SNG 1:1 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=minor/spelling Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: .
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX ἌΣΜΑ ᾀσμάτων, ὅ ἐστι Σαλωμών.
(ASMA asmatōn, ho esti Salōmōn. )

1:1 Most translators add subheadings for speaker identifications such as The Bride, The Groom, and The Friends based on the gender and number of the Hebrew words.

OEB No OEB SNG book available

WEBBE The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Solomon’s Most Excellent Love Song.

LSV The Song of Songs, that [is] of Solomon.

FBV Solomon's song of songs.[fn]

1:1 Each speaker is not explicitly identified in the Hebrew text as shown in this translation, but it is usually clear from the context and gender of the words used who is speaking. Additionally this book is poetry, and therefore translation needs to be more fluid than with prose.

T4T This is King Solomon’s most beautiful song.

LEB • The Song of Songs,[fn] which is for[fn] Solomon.

1:? This construction conveys a superlative connotation, e.g., “The most exquisite song”

1:? Or “by Solomon” or “about/concerning Solomon”

BBE The song of Songs, which is Solomon's.

Moff The song of all songs, which is Solomon’s.

JPS THE SONG of songs, which is Solomon's.

ASV The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

DRA Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine,

YLT The Song of Songs, that [is] Solomon's.

Drby The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

RV The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

SLT The song of songs which is to Solomon.

Wbstr The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

KJB-1769 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

KJB-1611 ¶ The song of songs, which is Solomons.
(Same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps The Ballet of Ballettes of Solomon, called in Latin,

Gnva Let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy loue is better then wine.
(Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy/your love is better then wine. )

Cvdl Salomons Balettes, called Cantica Canticorum.
(Solomons Balettes, called Cantica Canticorum.)

Wycl Kisse he me with the cos of his mouth.

Luth Das Hohelied Salomos.
(The Song_of_songs Salomos.)

ClVg [Sponsa Osculetur me osculo oris sui; quia meliora sunt ubera tua vino,[fn]
([The_bride He_will_be_kissed me kiss mouth self; because better are breasts your wine, )

1.1 Præfatio Salomon filius David regis Isræl juxta numerum vocabulorum suorum tria volumina edidit. Quorum primus est misle, quem Græci, Latini proverbia nominant, eo quod in ipso sub comparativa similitudine figuras verborum et imagines veritatis ostendit: ipsam autem veritatem ad intelligendum ingenio legentium reservavit. Secundum librum coheleth vocavit, qui Græce vocatur, Latine concionator: eo quod conciones non solum spiritualiter ad unum, sicut in Proverbiis, sed ad universos generaliter dirigantur, docens, omnia quæ in mundo cernimus, vana esse et brevia: et ob hoc minime appetenda. Tertium librum sir hassirim prænotavit: qui in Latinam linguam vertitur in Cantica canticorum. Ubi per epithalamicum carmen conjunctionem Christi et Ecclesiæ mystice canit. Dicitur autem Canticum canticorum, eo quod omnibus canticis præferatur. Sicut in lege quædam dicuntur sancta, quibus majora sunt sancta sanctorum. In his quidem tribus libris trium generum disciplinas composuit, quibus ad rerum scientiam pervenitur. In primis namque ethicam, id est moralem, post hoc physicam, quæ qualitatem naturæ comprehendit, ad ultimum theoricam, id est contemplativam. In Proverbiis enim moralia docens, per communem quemdam loquendi usum altiorem intelligentiam edidit, conservationemque mandatorum, et doctrinæ cœlestis institutionem succinctis verbis, brevibus sententiis coaptat. Sunt autem Proverbia sub verbis aliis res alias explicantia, quæ aliter quam dicuntur, intelliguntur: plus in virtute sententiarum, quam in sono verborum habent; quæ Græci vocant. Ecclesiastes rerum naturas discutiens, cuncta in mundo vana et caduca esse deprehendit, rerumque omnium fragilitate conspecta, renuntiari mundo admonuit. In Canticis canticorum supergressus visibilia, atque contemplans ea quæ sunt cœlestia, vel divina, sub specie sponsi sponsæque, Christi Ecclesiæque unitatem declarat, atque animam ad amorem cœlestium excitans, perveniendum ad consortium Dei provocat. Illud vero non est putandum, quod ab auditoribus nostris traditur, apud Hebræos hanc fuisse conversationem, ne cuiquam hunc librum legere permitterent, nisi viro jam perfectæ scientiæ et roboratæ fidei in peritia: ne tam erudiret cognitio lubricas mentes, quam textus ad concupiscentias corporales converteret. Salomon, id est pacificus, quia in regno ejus pax per quam futura pax Ecclesiæ figurabatur, Idida, id est dilectus, et significat illum de quo dicitur: Speciosus forma præ filiis hominum: propterea benedixit te Deus in æternum Psal. 44.. Ecclesiastes, id est concionator, et significat illum, qui rationabiliter erat allocuturus, et congregaturus Ecclesiam. Juxta numerum vocabulorum, tres fecit libros: Proverbia, in quo libro docet parvulos non tam ætate quam sapientia, de æquanimi conversatione in mundo, scilicet qualiter licite possint uti temporalibus; Ecclesiasten, in quo instruit homines provectioris ætatis ad contemptum caducorum; Cantica canticorum, scilicet hoc opus, in quo virum consummatum docet de solo amore Dei, ut requiescat inter brachia sponsi. Unde et Canticum canticorum dicitur sua dignitate omnia alia excellens cantica. Per illa quippe vitantur vitia, cavetur hostis: per ista locupletamur virtutibus, Domino conjungimur. Simili ordine etiam philosophi institutiones suas ponunt. Primum ethicam docent, postea physicam, et quem in his profecisse vident, ad theoricam usque perducunt. Materia, sponsus et sponsa, id est caput et Ecclesia. Et modus, quali desiderio membra capiti cohæreant, et ei placere contendant, et quæ dona ab illo, vel in præsenti accipiant, vel in futuro exspectent, et quali affectione sponsus Ecclesiam diligat, eam laudans, et admonens, et confortans. Finis est dilectio Dei. Quatuor mihi in hoc opere invenisse videor personas, sponsum et sodales ipsius, sponsam et adolescentulas cum ea. Alia a sponso, alia dicuntur a sponsa: nonnulla a juvenculis, quædam a sodalibus sponsi. Congruum quippe est ut in initiis sit adolescentularum multitudo cum sponsa, juvenum turba cum sponso. Sponsum, Christum intellige, sponsam Ecclesiam sine macula et ruga. Angelos vero, et eos qui pervenerunt in virum perfectum, intellige amicos sponsi. Adolescentulæ, sunt sponsarum incipientium turbæ, juxta modum quemdam salutem adeptæ. Ex hoc autem libro Gentiles sibi epithalamium vindicarunt, et istius generis carmen assumptum est. Si vis ascendere ad Canticum canticorum, necesse est de Ægypto egredi, ut post transitum maris Rubri, submersis inimicis, primum possis canere canticum: Cantemus Domino, gloriose enim, etc. Exod. 15.. Sed quia adhuc longe es a Cantico canticorum, perambula terram deserti spiritualiter, et consequenter Jordanis ad ripam constitutus, secundum canticum canas, Audite cœli quæ loquor, etc. Deut. 31.. Et cum universa transieris, ad altiora conscende, ut possis anima decora cum sponso, et hoc canere Canticum canticorum. Notandum quod sponsa semper in domo, vel in lectulo, vel in aliquo interiori loco cum sponso manere concupiscit: quod mulieribus congruit. Ipse quod masculorum est, ad forinseca vinearum, vel ad hujusmodi opera amicam evocat: quia nimirum Ecclesia, si posset fieri in tranquillitate pacis Domino sobolem educare desiderat. At ipse in præsenti eam crebris persecutionibus exercet, quo mundior ad æterna perveniat, ne si prospera contingant, incolatu præsentis sæculi vel exsilii delectata, minus ad cœlestem suspiret patriam. Synagoga congregatio, quod et lapidum: Ecclesia convocatio, quod rationabilium. Utraque autem hæc portio justorum in eadem fide Christi et dilectione diversis temporibus, illa exspectando venturum, ista suscipiendo præsentem, consors effecta est. Omnes animæ motiones, universitatis conditor Deus creavit ad bonum: sed usu nostro sæpe fit, ut res quæ per naturam bonæ sunt, dum male his abutimur, nos ad peccatum deducant. Unus ex animæ motibus amor est, quo bene utimur si sapientiam amemus, et veritatem: Male autem si carnem aut sanguinem. Tu igitur ut spiritualis audi spiritualiter amatoria verba cantici cantari, et disce motum animæ tuæ et naturalis amoris incendium ad meliora transferre. Osculetur me osculo oris sui. Vox præcedentium adventum Christi qui orant ad patrem sponsi, id est Christi. In mediis precibus exauditur, et videns sponsum ad ipsum loquitur: Tangat me dulcedine præsentiæ suæ, quam a prophetis sæpius promissam audivi, et velut osculum afferens, etiam mei oris attactum suscipiat; id est, interrogantem me de via salutis audiat, et utraque unum faciens, osculum pacis afferat. Osculari pro pacificari ponitur, ad similitudinem illorum qui propter discordiam a dominis suis recesserunt, sed redeuntes se invicem osculantur, et perfecte pacificantur, sic Synagoga genus humanum a Deo per peccatum remotum, optat reconciliari per incarnationem Filii. Quot præcepta ex ejus prædicatione cognoscit, quasi tot oris ejus oscula suscipit. Loquitur more amantis, quæ præ fervore dilectionis ordinem loquendi non valet observare. Sicut enim in osculo duo corpora diversa junguntur, sic in incarnatione Filii duæ substantiæ divinitatis et humanitatis penitus diversæ inseparabili conjunctione uniuntur. Meliora sunt. Ubera sponsi Christi nominat, quod muliebre est, ut ipso carminis initio figurate se loqui manifestet. Ideo desidero osculum, quod est etiam redemptio mea; quia instructiones tuæ, quæ sunt lac et nutrimenta puerorum, sunt meliores aliis doctrinis, quæ non fovent, sed occidunt simplices: sicut vinum enecat parvulos. Unguentorum odoribus opinio solet signari virtutum.

1.1 Præfatio Salomon son David king Israel next_to the_number vocabulorum of_his_own three volumina edidit. Quorum primus it_is misle, which Græci, Latini proverbia namesnt, by_him that in/into/on himself under comparesiva likeness figure/forms of_words and imagines to_the_truths he_showed: itself however the_truth to to_be_understood ingenio lawfullyntium reservavit. After/Second book coheleth he_called, who/which Greece is_called, Latin concionator: by_him that conciones not/no only spiritually to one, like in/into/on Proverbiis, but to in_the_universes generally dirigantur, teaching, everything which in/into/on to_the_world cernimus, in_vain to_be and shortlya: and because this not_at_all/by_no_means appetenda. Tertium book sir hassirim beforenotavit: who/which in/into/on Latinam tongue/language is_turned in/into/on Cantica canticorum. Where through epithalamicum carmen conjunction of_Christ and Assemblies/Churches mystically canit. Sayitur however A_song canticorum, by_him that to_all songss beforeferatur. Like in/into/on lawfully some are_said holy, to_whom bigger are holy holy_place. In his indeed tribe books three generum disciplines composuit, to_whom to things knowledge we_arrive. In first for_indeed/truly ethicam, that it_is moralem, after this physicam, which qualitatem of_nature comprehendit, to last theoricam, that it_is contemplativam. In Proverbiis because moralia teaching, through common someone to_speak use altiorem intelligence edidit, conservationemque of_commands, and doctrines heavenly institutionem succinctis with_words, shortlybus sentences coaptat. They_are however Proverbia under with_words to_others thing others explicantia, which otherwise how are_said, are_understood: plus in/into/on by_virtue opinionrum, how in/into/on sono of_words they_have; which Græci they_call. Preacher things naturas discutiens, everything in/into/on to_the_world in_vain and caduca to_be deprehendit, thingsque of_all fragilitate conspecta, renuntiari to_the_world admonuit. In Canticis canticorum transcended visible_(things), and_yet contemplans them which are heaven, or divine, under in_appearance grooms bridesque, of_Christ Assemblies/Churchesque unity declarat, and_yet the_soul to love heavenly excitans, perveniendum to consortium of_God provokes. Illud indeed/however not/no it_is putandum, that away to_the_listeners ours is_handed_down, at Hebræos this to_have_been conversation, not cuiquam this_one book lawfullyre permitterent, except to_the_man already perfect of_knowledge and roboratæ of_faith in/into/on perishesia: not tam erudiret knowledge lubricas minds, how textus to desires bodiesles converteret. Salomon, that it_is pacificus, because in/into/on kingdom his peace through how the_future peace Assemblies/Churches figure/formbatur, Idida, that it_is beloved, and means him from/about where it_is_said: Speciosus form before to_the_children of_men: therefore blessed you(sg) God in/into/on eternal Psal. 44.. Preacher, that it_is concionator, and means him, who/which rationabiliter was allocuturus, and congregaturus assembly/church. According_to/Near the_number vocabulorum, three he_did books: Proverbia, in/into/on where book teaches little_ones not/no tam age how wisdom, from/about equalnimi conversation in/into/on to_the_world, namely how/as licite can to_use temporal; Assembly/Churchsten, in/into/on where instructs people/men provectioris age to contemptum caducorum; Cantica canticorum, namely this opus, in/into/on where husband finishum teaches from/about solo with_love of_God, as rest between brachia grooms. From_where/who and A_song canticorum it_is_said his_own dignity everything other excellens cantica. Per that indeed/sure vitantur vices, cavetur the_enemy: through these_(ones) locupletamur virtues, Master conyungimur. Simili in_order also philosophers institutiones their_own ponunt. Primum ethicam teach, afterwards physicam, and which in/into/on his profecisse they_see, to theoricam until perducunt. Materia, groom and bride, that it_is the_head and Assembly/Church. And modus, quali desire members to_the_head cohæreant, and to_him please contendant, and which gifts away that/there, or in/into/on present let_them_receive, or in/into/on future exspectent, and quali affectione groom assembly/church diligat, her praisens, and admonens, and confortans. End it_is love/delight of_God. Four to_me in/into/on this by_work I_foundsse I_seer persons, groom and sodales of_his/her_own, bride and adolescentulas when/with them. Alia from sponso, other are_said from bride: nonnulla from yuvenculis, some from sodalibus grooms. Congruum indeed/sure it_is as in/into/on initiis be adolescentularum multitude/crowd when/with bride, yuvenum crowd when/with sponso. Sponsum, Christ/Messiah intellige, bride assembly/church without blemish/stain and ruga. Angelos indeed/however, and them who/which they_arrived in/into/on husband perfect, intellige friends grooms. Adolescentulæ, are briderum incipientium to_the_crowd, next_to way someone health adeptæ. From this however book Gentiles to_himself epithalamium vindicarunt, and this_one kind carmen assumptum it_is. When/But_if you_want to_ascend to A_song canticorum, necessary it_is from/about to_Egypt egredi, as after passage of_the_sea Rubri, submersis enemies, first you_can to_sing a_song: Cantemus Master, gloriose because, etc. Exod. 15.. But because still far_away you_are from Cantico canticorum, bagbula the_earth/land deserts spiritually, and consequenter Yordanis to bank appointed, after/second a_song canas, Listen heavens which I_speak, etc. Deut. 31.. And when/with universe transieris, to higher conscende, as you_can the_soul decorative when/with sponso, and this to_sing A_song canticorum. Note that bride always in/into/on at_home, or in/into/on bed, or in/into/on somewhere interiori instead when/with sponso to_stay desires: that women fits. Exactly_that that malerum it_is, to forinseca vineyards, or to of_this_kind works girlfriendm evocat: because nimirum Assembly/Church, when/but_if could to_be_done in/into/on tranquillitate of_peace Master sobolem educare desires. But exactly_that/himself in/into/on present her crebris persecutionibus exercet, where worldor to eternal arrive, not when/but_if prosperous contingant, incolatu presents of_the_world/of_the_ages or exsilii delightsa, minus to heavenly suspiret homeland. Synagoga gathering, that and stones: Assembly/Church convocatio, that rationabilium. Utraque however these_things portion of_the_righteous in/into/on the_same with_faith of_Christ and with_love different times, that waitndo will_come, these_(ones) suscipiendo present(sg), consors accomplished it_is. All_of_them soul movedones, of_the_universe/all_togethertatis founder God created to good: but usu our often fit, as thing which through nature good are, while male his abutimur, us to sin deducant. One from soul movedbus love it_is, where well utimur when/but_if wisdom amemus, and the_truth: Male however when/but_if the_flesh or blood. You(sg) therefore as spiritual listen spiritually lovesoria words songs cantari, and disce movement soul yours and naturalis of_love fire to better transferre. He_will_be_kissed me kiss mouth self. The_voice they_will_precedeium arrival of_Christ who/which orant to father grooms, that it_is Christi. In by_means prayers listensur, and seeing groom to him speaks: Tangat me sweetness present his/her_own, how from prophets sæpius promised I_heard, and like/as osculum afferens, also my/mine mouth attactum undertake; that it_is, interrogantem me from/about way/road health hear, and both one making, osculum of_peace bring. Osculari for pacificari is_placed, to similarity of_them who/which because I_learnrdiam from masters to_his_own they_withdrew, but returning himself each_other osculantur, and perfectly pacificantur, so Synagoga kind/class human from to_God through sin remotum, wishes reconciliari through incarnation Children. How_many commands(n) from his preaching knows, as_if so_many mouth his oscula undertake. Loquitur more amantis, which before fervore of_love order to_speak not/no valet to_observe. Like because in/into/on kiss two bodies different yanointed, so in/into/on incarnatione Children two substances of_divinity and humanity completely diversæ inseparabili conjunctione uniuntur. Bettera are. Ubera grooms of_Christ names, that muliebre it_is, as himself carminis at_first/in_the_beginning figure/formte himself to_speak clearly/obviouslyt. Therefore/For_that_reason desidero osculum, that it_is also redemption/buying_back my; because instructiones yours, which are milk and nutrimenta to_a_boyrum, are betteres to_others doctrines, which not/no fovent, but occidunt simple: like wine enecat little_ones. Unguentorum smellibus opinio usually signsri virtues.

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1 Song of Songs

Most scholars agree that the phrase “Song of Songs,” which occurs in 1:1, is like a title for the book.Some scholars call 1:1 a “superscription.” A superscription functions like the title page of a modern book. It gives information such as the title or content of the book and its author. For English versions, a separate title based on 1:1 is usually also included. There are two different titles that are commonly used in English Bibles:

“The Song of Songs” or “Song of Songs” (BSB, CEV, GW, NCV, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, REB, GNT)
“The Song of Solomon” or “Song of Solomon” (ESV, NASB, NET, RSV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It is a better translation of the Hebrew title, which expresses the idea “the best song.” (See the note on 1:1 for translation suggestions for the phrase “Song of Songs.”) However, option (2) is also acceptable, especially if a national version in your area uses it.

1:1

This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.

The song that is written here is the sweetest/loveliest song that Solomon composed/wrote.
Here is Solomon’s most beautiful song.

This is Solomon’s Song of Songs: This verse begins the book with a title Song of Songs. The possessive Solomon’s may imply that Solomon was the author or it may imply that someone composed it for him. In some languages, it is helpful to translate 1:1 as a complete sentence. For example:

This is the most beautiful song, which is Solomon’s.

This is the Song of Songs, which Solomon wrote/sang.

Here begins the Song of Songs by Solomon.

This is Solomon’s: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as This is Solomon’s probably indicates that Solomon was the author.This was the traditional interpretation. But many modern scholars doubt that Solomon was the author. They interpret the expression “which is Solomon’s” to mean that the book was associated with him or belonged to him in some way. But nearly all English versions either imply or state that Solomon was the author. Some of the doubt about Solomon being the author is based on the fact that the Hebrew preposition le can have various meanings. For example: (1) It may mean “written by” Solomon; (2) “belonging to” Solomon; (3) “part of” Solomon’s collection; (4) “dedicated to” Solomon; or (5) “about” Solomon.Barbiero (2011) says that the phrase “ ‘which is of Solomon” is “an expression of authorship” (page 45). He suggests that this is a “fictional attribution.” In that ancient cultural context, authorship may have been understood more flexibly than in our present day culture. Attributing a writing to a famous author was a common practice and probably would not have been considered unethical nor as plagiarism. Barbiero believes that the Song was probably not written by Solomon, yet because he believed that the Song’s author/editor intended to ascribe authorship to Solomon, it should be translated that way. Actually this might be close to the truth if one considers the broader ancient understandings of “authorship.” So, the most natural way to translate asher lishlomo in this context would probably be as indicating Solomonic authorship, even though by our definition it may not be literally true that Solomon was the author by our modern standards. There are two ways to translate the phrase:

Use a phrase that implies Solomon was the author. For example:
The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s (RSV)
Use a more specific expression that clearly identifies Solomon as the author. For example:
The Song of Songs, written/composed by Solomon

Solomon’s: Solomon was one of the most famous kings of Israel. He was known for his great wisdom, and his name in 1:1 gives the book status and authority.Since Solomon wrote proverbs and other wise instruction, his name here may also imply that this is a type of Wisdom Literature (which includes Job, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs). However, he is not an active character in the book.When most modern English versions use headings to identify the male speaker in the Song, they use general headings such as “he,” “man,” “young man,” “lover,” or “groom.” (BSB, CEV, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, REB, GNT) rather than “Solomon.” Most modern commentators who follow the “love poetry” interpretation agree that Solomon is not an active character in the Song. Solomon was not the man whom the woman loved. The author did not tell the name of the man whom she loved.

Song of Songs: The phrase Song of Songs is a type of comparison called a “superlative.” It indicates that something is the greatest or best of its kind.Other superlatives in the Old Testament include “holy of holies” (the most holy place) and “Lord of lords” (the Lord over all other lords). Song of Songs means “the most beautiful song,” “the best song.”A few Bible scholars suggest that this phrase means “the song consisting of many songs.” But by far the most common understanding of this construction is that it functions as a Hebrew superlative, meaning “the best song.” Other ways to translate Song of Songs are:

This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other. (NLT)

The most beautiful song of Solomon. (GW)

In some languages it is not possible to translate a superlative literally. Use a natural way in your language to describe a song that is more excellent and beautiful than other songs. Some other ways to describe it are:

Here is a song by Solomon that is sweeter than any other song.

This song that Solomon wrote/sang is wonderful. No one has heard a song like it.

Song: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as Song identifies the book as a type of poetry that people can sing. They can also play musical instruments as they sing or chant the Song. The theme of the Song is romantic love (love between a man and a woman), so it is “love poetry.”

The Hebrew word for Song here is a general word that can refer to different types of joyful songs. Use an appropriate word in your language to refer to a joyful love song. Notice that the word is singular. This suggests that the book is one unified song, not a collection of many songs.

Parallel SNG 1:1

Section 1:1 Song of Songs

1:1