SNG 1:14 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not necessarily natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for Bible-translators and others doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still early looks into the drafted texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal Speaker(s)=The bride (All still tentative.)

BrLXX Βότρυς τῆς κύπρου ἀδελφιδός μου ἐμοὶ, ἐν ἀμπελῶσιν Ἐνγαδδί.
(Botrus taʸs kuprou adelfidos mou emoi, en ampelōsin Engaddi.)

ULT A cluster of henna blossoms, is my beloved to me,
⇔ in the vineyards of Engedi.

UST The man whom I love is like a bunch of the fragrant flowers that are in the grape farms of the city of En Gedi.

BSB & MSB My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
⇔ in the vineyards of En -gedi.

OEB No OEB SNG 1:14 book available

WEBBE & WMBB My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
⇔ from the vineyards of En Gedi.

NET My beloved is like a cluster of henna blossoms
⇔ in the vineyards of En-Gedi.

LSV A cluster of cypress [is] my beloved to me,
In the vineyards of En-Gedi!

FBV My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.[fn]

1:14 Engedi means “spring of the young goat” and in the context may have a double meaning, together with the “vineyard” symbolism already mentioned.

T4T He is like [MET] a bunch of flowers from the vineyards at En-Gedi.

LEB • My beloved is to me a cluster of blossoms of henna
• in the vineyards of En Gedi.

BBE My love is to me as a branch of the cypress-tree in the vine-gardens of En-gedi.

Moff my darling is my bunch of henna-blossom
⇔ from the gardens of Engedi.

JPS My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna in the vineyards of En-gedi.

ASV My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers
⇔ In the vineyards of En-gedi.

DRA (SNG 1:13) A cluster of cypress my love is to me, in the vineyards of Engaddi.

YLT A cluster of cypress [is] my beloved to me, In the vineyards of En-Gedi!

Drby My beloved is unto me a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of Engedi.

RV My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers in the vineyards of En-gedi.

SLT A cluster of cypress my beloved to me in the vineyards of the kids fountain.

Wbstr My beloved is to me as a cluster of camphor in the vineyards of En-gedi.

KJB-1769 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi.[fn]

1.14 camphire: or, cypress

KJB-1611 My beloued is vnto me, as a cluster of [fn]Camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.
(My beloved is unto me, as a cluster of Camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.)

1:14 Or, Cypres.

Bshps a cluster of Camphire in the vineyardes of Engaddi is my loue vnto me.
(a cluster of Camphire in the vineyards of Engaddi is my love unto me.)

Gnva My loue, beholde, thou art faire: beholde, thou art faire: thine eyes are like the doues.
(My love, behold, thou/you art fair: behold, thou/you art fair: thine/your eyes are like the doves.)

Cvdl A cluster of grapes of Cypers, or of the vynyardes of Engaddi, art thou vnto me, O my beloued.
(A cluster of grapes of Cypers, or of the vineyards of Engaddi, art thou/you unto me, Oh my beloved.)

Wycl (SNG 1:13) My derlyng is to me a cluster of cipre tre, among the vyneres of Engaddi.
(My darling is to me a cluster of cipre tree, among the vineyards of Engaddi.)

Luth Mein Freund ist mir eine Traube Kopher in den Weingärten zu Engeddi.
(My friend is to_me a/one bunch_of_grapes henna in the vineyards to/for En-gedi.)

ClVg (SNG 1:13) Botrus cypri dilectus meus mihi in vineis Engaddi.[fn]
(Cluster Cyprus beloved mine to_me in/into/on vineyards En-gedi.)

1.13 Botrus cypri dilectus. Botrus cypri cum resurrexit: In vineis Engaddi est, cum fidelibus spiritualia dona distribuit. Arbores balsami, quæ in Engaddi crescunt, quia in modum vinearum excoluntur, vineas appellat. Sponsus Christus igitur est in vineis Engaddi, quia in carne veniens Spiritu sancto plenus, credentibus ejusdem sancti Spiritus dona largitur per chrismatis unctionem, in cujus confectione oleum et balsamum commiscentur. Engaddi fons hædi propter charismata, quæ post resurrectionem largitus est in baptismo suis participibus. Engaddi, id est oculus meæ tentationis, et tentatio est vita hominis super terram. Quia morti Mediatoris mox resurrectionis gloria successit, recte subditur, Botrus, qui fuit fasciculus myrrhæ in amaritudine passionis, in dulcedine resurrectionis exstitit botrus cypri. Quod myrrha enim tristificat, vinum lætificat.

1.13 Cluster Cyprus beloved. Cluster Cyprus when/with rose_again: In vineyards En-gedi it_is, when/with to_the_faithful spiritual_(things) gifts distributes. Trees balsam, which in/into/on En-gedi they_grow, because in/into/on way vineyards they_are_strained_out, vineyards appeals. The_spouse Christ/Messiah therefore it_is in/into/on vineyards En-gedi, because in/into/on flesh/meat coming By_Spirit holy full, to_believers of_the_same holy Spirit gifts gives_generously through of_anointing anointing, in/into/on whose making_ready oil and balsam they_are_intermingled. En-gedi source/spring kids because charismata, which after resurrection given_generously it_is in/into/on baptism to_his_own sharers. En-gedi, that it_is the_eye my temptation, and temptation it_is life of_man over the_earth/land. Because death Mediator/intermediary soon resurrection glory succeeded, correctly/straight is_added, Cluster, who/which it_was little_bundle myrrh in/into/on with_bitterness passion, in/into/on sweetness resurrection stepped_out cluster Cyprus. That myrrh because makes_sad, wine makes_happy.

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:2–2:7: The woman and man admired each other

In Section 1:2–2:7, the woman and man praised each other, and they became more confident that they loved each other. In the introduction (1:2–4) the woman spoke about her desire for the man. Then she spoke of her humble life working in the family vineyard (1:5–6), and she seemed to question whether she was worthy for him to love her. Then he praised her, and she praised him. When she spoke at the end of the section (2:3–6), she felt secure that he loved her.

In this section, the woman used several comparisons to speak of her feelings about the man. She spoke as though he were a shepherd (1:7–8) or a king (1:4; 1:12), implying that he was like a shepherd or king to her in certain ways. He was also like a bag of myrrh (1:13), henna blossoms (1:14), and an apple tree (2:3–4) to her. The woman compared herself to “a rose of Sharon,” and “a lily of the valleys” (2:1). The man compared her to “a mare of Pharaoh’s chariots” (1:9). The Notes will discuss the meaning of each of these comparisons as it occurs in its section.

Lines 1:2–4 are the introduction to Section 1:2–2:7. In these lines, the poet summarizes the Song’s message and introduces its main characters: the woman, the man, and a group of young women. In the Song the woman spoke more often than the man spoke. After the title (1:1), she began the Song by saying that she wanted him to kiss her. She referred to him only as “him” or “you.” In Hebrew poetry, the authors do not introduce their characters as they do in stories, but in some languages it may be more natural to introduce them and identify them. Some ways to do this are:

Provide headings to identify the characters. Some headings may apply only to a verse or part of a verse. For example:
1:4e The Woman commented about the young women of Jerusalem You may need to use a different form the first time a character is introduced. For example:
1:2–4b A woman speaks to the man she loves
Use a speech introducer in the first part of the verse. If you use this option, you may want to indicate in some way that the speech introducer is not in the text itself. For example:
1:4e (The woman said to her beloved,) “Rightly do they love you.”
1:2a [There were a certain woman and man. She said to/about him,] “Let him kiss me…

Choose an option that fits your situation, and use it consistently throughout the book. You should also decide how you will refer to the speakers in the headings. Some ways to do that are:

woman, man, women (GNT)

beloved, lover, friends (NIV)

bride, groom, companions (REB)

she, he, others (ESV)

The woman often referred to the man as “my beloved” (RSV), and she also called him “the one whom my soul loves,” “the king,” and “my friend.” The man often referred to her as “my love” and also as “fairest among women,” “my dove,” “my sister,” “my bride,” and “queenly maiden.”

Paragraph 1:12–14 The woman replied to the man

In 1:12–14 the woman replied to what the man said in 1:9–11 about her beauty. Here in 1:12–14 she also admired him and indicated that she desired him. She mentioned the sweet fragrance that was present when they were together. In 1:12 it was the fragrance of the woman’s perfume that affected the man.A few Bible commentators (e.g., Fox and Murphy) think that “my nard” refers to the king. In other words, they view it as a metaphor describing the king, as in 1:13–14. However, 1:12 does not at all parallel the form of the two comparisons in verses 13–14. It seems more likely that nard in 1:12 refers to the woman’s perfume, not to the king himself.

In 1:13–14 the woman used two metaphors to compare the man with fragrances. The metaphors imply that the man delighted her like a wonderful fragrance. In these lines she probably imagined or dreamed about being with her beloved. She was probably not actually with him.

1:14a

My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms

My love is like a cluster of henna blossoms
The one I love is as pleasing/delightful to me as the fragrant flowers

My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms: This clause is a metaphor. The woman compares the man to the fragrance of henna blossoms.There is no verb in the Hebrew text, but in English a “to be” verb (is) can be supplied here. He was as pleasing as those sweet-smelling flowers. If a metaphor does not communicate the meaning clearly, some other ways to translate it are:

Use a simile. For example:
My beloved is to me like a cluster of henna blossoms
Indicate explicitly how the man was like the henna blossoms. For example:
My beloved is as delightful to me as the sweet-smelling henna flowers

Translate the metaphor in a way that will communicate clearly in your language.

a cluster of henna blossoms: hennaThe botanical name is Lawsonia inermis. is a large shrub with clusters of fragrant flowers that grows in tropical climates. It may be called by a different name in your area, so you may want to consult an expert on plants to determine the local name.

In some languages it is helpful to mention the fragrant quality of henna in the translation. For example:

My beloved is pleasing like the fragrance of henna flowers…

If henna flowers are unknown or if its fragrance is not considered pleasing, it is better to translate it in a more general way. For example:

My beloved is to me a cluster of sweet-smelling flowers

1:14b

in the vineyards of En-gedi.

in the vineyards of En-gedi/Engedi oasis.
that grow among the grapevines in Engedi.

Here in 1:14b, the vineyards may represent the woman, as in 1:6f. In the Song, vineyards, grapes, and wine often symbolize the pleasure of romantic love.

in the vineyards of En-gedi: There are two ways to interpret the phrase in the vineyards of En-gedi in this context:

It indicates that the henna blossoms were located in vineyards at En-gedi. For example:
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi. (RSV) (BSB, ESV, GW, NASB, NET, NLT, RSV, GNT)
It indicates that the henna blossoms came from vineyards at En-gedi. For example:
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. (NIV) (CEV, NCV, NIV, NJPS, NLT, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It helps to show that the metaphor in 1:14 is parallel to the one in 1:13 and has a similar meaning. In 1:13 the bag of myrrh is a metaphor for the man lying between the woman’s breasts. In 1:14 the henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi is probably a metaphor for the woman’s fragrant body.

vineyards of En-gedi: The word vineyards refers here to farms where grapes are grown. Grapes were an important fruit in Palestine. They were used to make wine and were also eaten raw. You may want to include a picture of a grape vine or a grape farm in your translation. For example:

En-gedi: En-gedi is a beautiful oasis (a watered area in the midst of a desert). It is located near the western shore of the Dead Sea in a lush valley between barren rocky cliffs. The En-gedi, or Engedi, oasis is a refreshing/beautiful place with a stream and waterfalls that provide water for vineyards and other plants. It is also known for its fragrant spices.

Other ways to translate the phrase “in the vineyards of En-gedi” are:

in the grape farms of beautiful/lush En-gedi

from the gardens in the oasis called En-gedi

Parallel SNG 1:14

Section 1:2–2:7: The woman and man admired each other

Paragraph 1:12–14 The woman replied to the man

1:14a

1:14b