OET interlinear SNG 3:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

עַל־מִשְׁכָּבִ⁠י֙ בַּ⁠לֵּיל֔וֹת

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in bed_of,my in/on/at/with,night

Because Bible scholars do not know if the events described in [3:1-4](../03/01.md) describe real events, dreams, or things imagined, you should not expand on or explain the phrase On my bed in the night in the text. However, you may wish to make reference to these possibilities in a header or footnote. See the section “Translation Issues in This Chapter” in the chapter introduction for more information.

Note 2 topic: translate-plural

בַּ⁠לֵּיל֔וֹת

in/on/at/with,night

In the original language, the phrase in the night uses a plural form of night and could mean that the woman: (1) sought the man during the night. Alternate translation: [during the night] (2) sought the man throughout the night. Alternate translation: [throughout the night] or [all night long] (3) sought the man on many nights. Alternate translation: [night after night]

Note 3 topic: writing-poetry

בִּקַּ֕שְׁתִּי אֵ֥ת שֶׁ⁠אָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑⁠י בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖י⁠ו

sought DOM whom,loves soul_of,my sought,him

The phrase I sought him is repeated for emphasis. Hebrew poetry often uses repetition for emphasis. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to show the emphasis here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [I desperately sought him whom my soul loves] or [I earnestly sought him whom my soul loves]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

אֵ֥ת שֶׁ⁠אָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑⁠י

DOM whom,loves soul_of,my

See how you translated the similar phrase “you whom my soul loves” in [1:7](../01/07.md). Alternate translation: [him whom I love]