Song of Solomon 1:2
What does Song of Solomon 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 1:2 means
The woman’s first words express a longing for her beloved’s affection—kisses that seal and express love. She values his love above wine, a common symbol of joy and celebration. This sets love, not luxury, at the center of the poem’s delights. Her shift from third person (“let him”) to second person (“thy love”) shows how desire moves from imagination to direct engagement. The verse dignifies marital attraction as good and desirable, placing it within the joy of life’s best gifts, and anticipates the chapter’s many sensory images (taste, smell, touch) that celebrate intimate union.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let him give me the kisses of his mouth: for his love is better than wine.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, For better <FI>are<Fi> thy loves than wine.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Smelling sweet of the best ointments. Thy name is as oil poured out: therefore young maidens have loved thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.
Context
Following the formal title, the focus narrows to the woman’s heart and voice. Her desire frames the whole scene: love is better than life’s finest pleasures. This prepares for the next verses, where she details what makes him so desirable—his fragrance and reputation (verse 3)—and for the communal joy that surrounds their union (verse 4). The flow moves from personal longing to public affirmation and then to a private encounter, showing how this love is both intimate and honored.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 63:3
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee.
- Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
- Psalms 36:7
How precious is thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of thy wings.
- Song of Solomon 8:1
Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! WhenI should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me.
- Song of Solomon 2:4
He brought me to the banqueting-house, And his banner over me was love.
- Isaiah 25:6
And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
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