Song of Solomon 6:2

Translations

Modern

My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.

Traditional

My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Literal

My beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spice, to graze in the gardens and to gather up the lilies.

Latin

Dilectus meus descendit in hortum suum ad areolam aromatum, ut pascatur in hortis, et lilia colligat.

Original

Hebrew

English

My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.

Notes

Song of Solomon 6:1–3

The conversation at the end of this poem shows it is not a real event. The dream ends when the young women of Jerusalem ask the woman where her man has gone. The woman tells them not to worry about finding him—he is back in bed with her, enjoying his garden with its spice beds and lilies, which describes sexual intimacy.

Song of Solomon 5:2–6:3

One verse earlier, the couple fully enjoys their intimate union. Now the woman feels the pain of separation. In the dramatic interpretation, the woman has been separated from the man twice before and has searched for him (Song of Solomon 1:4–7; 3:1–4). This last time, the separation occurs in her dreams—it is only a nightmare. Her dream seems to continue to Song of Solomon 6:3, given the natural flow of questions and answers between the woman and the young women of Jerusalem.
If the Song is a collection of poems, these poems explore love rather than recounting actual events. This poem reminds us that an intimate relationship is not always easy or perfectly satisfying.

Theme notes and profiles

Beauty in Nature Human Sexuality

Related verses

Song of Solomon 5:13
His cheeks are like beds of spice, towers of perfume. His lips are like lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh.
Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
Song of Solomon 1:7–8
Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions?
Philippians 1:21–23
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Isaiah 57:1
The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil.
Matthew 28:20
…and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”
John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
John 17:24
Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

Glossary

Hyacinth Perfume Song of Solomon

Topics

Flowers: Cultivated in Gardens Gardens of the Church Gardens: Kinds of, Mentioned in Scripture: Spices

Song of Solomon 6:2

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?