ESV Reformation Study Bible – Song 3:11
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Song 3:11

3:11 Zion. An alternative name for Jerusalem (e.g., Is. 40:9).

the crown. This is not the king’s crown, but the sort of crown worn by brides and grooms at Jewish weddings. The custom was abandoned by the Jews in their sorrow caused by the tragic war with Rome and the loss of Jerusalem (a.d. 70). A rabbinic proverb states that “a bridegroom resembles a king.”

his mother. The family structure reflected in the Song appears to be matriarchal (1:6; 3:4; 6:9; 8:1, 2, 5). There is no reference to a father, and within the relationship between the lovers there appears to be mutuality. But there are nonetheless elements of male dominance in the Song, notably the roles played by the girl’s brothers (1:6; 8:8, 9) and the watchmen (5:7).

the day of his wedding. The real Solomon had many weddings (1 Kin. 11:3). The one day in view here is a romantic ideal (vv. 6–11 note).