¶ Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Who is this that cometh {H5927} out of the wilderness {H4057} like pillars {H8490} of smoke {H6227}, perfumed {H6999} with myrrh {H4753} and frankincense {H3828}, with all powders {H81} of the merchant {H7402}?
Who is this, coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, chosen from the merchant's crushed spices?
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?
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Song Of Solomon 8:5
¶ Who [is] this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth [that] bare thee. -
Song Of Solomon 4:6
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. -
Song Of Solomon 1:13
A bundle of myrrh [is] my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. -
Revelation 12:14
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. -
Revelation 12:6
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days. -
Song Of Solomon 5:13
His cheeks [are] as a bed of spices, [as] sweet flowers: his lips [like] lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. -
Deuteronomy 8:2
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Context
Song of Solomon 3:6 introduces a majestic and eagerly anticipated scene, shifting from the Shulamite's dream of seeking her beloved (Song of Solomon 3:1-5) to a grand public display. This verse begins a vivid description, generally understood by commentators as the magnificent procession of King Solomon, possibly on his wedding day, as he approaches Jerusalem or his beloved. The collective question, "Who is this?", highlights the awe and wonder inspired by this splendid arrival.
Meaning and Imagery
The imagery in this verse paints a picture of unparalleled grandeur and sensory delight:
Key Themes
Linguistic Nuances
The Hebrew term for "wilderness," midbar (מִדְבָּר), often refers to an uninhabited or sparsely populated area, but here it simply denotes the open country from which a journey would commence. The phrase "pillars of smoke," timarot ashan (תִּימָרוֹת עָשָׁן), literally means "palm-tree columns of smoke," suggesting tall, straight, and impressive plumes. The specific mention of mor (מוֹר, myrrh) and levonah (לְבוֹנָה, frankincense) underscores their high value and common use in ancient Near Eastern luxury and religious practices.
Spiritual and Practical Application
While primarily a love poem, Song of Solomon is often interpreted allegorically to represent God's love for His people, or Christ's love for the Church. In this light: