Song of Solomon 1:3
What does Song of Solomon 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 1:3 means
She praises his scent and, deeper still, his “name”—his character and reputation—as an aroma poured out. Like costly oil that spreads and delights everyone nearby, his good name attracts admiration. “Therefore do the virgins love thee” indicates that his excellence is widely recognized, not merely a private opinion. Desire here is grounded in who he is, not only in how he looks. The verse celebrates moral beauty and noble standing as inherently attractive, teaching that true love rests on trustworthy character that draws rightful esteem from others.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thine oils have a goodly fragrance; Thy name is as oil poured forth; Therefore do the virgins love thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thine oils have a goodly fragrance; Thy name is as oil poured forth; Therefore do the virgins love thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Sweet is the smell of your perfumes; your name is as perfume running out; so the young girls give you their love.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For fragrance <FI>are<Fi> thy perfumes good. Perfume emptied out--thy name, Therefore have virgins loved thee!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. The king hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the rightous love thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thine ointments savour sweetly; Thy name is an ointment poured forth: Therefore do the virgins love thee.
Context
This builds on verse 2’s claim that his love is better than wine. Having preferred love to luxury, she now explains why: he is fragrant and honorable. The community’s approval anticipates the chorus of joy in verse 4. The movement is outward from personal delight to public reputation, and then back inward again as the scene will soon turn to the king’s chambers. Understanding this alternation between public and private helps the reader see love’s social honor and its personal intimacy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 34:5
And Jehovah descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Jehovah.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- Isaiah 61:3
to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.
- Song of Solomon 6:8
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number.
- John 12:3
Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
- Revelation 14:4
These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb.
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