Song Of Solomon 7:13

The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates [are] all manner of pleasant [fruits], new and old, [which] I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

The mandrakes {H1736} give {H5414} a smell {H7381}, and at our gates {H6607} are all manner of pleasant {H4022} fruits, new {H2319} and old {H3465}, which I have laid up {H6845} for thee, O my beloved {H1730}.

The mandrakes are sending out their fragrance, all kinds of choice fruits are at our doors, fruits both new and old, my darling, which I have kept in store for you.

The mandrakes send forth a fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, new as well as old, that I have treasured up for you, my beloved.

The mandrakes give forth fragrance; And at our doors are all manner of precious fruits, new and old, Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

Context

Song of Solomon 7:13 is part of a passionate exchange between the Shulamite woman and her beloved, often interpreted as celebrating the beauty and intimacy of marital love. This verse, spoken by the woman, emphasizes her eager anticipation and readiness to welcome her beloved into a place of abundance and delight. It follows a section where the beloved describes her physical beauty and charm, leading to her invitation for him to join her in the fields and vineyards, away from the city.

Key Themes

  • Abundance and Provision: The mention of "all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old," signifies a plentiful and continuous supply, demonstrating the depth of her provision and readiness for him. This speaks to the richness found within their relationship, offering both familiar comforts and fresh delights.
  • Eager Anticipation and Hospitality: The phrase "which I have laid up for thee" highlights her proactive preparation and deep desire to please her beloved, creating a welcoming and intimate space. It underscores her personal investment in their shared joy.
  • Fertility and Desire: The inclusion of "mandrakes" (Hebrew: dudaim), known in ancient cultures for their alluring scent and association with fertility, underscores the sensual and life-giving aspects of their love, hinting at the desire for fruitfulness within their union. See Genesis 30:14 regarding mandrakes in a biblical context.
  • Intimacy and Devotion: The entire verse is a declaration of personal devotion, where the woman has prepared specific delights solely for her "beloved," emphasizing the exclusive and deep bond they share. The "gates" could refer to the entrance of their home or property, signifying a private, shared space.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mandrakes" is dudaim (דוּדָאִים), which is phonetically similar to the Hebrew word for "love" or "desire" (dod), further reinforcing the verse's theme of romantic passion. The "pleasant fruits" are from the Hebrew megadim (מְגָדִים), meaning precious or choice fruits, suggesting not just quantity but quality and value. The phrase "at our gates" (בִּפְתָחֵינוּ - *bif'tacheinu*) implies a public or accessible place, yet the preparation is intensely personal and reserved for the beloved, creating a beautiful tension between openness and exclusive devotion.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights for relationships today, both marital and spiritual:

  • Intentional Preparation in Love: Just as the Shulamite woman prepared an abundance for her beloved, we are called to be intentional in nurturing our relationships, offering our best and preparing a welcoming space for those we cherish. This involves both new experiences and cherishing established traditions.
  • Celebrating Abundance: It encourages us to appreciate and celebrate the blessings and "fruits" (both new experiences and cherished memories) that have accumulated within our relationships over time. This reflects a spirit of gratitude and shared joy.
  • Spiritual Readiness: Spiritually, the verse can be seen as an invitation from the believer to Christ, expressing a readiness to welcome His presence and offer all that we have for His glory. It echoes the sentiment of preparing our hearts as a dwelling place for Him, as seen in passages that speak of Christ knocking at the door of our hearts, inviting us to a fellowship of abundance.
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.

  • Genesis 30:14

    ¶ And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.

  • Matthew 13:52

    Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [which is] instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure [things] new and old.

  • Matthew 25:40

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

  • Colossians 3:17

    And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

  • Ephesians 5:9

    (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

  • Romans 15:25

    But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

  • Romans 15:27

    It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

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