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.

Until the day {H3117} break {H6315}, and the shadows {H6752} flee away {H5127}, I will get {H3212} me to the mountain {H2022} of myrrh {H4753}, and to the hill {H1389} of frankincense {H3828}.

When the day's cool breeze comes up and the shadows lengthen, I will get myself to the mountain of myrrh to the hill of frankincense.

Before the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.

Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, And to the hill of frankincense.

Song of Solomon 4:6 is a vivid verse from the beloved's passionate praise of his bride, the Shulamite woman. It speaks to a deep longing for undisturbed intimacy and retreat into a place of profound delight.

Context of Song of Solomon 4:6

This verse is nestled within a larger section (Song of Solomon 4:1-7) where the lover, often identified as King Solomon, expresses his admiration for his beloved's beauty. His words are full of poetic imagery, comparing her features to various natural elements and precious items. Verse 6 marks a moment of intense desire and anticipation, where he expresses his intention to withdraw with her to a place of pure, unadulterated pleasure and communion, symbolized by the "mountain of myrrh" and "hill of frankincense." It anticipates a time when all hindrances ("shadows") will be gone, and their love can flourish in complete light.

Key Themes in Song of Solomon 4:6

  • Intimacy and Desire: The verse powerfully conveys the lover's deep yearning for exclusive and undisturbed communion with his beloved. The destination of the "mountain of myrrh" and "hill of frankincense" represents a private, precious sanctuary for their love.
  • Anticipation and Hope: The phrase "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away" speaks to a longing for an ideal, perfect time—a dawn of clarity and joy when all obstacles or uncertainties vanish. This highlights the theme of patient waiting for a desired future.
  • Beauty and Preciousness: Myrrh and frankincense were highly valued aromatic resins in the ancient world, used for perfumes, incense, and anointing. Their mention here emphasizes the preciousness, allure, and delightful atmosphere associated with the beloved and their union.
  • Sanctuary and Retreat: The imagery of a "mountain" and "hill" suggests a lofty, set-apart place, a private haven where their love can be fully expressed and enjoyed away from the world.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The spices myrrh (Hebrew: mor) and frankincense (Hebrew: levonah) were significant in ancient Israel. They were expensive commodities, used in religious rituals (such as the holy anointing oil in Exodus 30:23) and as symbols of wealth and honor, famously brought as gifts to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11). In Song of Solomon, they denote extreme delight, preciousness, and an intoxicating fragrance associated with the beloved's presence.

The phrase "until the day break, and the shadows flee away" is a poetic way to express the transition from night to day, often symbolizing the end of separation, uncertainty, or darkness, and the beginning of complete presence, clarity, and joy. This imagery is also used elsewhere in the Song of Solomon to denote a longing for the full realization of love, as seen in Song of Solomon 2:17.

Practical Application of Song of Solomon 4:6

This verse offers insights for both human relationships and spiritual life:

  • For Relationships: It highlights the importance of creating sacred, undisturbed space for intimacy and connection within a loving relationship. It speaks to the desire for a deep, precious bond where partners can fully enjoy each other's presence, free from external distractions or internal "shadows" of doubt or conflict.
  • For Spiritual Life: Many interpret the Song of Solomon as an allegory for Christ's love for His church, or for the individual believer's relationship with God. In this sense, "the day break" could represent the glorious return of Christ, when all spiritual "shadows" of sin and suffering will flee (Revelation 21:4). The "mountain of myrrh and hill of frankincense" can symbolize the very presence of God, a place of supreme delight, worship, and undisturbed communion for the believer, where true joy and peace are found. It encourages believers to long for and seek out deeper, more intimate fellowship with the Lord.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Song Of Solomon 2:17

    Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:14

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

  • Luke 1:78

    Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

  • 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],

  • Exodus 30:26

    And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

  • Exodus 37:29

    And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

  • Revelation 5:8

    And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

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