Song of Solomon 6:2

Translation
King James Version
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
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KJV (with Strong's)
My beloved H1730 is gone down H3381 into his garden H1588, to the beds H6170 of spices H1314, to feed H7462 in the gardens H1588, and to gather H3950 lilies H7799.
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Complete Jewish Bible
[She] My darling went down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.
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Berean Standard Bible
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.
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American Standard Version
My beloved is gone down to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
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World English Bible Messianic
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
I am my welbeloueds, and my welbeloued is mine, who feedeth among the lilies.
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Young's Literal Translation
My beloved went down to his garden, To the beds of the spice, To delight himself in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
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See also
Song of Solomon 5:13Philippians 1:21Philippians 1:23Matthew 28:20Isaiah 57:1Song of Solomon 1:7Song of Solomon 1:8
In the KJVVerse 17,617 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Song of Solomon 6:2 presents the Shulamite's confident and intimate declaration regarding the whereabouts and activity of her beloved. In response to the Daughters of Jerusalem, she reveals her precise knowledge of his destination—his garden—and his purpose there: to tend to the beds of spices, to feed among the cultivated areas, and to gather the beautiful lilies. This verse underscores the restoration and deepening of their bond, portraying the beloved as actively engaged in a place of beauty, nourishment, and care, reflecting the secure and joyful nature of their renewed communion and the profound understanding between the lovers.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse serves as the immediate and assured answer of the Shulamite to the Daughters of Jerusalem's eager query in Song of Solomon 6:1, "Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee." Her confident response marks a significant shift from her previous state of distress and frantic search for him after his withdrawal, as depicted in Song of Solomon 5:6. Now, she knows precisely where he is and what he is doing, highlighting the restoration and deepening of their connection following a period of separation. The setting in "his garden" is a recurring and highly symbolic motif throughout the Song of Solomon, often representing a place of beauty, delight, and profound intimacy between the lovers, as seen in Song of Solomon 4:12.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Gardens in the ancient Near East were highly prized possessions, often associated with wealth, beauty, and privacy. They were not merely utilitarian plots but carefully cultivated spaces for pleasure, reflection, and intimate gatherings. Such gardens would typically contain a variety of plants, including fragrant spices, fruit trees, and ornamental flowers like lilies. The act of "feeding" (tending or pasturing) and "gathering" (collecting or appreciating) within a garden reflects common agricultural and horticultural practices of the time, but within the context of the Song, these actions take on deeper symbolic meaning related to care, cultivation, and enjoyment. The presence of "beds of spices" (perfumed plants) further emphasizes the luxurious and delightful sensory experience associated with these private havens, underscoring the preciousness of the beloved's domain.
  • Key Themes: Song of Solomon 6:2 contributes to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it powerfully conveys the theme of Intimate Knowledge and Confidence within the relationship. The Shulamite's ability to describe her beloved's precise location and activities demonstrates a deep, personal understanding and unwavering confidence in their bond, contrasting sharply with her earlier uncertainty. Secondly, the imagery of "his garden," "beds of spices," and "lilies" evokes the theme of Beauty and Delight, portraying a scene of exquisite natural splendor and sensory pleasure. The beloved is depicted in a place of cultivation and aesthetic appreciation, reflecting his character and the joy he brings. Thirdly, the actions "to feed in the gardens" and "to gather lilies" highlight the theme of Nourishment and Care. These phrases suggest a purpose of sustenance, tending, and appreciating the produce of the garden, symbolizing the active care, cherishing, and cultivation within the relationship. Finally, the emphasis on "his garden" reinforces the theme of Possession and Belonging, underscoring the beloved's domain and sphere of activity, to which the Shulamite feels a strong sense of connection and security, echoing the mutual belonging expressed in Song of Solomon 2:16.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Beloved (Hebrew, dôwd', H1730): From an unused root meaning properly, "to boil," which figuratively implies "to love." This term signifies a deep, passionate affection, often used for a lover or friend. In the Song of Solomon, "beloved" is the primary term of endearment for the male protagonist, emphasizing the intense emotional and romantic bond between the two characters. Its usage here highlights the Shulamite's personal and affectionate connection to the one she speaks of, indicating a profound and cherished relationship.
  • Garden (Hebrew, gan', H1588): Derived from the root "gānan," meaning "to fence" or "to protect," indicating an enclosed or protected space. In biblical literature, a garden often symbolizes a place of beauty, fertility, and intimacy. In the Song of Solomon, the garden motif is central, frequently representing the beloved herself (as in Song of Solomon 4:12) or the private, sacred space of the lovers' relationship. Here, it is "his garden," signifying his domain and a place of his activity and delight.
  • Feed (Hebrew, râʻâh', H7462): A primitive root meaning "to tend a flock," "to pasture it," or "to graze." By extension, it can mean "to rule" or "to associate with as a friend." In this context, it suggests the beloved is not merely present but actively engaged in tending, nourishing, and enjoying the produce of his garden. It implies a purposeful, caring interaction with the environment, akin to a shepherd tending his flock, ensuring their well-being and finding satisfaction in their flourishing. This active care underscores his commitment and delight in his cultivated space.

Verse Breakdown

  • "My beloved is gone down into his garden": This clause establishes the Shulamite's confident knowledge of her beloved's whereabouts and intent. The possessive "his garden" emphasizes his ownership and the personal nature of this space, indicating a place of his domain and cherished activity. The phrase "gone down" often denotes movement from a higher to a lower elevation, but here it more broadly indicates a purposeful journey to a specific, often private or secluded, location, implying a deliberate and known destination.
  • "to the beds of spices": This specifies a particular, highly valued and fragrant part of the garden. "Beds of spices" refers to cultivated plots of aromatic plants, indicating a place of exquisite beauty, rich aroma, and perhaps a source of valuable commodities. It highlights the luxurious and delightful sensory experience associated with the beloved's presence and activity, suggesting a place of pleasure and rich sensory engagement.
  • "to feed in the gardens": This phrase describes the beloved's primary activity. "To feed" (as analyzed above) implies tending, pasturing, or nourishing. In the context of a garden, it suggests he is actively caring for the plants, enjoying their produce, or perhaps even finding sustenance or refreshment for himself within this cultivated space. The use of the plural "gardens" might refer to various sections within his larger garden estate or generally to his cultivated grounds, emphasizing the breadth of his care and enjoyment.
  • "and to gather lilies": This second purpose of his visit adds a layer of appreciation and selection. Lilies are often associated with purity, beauty, and delicate splendor in biblical poetry. The act of "gathering" implies careful selection, appreciation, and perhaps bringing forth the choicest blossoms. This action symbolizes his aesthetic enjoyment, his valuing of beauty, and possibly his intention to present these beautiful flowers, perhaps to the Shulamite herself, signifying his admiration and affection.

Literary Devices

Song of Solomon 6:2 is rich in Imagery, appealing strongly to the senses. The "garden," "beds of spices," and "lilies" evoke vivid visual and olfactory sensations, creating a picture of lush beauty and fragrant delight. The beloved's actions of "feeding" and "gathering" add dynamic visual elements, illustrating his purposeful engagement. Symbolism is paramount, with the "garden" representing not only a physical place but also the intimate relationship between the lovers, a place of cultivation, growth, and shared joy. The "spices" symbolize the pleasantness, richness, and desirability of this relationship, while "lilies" represent purity, beauty, and cherished value. The entire verse functions as a Metaphor for the beloved's attentive and nurturing character, and by extension, the ideal qualities of a loving relationship characterized by care, appreciation, and confident intimacy, reflecting the mutual delight and secure bond between the two protagonists.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse, while deeply rooted in human romantic love, offers profound theological insights into the nature of divine relationship. Just as the Shulamite confidently knows her beloved's whereabouts and purpose, so too can believers cultivate an intimate knowledge of God's presence and activity in their lives. The imagery of the beloved tending his garden, nourishing and gathering its beautiful elements, can be seen as a metaphor for God's active care for His people, the "garden" of His church. He is not a distant deity, but one who is intimately involved in cultivating, sustaining, and delighting in His creation and His redeemed. This passage speaks to the security and peace found in knowing God's purposeful presence, reminding us that He is always at work, tending to His spiritual garden and cherishing those He has called, ensuring their flourishing and beauty.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Song of Solomon 6:2 invites us to reflect on the nature of our spiritual relationship with God. The Shulamite's confident knowledge of her beloved's location and purpose challenges us to move beyond a searching, uncertain faith to a confident, intimate understanding of Christ's presence and work in our lives. Just as the beloved is actively engaged in tending his garden, so too is our Heavenly Beloved constantly at work in the "garden" of our souls and the collective "garden" of His church. This verse encourages us to find peace and delight in His purposeful activity, trusting that He is nourishing, cultivating, and gathering us, His precious lilies. It reminds us that spiritual growth and beauty are outcomes of His diligent care, and our role is to rest in His presence and allow Him to work. When we know where our Beloved is and what He is doing, our hearts can be at peace, filled with confident assurance and joy, leading to a deeper and more secure walk with Him.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what ways do I currently experience a confident, intimate knowledge of Christ's presence and activity in my life, similar to the Shulamite's knowledge of her beloved?
  • How does the imagery of Christ "feeding in the gardens" and "gathering lilies" speak to His care for me personally and for the church corporately?
  • What "spices" or "lilies" (qualities, gifts, or aspects of beauty) might Christ be cultivating or cherishing in my life right now?
  • How can I cultivate a greater sense of peace and delight in simply knowing where my Beloved is and trusting in His purposeful work?

FAQ

What does the garden symbolize in Song of Solomon?

Answer: In the Song of Solomon, the garden is a rich and multifaceted symbol. Primarily, it represents a place of beauty, fertility, and profound intimacy between the lovers. It is often a metaphor for the beloved herself, as seen in Song of Solomon 4:12, where she is called an "enclosed garden" and a "fountain sealed." It also symbolizes the private, sacred space of their love, a place where they can share delight, nourishment, and mutual appreciation, free from external intrusion. In Song of Solomon 6:2, it is "his garden," indicating the beloved's domain and sphere of purposeful activity, emphasizing his ownership and care.

What is the significance of "feeding" and "gathering lilies" in this verse?

Answer: The actions of "feeding in the gardens" and "gathering lilies" highlight the beloved's active engagement and tender care. "Feeding" (Hebrew râʻâh') suggests tending, pasturing, or nourishing the plants, implying that the beloved is actively cultivating and sustaining the beauty and life within his garden. It speaks to his role as a provider and caretaker, ensuring the flourishing of his cherished space. "Gathering lilies" implies a careful selection and appreciation of beauty. Lilies, often symbols of purity and splendor, are cherished. This act suggests the beloved finds delight in the most beautiful and delicate aspects of his garden, perhaps even collecting them to present to his beloved, symbolizing his admiration for her beauty and value. Both actions underscore his purposeful and loving interaction with his cherished space.

How does this verse relate to the Shulamite's previous state of distress?

Answer: Song of Solomon 6:2 marks a significant turning point from the Shulamite's previous state of distress and anxious searching described in Song of Solomon 5:6-8. After her beloved had withdrawn and she fruitlessly sought him through the city, this verse demonstrates a complete restoration of confidence and intimate knowledge. She no longer needs to ask or search; she knows precisely where he is and what he is doing. This shift signifies a deepening of trust, a renewed sense of security, and a mature understanding of their bond, illustrating the cyclical nature of love, separation, and reunion within the Song, culminating in a confident and secure relationship.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Song of Solomon 6:2 finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church. Just as the Shulamite's beloved descends into his garden to tend and gather, so too does Christ, our ultimate Bridegroom, actively engage with His "garden"—His people, the Church. He is not a distant, passive Lord, but one who has "gone down" from heaven to earth, entering into our human experience to cultivate and nourish us. He "feeds in the gardens" by providing spiritual sustenance through His Word and Spirit, pastoring His flock with tender care, as He promised to be the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He "gathers lilies," lovingly drawing His chosen ones to Himself, appreciating their beauty and purity, and preparing them for eternal communion. This imagery beautifully portrays Christ's ongoing work of sanctification and love, where He continually tends to His Church, ensuring her growth, delighting in her beauty, and ultimately gathering her to Himself, as described in Ephesians 5:25-27, where He cleanses and sanctifies the Church to present her to Himself as a radiant bride, without blemish or wrinkle.

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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
My beloved has gone down into his garden, etc. It is already known what the garden of the beloved is. For he himself said: A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse. Certainly, his garden is the Church; his garden is each chosen soul. And well has he said, My beloved has gone down into his garden, adding his, that is, the garden he himself made, he himself cultivated, he himself planted with the spices of virtues, he himself irrigated with the fountain of his grace so it would not wither; he himself enclosed it with the wall of his protection so it would not be defiled by outsiders. This is the garden of which he himself said: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden, and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air lodged in its branches (Luke XIII). The mustard seed, indeed, is the word of the Gospel, humble in appearance, fervent in power; which, being received by the Father, God and man himself sowed in his Church, and gave it such increase that, like a noble tree, it spread its branches of faith and virtues far and wide over the world, in which even angelic spirits rejoice for human salvation, and the citizens of heaven believe that they have gained increased rest when earthly beings are recalled to the heavenly realms. For it was not in vain that the same beloved, about to be captured in the garden, crucified in the garden, buried in the garden, rose victorious from the dead in the garden. He wanted to be believed by Mary, who first deserved to see the glory of his resurrection, as a gardener, for in his own garden, namely the Church, among the various plantings of divine gifts, he also took care to plant the virtue of patience in this life through the contempt of death, the desire for blessed immortality in the reception of the body after the dissolution of the body, with the hope of blessed peace to end this life. And indeed, he is said to have descended into his garden, but not to have entered it: for the place of the beloved is on high, since he dwells in high places, and regards the lowly (Ps. 112). The place of the garden is in the low, in the valley of tears; but he who descended unto it from above, disposed the ascent in his heart, by which he might reach the place of supreme happiness. Hence appropriately it is said above in regard to the same garden, that is, the Church: Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke perfumed with myrrh? Thus a marvelous dispensation of divine mercy, that the Lord is said to descend into the Church, and the Church to ascend to the Lord. For divine grace descends to us from above, which, by assisting us, makes us ascend upwards. This was mystically signified in Exodus, when the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, and Moses ascended: for the latter ascended to gain the progress of virtues; the former descended to impart gifts. Therefore, after having said: My beloved has descended into his garden, he also adds how the same garden is constituted, with what produce it is fruitful, when he immediately subjoins: To the beds of spices. For the bed of spices is the mind of the faithful, taught by the discipline of right faith, as if composed of equal sides on both sides, and frequently turned over by careful digging, and purged of useless weeds; for indeed with careful consideration it examines itself, and with diligent thought endeavors that nothing profane, nothing unclean, nothing contrary to salutary matters, may be found by the heavenly Farmer; and strives to render itself worthy, in which the beloved, the sower of righteousness, may propitiously plant the spices of virtues with his grace, and by his frequent assistance, may water them lest they wither. This most beautifully declares its heavenly desire, at the beginning of the forty-first psalm, in accordance with the Hebrew truth, saying: As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, God (Ps. 41). But descending into his garden or to the bed of spices, it is shown what the Lord does there, when it is added:
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
To be fed in the gardens, etc. He is fed in the gardens, because He delights in the pious labors of the saints; He is fed in the gardens, because they are indeed His members to whom the fruits of righteousness come; and it should be understood not only of carnal but even of spiritual alms, which He predicted He would declare in judgment: “As long as you did it to one of these least of my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25). He gathers lilies when He leads the righteous, having attained to the perfect whiteness of merits, out of this life and brings them to the heavenly kingdom. This He fully emphasizes with the spur of immense charity, adding the following two verses:
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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