OET interlinear SNG 8:2

8:2a

8:2b

8:2a–b

I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother who taught me: This theme of the “mother’s house” is also found in 3:4e. Scholars differ about how to interpret the phrase the house of my mother here. Most English versions indicate that it refers to the place where the woman’s mother lived.English versions which follow this interpretation are BSB, NIV, GNT, NRSV, ESV, CEV, GW, REB, NASB, NET, and NCV. It refers to the house where an unmarried woman lives. Some scholars mention that marriage plans were often made at the mother’s house, so that could be a reason why the woman wanted to bring him there. She may have wanted to make preparations for their marriage, which is described in the Song’s central section (3:5–5:1). Other scholars suggest that the house of my mother is the place of intimate relations. For example:

I would take you to my mother's house (GNT)

to the house of my mother who taught me: There is a textual issue concerning the word that the BSB translates as taught:

1. The Hebrew text has the word that means “taught.” For example:

   taught (NET) (BSB, NET, NIV, CEV, ESV, GW, NASB, NCV, NJPS)

2. The Greek text has the word that means “conceived” or “bore.” For example:

   conceived (RSV) (RSV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most English versions.A similar verse is found in 3:4, which has “to the chamber of the one who conceived me.” It is possible that an LXX translator or copyist thought that 8:2 had the same meaning as that verse.

who taught me: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as who taught me:

1. It means “she teaching me,” and it refers to the woman’s mother. For example:

   my mother, who taught me all I know. (CEV) (BSB, NIV, ESV, CEV, NASB, GW, NET, NCV, KJV)

2. It means “you teaching me,” and it refers to the man. For example:

   there you would teach me. (NLT) (NLT, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

my mother, who used to instruct me (NASB)

She is the one who was my teacher. (GW)

8:2c

I would give you spiced wine to drink: The phrase spiced wine refers to wine that is mixed with spices.Here “spiced wine” may be a symbol for kisses. Notice that in 7:9a the author compared kisses to fine wine, and kisses are also in focus in 8:1d.

8:2d

the nectar of my pomegranates: The phrase the nectar of my pomegranates is parallel to 8:2c. Probably it describes the spiced wine in 8:2c. That implies that the woman mixed pomegranate juice with the wine. It is also possible that the pomegranate juice was a separate drink in addition to the wine in 8:2c. The pomegranates are a symbol of romantic love.

Some other ways to translate the nectar of my pomegranates are:

with pomegranate juice

my sweet pomegranate wine (NLT)

If pomegranates are not known in your area, you may use a more general word or phrase. For example:

with nectar/juice from the love fruit

flavored with fruit juice

pomegranates: pomegranates are a red fruit with reddish pulp and seeds. It makes a delicious sweet drink. For more information about pomegranates, see the note on 4:3c.