TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
My darling is mine, and I am his, as he pastures his flock among the lilies.
American Standard Version
My beloved is mine, and I am his: He feedeth his flock among the lilies.
Young's Literal Translation
My beloved is mine, and I am his, Who is delighting among the lilies,
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,571 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On Isaac and the Soul
Without any loss therefore, he passed by the guardians, and the Word mixed with the daughters of that heavenly city seeks, and by seeking it arouses love in himself, and where it seeks the Word, it recognizes. It knows what waits among the prayers of the saints, and what clings to them, and understands how it feeds his Church, or the souls of his righteous ones among the lilies. The Lord demonstrated this mystery to you in the Gospel when he led his disciples through the fields on the Sabbath. Moses led the people of Judea through the desert: Christ leads through the fields, Christ leads through the lilies; for through his passion the desert blooms like a lily.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
LETTER 146
They who are blessed by the boons of God and have learned to know these passages and others like them, kindled with warm love for their bountiful Master, constantly carry on their lips this his dearest name and cry in the words of the Song of Songs, “My beloved is mine, and I am his.”
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Who feeds among the lilies. That is, who is accustomed to rejoice in the most radiant and sweetest fragrance of my virtues, who delights in the most pleasing fruit of the glittering churches throughout the world. Thus indeed the holy universal Church is sometimes described in the plural as lilies, sometimes in the singular as a lily. For as it says, As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among the daughters. Similarly, it refers to vineyards in the plural, where it says: Blooming vineyards; and again in the singular as a vineyard, where it adds, For our vineyard has blossomed, it represents the one Church. It is named in the singular because there is one heart and one soul of the multitude of believers (Acts IV); and it is also very aptly named in the plural because that unity of faithful heart and soul is no longer contained in a few, but in a multitude of believers. Noteworthy is also that lilies, even in that they are accustomed to heal limbs burned by fire, correspond to the acts of the saints. If they chance to detect hearts being burned by the flames of vices, they immediately extend the help of brotherly love to heal them, and lest the heat of desire or luxury, arrogance or anger, or other crimes overwhelm them, they provide them with the refreshment of their consolation and exhortation with diligent care. Some interpret the Lord feeding among the lilies as among the purest choirs of virgins, and rightly so, because both their chastity of the flesh shines outwardly and the brilliance of their inviolate hearts shines inwardly. Again, the Lord feeds among the lilies, that is, among the most pleasing virtues or bands of saints, in the very reason that He is born among them; for since He Himself, the Mediator of God and men, willed to be of one nature with His Church, hence the same Church is often called His body and He the head of the body of the Church. He feeds among the lilies when the number of the faithful within the Church is increased through the fountain of regeneration. He feeds among the lilies when the faithful, who are certainly members of Him, advance in the love of the highest by the illustrious examples of previous faithful. And it is noteworthy that here the beloved is said to feed, while above he is said to lead the pastures: the bride saying, Tell me, whom my soul loves, where you feed, where you rest at midday; for he is fed in us, because we are His body, and members from His member; He feeds us because He is our head, in whom we all rightly glory, each saying, But now has He exalted my head above my enemies, implying that He will also later exalt us, and gather us to the head; and since this pasturing of the Lord, which takes place in the progress of His saints, extends to the end of this age (for when they reach His vision, they will have nothing further to advance in), it is rightly added:
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
My beloved is mine, and I am his, etc. The meaning of this response is as broad as it seems to be briefly concluded. For it may rightly be understood in this way: My beloved is mine, and I am his, we are united by true and sincere love. It may also be understood in this way: My beloved has promised me such words of His divine exhortation, consolation, and promise, and I will always offer Him a clear face of my conduct and a pure voice of my speech and grace. But it can also be very decently accepted that, since pronouns usually have great force, the Church, that is, the multitude of all the elect, says, My beloved is mine, and no other; and again, My beloved is mine, not to anyone else, implying that He grants eternal favor of His love and repays fruitfully; and I am His, not to anyone else; I am His, not any other crowd of people, implying that I am always united with Him in full devotion of humility and obedience. To all these meanings aptly fits what follows:
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 2:16 encapsulates a profound declaration of mutual love, secure belonging, and intimate reciprocity between the Shulamite woman and her beloved. This verse vividly portrays the joy and confidence found in a relationship where both parties fully possess and are possessed by the other, culminating in an idyllic image of the beloved's gentle presence and devoted care within a serene, beautiful setting.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 2:16 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message of love and belonging. The most prominent is Chiasm (or chiastic structure) in the opening declaration: "My beloved is mine, and I am his." This "ABBA" pattern ("My beloved [A] is mine [B], and I [B'] am his [A']") emphasizes the perfect reciprocity and mutual indwelling of the lovers, creating a sense of balance and completeness. Pastoral Imagery is central to the latter half of the verse, with the beloved "feeding among the lilies." This evokes a tranquil, idyllic scene, drawing on the familiar biblical motif of a shepherd tending his flock. The act of "feeding" carries connotations of care, provision, and gentle guidance. Finally, Symbolism is evident in the "lilies," which throughout the Song of Solomon represent beauty, purity, and delight, often associated with the beloved himself or the flourishing state of the lovers' relationship. Together, these devices create a rich tapestry of meaning, highlighting the secure, reciprocal, and tender nature of their bond.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Song of Solomon 2:16, while a celebration of human love, resonates with profound theological truths about the relationship between God and His people. The declaration of mutual possession—"My beloved is mine, and I am his"—mirrors the covenantal bond between God and Israel, and ultimately, between Christ and the Church. It speaks to the exclusive, intimate, and secure relationship where God claims His people as His own, and they, in turn, fully belong to Him. The imagery of the beloved "feeding among the lilies" beautifully portrays God's active, gentle, and nurturing care for His flock, leading them to places of beauty, purity, and provision. This verse thus becomes a powerful metaphor for the secure, loving, and reciprocal union believers share with their divine Shepherd, who delights in their flourishing and continually provides for their needs.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 2:16 offers a powerful template for understanding and cultivating secure, loving relationships, both human and divine. For human relationships, it underscores the vital importance of mutual commitment and expressed belonging. When partners can confidently declare "You are mine, and I am yours," it fosters a deep sense of security, trust, and intimacy, creating a safe space for vulnerability and shared delight. It encourages us to actively "feed among the lilies"—to seek out and cultivate environments of beauty, peace, and purity where our relationships can flourish, and to tenderly care for one another. Spiritually, this verse provides immense comfort and assurance. It reminds believers of their secure identity in Christ: we are His, bought with a price, and He is ours, dwelling within us. Our Good Shepherd is not distant but actively "feedeth among the lilies" of our lives, providing for our needs, guiding us to spiritual refreshment, and delighting in our growth and purity. This truth should inspire unwavering confidence, deep peace, and joyful surrender to His loving care.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the phrase "My beloved is mine, and I am his"?
Answer: This phrase is a powerful declaration of mutual possession and exclusive belonging, forming the core of the verse. It signifies a reciprocal, covenantal relationship where both parties are fully committed to and invested in each other. It speaks to deep intimacy, security, and unwavering loyalty, highlighting that the love is not one-sided but shared completely. The Shulamite's confident assertion reflects the secure and joyful nature of her bond with her beloved, a bond that mirrors the ultimate relationship between Christ and His Church, where believers are in Him and He in them.
What does "he feedeth among the lilies" mean?
Answer: This phrase paints a pastoral and idyllic scene. The word "feedeth" (Hebrew: râʻâh) implies shepherding, tending, and providing care, not just grazing. Lilies (Hebrew: shûwshan) symbolize beauty, purity, and delight. Therefore, the phrase suggests that the beloved is actively engaged in a gentle, nurturing role, finding his delight and sustenance in a beautiful, pure, and serene environment. It portrays him as a tender provider and protector, leading his beloved (or his flock) to places of flourishing and refreshment. This imagery is often connected to the biblical portrayal of God as the Good Shepherd who leads His people to green pastures.
Is Song of Solomon 2:16 primarily about human love or a metaphor for divine love?
Answer: Song of Solomon 2:16, like the entire book, can be understood on both levels. Primarily, it is a celebration of the beauty, passion, and security of human marital love between a man and a woman. However, allegorically and typologically, it has been widely interpreted throughout Christian tradition as a profound metaphor for the spiritual union between Christ and His Church, or between Christ and the individual believer. The themes of mutual possession, intimate belonging, and tender care resonate deeply with the New Testament's portrayal of Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as His Bride. Both interpretations offer rich insights into the nature of love, commitment, and security.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 2:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Shulamite's confident declaration, "My beloved is mine, and I am his," beautifully prefigures the new covenant reality of the believer's secure and intimate union with Christ. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ purchased a people for Himself, making us His own, and by faith, we fully surrender to Him, declaring, "I am His." This mutual possession is the essence of our salvation, where we are in Christ and He dwells in us. Furthermore, the imagery of the beloved "feeding among the lilies" finds its perfect embodiment in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He actively cares for His flock, leading them to living waters, providing spiritual nourishment, and delighting in the purity and beauty of His redeemed people, whom He is sanctifying to present to Himself as a radiant Church. Thus, Song of Solomon 2:16 is not merely a poetic expression of human love but a divinely inspired foreshadowing of the unbreakable, tender, and life-giving bond between Christ and His beloved Church.