TRV
Translation
King James Version
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
Complete Jewish Bible
[She] Awake, north wind! Come, south wind! Blow on my garden to spread its fragrance. Let my darling enter his garden and eat its finest fruit.
Berean Standard Bible
Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Breathe on my garden and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choicest fruits.
American Standard Version
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; Blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, And eat his precious fruits.
World English Bible Messianic
Awake, north wind; and come, you south! Blow on my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and taste his precious fruits.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Arise, O North, and come O South, and blowe on my garden that the spices thereof may flow out: let my welbeloued come to his garden, and eate his pleasant fruite.
Young's Literal Translation
Awake, O north wind, and come, O south, Cause my garden to breathe forth, its spices let flow, Let my beloved come to his garden, And eat its pleasant fruits!
See also
In the KJVVerse 17,599 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Hippolytus of RomeAD 235
Fragments from Commentaries on Various Books of Scripture - On the Song of Songs
Arise, O north wind, and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out (Canticles iv. 16). As Joseph was delighted with these spices, he is designated the King's son by God; as the Virgin Mary was anointed with them, she conceived the Word: then new secrets, and new truth, and a new kingdom, and also great and inexplicable mysteries, are made manifest.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On the Mysteries 9:56
For this reason, too, the church, guarding the depth of the heavenly mysteries, repels the furious storms of wind, and calls to it the sweetness of the grace of spring, and knowing that its garden cannot displease Christ, invites the bridegroom, saying, “Arise, O north wind, and come, you south; blow upon my garden, and let my ointments flow down. Let my brother come down to his garden and eat the fruit of his trees.” For it has good trees and fruitful, which have dipped their roots in the water of the sacred spring, and with fresh growth have shot forth into good fruits, so as now not to be cut with the axe of the prophet, but to abound with the fruitfulness of the gospel.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On the Death of Satyrus 2.118
Recognize also the voice of the church inviting us when it says, “Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden and let my ointments flow forth. Let my brother come down into his garden and eat the fruit of his apple trees.” For knowing even then, O holy church, that from these also you would have fruitful works, you promised to your anointed one the fruit from such as these. It was you who first said that you were brought into the king’s chamber, loving [Christ’s] breasts above wine. For you loved him who loved you, you sought him who nourished you, and you despised dangers for religion’s sake.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Concerning Virginity 9:54
Having thus learned where to seek out Christ, learn now how to merit that he may be seeking you. Arouse the Holy Spirit by saying, “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden, and let its fragrance be wafted abroad. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its choicest fruits.” The garden of the Word is the affection of a flourishing soul, and its fruit is the produce of virtue.
AponiusAD 500
EXPOSITION OF SONG OF SONGS 7:49
By exalting the kingdom of the north above all kingdoms of the world, therefore, Almighty God commands what is [now] the kingdom of the Romans to arise. By inspiring prophets from the south, by revealing his Christ through a Virgin, whom the prophets of the south had celebrated as proceeding from a dense and intact body (as the prophet Habakkuk said, “God will come from the south,” that is, the Word of the Father, and “the holy one from a mountain shadowy and dense,” which refers to the assumed humanity), paradise begins to be redolent with fragrances of the deaths of the martyrs, precious and wonderful aromas, and to give great praise to the Lord, the King of heaven, and to all the heavenly host, as the prophet predicted: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
"Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind," etc. For in the north or south, He signifies the tempests of frequent temptations with which the Church was to be buffeted, so that it might become known how much spiritual grace and internal strength it possessed. If we consider any difference between the names of the north and south, one being cold and the other a warm wind, it can not unreasonably be taken as the severity of the intimidating world in the north and the blandishments of deception in the south: for by this twofold assault the garden of the Lord is proved to be tempted, as He Himself shows when explaining the parable of the good seed: "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and anon with joy receives it; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful" (Luke 8). Now, when the Lord seems to say in an imperative tone: "Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow upon my garden," He does not command the wicked to do evil, but allows them to use their free will as they wish. He can also make good things from their evil actions as He wills and render them, with unbiased judgment, the torments they have deserved for their evil deeds. The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart to afflict His people (Exodus X); but shortly after, having freed those who were afflicted, He punished eternally the one who had afflicted them. Concerning the head of all sinful men, He says of the blessed Job: "Behold, he is in your hand" (Job I); and when he went out and struck him with the greatest blow, does it not seem to you that he said to the very turbulent and harsh winds: "Blow upon my garden, and let its spices flow out"? For the spices flowed out from the garden shaken by the winds, when the holy man was struck by adversities and scattered the wonderful fragrance of his virtue far and wide. Hearing that the Church must be tested by the blasts of temptations, it in no way contradicts the providence and arrangement of its Beloved; rather, so that it may not be overcome by adversities and not corrupted by prosperity, it seeks His help in all things, who brings forth the winds from His treasuries; and as the blessed Job says: "Who made weight for the winds" (Job XXVIII): which in other words means: "Who does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear" (I Cor. X). XVII.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
"Let my beloved come into his garden," etc. Let the Lord come into His Church, so that He may keep it spotless and always fruitful with the crop of faith. He who promised to remain with me until the end of the world, then more graciously shows me the presence of His coming when He sees me being assailed by greater temptations from enemies, and may He kindly grant that He Himself is my beloved above all. For I trust that as long as I can truly say: "I will love You, O Lord, my strength" (Psalm XVII); and: "He will deliver me from my mighty enemies, and will set me on high above the heights of the heavenly kingdom" (ibid.). And let Him eat the fruit of His apples; and let Him gladly look upon and gratefully accept the works of His saints, according to what He Himself said to His disciples about the Samaritans who would believe in Him: "I have food to eat that you do not know of" (John IV); which He made clear when He said about the calling of the Gentiles: "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John VI). "Lift up your eyes and see the fields, for they are already white for harvest. And he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life" (John IV). On the contrary, when He was hungry and sought fruit on the Jewish fig tree and did not find any, He condemned it to perpetual barrenness. For He made this figuratively, signifying that although He desired the salvation of the Synagogue, since it despised the fruit of salvation, it deserved to be punished with the vengeance of eternal faithlessness. It can be specially taken as the voice of the perfect members of the Church, that is, those who remember to serve God with sincere and fixed intention. "Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat the fruit of his apples"; as if they were openly saying, "O that the Lord would come quickly, that He, being gracious, may repay us the reward for our pious devotion!" And as we have always cared to love Him and to render the fruit of righteousness which He has given, so may He show us the happiest recompense of His love by receiving us unto Himself. While it is fitting for all saints to say this at all times, how much more when they see the state of the present Church shaken by the storms of temptations! To their desire, He Himself gratefully responding at once by His voice, testifies that He has already done what was asked.
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 4:16 encapsulates the Shulamite bride's passionate and reciprocal invitation to her Beloved, following his effusive praises of her beauty. Through vivid garden imagery, she calls upon the winds to activate the inherent fragrances within her "garden," symbolizing her desire for her inner virtues and affections to be fully manifest. This culminates in an ardent plea for her Beloved to enter and partake of her "pleasant fruits," signifying a profound longing for intimate union, shared delight, and mutual belonging within the secure and exclusive bounds of their love.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 4:16 is rich in Imagery, primarily the extended Metaphor of the "garden." The garden symbolizes the Shulamite herself—her beauty, purity, and inner qualities—a place of cultivated delight and exclusivity reserved for her Beloved. The "spices" and "pleasant fruits" further elaborate this metaphor, representing her virtues, affections, and the fullness of her being offered in love. The verse also employs Personification and Apostrophe by directly addressing the "north wind" and "south wind" as if they are sentient beings capable of responding to her command, emphasizing her active role in preparing for and inviting intimacy. The call for the winds to "blow" and the spices to "flow out" also uses evocative Sensory Language, appealing primarily to the sense of smell and taste, thereby creating a vivid, aromatic, and deeply sensual experience for the reader.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound intimacy and mutual delight portrayed in Song of Solomon 4:16 resonate deeply with the theological concept of God's relationship with His people, often depicted as a divine spouse. Just as the Shulamite prepares her "garden" and invites her Beloved, believers are called to cultivate the "garden" of their hearts, allowing the Spirit to stir their spiritual "spices"—the fruits of righteousness, worship, and transformed character—so that Christ, the Beloved, may find delight in them. This verse speaks to the active participation of the believer in seeking deeper communion with God, presenting oneself as a fragrant offering of love and devotion, and inviting His presence to dwell richly within. It underscores the reciprocal nature of divine love, where God takes pleasure in His redeemed people, finding joy in their sincere devotion and the spiritual fruit they bear.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 4:16 offers a beautiful paradigm for intentionality and active participation in cultivating deep, meaningful relationships, particularly within marriage. It challenges us to consider how we "prepare our garden" for our beloved—not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Are we actively seeking to stir up and release the "spices" of our character, our virtues, and our affections for our spouse? This verse calls for a proactive posture of invitation and vulnerability, where both partners feel desired and cherished, and where there is a joyful surrender to shared intimacy and delight. Beyond marriage, it serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives, urging believers to invite the Holy Spirit (often symbolized by wind) to awaken and release the "fruit of the Spirit" within them, making their lives a fragrant offering to Christ and inviting Him to take full delight in the "garden" of their hearts. This active cultivation and invitation lead to a deeper, more fulfilling communion with God, where our lives become a testament to His transformative power and grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is the "garden" in Song of Solomon 4:16 a literal garden or a metaphor?
Answer: While the imagery is drawn from a literal garden, in the context of the Song of Solomon, the "garden" in Song of Solomon 4:16 is primarily a rich metaphor. It symbolizes the Shulamite bride herself, representing her beauty, purity, exclusivity, and the inner qualities and affections she offers to her Beloved. The "spices" and "pleasant fruits" within the garden further extend this metaphor to her virtues, character, and the delights of her love and intimacy. This metaphorical interpretation is consistent with the highly poetic and symbolic nature of the entire book, which often uses natural imagery to convey profound human and divine love.
What do the "north wind" and "south wind" symbolize in this verse?
Answer: The "north wind" and "south wind" in Song of Solomon 4:16 are often interpreted symbolically. The north wind (H6828, tsâphôwn) in ancient Near Eastern thought could be associated with cool, strong, and even invigorating breezes, while the south wind (H8486, têymân) was often seen as warm, gentle, and bringing rain or growth. In this context, their invocation suggests a desire for both refreshing and nurturing influences to activate and release the "spices" (fragrances) of the garden. Theologically, these winds are frequently seen as symbolic of the Holy Spirit, who "blows" where He wills (John 3:8) to stir up spiritual affections, cultivate virtues, and make the believer's life a fragrant offering to God, preparing the heart for deeper communion with Christ.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 4:16, while a celebration of human marital love, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church, or the individual believer. Christ, our Beloved, has already lavished praise upon His bride, the Church, seeing her as a "garden enclosed," pure and set apart by His grace and sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25-27). In response, this verse becomes the Church's ardent invitation to her Lord. We, as believers, are called to cry out for the "winds" of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-4) to "blow upon our garden"—our hearts and lives—that the "spices" of our worship, obedience, and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) may "flow out," becoming a fragrant offering pleasing to Him (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). Our deepest longing, then, is that our Beloved, Jesus, would "come into His garden"—to dwell richly within us individually (Colossians 3:16) and collectively in His Church—and "eat His pleasant fruits," taking delight in our communion, our transformed lives, and the harvest of souls gathered for His glory (John 15:8). This verse beautifully captures the mutual desire for intimate communion between Christ and His redeemed people, anticipating the glorious and eternal joy of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).