of myrrh, and aloes, [and] cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

  • Ephesians 3:17

    That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

  • Song Of Solomon 4:14

    Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

  • Song Of Solomon 5:5

    I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped [with] myrrh, and my fingers [with] sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

  • Song Of Solomon 5:1

    ¶ I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

  • Song Of Solomon 2:7

    I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please.
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