Song of Solomon 2:1
What does Song of Solomon 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 2:1 means
The speaker, likely the Shulamite, describes herself with images from Israel’s fields: a “rose of Sharon” and a “lily of the valleys.” She is not boasting, but acknowledging a simple, natural beauty—lovely yet common, like wildflowers scattered across Sharon’s plain and the low places. Her words carry humility and vulnerability. She sees herself as part of the landscape, not a hothouse flower. In love, this self-assessment reveals both modesty and readiness to be noticed. She is beautiful, but not self-exalting; precious, yet exposed. The images invite the beloved’s response, opening space for him to define her worth and uniqueness in his eyes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I am a rose of Sharon, a flower of the valleys.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862As a lily among the thorns,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I am the flower of the field, and the lily of the valleys.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am a narcissus of Sharon, A lily of the valleys.
Context
Chapter 2 opens a fresh scene after earlier exchanges of affection. The maiden speaks first, setting a tone of humble self-understanding using pastoral imagery. This self-portrait becomes the foil for the beloved’s quick reply in verse 2, where he elevates her beyond all others. Understanding verse 1 as her modest estimate prepares the reader to feel the contrast and warmth in the beloved’s admiration, which then fuels the back-and-forth celebration of each other that follows in verses 3–6 and leads to the solemn refrain in verse 7.
v.1This passage
v.2As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 2:16
My beloved is mine, and I am his: He feedeth his flock among the lilies.
- Psalms 85:11
Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
- Hosea 14:5
I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
- Song of Solomon 6:3
I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: He feedeth his flock among the lilies.
- Isaiah 35:1
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
- Song of Solomon 5:13
His cheeks are as a bed of spices, Asbanks of sweet herbs: His lips are as lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.
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