SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:14
Racimo de alcanfor en las viñas de En-gadi es para mí mi amado.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:14
Verse 14. A cluster of camphire - Mr. Hasselquist supposes this to mean a bunch of the Cyprus grape; but this is supposed to mean a shrub so called, not any production of the isle of Cypress; the best kinds of which were found at En- gedi. This place belonged to the tribe of Judah. Perhaps the poet alludes to the dark colour of the hair, which by the Greeks was not unfrequently compared to the bunches of grapes; by no means an unfit similitude for thick black clustering curls. The following lines represent the same idea: - "The dark black locks that ornament her neck Hang thick and clustering like the branchy palm."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. My beloved [is] unto me [as] a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi .] Engedi was a place near Jericho, and famous for palm trees, as that was, hence called Hazazontamar, ( 2 Chronicles 20:2). Pliny sneaking of this place, which he calls Engadda, says, it is second to Jerusalem for fertility and groves of palm trees; and Josephus f64 observes, that there grew the best palm trees and opobalsam; wherefore Aben Ezra, and other Jewish writers, think that dates, the fruit of the palm trees, which grow in clusters, are here meant: and because the balsam tree also, grew in this place, as observed before from Josephus, and grew in the manner of vines, as others assert; and this being said to, be in vineyards, some have thought that that might be in, tended; but what is valuable in it is a gum or tear, that drops from it, and not fruit in clusters, which it bears not: nor can it be supposed that what we call “camphire” should be meant, which grows not in clusters, and was unknown to the ancients; nor the “cyperus”, or “cypirus”, as Cocceius and others. The Septuagint version readers it “cyprus”: and there was a tree of this name which grew in Askelon in Judea, which, according to Pliny f66 , bore a white flower of a sweet smell; and which, in Italy, was called “ligustrum”, the privet tree, commended by the poets for its peculiar whiteness; and the cypress tree is reckoned by Josephus among the odoriferous trees which grew about Jericho, near to which Engedi was. The word here used is to be found in the Misnah f69 ; and the commentators on it say, it is the same which, in Arabic, is called “alhena”, the cypress tree, and refer to this place; of which Dr. Shaw says, “this beautiful and odoriferous plant, “alhenna”, if it is not annually cut, and kept low, grows ten or twelve feet high, putting out its little flowers in clusters, which yield a most grateful smell, like camphire.”
But, after all, perhaps the Cyprus vine is here meant, which, according to Pliny f72 , was the best and largest of vines; and which, though it grew in Cyprus, from whence it had its name, yet some plants of it might be obtained by Solomon, and planted in the vineyards of Engedi; or there were such there like them, and were called by the same name: Jarchi, from an ancient exposition of theirs, relates, that the vineyards of this place brought forth fruit four or five times a year; Alshech says seven. Now as Christ compares himself to a vine, ( John 15:1); the church may compare him to a cluster of the grapes of the Cyprus vine, reckoned the best; there being a cluster of all perfections, divine and human, in him; and of all the spiritual blessings of the everlasting covenant, and of all the precious promises in it; and of all the grace of the Spirit, and the fulness of it, which is in him. The Jews calls a man, eminent for virtue, and a large share of knowledge, “clusters” f73 ; and they interpret “eschol”, a cluster, by wh lkhç çya , “a man that has all things in him” f74 : such an one is Christ, in the highest sense, having all perfections, excellencies, and virtues, in him.
Some leave the word untranslated, “copher” f75 , and which has the signification of atonement and propitiation; and so well agrees with Christ, who is the propitiation for sin, and has made atonement for it. Bishop Patrick observes, that the ancient Hebrew doctors, by dividing the first word “eschol”, found out the mystery of the Messiah; considering it as if thus read, rpwk lk çya , “my beloved is unto me the man that propitiates” or “expiates all things”; that is, all sins and transgressions: in the Talmud it is explained, “he, whose all things are, has atoned for my iniquity;” which Christ has done for his church and people; and which makes him precious, and is matter of joy and gladness to them, ( Romans 5:11 Romans 3:25) ( 1 John 2:2 1 John 4:10).
Matthew Henry Commentary
The title. (Song 1:1) The church confesses her deformity. (Song 1:2-6 The church beseeches Christ to lead her to the resting-place of his people. (Song 1:7,8) Christ's commendation of the church, Her estee for Him. (Song 1:9-17)
Song 1:1 This is "the Song of songs," excellent above any others, for it is wholly taken up with describing the excellences of Christ, an the love between him and his redeemed people.
Song 1:2-6 The church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the character of the spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of his mouth mean those assurances of pardon with which believers ar favoured, filling them with peace and joy in believing, and causin them to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gracious soul take most pleasure in loving Christ, and being loved of him. Christ' love is more valuable and desirable than the best this world can give The name of Christ is not now like ointment sealed up, but lik ointment poured forth; which denotes the freeness and fulness of the setting forth of his grace by the gospel. Those whom he has redeeme and sanctified, are here the virgins that love Jesus Christ, and follo him whithersoever he goes, Rev. 14:4. They entreat him to draw them by the quickening influences of his Spirit. The more clearly we discer Christ's glory, the more sensible shall we be that we are unable to follow him suitably, and at the same time be more desirous of doing it Observe the speedy answer given to this prayer. Those who wait a Wisdom's gate, shall be led into truth and comfort. And being brough into this chamber, our griefs will vanish. We have no joy but in Christ, and for this we are indebted to him. We will remember to giv thanks for thy love; it shall make more lasting impressions upon u than any thing in this world. Nor is any love acceptable to Christ but love in sincerity, Eph. 6:24. The daughters of Jerusalem may mea professors not yet established in the faith. The spouse was black a the tents of the wandering Arabs, but comely as the magnificen curtains in the palaces of Solomon. The believer is black, as being defiled and sinful by nature, but comely, as renewed by Divine grace to the holy image of God. He is still deformed with remains of sin, but comely as accepted in Christ. He is often base and contemptible in the esteem of men, but excellent in the sight of God. The blackness wa owing to the hard usage that had been suffered. The children of the church, her mother, but not of God, her Father, were angry with her They had made her suffer hardships, which caused her to neglect the care of her soul. Thus, under the emblem of a poor female, made the chosen partner of a prince, we are led to consider the circumstances in which the love of Christ is accustomed to find its objects. They wer wretched slaves of sin, in toil, or in sorrow, weary and heavy laden but how great the change when the love of Christ is manifested to their souls!
Song 1:7,8 Observe the title given to Christ, O Thou whom my sou loveth. Those that do so, may come to him boldly, and may humbly plea with him. Is it with God's people a noon-time of outward troubles inward conflicts? Christ has rest for them. Those whose souls love Jesus Christ, earnestly desire to share in the privileges of his flock Turning aside from Christ is what gracious souls dread more tha anything else. God is ready to answer prayer. Follow the track, ask for the good old way, observe the footsteps of the flock, look what ha been the practice of godly people. Sit under the direction of goo ministers; beside the tents of the under shepherds. Bring thy charg with thee, they shall all be welcome. It will be the earnest desire an prayer of the Christian, that God would so direct him in his worldl business, and so order his situation and employment, that he may have his Lord and Saviour always before him.
Song 1:9-17 The Bridegroom gives high praises of his spouse. In the sight of Christ believers are the excellent of the earth, fitted to be instruments for promoting his glory. The spiritual gifts and grace which Christ bestows on every true believer, are described by the ornaments then in use, Song 1:10,11. The graces of the saints are many but there is dependence upon each other. He who is the Author, will be the Finisher of the good work. The grace received from Christ' fulness, springs forth into lively exercises of faith, affection, an gratitude. Yet Christ, not his gifts, is most precious to them. The word translated "camphire," signifies "atonement or propitiation. Christ is dear to all believers, because he is the propitiation for their sins. No pretender must have his place in the soul. They resolve to lodge him in their hearts all the night; during the continuance of the troubles of life. Christ takes delight in the good work which his grace has wrought on the souls of believers. This should engage all wh are made holy, to be very thankful for that grace which has made thos fair, who by nature were deformed. The spouse (the believer) has humble, modest eye, discovering simplicity and godly sincerity; eye enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, that blessed Dove. The church expresses her value for Christ. Thou art the great Original, but I am but a faint and imperfect copy. Many are fair to look at, ye their temper renders them unpleasant: but Christ is fair, yet pleasant The believer, Song 1:16, speaks with praise of those holy ordinances in which true believers have fellowship with Christ. Whether the believe is in the courts of the Lord, or in retirement; whether following his daily labours, or confined on the bed of sickness, or even in dungeon, a sense of the Divine presence will turn the place into paradise. Thus the soul, daily having fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, enjoys a lively hope of an incorruptible undefiled, and unfading inheritance above __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
אשׁכל 811 הכפר 3724 דודי 1730 לי בכרמי 3754 עין גדי׃ 5872
