Song Of Solomon 4:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Spikenard {H5373} and saffron {H3750}; calamus {H7070} and cinnamon {H7076}, with all trees {H6086} of frankincense {H3828}; myrrh {H4753} and aloes {H174}, with all the chief {H7218} spices {H1314}:

Complete Jewish Bible

nard, saffron and aromatic cane, cinnamon and all kinds of frankincense trees, myrrh, aloes, all the best spices.

Berean Standard Bible

with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.

American Standard Version

Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 4:14 is a vibrant poetic declaration within the lover's ardent praise of his beloved, portraying her as an exquisite, flourishing garden brimming with the most precious and aromatic spices. This verse, continuing the detailed description of her beauty and purity from the preceding verses, employs a lavish catalog of highly valued botanicals to symbolize her comprehensive allure, intrinsic worth, and delightful essence, presenting her as a source of profound joy and captivating fragrance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into a continuous passage (Song of Solomon 4:1-15) where the male lover, traditionally identified as King Solomon, eloquently extols the unparalleled beauty and virtues of his beloved. Following a detailed description of her physical attributes in verses 1-7, the imagery transitions to her inner essence and exclusive devotion, culminating in the powerful metaphor of the beloved as a "garden enclosed" and "fountain sealed" in [Song of Solomon 4:12](/song_of_solomon/4-12 "Song of Solomon 4:12 - The Enclosed Garden"). Verse 13 then introduces a variety of pleasant fruits and trees, meticulously setting the stage for the exhaustive enumeration of rare and valuable spices in verse 14. This deliberate progression emphasizes not only her outward charm but also her inner purity, singular devotion, and the rich, delightful qualities that emanate from her, ultimately leading to the lover's invitation for the "north wind" and "south wind" to "blow upon my garden" in [Song of Solomon 4:16](/song_of_solomon/4-16 "Song of Solomon 4:16 - The Lover's Invitation"). The catalog of spices serves to intensify the sensory experience of her beauty and desirability.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, spices, perfumes, and aromatic resins were exceptionally prized commodities, serving as indicators of wealth, luxury, and often possessing sacred significance. Gardens, particularly those featuring exotic and fragrant plants, were potent symbols of paradise, fertility, and private delight, frequently associated with royalty and nobility. The specific spices enumerated here—spikenard, saffron, calamus, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and aloes—were primarily imported from distant lands (such as India, Arabia, and Egypt), rendering them extremely costly and highly desirable. They were utilized for anointing oils, incense in religious worship (as detailed for calamus and cinnamon in the ingredients for the holy anointing oil in [Exodus 30:23-25](/exodus/30-23-25 "Exodus 30:23-25 - Holy Anointing Oil Ingredients")), perfumes, medicinal purposes, and embalming. Their inclusion in this verse emphatically underscores the beloved's extraordinary value, her exotic beauty, and the profound esteem in which she is held by her lover, reflecting the highest possible commendation in that cultural milieu.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several central themes within the Song of Solomon and broader biblical thought. Foremost is the theme of **Exquisite Beauty and Fragrance**, where the beloved's comprehensive attractiveness is vividly portrayed through the most desirable and aromatic plants, creating an overwhelming sensory experience of captivating allure. This imagery also reinforces the theme of **Purity and Exclusivity**, as the "garden enclosed" in [Song of Solomon 4:12](/song_of_solomon/4-12 "Song of Solomon 4:12 - The Enclosed Garden") implies an untouched and singular devotion, making her a treasure trove of virtues reserved solely for her lover. The phrase "all the chief spices" highlights **Abundance and Richness**, signifying not merely a few pleasant qualities but an overflowing plenitude of desirable attributes, making her delightful in every conceivable aspect. Furthermore, the inherent **Value and Esteem** of these costly spices elevates the beloved's perceived worth, underscoring the lover's deep admiration and the preciousness of their bond, echoing the biblical emphasis on the value of wisdom, which is "more precious than jewels" as stated in [Proverbs 3:15](/proverbs/3-15 "Proverbs 3:15 - Wisdom is More Precious Than Jewels").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spikenard (Hebrew, _nêrd'_):** Of foreign origin, this term refers to nard, an aromatic plant from which a very expensive and highly prized oil or perfume was derived. Its inclusion immediately signals luxury, rarity, and exceptional value, often associated with extravagant devotion, as seen in the New Testament when [Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly spikenard](/john/12-3 "John 12:3 - Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet").
* **Frankincense (Hebrew, _lᵉbôwnâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "white," frankincense is a fragrant gum resin, valued for its pure, clean aroma when burned. It was widely used in ancient worship as incense, symbolizing prayer and purity, and was an essential ingredient in grain offerings (e.g., [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - Frankincense in Grain Offerings")). Its presence here suggests a sacred, unblemished quality in the beloved, akin to an offering.
* **Spices (Hebrew, _besem'_):** This term broadly refers to fragrance, spicery, or balsam, encompassing the general category of aromatic substances. Its use here, especially in conjunction with "chief" (rôʼsh), reinforces the idea that the beloved embodies the epitome of delightful and pleasing qualities, radiating a captivating and pervasive aroma that is truly the best of its kind.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Spikenard and saffron;":** This opening phrase immediately establishes a tone of luxury, exoticism, and high value. Spikenard was a highly prized perfume, while saffron, derived from the crocus flower, was esteemed for its vibrant color, distinct flavor, and aromatic properties, signifying rarity and richness. These are the first two "notes" in the beloved's fragrant symphony.
* **"calamus and cinnamon,":** These two spices were known for their sweet, pungent aromas and were notably components of the holy anointing oil in [Exodus 30:23](/exodus/30-23 "Exodus 30:23 - Ingredients for the Holy Anointing Oil"), thereby linking them to sacredness and purity. Calamus (sweet cane) and cinnamon were also valuable trade goods, further emphasizing the beloved's preciousness.
* **"with all trees of frankincense;":** This phrase expands the imagery beyond mere spices to include the very source of frankincense—the trees themselves. The inclusion of "all trees" suggests an abundant, pervasive presence of this sacred and fragrant resin, emphasizing the beloved's unblemished, pure, and worship-worthy qualities, as frankincense was used in temple rituals.
* **"myrrh and aloes,":** Myrrh, a bitter but fragrant gum resin, was used for perfumes, embalming, and medicine. Aloes, a fragrant wood (distinct from the medicinal aloe vera), was also used for perfumes and in embalming. These spices, while aromatic, can also carry subtle connotations of suffering or mortality due to their use in burial preparations, adding a layer of poignant depth to the beloved's comprehensive beauty and perhaps hinting at the enduring nature of true love even through hardship.
* **"with all the chief spices:":** This concluding phrase acts as a superlative, summarizing and intensifying all that precedes it. It declares that the beloved possesses not just these specific, precious aromatics, but *all* the very best, the most excellent, and preeminent spices imaginable. This signifies her complete and unparalleled perfection, her delightful essence, and the unsurpassed nature of her captivating charm, making her the epitome of beauty and desirability.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 4:14 is exceptionally rich with **Imagery**, particularly vivid sensory imagery that appeals directly to the sense of smell with its exhaustive catalog of fragrant spices. The beloved is presented as a **Metaphorical Garden** (a concept beautifully established in previous verses), a lush and fertile space that spontaneously yields the most precious and delightful aromatics. The extensive list of specific spices constitutes **Enumeration** or **Cataloging**, a literary technique that builds a powerful sense of overwhelming abundance and comprehensive beauty, creating a cumulative effect of her perfection. This detailed listing also employs **Hyperbole**, as the idea of "all the chief spices" flourishing within one "garden" exaggerates for poetic effect, emphasizing the beloved's supreme and all-encompassing attractiveness beyond literal possibility. Finally, each spice carries profound **Symbolism**: spikenard for luxury, devotion, and extravagance; frankincense for purity, sacredness, and worship; myrrh and aloes for perfume, but also subtly hinting at suffering, death, or enduring love; collectively creating a multifaceted portrait of the beloved's immense worth, her intrinsic character, and her captivating essence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while celebrating the profound beauty of human love, also offers rich theological insights into the nature of divine design, value, and consecrated beauty. It speaks to God's inherent delight in the richness and diversity of His creation, particularly in the plant kingdom, which provides such exquisite fragrances and valuable resources. The beloved's comprehensive beauty, depicted through these costly and often sacred spices, can be seen as a reflection of the multifaceted glory and intrinsic worth that God bestows upon His creation, especially humanity. The imagery of a "garden enclosed" filled with the "chief spices" points to the idea of a consecrated life, set apart for God and yielding a pleasing aroma, not just to a human lover, but ultimately to the Divine. It highlights that true beauty, whether in a person or in a spiritual life, is not superficial but emanates from a depth of character, purity, and cultivated virtues, offering a delightful and impactful presence in the world, a spiritual fragrance that honors God.

* [2 Corinthians 2:15](/2_corinthians/2-15 "Believers as the Aroma of Christ")
* [Philippians 4:18](/philippians/4-18 "A Fragrant Offering to God")
* [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Christ's Sacrificial Love as a Fragrant Offering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 4:14 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound beauty and richness that can exist within deep, committed relationships, and by extension, within our spiritual lives with God. In human love, it calls us to cultivate an appreciative eye and a grateful heart, recognizing and affirming the diverse "spices"—the unique virtues, strengths, and delightful qualities—that make our beloved truly precious and irreplaceable. It encourages us to speak words of affirmation that are as rich and varied as the spices listed, celebrating the comprehensive beauty of the one we cherish, thereby nurturing and strengthening the bond. Spiritually, this verse inspires believers to live lives that produce a "pleasing aroma" to God. Our character, nurtured and transformed by the Holy Spirit, can yield virtues like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (the "fruit of the Spirit" from [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), becoming like these precious spices—valuable, fragrant, and delightful in the sight of our Creator. It challenges us to consider what "fragrance" our lives are emitting to the world and to God, urging us to cultivate a spiritual garden that brings Him glory and draws others to His beauty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "spices" or virtues are most evident in my character, and how can I cultivate more of them to bring delight to God and others?**
* **How can I more intentionally affirm and celebrate the unique "fragrances" (qualities) of those I love and appreciate in my life, both within my family and my community?**
* **In what ways can my daily actions, attitudes, and words contribute to being a "garden" that yields a pleasing aroma for Christ in the world, reflecting His beauty and grace?**

### FAQ
**Why are so many specific spices listed in this verse?**

Answer: The listing of numerous specific and highly valued spices in [Song of Solomon 4:14](/song_of_solomon/4-14 "Song of Solomon 4:14 - A Garden of Spices") serves a crucial poetic and thematic purpose: to emphasize the beloved's comprehensive, multifaceted, and unparalleled beauty and worth. Each spice, with its unique aroma, exotic origin, and cultural significance (often associated with luxury, sacredness, or medicinal properties), contributes to a cumulative impression of perfection and delight. It is a literary device, a form of hyperbole and enumeration, designed to convey that the beloved embodies *all* desirable qualities, making her a "garden" of supreme excellence and captivating fragrance, far beyond any single attribute.

**What is the allegorical meaning of these spices in a spiritual interpretation of Song of Solomon?**

Answer: In allegorical interpretations, where the lover represents Christ and the beloved represents the Church or the individual believer, the spices symbolize the spiritual graces, virtues, and spiritual gifts that emanate from a life lived in devotion to God. They represent the "fragrance of Christ" that believers are called to embody ([2 Corinthians 2:15](/2_corinthians/2-15 "Believers as the Aroma of Christ")), the pleasing aroma of faith, love, good works, and obedience offered to God. Each spice can signify a different aspect of spiritual beauty—purity and worship (frankincense), costly devotion and sacrifice (spikenard), or even the beauty found in enduring suffering (myrrh). Together, they form a composite picture of a sanctified life, delightful to the divine Lover, yielding spiritual fruit that glorifies Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Song of Solomon 4:14 celebrates the profound beauty of human love and the beloved's captivating essence, its rich imagery of unparalleled fragrance and comprehensive perfection finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the true "garden" from whom all "chief spices"—every virtue, grace, and divine attribute—emanate in their absolute fullness and purity. The frankincense speaks of His perfect deity and the worship due to Him, echoing the Magi's prophetic gift to the infant King ([Matthew 2:11](/matthew/2-11 "Matthew 2:11 - Gifts to the Infant Jesus")). The myrrh and aloes, often associated with embalming and costly burial preparations, powerfully foreshadow His sacrificial death and burial, through which He conquered sin and death, as seen when [Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes for Jesus' burial](/john/19-39 "John 19:39 - Nicodemus Brings Myrrh and Aloes for Jesus' Burial"). The costly spikenard, a symbol of extravagant devotion and immeasurable value, points to the infinite worth of His life and work, and the lavish love shown to Him by those who truly understand His identity ([John 12:3](/john/12-3 "John 12:3 - Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet")). In Christ, we find not merely *some* precious spices, but "all the chief spices"—the fullness of grace and truth embodied in His person ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). As His Church, His beloved Bride, we are made fragrant *in Him* and *through Him*, becoming a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" in [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love as a Fragrant Offering"). Our spiritual beauty and the "aroma of Christ" we bear are derived from His infinite perfections, making us a garden cultivated by His grace and for His glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 30:23

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half so much, [even] two hundred and fifty [shekels], and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty [shekels],

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 6:2

My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Song Of Solomon 3:6

¶ Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

Song Of Solomon 1:12

¶ While the king [sitteth] at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

Ezekiel 27:19

Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.

Proverbs 7:17

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.