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Sng C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

Sng 3 V1 V2 V3 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11

OET interlinear SNG 3:4

◄ ← SNG 3:4 ↓ → ► ║ ©

Hebrew word order

    1. Hebrew word
    2. Hebrew lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. כִּ,מְעַט
    2. 404647,404648
    3. Like a little
    4. -
    5. 4592
    6. S-R,Ncmsa
    7. like,a_little
    8. S
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282532
    1. שֶׁ,עָבַרְתִּי
    2. 404649,404650
    3. that I had passed away
    4. passed
    6. SV-Tr,Vqp1cs
    7. that,I_had_passed_away
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282533
    1. מֵ,הֶם
    2. 404651,404652
    3. from them
    4. -
    6. S-R,Sp3mp
    7. from=them
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282534
    1. עַד
    2. 404653
    3. until
    4. -
    5. 5704
    6. S-R
    7. until
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282535
    1. שֶֽׁ,מָּצָאתִי
    2. 404654,404655
    3. that I found
    4. found
    5. 4672
    6. SV-Tr,Vqp1cs
    7. that,I_found
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282536
    1. אֵת
    2. 404656
    3. DOM
    4. -
    5. 853
    6. O-To
    7. DOM
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282537
    1. שֶׁ,אָהֲבָה
    2. 404657,404658
    3. the one whom it loves
    4. loves
    5. 157
    6. OV-Tr,Vqp3fs
    7. [the,one]_whom_it_loves
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282538
    1. נַפְשִׁ,י
    2. 404659,404660
    3. self of my
    4. soul
    5. 5315
    6. S-Ncbsc,Sp1cs
    7. self_of,my
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282539
    1. אֲחַזְתִּי,ו
    2. 404661,404662
    3. I grasped him
    4. -
    5. 270
    6. VO-Vqp1cs,Sp3ms
    7. I,grasped_him
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282540
    1. וְ,לֹא
    2. 404663,404664
    3. and not
    4. -
    5. 3808
    6. S-C,Tn
    7. and=not
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282541
    1. אַרְפֶּ,נּוּ
    2. 404665,404666
    3. I let him go
    4. go
    5. 7503
    6. VO-Vhi1cs,Sp3ms
    7. I,let_him_go
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282542
    1. עַד
    2. 404667
    3. until
    4. -
    5. 5704
    6. S-R
    7. until
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282543
    2. 404668
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-maqqef
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 282544
    1. שֶׁ,הֲבֵיאתִי,ו
    2. 404669,404670,404671
    3. that I had brought him
    4. brought
    5. 935
    6. VO-Tr,Vhp1cs,Sp3ms
    7. that,I,had_brought_him
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282545
    1. אֶל
    2. 404672
    3. to
    4. -
    5. 413
    6. S-R
    7. to
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282546
    2. 404673
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-maqqef
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 282547
    1. בֵּית
    2. 404674
    3. the house of
    4. house
    6. S-Ncmsc
    7. the_house_of
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282548
    1. אִמִּ,י
    2. 404675,404676
    3. my mother of my
    4. mother's
    5. 517
    6. S-Ncfsc,Sp1cs
    7. my_mother_of,my
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282549
    1. וְ,אֶל
    2. 404677,404678
    3. and near/to
    4. -
    5. 413
    6. S-C,R
    7. and=near/to
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282550
    2. 404679
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-maqqef
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 282551
    1. חֶדֶר
    2. 404680
    3. the room of
    4. room
    5. 2315
    6. S-Ncmsc
    7. the_room_of
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282552
    1. הוֹרָתִ,י
    2. 404681,404682
    3. the one who conceived me
    4. conceived
    5. 2029
    6. S-Vqrfsc,Sp1cs
    7. of,[the_one_who]_conceived_me
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282553
    2. 404683
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-sof-pasuq
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 282554

OET (OET-LV) Like_a_little that_I_had_passed_away from_them until that_I_found DOM the_one_whom_it_loves self_of_my I_grasped_him and_not I_let_him_go until that_I_had_brought_him to the_house_of my_mother_of_my and_near/to the_room_of the_one_who_conceived_me.

OET (OET-RV) I’d hardly passed by the guards
 ⇔ when I found him whom my soul loves.
 ⇔ I held him and I wouldn’t let him go
 ⇔ until I’d brought him to my mother’s house
 ⇔ ≈ and to the room of the woman who conceived me.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:8–3:5: The man called the woman, but later she could not find him

The author began this scene at a different place and time from the ending of the preceding section (1:1–2:7). At the end of that section, the woman and man were together, but at the beginning of this section (2:8) the woman was in her room at home, and the man was coming to her over the hills.

There are two poems in Section 2:8–3:5. In the first poem (2:8–17) the man came and stood outside the woman’s room. She quoted what he said as he invited her to come out with him and enjoy a beautiful spring day. The second poem (3:1–5) describes a time when the woman searched for her beloved at night. This second poem has much in common with Section 5:2–6:3. See the discussion of similarities at the beginning of that section.

Both parts of this section (2:8–17 and 3:1–5) may describe what the woman imagined or what she dreamed. The descriptions may not refer to actual events in the poem.

Paragraph 3:1–5 The woman described searching for her beloved at night

In the preceding poem (2:8–17) the author described the man and woman as they were together on a beautiful spring day. Here in Paragraph 3:1–5 the woman was alone in her bed at night, and she longed to be with her beloved again. Her joy in 2:8–17 changed to being troubled in 3:1–5 as she searched for her beloved and then clung to him when she found him.

Bible scholars are not sure whether this poem tells about a dream, the woman’s feelings, or an actual event. It seems more like a dream than an actual event. In that culture it would not be likely for a woman to go out into the city at night, as the author described in 3:1–5, but in a dream almost anything is possible.

Some versions (including BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, NASB, NCV, NJPS, and GNT) have a section heading or footnote at 3:1 to indicate that 3:1–5 describes a dream. The GNT mentions in the text that it was a dream, saying, “Asleep on my bed, night after night I dreamed of the one I love…” Other scholars interpret 3:1–5 as a description of the woman’s feelings. The Song is lyric poetry, which often uses such descriptions. It does not necessarily describe actual events. The Notes interpret 3:1–5 as a dream.

It is likely that 3:5 functions as a refrain, probably for the entire section (2:8–3:5). It is identical to the refrain in 2:7.

3:4a

I had just passed them

The text does not give any response to the question that the woman asked the watchmen in 3:3. It does not say whether or not they offered her any help, but probably they did not. By not focusing on the watchmen, the author probably emphasized the fact that the woman was totally focused on her search for her beloved.

I had just passed them: The phrase I had just passed them refers to the time after the woman asked the watchmen her question in 3:3. When they did not answer, she left them and continued to look for her beloved. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

As soon as I left them (GNT)

Then I passed them. Immediately…

Scarcely had I passed them (RSV)

3:4b–f

From the beginning of chapter 3 until this verse, the woman’s search for her beloved became more intense. She searched and longed for her beloved. But here in 3:4b she found him. Her relief and joy was especially strong after her intense search.

In each line of 3:4c–f the woman seemed to express more intimacy with the man. She embraced him (3:4c–d) and brought him into her mother’s chamber (3:4f). Lines 3:4c and 3:4d are parallel, but 3:4d is more intense and specific. Lines 3:4e and 3:4f are also parallel, and 3:4f is more intense and specific.

3:4b

when I found the one I love.

when I found the one I love: This line is closely connected with 3:4a. It indicates that immediately after the woman left the watchmen, she found her beloved. Connect this line with 3:4a in a natural way in your language. Some other ways to translate it are:

immediately I saw my love!

As soon as I had left them, I found the one I love (NCV, 3:4a–b)

3:4c

I held him

I held him: The phrase I held him indicates that the woman held onto the man tightly. It implies that she was happy and relieved to be with him. She did not want to risk being separated from him again. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

I held onto him tightly (NET)

I clung to him

I grabbed/gripped him

3:4d

and would not let go

and would not let go: This clause is parallel to 3:4c and adds emphasis. It means that the woman would not stop holding on to the man. She kept clinging to him. It implies that she felt an intense desire to keep him with her. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I did not loosen my hold on him

and I kept holding him tightly

3:4e–f

until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the chamber of the one who conceived me: The clauses in 3:4e and 3:4f are parallel and have a similar meaning. In 3:4e the woman said that she brought the man into her mother’s house. In 3:4f she brought him even into her mother’s bedroom.

3:4e

until I had brought him to my mother’s house,

until I had brought him to my mother’s house: This clause tells the place where the woman brought her beloved. She was determined to bring him to her mother’s house, so she held him tightly until they arrived. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

then I brought him to my mother’s house. (NLT)

I did not stop holding him before I took him with me into my mother’s house

to my mother’s house: There is uncertainty about what my mother’s house implies here. Scholars also have different ideas about why the young woman took the man there. Here are some important facts to consider:

  1. The phrase my mother’s house is a common way to refer to the place (house) where an unmarried woman lives.

  2. Marriage plans were made at the mother’s house. The text may imply that the woman and man went there to make preparations for their marriage, which happens in 3:6–11.

  3. Her mother’s house in her “chamber” (3:4f) is the place where the man and woman will be intimate with each other after they marry.

These three suggestions about what the phrase mother’s house implies here may all be true. The phrase probably refers to the house where the woman and her mother lived. There plans could be made for the marriage of the man and woman.

3:4f

to the chamber of the one who conceived me.

to the chamber of the one who conceived me: The phrase to the chamber of the one who conceived me is parallel to the phrase “into my mother’s house” in 3:4e. In 3:4f the woman used a more specific phrase, and the meaning is more intense. It implies that the woman hoped that in the future she and the man would be intimate with each other there. The next section (3:6–5:1) figuratively describes their wedding and their intimate union as a married couple.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

into the room where my mother conceived me.

into my mother’s bedroom, where I had been conceived. (NLT96)

the chamber of the one who conceived me: The word chamber means “room.” The phrase the chamber of the one who conceived me refers to the bedroom of the woman’s mother.Most English versions follow this view, including NIV, RSV, NET, NASB, ESV, GW, REB, and NJPS. It may also imply that the woman was conceived in this roomNLT and NJB follow this view. The NJB has, “to my mother’s house, to the room where she conceived me!” and/or that she was born in that room.It may refer to the room where the woman was born, as GNT and NCV indicate. The NCV has, “the room where I was born.” It may also imply that her mother’s blessing was on her daughter’s relationship with her beloved.

Another way to translate the chamber of the one who conceived me is:

the room of the one who conceived me (NIV)

General Comment on 3:1–4

This dream in 3:1–4 is told from the woman’s point of view. In these verses she searched for him and committed herself to him again. The woman’s dream ends here in 3:4. The man did not speak often in this section (2:8–3:5), but he spoke more often in the next section, especially in 4:1–15.

uW Translation Notes:

כִּ⁠מְעַט֙

like,a_little

Alternate translation: [Scarcely]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

אֵ֥ת שֶׁ⁠אָהֲבָ֖ה נַפְשִׁ֑⁠י

DOM [the,one]_whom_it_loves self_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]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / go

שֶׁ֤⁠הֲבֵיאתִי⁠ו֙

that,I,had_brought_him

Your language may say “taken” rather than brought in a context such as this. Use whichever is more natural in your language. Alternate translation: [I had taken him]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

שֶׁ֤⁠הֲבֵיאתִי⁠ו֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית אִמִּ֔⁠י וְ⁠אֶל־חֶ֖דֶר הוֹרָתִֽ⁠י

that,I,had_brought_him to/towards house_of my_mother_of,my and=near/to chamber_of of,[the_one_who]_conceived_me

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and it would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a word other than “and” in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: [I had brought him to the house of my mother; yes, to the room of the woman who had conceived me]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Hebrew word
    5. Hebrew lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. Like a little
    2. -
    3. 3418,3962
    5. 404647,404648
    6. S-R,Ncmsa
    8. S
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282532
    1. that I had passed away
    2. passed
    3. 7646,5896
    5. 404649,404650
    6. SV-Tr,Vqp1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282533
    1. from them
    2. -
    3. 4129,1978
    5. 404651,404652
    6. S-R,Sp3mp
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282534
    1. until
    2. -
    3. 5798
    5. 404653
    6. S-R
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282535
    1. that I found
    2. found
    3. 7646,4733
    5. 404654,404655
    6. SV-Tr,Vqp1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282536
    1. DOM
    2. -
    3. 347
    5. 404656
    6. O-To
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282537
    1. the one whom it loves
    2. loves
    3. 7646,643
    5. 404657,404658
    6. OV-Tr,Vqp3fs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282538
    1. self of my
    2. soul
    3. 5059,1978
    5. 404659,404660
    6. S-Ncbsc,Sp1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282539
    1. I grasped him
    2. -
    3. 655,1978
    5. 404661,404662
    6. VO-Vqp1cs,Sp3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282540
    1. and not
    2. -
    3. 1987,3835
    5. 404663,404664
    6. S-C,Tn
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282541
    1. I let him go
    2. go
    3. 7329,1978
    5. 404665,404666
    6. VO-Vhi1cs,Sp3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282542
    1. until
    2. -
    3. 5798
    5. 404667
    6. S-R
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282543
    1. that I had brought him
    2. brought
    3. 7646,1274,1978
    5. 404669,404670,404671
    6. VO-Tr,Vhp1cs,Sp3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282545
    1. to
    2. -
    3. 369
    5. 404672
    6. S-R
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282546
    1. the house of
    2. house
    3. 1094
    5. 404674
    6. S-Ncmsc
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282548
    1. my mother of my
    2. mother's
    3. 334,1978
    5. 404675,404676
    6. S-Ncfsc,Sp1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282549
    1. and near/to
    2. -
    3. 1987,369
    5. 404677,404678
    6. S-C,R
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282550
    1. the room of
    2. room
    3. 2376
    5. 404680
    6. S-Ncmsc
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282552
    1. the one who conceived me
    2. conceived
    3. 1948,1978
    5. 404681,404682
    6. S-Vqrfsc,Sp1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 282553

OET (OET-LV) Like_a_little that_I_had_passed_away from_them until that_I_found DOM the_one_whom_it_loves self_of_my I_grasped_him and_not I_let_him_go until that_I_had_brought_him to the_house_of my_mother_of_my and_near/to the_room_of the_one_who_conceived_me.

OET (OET-RV) I’d hardly passed by the guards
 ⇔ when I found him whom my soul loves.
 ⇔ I held him and I wouldn’t let him go
 ⇔ until I’d brought him to my mother’s house
 ⇔ ≈ and to the room of the woman who conceived me.

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.OET logo mark

◄ ← SNG 3:4 ↑ → ► ║ ©