Song Of Solomon 1:14

My beloved [is] unto me [as] a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

My beloved {H1730} is unto me as a cluster {H811} of camphire {H3724} in the vineyards {H3754} of Engedi {H5872}.

to me the man I love is a spray of henna flowers in the vineyards of 'Ein-Gedi.

My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi.

My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of En-gedi.

Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:14 (KJV)

Song of Solomon 1:14 reads, "My beloved [is] unto me [as] a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi." This verse is a passionate declaration from the Shulamite woman, expressing her profound admiration and delight in her beloved.

Context

This verse is part of the opening lyrical exchange in the Song of Solomon, a poetic book that celebrates the beauty and passion of human love. The Shulamite woman, the primary speaker in this section, is expressing her longing for and appreciation of her beloved. Her words are rich with sensory imagery, drawing comparisons from the natural world to convey the depth of her affection. This particular verse follows her earlier expressions of desire and her appreciation for his presence, painting a vivid picture of her deep admiration and the pleasantness of his presence, much like the mutual affection described in Song of Solomon 2:16, "My beloved is mine, and I am his."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Admiration: The Shulamite's comparison of her beloved to a "cluster of camphire" signifies his immense value, beauty, and pleasantness in her eyes. It's a statement of deep personal appreciation.
  • Beauty and Fragrance: The imagery evokes both visual appeal and a delightful scent. Camphire (henna) was highly prized for its fragrant blossoms and ornamental use, symbolizing attractiveness and allure.
  • Exclusivity and Delight: By stating "My beloved is unto me," she emphasizes the personal and exclusive nature of her affection. He is a unique source of joy and satisfaction for her.
  • Natural Imagery of Love: The Song of Solomon frequently uses metaphors from nature to describe love, desire, and the beloved. This verse is a prime example, grounding their affection in the lushness and beauty of the ancient world. This imagery is characteristic of the entire book, which often uses rich natural metaphors to describe love and beauty.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Camphire": The King James Version's "camphire" refers to the plant known today as henna (Hebrew: kopher). It's a shrub with fragrant white flowers that grow in clusters. In ancient times, its leaves were used to produce a reddish-orange dye for cosmetics, body art, and hair, making it a symbol of beauty and festivity. The blossoms themselves are highly aromatic.
  • "Engedi": En Gedi (Hebrew: "spring of the kid" or "fountain of fortune") is a fertile oasis located on the western shore of the Dead Sea. It was renowned in ancient Israel for its abundant springs, lush vegetation, date palms, vineyards, and fragrant balsam trees. To compare something to a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi is to evoke a place of exceptional beauty, fertility, and delightful sensory experience in an otherwise arid region.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless insights into the nature of deep affection:

  • Expressing Appreciation: It encourages us to articulate our admiration for those we love in meaningful and vivid ways. Finding unique comparisons for our beloveds can strengthen bonds.
  • Seeing True Value: The Shulamite doesn't just see superficial beauty; she sees her beloved as something precious and delightful, like a rare and fragrant plant in a beautiful setting. This invites us to appreciate the inherent worth and pleasantness of others.
  • Celebrating Romantic Love: For many, the Song of Solomon is a divine endorsement of pure, passionate romantic love within the bounds of marriage. This verse beautifully captures the joy and wonder a lover finds in their beloved.
  • Spiritual Allegory: Traditionally, some interpretations view the Song of Solomon as an allegory for God's love for His people (Israel or the Church) or the individual believer's devotion to Christ. In this light, the verse could represent the Church's profound adoration for Jesus, seeing Him as utterly beautiful, fragrant, and delightful—a source of life and joy in a spiritual desert.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 23:29

    And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

  • 1 Samuel 24:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David [is] in the wilderness of Engedi.

  • Song Of Solomon 2:3

    ¶ As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so [is] my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit [was] sweet to my taste.

  • Song Of Solomon 1:13

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

  • Joshua 15:62

    And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:13

    Thy plants [are] an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,

  • Song Of Solomon 4:14

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

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