1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- By night H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
- on my bed H4904 (מִשְׁכָּב) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
- I sought H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
- him whom my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- loveth H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- him, but I found H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
2 I said, I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I will rise H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
- now, and go about H5437 (סָבַב) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
- the city H5892 (עִיר) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
- in the streets H7784 (שׁוּק) — a street (as run over)
- and in the broad ways H7339 (רְחֹב) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area
- I will seek H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
- him whom my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- loveth H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- I sought H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
- him, but I found H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
3 The watchmen that go about the city found me; To whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The watchmen H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- that go about H5437 (סָבַב) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
- the city H5892 (עִיר) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
- found H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
- Saw H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- ye him whom my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- loveth H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
4 It was but a little that I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother’s house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- but a little H4592 (מְעַט) — a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
- that I passed H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
- from them, but I found H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
- him whom my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- loveth H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- I held H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
- him, and would not let him go H7503 (רָפָה) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
- until I had brought H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- him into my mother’s H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
- house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- and into the chamber H2315 (חֶדֶר) — an apartment (usually literal)
- of her that conceived H2029 (הָרָה) — to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)
5 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, or by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, Until he please.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I charge H7650 (שָׁבַע) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
- you, O ye daughters H1323 (בַּת) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
- of Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
- by the roes H6643 (צְבִי) — splendor (as conspicuous)
- and H176 (אוֹ) — desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
- by the hinds H355 (אַיָּלָה) — a doe or female deer
- of the field H7704 (שָׂדֶה) — a field (as flat)
- that ye stir not up H5782 (עוּר) — to wake (literally or figuratively)
- nor awake H5782 (עוּר) — to wake (literally or figuratively)
- love H160 (אַהֲבָה)
- till he please H2654 (חָפֵץ) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
6 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- this that cometh H5927 (עָלָה) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
- out of the wilderness H4057 (מִדְבָּר) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
- like pillars H8490 (תִּימָרָה) — a column, i.e. cloud
- of smoke H6227 (עָשָׁן) — smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)
- perfumed H6999 (קָטַר) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
- with myrrh H4753 (מֹר) — myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)
- and frankincense H3828 (לְבוֹנָה) — frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
- with all powders H81 (אֲבָקָה)
- of the merchant H7402 (רָכַל) — to travel for trading
7 Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty men of Israel.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Behold his bed H4296 (מִטָּה) — a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier
- Solomon’s H8010 (שְׁלֹמֹה) — Shelomah, David's successor
- threescore H8346 (שִׁשִּׁים) — sixty
- valiant H1368 (גִּבּוֹר) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
- about H5439 (סָבִיב) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
- it, of the valiant H1368 (גִּבּוֹר) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
- of Israel H3478 (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
8 They all handle the sword, and are expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, Because of fear in the night.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- They all hold H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
- swords H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
- expert H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
- in war H4421 (מִלְחָמָה) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. war-fare)
- every man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- his sword H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
- upon his thigh H3409 (יָרֵךְ) — the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side
- because of fear H6343 (פַּחַד) — a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
- in the night H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
9 King Solomon made himself a palanquin Of the wood of Lebanon.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- King H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- Solomon H8010 (שְׁלֹמֹה) — Shelomah, David's successor
- made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- himself a chariot H668 (אַפִּרְיוֹן) — a palanquin
- of the wood H6086 (עֵץ) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
- of Lebanon H3844 (לְבָנוֹן) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine
10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, The bottom thereof of gold, the seat of it of purple, The midst thereof being paved with love, From the daughters of Jerusalem.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- the pillars H5982 (עַמּוּד) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform
- silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
- the bottom H7507 (רְפִידָה) — a railing (as spread along)
- gold H2091 (זָהָב) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
- the covering H4817 (מֶרְכָּב) — a chariot; also a seat (in a vehicle)
- purple H713 (אַרְגָּמָן) — purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
- the midst H8432 (תָּוֶךְ) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
- thereof being paved H7528 (רָצַף) — to tessellate, i.e. embroider (as if with bright stones)
- love H160 (אַהֲבָה)
- for the daughters H1323 (בַּת) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
- of Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
11 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon, With the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the gladness of his heart.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Go forth H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
- O ye daughters H1323 (בַּת) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
- of Zion H6726 (צִיּוֹן) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
- and behold H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- Solomon H8010 (שְׁלֹמֹה) — Shelomah, David's successor
- with the crown H5850 (עֲטָרָה) — a crown
- wherewith his mother H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
- crowned H5849 (עָטַר) — to encircle (for attack or protection); especially to crown (literally or figuratively)
- him in the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of his espousals H2861 (חֲתֻנָּה) — a wedding
- and in the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of the gladness H8057 (שִׂמְחָה) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
- of his heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything