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Sng C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

Sng 7 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V10 V11 V12 V13

OET interlinear SNG 7:9

◄ ← SNG 7:9 ↓ → ► ║ ©

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 #
    2. 405828
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -
    8. S
    9. -
    10. 283341
    1. אָמַרְתִּי
    2. 405829
    3. I say
    4. -
    5. 559
    6. V-Vqp1cs
    7. I_say
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283342
    1. אֶעֱלֶה
    2. 405830
    3. I will climb up
    4. -
    5. 5927
    6. V-Vqh1cs
    7. I_will_climb_up
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283343
    1. בְ,תָמָר
    2. 405831,405832
    3. on +the palm tree
    4. -
    5. 8558
    6. S-R,Ncmsa
    7. on_[the],palm_tree
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283344
    1. אֹחֲזָה
    2. 405833
    3. I will take hold
    4. -
    5. 270
    6. V-Vqh1cs
    7. I_will_take_hold
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283345
    1. בְּ,סַנְסִנָּי,ו
    2. 405834,405835,405836
    3. on fruit-stalks of its
    4. -
    5. 5577
    6. S-R,Ncmpc,Sp3ms
    7. on,fruit-stalks_of,its
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283346
    1. וְ,יִהְיוּ
    2. 405837,405838
    3. and may they be
    4. -
    5. 1961
    6. SV-C,Vqj3mp
    7. and,may_they_be
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283347
    2. 405839
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-maqqef
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 283348
    1. נָא
    2. 405840
    3. please
    4. -
    5. 4994
    6. S-Te
    7. please
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283349
    1. שָׁדַיִ,ךְ
    2. 405841,405842
    3. breasts of your
    4. -
    6. S-Ncmdc,Sp2fs
    7. breasts_of,your
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283350
    1. כְּ,אֶשְׁכְּלוֹת
    2. 405843,405844
    3. like the clusters of
    4. -
    5. 811
    6. S-R,Ncmpc
    7. like,the_clusters_of
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283351
    1. הַ,גֶּפֶן
    2. 405845,405846
    3. (the) vine
    4. -
    5. 1612
    6. S-Td,Ncbsa
    7. of_(the),vine
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283352
    1. וְ,רֵיחַ
    2. 405847,405848
    3. and the odour of
    4. -
    5. 7381
    6. S-C,Ncmsc
    7. and,the_odor_of
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283353
    1. אַפֵּ,ךְ
    2. 405849,405850
    3. your nose of your
    4. -
    5. 639
    6. S-Ncmsc,Sp2fs
    7. your_nose_of,your
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283354
    1. כַּ,תַּפּוּחִים
    2. 405851,405852
    3. like apples
    4. -
    5. 8598
    6. S-Rd,Ncmpa
    7. like,apples
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283355
    2. 405853
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-sof-pasuq
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 283356

OET (OET-LV) [fn] I_say I_will_climb_up on_the_palm_tree I_will_take_hold on_fruit-stalks_of_its and_may_they_be please breasts_of_your like_the_clusters_of (the)_vine and_the_odour_of your_nose_of_your like_apples.

7:9 Note: KJB: Song.7.8

OET (OET-RV) and let your mouth be like the best wine
 ⇔ going down smoothly for my dearest—
 ⇔ gliding over the lips of those who sleep.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:4–8:4: The man praised the woman and sang about springtime

In this section the man described the woman in two separate speeches (6:4–10 and 7:1–10). Some verses are difficult to understand, especially 6:11–13, and it is important to think about them carefully. The woman responded to the man in 7:11 and continued to speak to the end of the section at 8:4.

The verse numbering in the Hebrew text is different from the BSB and a majority of English versions. The Hebrew text begins chapter 7 where the BSB begins 6:13, so in chapter 7 the verses in the Hebrew text are one number higher than the verse numbers in the BSB. For example, 6:13–7:13 in the BSB is 7:1–14 in the Hebrew text (and also in the NJB and NJPS). It is helpful to be aware that some commentaries follow the Hebrew verse numbering. The Notes will follow the verse numbers in the BSB (along with the majority of English versions).

Paragraph 7:1–10 The man praised the woman and she responded

In 7:1–9a the man sang another praise song to the woman, and then she responded in 7:9b–10. Here the man used a different order to describe her beauty. He began with her feet and moved upward to her head as the final focus. In other descriptions (4:1–5, 5:10–16, and 6:4–7) he began with the head and moved downward. Here, he described several parts of her body that he described earlier in the book (neck, eyes, breasts, hair, and head), and he mentioned some other parts for the first time. Notice that 7:3 is identical to 4:5a.

Scholars differ about whether the woman was dancing in this section. In 6:13 the woman said that she did not want spectators to look at her as though she were a dancer. In 7:1–10 the man did not describe her movements, but only her physical features. So, she was probably not dancing in this unit. Some scholars think that she was naked or dressed in transparent clothing, but that idea is not supported in the text.

These verses have many metaphors and similes, and scholars differ about how to interpret some of them. The Notes will discuss each one and give translation suggestions.

7:9a

and your mouth like the finest wine.

and your mouth like the finest wine: This clause implies the same verb that was used in 7:8c:

and your kisses are like the best wine.

The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as mouth literally means “palate” or “mouth.” The man said this to imply that when he kissed the woman, her kisses were as exciting or sweet as wine.

Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

The meaning here is similar to what the woman said to the man in 1:2b:

O that you would kiss me with the kisses of your mouth! For your love is better than wine. (RSV)

7:9b–c

There are several interpretation issues in 7:9b–c:

  1. It is uncertain who speaks.

  2. The Hebrew phrase “for my lover” is left out or changed in some versions.

  3. The words “lips and teeth” are translated by some versions as “lips of sleepers.”

The Notes will help you choose an interpretation to follow on these issues.

7:9b

May it flow smoothly to my beloved,

May it flow smoothly to my beloved: The phrase that the BSB translates as to my beloved is literally “for my lover” in Hebrew, and its form indicates that the lover is male. Scholars have different views about who spoke this phrase.

  1. The woman spoke to the man, and she indicated that he is her beloved. For example:

    She: It goes down smoothly for my beloved… (ESV) (BSB, GW, ESV, NAB, NCV, NIV, NJB, GNT, NLT)

  2. The man spoke. For example:

    The Lover to His Beloved:…flowing smoothly for my beloved… (NET) (NASB, NET, NJPS)

  3. The phrase “for my beloved” is omitted. (CEV, NLT96, REB, RSV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with about half of the English versions. The form of the word beloved is masculine, which indicates that the woman spoke to the man. It does not seem proper to change the Hebrew form to feminine, as in option (2), or to omit the word, as in option (3).

flow smoothly to my beloved: The phrase flow smoothly to my beloved describes the taste and feeling of the woman’s kisses. Her kisses are as delightful to the man as delicious flowing wine. Use an appropriate phrase in your language to describe wonderful kisses. The phrase you use should also fit with the meaning of 7:9c. For examples of how to translate 7:9a–c, see the General Comment on 7:9 at the end of the note on 7:9c.

7:9c

gliding gently over lips and teeth.

gliding gently over lips and teeth: Scholars differ about how to interpret the Hebrew phrase in 7:9c. The two major interpretations are:

  1. The phrase refers to lips and teeth. For example:

    flowing gently over lips and teeth. (NIV) (BSB, ESV, NAB, NCV, NIV, NLT, REB, RSV, GNT)

  2. The phrase refers to the lips of sleepers. (GW, NASB, NET, NJB, NJPS)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with the majority of English versions. It is also supported by important ancient manuscripts. However, since the Hebrew text follows option (2), it may be helpful to include a footnote in your translation. This footnote should include the ancient manuscripts that follow option (1). It should also include the literal Hebrew meaning. For example:

Here the translation follows the Septuagint, Aquila, Vulgate, and Syriac versions. The Hebrew text has literally “lips of sleepers.”

gliding: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as gliding is parallel with the phrase “goes down smoothly” in 7:9b, and it has a similar meaning. It compares the woman’s kisses to how wine makes him feel as he drinks it. Use a natural way in your language to compare these experiences. See the following General Comment on 7:9 for translation examples.

General Comment on 7:9

In 7:9a the man continued to tell the woman how much he desired her, and in 7:9b–c he responded. Some other ways to translate this verse are:

Man: Your kisses are like the finest wine. Woman: Let them flow like wine and pass over your lips and teeth.

Man: Let your kisses be like the best wine. Woman: They will come smoothly and glide gently over your lips and teeth.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

וְ⁠חִכֵּ֕⁠ךְ כְּ⁠יֵ֥ין הַ⁠טּ֛וֹב הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְ⁠דוֹדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠מֵישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

The man is saying that the woman’s kisses (mouth) are like wine because both are pleasant tasting and have a powerful effect on the body. The woman continues this comparison. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: [and let your mouth be pleasant tasting and intoxicating like the best wine. May my mouth be like pleasant and intoxicating wine which goes down to my beloved smoothly, gliding over the lips of those who sleep]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / declarative

וְ⁠חִכֵּ֕⁠ךְ

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

The man is expressing a wish or desire. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could include this information. Alternate translation: [and may your mouth be]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וְ⁠חִכֵּ֕⁠ךְ

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

Here, mouth represents the kisses which come from the woman’s mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and let your kisses be]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְ⁠דוֹדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠מֵישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

Some Bible scholars think the speaker in this part of the verse: (1) is the woman. Because the author does not say who is speaking here, you should not indicate the speaker explicitly in the text. However, if you are using section headers, you can indicate that the woman is now speaking. (2) continues to be the man. If you decide that the man is still speaking, you do not need a header above this portion, but if you are using headers, you will need a header above the next verse indicating that the woman is speaking (since Bible scholars agree that the speaker is the woman beginning in 7:10 and continuing through at least 8:3).

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / go

הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְ⁠דוֹדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠מֵישָׁרִ֑ים

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

Your language may say “Coming” rather than Going in a context such as this. Alternate translation: [Coming down for my beloved smoothly]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְ⁠דוֹדִ֖⁠י לְ⁠מֵישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

Going down and gliding both refer to the wine mentioned earlier in the verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could include this information. Alternate translation: [Wine, which is going down to my beloved smoothly, gliding over the lips of those who sleep] or [Wine, which is going down to my beloved smoothly; wine, which is gliding over the lips of those who sleep]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

לְ⁠מֵישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

Here the word smoothly means “freely” and refers to freely flowing wine. The word gliding here means “flowing.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could include this information. Alternate translation: [freely, flowing over]

שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים

(Some words not found in UHB: said climb on_[the],palm_tree take_hold on,fruit-stalks_of,its and,may_they_be now breasts_of,your like,the_clusters_of of_(the),vine and,the_odor_of your_nose_of,your like,apples )

See the chapter 7 introduction for information regarding an alternate translation of the words that the ULT translates as the lips of those who sleep.

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

7:9 The man compares the woman’s love and her kisses to wine in that they are delightful and make one light-headed (see 1:2).

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. I say
    2. -
    3. 683
    5. 405829
    6. V-Vqp1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283342
    1. I will climb up
    2. -
    3. 5945
    5. 405830
    6. V-Vqh1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283343
    1. on +the palm tree
    2. -
    3. 846,8377
    5. 405831,405832
    6. S-R,Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283344
    1. I will take hold
    2. -
    3. 655
    5. 405833
    6. V-Vqh1cs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283345
    1. on fruit-stalks of its
    2. -
    3. 846,5406,1978
    5. 405834,405835,405836
    6. S-R,Ncmpc,Sp3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283346
    1. and may they be
    2. -
    3. 1987,1929
    5. 405837,405838
    6. SV-C,Vqj3mp
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283347
    1. please
    2. -
    3. 5101
    5. 405840
    6. S-Te
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283349
    1. breasts of your
    2. -
    3. 7692,1978
    5. 405841,405842
    6. S-Ncmdc,Sp2fs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283350
    1. like the clusters of
    2. -
    3. 3418,427
    5. 405843,405844
    6. S-R,Ncmpc
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283351
    1. (the) vine
    2. -
    3. 1893,1441
    5. 405845,405846
    6. S-Td,Ncbsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283352
    1. and the odour of
    2. -
    3. 1987,7152
    5. 405847,405848
    6. S-C,Ncmsc
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283353
    1. your nose of your
    2. -
    3. 545,1978
    5. 405849,405850
    6. S-Ncmsc,Sp2fs
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283354
    1. like apples
    2. -
    3. 3418,8341
    5. 405851,405852
    6. S-Rd,Ncmpa
    8. -
    9. Y-1014
    10. 283355

OET (OET-LV) [fn] I_say I_will_climb_up on_the_palm_tree I_will_take_hold on_fruit-stalks_of_its and_may_they_be please breasts_of_your like_the_clusters_of (the)_vine and_the_odour_of your_nose_of_your like_apples.

7:9 Note: KJB: Song.7.8

OET (OET-RV) and let your mouth be like the best wine
 ⇔ going down smoothly for my dearest—
 ⇔ gliding over the lips of those who sleep.

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 7:9 ↑ → ► ║ ©