Song of Solomon 1:12

Translations

Modern

While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

Traditional

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

Literal

While the king was at his table, my spikenard gave forth its fragrance.

Latin

Dum esset rex in accubitu suo, nardus mea dedit odorem suum.

Original

Hebrew

English

While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

Notes

Song of Solomon 1:12

The meaning of the word translated as table is unclear. The word "lying," as in the New Living Translation, is not in the Hebrew text. The king and the woman could be lying on a couch or bed, or they might just be sitting at a table in a palace room.
The view that considers the Song as a collection of love songs does not focus on whether the man is actually a king.

Song of Solomon 1:12–14

In the dramatic view, the woman is in the king's palace (Song of Solomon 1:4, 12), but her heart belongs to her shepherd lover (1:13–14).
In the anthology view, this is a short poem about intimate fragrances.

Song of Solomon 1:2–14

The song starts with the woman expressing her desire to be close to the man she loves. In the song, the woman often begins the relationship. The chorus, called the "Young Women of Jerusalem" in the New Living Translation, supports her choice of this man.
According to a three-character dramatic interpretation, the song begins by describing the woman's situation. The king is about to bring her into his palace, but she truly loves her shepherd. She hopes her lover will save her from the king (Song of Solomon 1:4).

Theme notes and profiles

Human Sexuality

Related verses

John 12:3
Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
Mark 14:3
While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
Matthew 25:34
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Luke 24:30–32
While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them.
Matthew 22:11
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes.
Song of Solomon 4:13–16
Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,
Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Song of Solomon 7:5
Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, the hair of your head like purple threads; the king is captured in your tresses.
Matthew 26:26–28
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”
Matthew 22:4
Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
Psalm 45:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

Song of Solomon 1:12

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