I am a rose[a] of Sharon,
    (A)a lily of the valleys.

He

As a lily among brambles,
    so is (B)my love among the young women.

She

As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
    so is my (C)beloved among the young men.
With great delight I sat (D)in his shadow,
    and his (E)fruit was sweet to my taste.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 2:1 Probably a bulb, such as a crocus, asphodel, or narcissus

Dialogue between Maiden and Her Beloved

I am a rose[a] of Sharon,
    a lily of the valleys.
Like a lily among the thorns,[b]
    so is my love among the maidens.
As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
    so is my beloved among the young men.
In his shade I sat down with delight,[c]
    and his fruit was sweet to my palate.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Song of Solomon 2:1 More likely “meadow saffron” or “crocus.” Hebrew scholars and botanists suggest the term refers to Ashodelos (lily family), Narcissus tazetta (narcissus or daffodil), or Colchicum autumnale (meadow saffron or crocus) (e.g., Isa 35:1). The location of this flower in Sharon suggests a common wild flower rather than a rose. The maiden compares herself to a simple, common flower of the field
  2. Song of Solomon 2:2 Or “brambles”
  3. Song of Solomon 2:3 Literally “I sat down and I delighted”