Song of Solomon 1:14
What does Song of Solomon 1:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 1:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 1:14 means
She compares him to a cluster of henna-flowers from the vineyards of En-gedi, a lush oasis by the Dead Sea. Henna blossoms are fragrant and lovely; En-gedi evokes refreshment amid surrounding barrenness. He is to her a living beauty in a harsh world, a place of rest and delight. The metaphor honors the restorative power of love: his presence is not only sweet but life-giving, like shade and scent in a dry land, renewing the senses and the soul.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of En-gedi.
KJV
King James Version · 1611My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En–gedi.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of En-gedi.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My love is to me as a branch of the cypress-tree in the vine-gardens of En-gedi.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A cluster of cypress <FI>is<Fi> my beloved to me, In the vineyards of En-Gedi!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold thou are fair, O my love, behold thou are fair, thy eyes are as those of doves.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890My beloved is unto me a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of Engedi.
Context
Still speaking, she completes a trio of fragrance images that began at the king’s table. With this, the sensory focus shifts from the intimate chamber to the open outdoors, bridging back to the pastoral notes earlier in the chapter. The beloved will now answer in verse 15, meeting her affection with affirmations of her beauty. The exchange models mutuality: each delights in the other, and each supplies what the other lacks—comfort for insecurity and praise for longing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 1:13
My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh, That lieth betwixt my breasts.
- Song of Solomon 4:13
Thy shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits; Henna with spikenard plants,
- Song of Solomon 2:3
As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
- 1 Samuel 23:29
And David went up from thence, and dwelt in the strongholds of En-gedi.
- Joshua 15:62
and Nibshan, and the City of Salt, and En-gedi; six cities with their villages.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Song of Solomon 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Song of Solomon 1.