New English Translation
Song of Songs 3:6
61Who is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, like a fragrant billow of myrrh and frankincense, every kind of fragrant powder of the traveling merchants?
Song of Songs 3:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
- New International Version (NIV)Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?
- English Standard Version (ESV)What is that coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of a merchant?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant’s fragrant powders?
Context of Song of Songs 3:6
4Scarcely had I passed them by when I found my beloved! I held onto him tightly and would not let him go until I brought him to my mother’s house, to the bedroom chamber of the one who conceived me. 5I admonish you, O maidens of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and by the young does of the open fields: “Do not awake or arouse love until it pleases!” Who is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, like a fragrant billow of myrrh and frankincense, every kind of fragrant powder of the traveling merchants? 7Look! It is Solomon’s portable couch! It is surrounded by sixty warriors, some of Israel’s mightiest warriors. 8All of them are skilled with a sword, well-trained in the art of warfare. Each has his sword at his side, to guard against the terrors of the night.
Read all of Song of Songs 3Song of Songs 3:6 word by word
מִ֣י זֹ֗את עֹלָה֙ מִן־הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר כְּתִֽימֲר֖וֹת עָשָׁ֑ן מְקֻטֶּ֤רֶת מוֹר֙ וּלְבוֹנָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל אַבְקַ֥ת רוֹכֵֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- this that comethעָלָה‛âlâh · to ascend: riseH5927
- out of the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057
- like pillarsתִּימָרָהtîymârâh timârâh · columnH8490
- of smokeעָשָׁן‛âshân · smokeH6227
- perfumedקָטַרqâţar · to offer: to perfumeH6999
- with myrrhמֹרmôr môr · myrrhH4753
- and frankincenseלְבֹנָהlebônâh lebônâh · frankincenseH3828
- with all powdersאֲבָקָה'ăbâqâh · aromatic powderH81
- of the merchantרָכַלrâkal · to tradeH7402
Commentaries on Song of Songs 3:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness - Going to Egypt was called descending or going down, coming from it was termed coming up. The bride, having risen, goes after her spouse to the country, and the clouds of incense arising from her palanquin seemed like pillars of smoke; and the appearance was altogether so splendid as to attract the admiration of her own women, who converse about her splendor, excellence, etc., and then take occasion to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-11Verses 6-11 A wilderness is an emblem of the world; the believer comes out of it when he is delivered from the love of its sinful pleasures and pursuits, and refuses to comply with its customs and fashions, to seek happiness in communion with the Saviour. A poor soul shall come up, at last, under the conduct of the Comforter; like a cloud of incense ascending from the altar, or the smoke of the burnt-offerings. This signifies pious and devout affections…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-11In the three-character dramatic interpretation, Solomon's humility and generosity are evident when he attends a wedding of a woman who chose a common shepherd's love over his. With Solomon there, this ordinary wedding becomes a grand ceremony. If the Song is an anthology, this poem seems to describe Solomon's wedding procession. People are amazed by the luxury of his carriage and the power of his entourage. This reflects the importance of marriage…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-116. New scene (So 3:6-11). The friends of the Bridegroom see a cortege approach. His palanquin and guard. cometh out--rather, "up from"; the wilderness was lower than Jerusalem [Maurer]. pillars of smoke--from the perfumes burned around Him and His bride. Image from Israel and the tabernacle (answering to "bed," So 3:7) marching through the desert with the pillar of smoke by day and fire by night (Ex 14:20), and the pillars of smoke ascending from the…Read the comment
- Rashi on Tanakh · v. 6Who is this coming up from the desert When I was traveling through the desert and the pillar of fire and cloud were going before me and killing the snakes and scorpions and burning the thorns and thistles to make a straight road, and the cloud and the smoke were ascending, the nations saw them, and were astounded by my greatness, and they said, “Who is this,” i.e., “How great is this one coming up from the desert, etc.!”Read the comment
Topics related to Song of Songs 3:6
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. Song of Songs 3:6 It is not certain whether the speaker here is the Beloved or not. ↩
Commentaries on Song of Songs 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries