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Selected Verse: Song of solomon 4:12 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
So 4:12 |
Strong Concordance |
A garden [01588] inclosed [05274] is my sister [0269], my spouse [03618]; a spring [01530] shut up [05274], a fountain [04599] sealed [02856]. |
|
King James |
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
The Hebrew has no "is." Here she is distinct from the garden (Sol 5:1), yet identified with it (Sol 4:16) as being one with Him in His sufferings. Historically the Paradise, into which the soul of Jesus Christ entered at death; and the tomb of Joseph, in which His body was laid amid "myrrh," &c. (Sol 4:6), situated in a nicely kept garden (compare "gardener," Joh 20:15); "sealed" with a stone (Mat 27:66); in which it resembles "wells" in the East (Gen 29:3, Gen 29:8). It was in a garden of light Adam fell; in a garden of darkness, Gethsemane, and chiefly that of the tomb, the second Adam retrieved us. Spiritually the garden is the gospel kingdom of heaven. Here all is ripe; previously (Sol 2:13) it was "the tender grape." The garden is His, though He calls the plants hers (Sol 4:13) by His gift (Isa 61:3, end).
spring . . . fountain--Jesus Christ (Joh 4:10) sealed, while He was in the sealed tomb: it poured forth its full tide on Pentecost (Joh 7:37-39). Still He is a sealed fountain until the Holy Ghost opens it to one (Co1 12:3). The Church also is "a garden enclosed" (Psa 4:3; Isa 5:1, &c.). Contrast Psa 80:9-12. So "a spring" (Isa 27:3; Isa 58:11); "sealed" (Eph 4:30; Ti2 2:19). As wives in the East are secluded from public gaze, so believers (Psa 83:3; Col 3:3). Contrast the open streams which "pass away" (Job 6:15-18; Pe2 2:17). |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The loveliness and purity of the bride are now set forth under the image of a paradise or garden fast barred against intruders, filled with rarest plants of excellent fragrance, and watered by abundant streams. Compare Pro 5:15-20.
Sol 4:12
A fountain sealed - i. e., A well-spring covered with a stone Gen 29:3, and sealed with "the king's own signet" (Dan 6:17; compare Mat 27:66).
Sol 4:13
Orchard - This is the renderlng here and in Ecc 2:5 of "pardes" (see Neh 2:8 note). The pomegranate was for the Jews a sacred fruit, and a characteristic product of the land of promise (compare Exo 28:33-34; Num 20:5; Deu 8:8; Kg1 7:18, Kg1 7:20). It is frequently mentioned in the Song, and always in connection with the bride. It abounds to this day in the ravines of the Lebanon.
Camphire - Cyprus. See Sol 1:14 note.
Sol 4:13-15
Seven kinds of spices (some of them with Indian names, e. g. aloes, spikenard, saffron) are enumerated as found in this symbolic garden. They are for the most part pure exotics which have formed for countless ages articles of commerce in the East, and were brought at that time in Solomon's ships from southern Arabia, the great Indian Peninsula, and perhaps the islands of the Indian Archipelago. The picture here is best regarded as a purely ideal one, having no corresponding reality but in the bride herself. The beauties and attractions of both north and south - of Lebanon with its streams of sparkling water and fresh mountain air, of Engedi with its tropical climate and henna plantations, of the spice-groves of Arabia Felix, and of the rarest products of the distant mysterious Ophir - all combine to furnish one glorious representation, "Thou art all fair!" |
Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
The praise is sensuous, but it has a moral consecration.
12 A garden locked is my sister-bride;
A spring locked, a fountain sealed.
גּן (according to rule masc. Bttch. 658) denotes the garden from its enclosure; גּ (elsewhere נּלּה ere), the fountain (synon. מבּוּע), the waves bubbling forth (cf. Amo 5:24); and מעין, the place, as it were an eye of the earth, from which a fountain gushes forth. Luther distinguishes rightly between gan and gal; on the contrary, all the old translators (even the Venet.) render as if the word in both cases were gan. The Pasek between gan and nā'ul, and between gal and nā'ul, is designed to separate the two Nuns, as e.g., at Ch2 2:9; Neh 2:2, the two Mems; it is the orthophonic Pasek, already described under Sol 2:7, which secures the independence of two similar or organically related sounds. Whether the sealed fountain (fons signatus) alludes to a definite fountain which Solomon had built for the upper city and the temple place,
(Note: Vid., Zschocke in the Tbinger Quartalschrift, 1867, 3.)
we do not now inquire. To a locked garden and spring no one has access but the rightful owner, and a sealed fountain is shut against all impurity. Thus she is closed against the world, and inaccessible to all that would disturb her pure heart, or desecrate her pure person.
(Note: Seal, חותם, pers. muhr, is used directly in the sense of maiden-like behaviour; vid., Perles' etymol. Studien (1871), p. 67.)
All the more beautiful and the greater is the fulness of the flowers and fruits which bloom and ripen in the garden of this life, closed against the world and its lust. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
A garden - For order and beauty, for pleasant walks, and flowers, and fruits. Inclosed - Defended by the care of my providence: and reserved for my proper use. Shut up - To preserve it from all pollution, and to reserve it for the use of its owner, for which reason, springs were shut up in those countries where water was scarce and precious. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
A garden enclosed - a spring shut up, a fountain sealed - Different expressions to point out the fidelity of the bride, or of the Jewish queen. See the outlines. She is unsullied, a chaste, pure virgin. None has ever entered into this garden; none has yet tasted of this spring; the seal of this fountain has never been broken. Among the Athenians, the interior part of the house, called the women's apartment, was not only locked but sealed; so Aristophan., Thesmoph. ver. 422: -
Ειτα δια τουτον ταις γυναικωνιτισιν
Σφραγιδας εμβαλλουσιν ηδη και μοχλους.
And on this account, to the women's apartment
They place seals as well as bolts.
And seal, as applicable to chaste conduct, is a phrase well known to the Greeks. Aeschylus, in the Agamemnon, praises a woman, σημαντη ριον ουδεν διαφψειρασαν, who had not violated her seal of conjugal faith. But Nonnus, lib. ii., uses the form of speech exactly as Solomon does with reference to a pure virgin; he says, Αψαυστον ἑης σφρηγιδα κορειης; "She had preserved the seal of her virginity untouched." All this is plain; but how many will make metaphors out of metaphors! |
17 These [3778] are [1526] wells [4077] without water [504], clouds [3507] that are carried [1643] with [5259] a tempest [2978]; to whom [3739] the mist [2217] of darkness [4655] is reserved [5083] for [1519] ever [165].
15 My brethren [0251] have dealt deceitfully [0898] as a brook [05158], and as the stream [0650] of brooks [05158] they pass away [05674];
16 Which are blackish [06937] by reason of the ice [07140], and wherein the snow [07950] is hid [05956]:
17 What time [06256] they wax warm [02215], they vanish [06789]: when it is hot [02527], they are consumed out [01846] of their place [04725].
18 The paths [0734] of their way [01870] are turned aside [03943]; they go [05927] to nothing [08414], and perish [06].
3 For [1063] ye are dead [599], and [2532] your [5216] life [2222] is hid [2928] with [4862] Christ [5547] in [1722] God [2316].
3 They have taken crafty [06191] counsel [05475] against thy people [05971], and consulted [03289] against thy hidden ones [06845].
19 Nevertheless [3305] the foundation [2310] of God [2316] standeth [2476] sure [4731], having [2192] this [5026] seal [4973], The Lord [2962] knoweth [1097] them that are [5607] his [846]. And [2532], Let [868] every one [3956] that nameth [3687] the name [3686] of Christ [5547] depart [868] from [575] iniquity [93].
30 And [2532] grieve [3076] not [3361] the holy [40] Spirit [4151] of God [2316], whereby [1722] [3739] ye are sealed [4972] unto [1519] the day [2250] of redemption [629].
11 And the LORD [03068] shall guide [05148] thee continually [08548], and satisfy [07646] thy soul [05315] in drought [06710], and make fat [02502] thy bones [06106]: and thou shalt be like a watered [07302] garden [01588], and like a spring [04161] of water [04325], whose waters [04325] fail [03576] not.
3 I the LORD [03068] do keep [05341] it; I will water [08248] it every moment [07281]: lest any hurt [06485] it, I will keep [05341] it night [03915] and day [03117].
9 Thou preparedst [06437] room before [06440] it, and didst cause it to take deep [08328] root [08327], and it filled [04390] the land [0776].
10 The hills [02022] were covered [03680] with the shadow [06738] of it, and the boughs [06057] thereof were like the goodly [0410] cedars [0730].
11 She sent out [07971] her boughs [07105] unto the sea [03220], and her branches [03127] unto the river [05104].
12 Why hast thou then broken down [06555] her hedges [01447], so that all they which pass [05674] by the way [01870] do pluck [0717] her?
1 Now will I sing [07891] to my wellbeloved [03039] a song [07892] of my beloved [01730] touching his vineyard [03754]. My wellbeloved [03039] hath a vineyard [03754] in a very fruitful [01121] [08081] hill [07161]:
3 But know [03045] that the LORD [03068] hath set apart [06395] him that is godly [02623] for himself: the LORD [03068] will hear [08085] when I call [07121] unto him.
3 Wherefore [1352] I give [1107] you [5213] to understand [1107], that [3754] no man [3762] speaking [2980] by [1722] the Spirit [4151] of God [2316] calleth [3004] Jesus [2424] accursed [331]: and [2532] that no man [3762] can [1410] say [2036] that Jesus [2424] is the Lord [2962], but [1508] by [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].
37 [1161] In [1722] the last [2078] day [2250], that great [3173] day of the feast [1859], Jesus [2424] stood [2476] and [2532] cried [2896], saying [3004], If [1437] any man [5100] thirst [1372], let him come [2064] unto [4314] me [3165], and [2532] drink [4095].
38 He that believeth [4100] on [1519] me [1691], as [2531] the scripture [1124] hath said [2036], out of [1537] his [846] belly [2836] shall flow [4482] rivers [4215] of living [2198] water [5204].
39 (But [1161] this [5124] spake he [2036] of [4012] the Spirit [4151], which [3739] they that believe [4100] on [1519] him [846] should [3195] receive [2983]: for [1063] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] was [2258] not yet [3768] given; because [3754] that Jesus [2424] was [1392] not yet [3764] glorified [1392]
10 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto her [846], If [1487] thou knewest [1492] the gift [1431] of God [2316], and [2532] who [5101] it is [2076] that saith [3004] to thee [4671], Give [1325] me [3427] to drink [4095]; thou [4771] wouldest [302] have asked [154] of him [846], and [2532] he would [302] have given [1325] thee [4671] living [2198] water [5204].
3 To appoint [07760] unto them that mourn [057] in Zion [06726], to give [05414] unto them beauty [06287] for ashes [0665], the oil [08081] of joy [08342] for mourning [060], the garment [04594] of praise [08416] for the spirit [07307] of heaviness [03544]; that they might be called [07121] trees [0352] of righteousness [06664], the planting [04302] of the LORD [03068], that he might be glorified [06286].
13 Thy plants [07973] are an orchard [06508] of pomegranates [07416], with pleasant [04022] fruits [06529]; camphire [03724], with spikenard [05373],
13 The fig tree [08384] putteth forth [02590] her green figs [06291], and the vines [01612] with the tender grape [05563] give [05414] a good smell [07381]. Arise [06965], my love [07474], my fair one [03303], and come away [03212].
8 And they said [0559], We cannot [03201], until all the flocks [05739] be gathered together [0622], and till they roll [01556] the stone [068] from the well's [0875] mouth [06310]; then we water [08248] the sheep [06629].
3 And thither were all the flocks [05739] gathered [0622]: and they rolled [01556] the stone [068] from the well's [0875] mouth [06310], and watered [08248] the sheep [06629], and put [07725] the stone [068] again [07725] upon the well's [0875] mouth [06310] in his place [04725].
66 So [1161] they went [4198], and made [805] the sepulchre [5028] sure [805], sealing [4972] the stone [3037], and setting [3326] a watch [2892].
15 Jesus [2424] saith [3004] unto her [846], Woman [1135], why [5101] weepest thou [2799]? whom [5101] seekest thou [2212]? She [1565], supposing [1380] [3754] him to be [2076] the gardener [2780], saith [3004] unto him [846], Sir [2962], if [1487] thou [4771] have borne [941] him [846] hence [941], tell [2036] me [3427] where [4226] thou hast laid [5087] him [846], and I [2504] will take [142] him [846] away [142].
6 Until the day [03117] break [06315], and the shadows [06752] flee away [05127], I will get [03212] me to the mountain [02022] of myrrh [04753], and to the hill [01389] of frankincense [03828].
16 Awake [05782], O north wind [06828]; and come [0935], thou south [08486]; blow [06315] upon my garden [01588], that the spices [01314] thereof may flow out [05140]. Let my beloved [01730] come [0935] into his garden [01588], and eat [0398] his pleasant [04022] fruits [06529].
1 I am come [0935] into my garden [01588], my sister [0269], my spouse [03618]: I have gathered [0717] my myrrh [04753] with my spice [01313]; I have eaten [0398] my honeycomb [03293] with my honey [01706]; I have drunk [08354] my wine [03196] with my milk [02461]: eat [0398], O friends [07453]; drink [08354], yea, drink abundantly [07937], O beloved [01730].
13 Thy plants [07973] are an orchard [06508] of pomegranates [07416], with pleasant [04022] fruits [06529]; camphire [03724], with spikenard [05373],
14 Spikenard [05373] and saffron [03750]; calamus [07070] and cinnamon [07076], with all trees [06086] of frankincense [03828]; myrrh [04753] and aloes [0174], with all the chief [07218] spices [01314]:
15 A fountain [04599] of gardens [01588], a well [0875] of living [02416] waters [04325], and streams [05140] from Lebanon [03844].
14 My beloved [01730] is unto me as a cluster [0811] of camphire [03724] in the vineyards [03754] of Engedi [05872].
20 And the chapiters [03805] upon the two [08147] pillars [05982] had pomegranates also above [04605], over against [05980] the belly [0990] which was by [05676] the network [07639]: and the pomegranates [07416] were two hundred [03967] in rows [02905] round about [05439] upon the other [08145] chapiter [03805].
18 And he made [06213] the pillars [05982], and two [08147] rows [02905] round about [05439] upon the one [0259] network [07639], to cover [03680] the chapiters [03805] that were upon the top [07218], with pomegranates [07416]: and so did [06213] he for the other [08145] chapiter [03805].
8 A land [0776] of wheat [02406], and barley [08184], and vines [01612], and fig trees [08384], and pomegranates [07416]; a land [0776] of oil [08081] olive [02132], and honey [01706];
5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up [05927] out of Egypt [04714], to bring [0935] us in unto this evil [07451] place [04725]? it is no place [04725] of seed [02233], or of figs [08384], or of vines [01612], or of pomegranates [07416]; neither is there any water [04325] to drink [08354].
33 And beneath upon the hem [07757] of it thou shalt make [06213] pomegranates [07416] of blue [08504], and of purple [0713], and of scarlet [08144] [08438], round about [05439] the hem [07757] thereof; and bells [06472] of gold [02091] between [08432] them round about [05439]:
34 A golden [02091] bell [06472] and a pomegranate [07416], a golden [02091] bell [06472] and a pomegranate [07416], upon the hem [07757] of the robe [04598] round about [05439].
8 And a letter [0107] unto Asaph [0623] the keeper [08104] of the king's [04428] forest [06508], that he may give [05414] me timber [06086] to make beams [07136] for the gates [08179] of the palace [01002] which appertained to the house [01004], and for the wall [02346] of the city [05892], and for the house [01004] that I shall enter into [0935]. And the king [04428] granted [05414] me, according to the good [02896] hand [03027] of my God [0430] upon me.
5 I made [06213] me gardens [01593] and orchards [06508], and I planted [05193] trees [06086] in them of all kind of fruits [06529]:
13 Thy plants [07973] are an orchard [06508] of pomegranates [07416], with pleasant [04022] fruits [06529]; camphire [03724], with spikenard [05373],
66 So [1161] they went [4198], and made [805] the sepulchre [5028] sure [805], sealing [4972] the stone [3037], and setting [3326] a watch [2892].
17 And a [02298] stone [069] was brought [0858], and laid [07761] upon [05922] the mouth [06433] of the den [01358]; and the king [04430] sealed [02857] it with his own signet [05824], and with the signet [05824] of his lords [07261]; that the purpose [06640] might not [03809] be changed [08133] concerning Daniel [01841].
3 And thither were all the flocks [05739] gathered [0622]: and they rolled [01556] the stone [068] from the well's [0875] mouth [06310], and watered [08248] the sheep [06629], and put [07725] the stone [068] again [07725] upon the well's [0875] mouth [06310] in his place [04725].
12 A garden [01588] inclosed [05274] is my sister [0269], my spouse [03618]; a spring [01530] shut up [05274], a fountain [04599] sealed [02856].
15 Drink [08354] waters [04325] out of thine own cistern [0953], and running waters [05140] out of [08432] thine own well [0875].
16 Let thy fountains [04599] be dispersed [06327] abroad [02351], and rivers [06388] of waters [04325] in the streets [07339].
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers [02114] ' with thee.
18 Let thy fountain [04726] be blessed [01288]: and rejoice [08055] with the wife [0802] of thy youth [05271].
19 Let her be as the loving [0158] hind [0365] and pleasant [02580] roe [03280]; let her breasts [01717] satisfy [07301] thee at all times [06256]; and be thou ravished [07686] always [08548] with her love [0160].
20 And why wilt thou, my son [01121], be ravished [07686] with a strange woman [02114], and embrace [02263] the bosom [02436] of a stranger [05237]?
7 I charge [07650] you, O ye daughters [01323] of Jerusalem [03389], by the roes [06643], and [0176] by the hinds [0355] of the field [07704], that ye stir not up [05782], nor awake [05782] my love [0160], till he please [02654].
2 Wherefore the king [04428] said [0559] unto me, Why is thy countenance [06440] sad [07451], seeing thou art not sick [02470]? this is nothing else but sorrow [07455] of heart [03820]. Then I was very [03966] sore [07235] afraid [03372],
9 Even to prepare [03559] me timber [06086] in abundance [07230]: for the house [01004] which I am about to build [01129] shall be wonderful [06381] great [01419].
24 But let judgment [04941] run down [01556] as waters [04325], and righteousness [06666] as a mighty [0386] stream [05158].