TRV
Translation
King James Version
Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
Complete Jewish Bible
You are an orchard that puts forth pomegranates and other precious fruits, henna and nard
Berean Standard Bible
Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,
American Standard Version
Thy shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits; Henna with spikenard plants,
World English Bible Messianic
Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits: henna with spikenard plants,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Thy plantes are as an orchard of pomegranates with sweete fruites, as camphire, spikenarde,
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,596 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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CyprianAD 258
Epistle LXXV:2
But that the Church is one, the Holy Spirit declares in the Song of Songs, saying, in the person of Christ, "My dove, my undefiled, is one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her." Concerning which also He says again, "A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring sealed up, a well of living water." But if the spouse of Christ, which is the Church, is a garden enclosed; a thing that is closed up cannot lie open to strangers and profane persons. And if it is a fountain sealed, he who, being placed without has no access to the spring, can neither drink thence nor be sealed. And the well also of living water, if it is one and the same within, he who is placed without cannot be quickened and sanctified from that water of which it is only granted to those who are within to make any use, or to drink.
Cyril of JerusalemAD 386
Catechetical Lecture 14:5
Now who is the “fountain sealed,” or who is signified by the “wellspring of living water”? It is the Savior himself, of whom it is written: “For with you is the fountain of life.”
Cyril of JerusalemAD 386
Catechetical Lecture 14:11
The place of his burial was a garden.… What is he going to say who was buried in the garden? “I gather my myrrh, and my spices”; and again, “Myrrh and aloes with all the finest spices.” These were the tokens of his burial, and in the Gospels it is said, “The women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared,” and “there also came Nicodemus, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes.”
Gregory of NyssaAD 395
HOMILIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS 9
When the Word raises his bride to such a point through her ascents, he leads her even further, saying that her garments have the scent of frankincense. Scripture testifies that Christ is clothed with this frankincense. The end of a virtuous life is participation in God, for frankincense manifests the divinity. The soul is not always led by the Word to what is higher by means of honey and milk, but after having been compared with the scent of frankincense, the garden becomes an image of paradise. It is not loosely guarded as with our first parents, but protected from every side by recollection of the bridegroom’s command.
Gregory of NyssaAD 395
HOMILIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS 9
In order that we may know the plants that the Word cultivates in believers, the Song calls the trees he planted “pomegranates.” These issue from the bride’s mouth. The pomegranate is difficult for a thief to grasp because of its thorny branches, and its fruit is surrounded and protected by a rind bitter and harsh to the taste. Once the pomegranate ripens in its own good time, and once the rind is peeled off and the inside revealed, it is sweet and appealing to the sight much like honey to the taste; its juice tastes like wine and affords much pleasure to the palate. I think that the issues from the bride’s mouth [are] a “garden of pomegranates” present in the souls of those listening to her. We must heed her words and not become soft by indulgence and enjoyment of this present life. Rather we should choose a life that has become toughened by continence. Thus virtue’s fruit is inaccessible to thieves and is protected by the bitter covering of self-control. Surrounded by a solemn, austere way of life, it wards off as though by spiny thorns those who approach the fruit with evil intent.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On Isaac and the Soul 4.26
And about mystical wells it remains for us, which we also find in the Song of Songs, as Scripture says: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and flowing down from Lebanon. For if you pursue the depth of mysteries, the well appears to you as if the mystical wisdom is located in the profound: but if you desire to draw from the abundance of charity, which is greater and richer than faith and hope, then the fountain is for you. For charity is overflowing, so that you can both draw it near and water your garden with its abundant spiritual fruits.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 4
“Pomegranate” is to be taken figuratively as love, since countless seeds are contained together within the one skin, pressed together without squeezing or ruining one another, remaining fresh unless one of the seeds in the middle goes bad. You can also gain a different insight from the sections in the middle: we see many ranks also among the saved, one of virgins, one of ascetics, one of those drawing the yoke of marriage, and of the affluent, one of those living a life of poverty, one of slaves in love with godliness, one of masters exercising lordship lawfully. The pomegranate, too, then, has walled off compartments, as it were, separating its seeds into certain divisions. This is the reason he compares the presents of the bride to “an orchard of pomegranates.”
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS 4
[This garden] also contains “a spring” and “a well of water alive and babbling from Lebanon.” It contains not only the gospel teaching that flows openly but also the “well” of the law, which is “a well of water alive” that also holds hidden streams that babble, emit a sound and flow from Lebanon. The way of life according to the law blossomed in Jerusalem, which is figuratively called Lebanon, but this well changed direction toward the Lord’s bride, the church, and though hidden, it flows with a babble and irrigates the orchard of the church.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Your branches are a paradise of pomegranates, etc. Because the early Church, which was at Jerusalem, produced many people for God from water and the Spirit, it is rightly said that the sacred garden, assisted by the irrigation of the divine fountain, emitted a paradise, not of any kind of trees, but of pomegranates with the fruits of apples. The pomegranates, which bloom with a blood-red color, signify the triumphs of those in the Church who, after the general washing of the sealing fountain, are also baptized with their own blood. However, the fruits of the apples indicate the works of general virtues, or those who perform the works of virtues: although among the pomegranates, which this garden is first said to emit from itself, the whole assembly of the baptized can rightly be accepted, because undoubtedly the regenerating fountain is dedicated to the mystery of the Lord's passion. For as many of us as were baptized in Christ Jesus, were baptized into His death. For we were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that just as Christ rose from the dead by the glory of God, we also might walk in newness of life (Rom. VI). However, after the many pomegranates, follow the fruits of apples and spices, worthy of such a beginning, because after the ascent of the fountain sprinkled with His precious blood, through which we become the children of God, it necessarily follows that the fragrant fertility of virtues, with which the grace of our regeneration is adorned and always grows, comes.
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 4:13 continues the lover's effusive praise of his beloved, portraying her as an exclusive, flourishing garden teeming with exquisite and valuable elements. This verse specifically highlights her as an "orchard of pomegranates" and mentions precious aromatic plants like "camphire" (henna) and "spikenard," all symbolizing her beauty, purity, fruitfulness, and the delightful fragrance of her presence. It underscores the theme of her unique and captivating nature, a private sanctuary of delight reserved for her beloved.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 4:13 is rich with Metaphor and Symbolism. The beloved is not literally an orchard, but her qualities are compared to one, creating a vivid mental image of beauty, abundance, and exclusivity. The "orchard of pomegranates" serves as a Symbol of fruitfulness, fertility, and the richness of her inner and outer being. The "pleasant fruits" further symbolize desirable virtues and delightful outcomes, representing the tangible expressions of her character. Imagery is powerfully employed through the sensory details of sight (pomegranates, lush garden) and smell (camphire, spikenard), drawing the reader into the lover's experience of his beloved and emphasizing her multi-sensory appeal. The specific choice of camphire and spikenard, both highly prized and fragrant, uses Synecdoche to represent the beloved's overall preciousness and captivating aroma. The entire verse functions as an Extended Metaphor of the beloved as a private, cultivated garden, a theme that runs through this section of the Song, culminating in the lover's desire to enter and partake of its delights.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While primarily a celebration of human love, Song of Solomon 4:13 offers profound theological insights when interpreted allegorically, representing Christ's love for His Church or an individual believer. The imagery of a fruitful, fragrant, and exclusive garden speaks to the divine cultivation of believers, where the Holy Spirit produces "pleasant fruits" of righteousness and virtue within them. This "garden" is set apart, pure, and dedicated, reflecting the Church's unique relationship with Christ, a people sanctified and made holy for Him. The precious fragrances symbolize the sweet aroma of Christ that believers are called to embody, a testimony to His presence and transforming power in their lives, making them delightful in His sight and a fragrant offering to God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 4:13 invites us to consider the qualities that make a person truly beautiful and desirable, not just outwardly, but inwardly. For the believer, this verse can be a call to cultivate a life that yields "pleasant fruits" of the Spirit, embodying virtues that are both pleasing to God and attractive to others. Just as the beloved's garden was exclusive and well-tended, our spiritual lives should be a private sanctuary where God's Spirit is given free reign to prune, nourish, and bring forth abundance. The "fragrance" of camphire and spikenard reminds us that our lives, when lived in devotion to Christ, can emit a "sweet aroma" that testifies to His presence and character, drawing others to Him. This encourages us to pursue purity, holiness, and a fruitful walk, recognizing that our true beauty lies in being a cultivated garden for the Lord, yielding precious and delightful things that honor Him and bless those around us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "pomegranates" in this verse?
Answer: Pomegranates in ancient cultures, and throughout the Bible, are rich in symbolism. In Song of Solomon 4:13, their mention signifies abundance, fruitfulness, and beauty. With their many seeds, they often represent fertility and the potential for a rich, productive life. Their inclusion here emphasizes the beloved's inherent richness of character and the delightful abundance she embodies, contributing to the overall imagery of a flourishing and fruitful garden. They were also considered a luxurious and desirable fruit, adding to the sense of preciousness and indicating the beloved's exceptional value.
Why are "camphire" and "spikenard" specifically mentioned?
Answer: "Camphire" (henna) and "spikenard" were highly valued aromatic plants and perfumes in the ancient world, chosen for their distinctive and precious qualities. Their specific mention in Song of Solomon 4:13 highlights the beloved's captivating fragrance, purity, and preciousness. Henna was used for its sweet scent and as a dye, symbolizing beauty and adornment. Spikenard was an extremely expensive and rare aromatic oil, famously used for anointing, as seen when Mary anointed Jesus' feet with costly spikenard in John 12:3. Together, these fragrances signify a luxurious, exclusive, and deeply alluring presence, emphasizing that the beloved's essence is not just beautiful to behold but also wonderfully fragrant and of immense value, pervading her entire being.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 4:13, with its vibrant imagery of a fruitful and fragrant garden, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and His relationship with the Church. The Church, as the Bride of Christ, is depicted as this "orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits," cultivated by the divine Gardener Himself. Through His redemptive work, Christ has cleansed and sanctified His people, making them pure and delightful in His sight, just as Ephesians 5:25-27 describes Him presenting the Church to Himself "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." The "pleasant fruits" are the spiritual virtues and good works produced in believers by the Holy Spirit, the "fruit of the Spirit" mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, which are a testament to God's transforming power. Furthermore, the "camphire" and "spikenard" symbolize the sweet aroma of Christ that emanates from His redeemed people. As 2 Corinthians 2:15 states, "we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved." Thus, this verse beautifully foreshadows the Church's transformed nature, made fruitful and fragrant through union with Christ, reflecting His beauty and glory to the world, and becoming a source of delight to her heavenly Bridegroom.