The Rose of Sharon

The words

1. Apple

   The beloved is compared to an apple tree among woodland trees; the speaker then describes delight in its shade and fruit.

   Song of Solomon 2:3 (opens a new tab)

2. Banner

   Banquet hall, in the NET’s rendering of banqueting house.

   In the banqueting house, the KJV says “his banner over me was love”; the NET instead describes a loving look.

   Song of Solomon 2:4 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:4 (opens a new tab)

3. Beloved

   “My beloved is mine, and I am his” expresses mutual belonging; elsewhere the beloved arrives leaping over mountains and calls the speaker away.

   Song of Solomon 2:16 (opens a new tab) · Song of Solomon 2:8–10 (opens a new tab)

4. Dove

   Countenance is face; comely is lovely, in the NET.

   The address “O my dove” leads to requests to see a countenance and hear a voice, described as comely and sweet.

   Song of Solomon 2:14 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:14-17 (opens a new tab)

5. Fig Tree

   The fig tree puts forth green figs beside fragrant vines, part of the invitation to arise and come away.

   Song of Solomon 2:13 (opens a new tab)

6. Flower

   Turtle is rendered turtledove in the NET.

   Flowers appear after winter and rain have passed; the verse pairs their arrival with singing and the voice of the turtle.

   Did you know?

   The NET keeps two possibilities together, rendering the disputed seasonal phrase as time for pruning and singing.

   Song of Solomon 2:11–12 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (opens a new tab)

7. Lily

   The opening lily of the valleys becomes a lily among thorns; lilies return beside “My beloved is mine, and I am his.”

   Song of Solomon 2:1–2 (opens a new tab) · Song of Solomon 2:16 (opens a new tab)

8. Little Foxes

   Little foxes spoil the vines with tender grapes in the KJV; the NET pictures the vineyard as in bloom.

   Song of Solomon 2:15 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:14-17 (opens a new tab)

9. Rock

   Stairs is rendered mountain crags in the NET.

   The dove is addressed in clefts of the rock and secret places of the stairs, before the request for voice and countenance.

   Song of Solomon 2:14 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:14-17 (opens a new tab)

10. Rose

    The KJV calls the speaker “the rose of Sharon”; the NET uses meadow flower, with notes discussing several proposed identifications.

    Did you know?

    The NET note links this flower word to Isaiah 35:1, where the KJV also says the desert shall blossom as the rose.

    Song of Solomon 2:1 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:1-2 (opens a new tab) · Isaiah 35:1 (opens a new tab)

11. Sharon

    Sharon locates the flower image in the KJV; the NET note describes it as a low coastal plain south of Mount Carmel.

    Song of Solomon 2:1 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:1-2 (opens a new tab)

12. Song

    The opening title calls the work “The song of songs, which is Solomon’s,” before the poem’s voices begin.

    Did you know?

    The NET renders song of songs as Most Excellent Love Song, expressing the title’s high praise for the composition.

    Song of Solomon 1:1–2 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 1:1 (opens a new tab)

13. Valleys

    Valleys place the lily beside Sharon’s flower in the opening line; the next verse moves the lily into a comparison among thorns.

    Song of Solomon 2:1–2 (opens a new tab)

14. Wine

    The opening asks “Let him kiss me” and says love is better than wine; verse 4 repeats the wine comparison.

    Song of Solomon 1:2–4 (opens a new tab)

15. Young Hart

    Roe is rendered gazelle in the NET.

    The beloved is compared to a roe or young hart after arriving over mountains and hills, then appears looking through the lattice.

    Song of Solomon 2:8–9 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (opens a new tab)