SNG 3:4 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not 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 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 very early looks into the unfinished 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 (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative.
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 Ὡς μικρὸν ὅτε παρῆλθον ἀπʼ αὐτῶν, ἕως οὗ εὗρον ὃν ἠγάπησεν ἡ ψυχή μου· ἐκράτησα αὐτὸν καὶ οὐκ ἀφῆκα αὐτὸν, ἕως οὗ εἰσήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον μητρός μου, καὶ εἰς ταμεῖον τῆς συλλαβούσης με.
(Hōs mikron hote paraʸlthon apʼ autōn, heōs hou heuron hon aʸgapaʸsen haʸ psuⱪaʸ mou; ekrataʸsa auton kai ouk afaʸka auton, heōs hou eisaʸgagon auton eis oikon maʸtros mou, kai eis tameion taʸs sullabousaʸs me. )

BrTr It was as a little while after I parted from them, that I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and did not let him go, until I brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

ULT Hardly had I passed by them
⇔ when I found him whom my soul loves.
⇔ I held him and I would not let him go
⇔ until I had brought him to the house of my mother
⇔ and to the room of the woman who conceived me.

UST As soon as I walked past them,
⇔ I found the man whom I love.
⇔ I clung to him and would not release my hold on him
⇔ until I brought him to my mother’s house,
⇔ to the bedroom of my mother who had conceived me.

OEB No OEB SNG book available

WEBBE I had scarcely passed from them,
⇔ when I found him whom my soul loves.
⇔ I held him, and would not let him go,
⇔ until I had brought him into my mother’s house,
⇔ into the room of her who conceived me.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Scarcely had I passed them by
⇔ when I found my beloved!
⇔ I held onto him tightly and would not let him go
⇔ until I brought him to my mother’s house,
⇔ to the bedroom chamber of the one who conceived me.

LSV But I passed on a little from them,
Until I found him whom my soul has loved! I seized him, and did not let him go,
Until I brought him to the house of my mother—And the chamber of her that conceived me.

FBV Only a little farther on after I'd passed them I found my love! I held him close and would not let him go until I'd brought him to my mother's house, to the room of the one who conceived me.[fn]

3:4 “To the room of the one who conceived me”: or, “into the room of my conceiving,” which may be a euphemism for wishing to have a child.

T4T As soon as I walked past them,
⇔ I found the one whom I love.
⇔ I clung to him and would not let him go
⇔ until I had brought him to my mother’s house,
⇔ to the room where my mother had conceived me (OR, where I was born).

LEB   • Scarcely had I passed[fn] by them when I found him whom my heart[fn] loves.
• I held him and I would not let him go
  • until I brought him to the house of my mother,
   • into the bedroom chamber of she who conceived me.

3:? Literally “As little that I passed”

3:? Literally “soul”

BBE I was but a little way from them, when I came face to face with him who is the love of my soul. I took him by the hands, and did not let him go, till I had taken him into my mother's house, and into the room of her who gave me birth.

Moff Scarce had I left them
⇔ when I found my own beloved;
⇔ I held him fast in my embrac
⇔ and brought him to my mother’s house.
¶ 

JPS Scarce had I passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

ASV It was but a little that I passed from them,
⇔ When I found him whom my soul loveth:
⇔ I held him, and would not let him go,
⇔ Until I had brought him into my mother’s house,
⇔ And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

DRA When I had a little passed by them, I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him: and I will not let him go, till I bring him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that bore me.

YLT But a little I passed on from them, Till I found him whom my soul hath loved! I seized him, and let him not go, Till I brought him in unto the house of my mother — And the chamber of her that conceived me.

Drby — Scarcely had I passed from them, When I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, Until I had brought him into my mother's house, And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

RV It was but a little that I passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
(It was but a little that I passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loveth/loves: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber/room of her that conceived me. )

SLT As a little I passed from them till I found him my soul loved: I held him fast, and I shall not let him go till I brought him into my mother’s house, and to the chamber of her conceiving me.

Wbstr It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

KJB-1769 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
(It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth/loves: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber/room of her that conceived me. )

KJB-1611 It was but a litle that I passed from them, but I found him whome my soule loueth: I helde him, and would not let him goe, vntill I had brought him into my mothers house, and into the chamber of her that conceiued me.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps So when I was a litle past them, I founde him whom my soule loueth: I haue gotten holde vpon hym, and wyll not let him go, vntyll I bryng him into my mothers house, and into her chaumber that bare me.
(So when I was a little past them, I found him whom my soul loveth/loves: I have gotten hold upon him, and will not let him go, until I bring him into my mothers house, and into her chamber/room that bare me.)

Gnva When I had past a litle from them, then I found him whom my soule loued: I tooke holde on him and left him not, till I had brought him vnto my mothers house into the chamber of her that conceiued me.
(When I had past a little from them, then I found him whom my soul loved: I took hold on him and left him not, till I had brought him unto my mothers house into the chamber/room of her that conceived me. )

Cvdl So whan I was a litle past them, I foude him whom my soule loueth. I haue gotten holde vpon him, and wyl not let him go, vntill I brynge him into my mothers house, and in to hir chambre that bare me.
(So when I was a little past them, I found him whom my soul loveth/loves. I have gotten hold upon him, and will not let him go, until I bring him into my mothers house, and in to her chamber/room that bare me.)

Wycl A litil whanne Y hadde passid hem, Y foond hym, whom my soule loueth; Y helde hym, and Y schal not leeue hym, til Y brynge him in to the hous of my modir, and in to the closet of my modir.
(A little when I had passed hem, I found him, whom my soul loveth/loves; I held him, and I shall not leave him, till I bring him in to the house of my mother, and in to the closet of my mother.)

Luth Da ich ein wenig vor ihnen über kam, da fand ich, den meine SeeLE liebet. Ich halte ihn und will ihn nicht lassen, bis ich ihn bringe in meiner Mutter Haus, in meiner Mutter Kammer.
(So I a few before/in_front_of to_them above came, there found I, the my soul love(s). I hold/stop him/it and will him/it not let, until I him/it bring/get in mine mother house, in mine mother chamber/room.)

ClVg Paululum cum pertransissem eos, inveni quem diligit anima mea: tenui eum, nec dimittam, donec introducam illum in domum matris meæ, et in cubiculum genetricis meæ.[fn]
(A_little_bit when/with I_would_have_passed them, I_found which he_loves the_soul my: thin him, but_not let_me_go, until I_will_introduce him in/into/on house/home mother my, and in/into/on cubiculum genetic my. )

3.4 Cum pertransissem. ID. eos transit, quia in ipsis videt formam ejus, quem quærit; et tamen transit, quia Deum, qui est ultra, incipit imitari et intueri. Transit Petrus vigiles, dum contemnit prophetas, et Domino prophetarum dicit: Tu es Christus, Filius Dei vivi Matth. 16.. Donec introducam illum, etc. Donec in fine mundi Synagogam, per quam auditum fide suscepi, et mysterium regenerationis ad fidem ejus revocare satagam. Ecclesia gentilis in fine revocabit Synagogam, quæ prius vocaverat illam per apostolos.

3.4 Since I_would_have_passed. ID. them passes, because in/into/on themselves he_sees form his, which seeks; and nevertheless passes, because God, who/which it_is beyond/besides, begins to_imitate and intueri. Transit Peter the_police, while despises a_prophets, and Master of_the_prophets he_says: You(sg) you_are Christ/Messiah, Son of_God alive Matth. 16.. Until I_will_introduce him, etc. Until in/into/on fine world Synagogam, through how hearing with_faith suscepi, and mystery kingneration to faith his revocare satagam. Assembly/Church Gentile in/into/on fine revocabit Synagogam, which first/before vocaverat her through apostles.

SOTN 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

Then I passed them, and immediately
As soon as I left them, (GNT)

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.

I found the one whom I love with all my heart.
I saw him, my true 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 on to him,
I clung to him tightly

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 I did not let go of him
and continued to cling to him

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 led him into my mother’s house.
as/while I took him home 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:

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

I led him into the room of my mother who conceived me.
all the way into the room where my mother 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.

UTN 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,of 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]

Parallel SNG 3:4