Song of Solomon 1:14

“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, (<142002>2 Chronicles 20:2). Plinyf63 sneaking of this place, which he calls Engadda, says, it is second to Jerusalem for fertility and groves of palm trees; and Josephusf64 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 othersf65 assert; and this…”

“This and the next Song of Solomon 1:15-7 sections are regarded by ancient commentators (Jewish and Christian) as expressing “the love of espousals” Jeremiah 2:2 between the Holy One and His Church, first in the wilderness of the Exodus, and then in the wilderness of the world Ezekiel 20:35-36. Song of Solomon 1:9 Or, to a mare of mine in the chariots of Pharaoh I liken thee, O my friend. (The last word is the feminine form of that rendered “friend” at Song of Solomon 5:16.) The comparison of the bride to a beautiful horse is singularly like one in Theocritus, and some have conjectured that the Greek poet, having read at Alexandria the Septuagint Version of the Song, may have borrowed these…”

“Camphire - We are not concerned to know exactly what this was; it being confessed, that it was some grateful plant, and that it sets forth that great delight which the church hath in the enjoyment of Christ. Engedi - A pleasant and well - watered place in the tribe of Judah, where there were many pleasant plants. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 1:15”

“1:14 The woman thirsts for the sincere love of her man the way a traveler would thirst for the water of En-gedi, an oasis in the wilderness west of the Dead Sea. • Henna is an aromatic shrub from the region around En-gedi; its blossoms were used for red hair dye.”

“beloved: Sol 1:13, Sol 2:3 camphire: or, cypress, Sol 4:13, Sol 4:14 Engedi: Jos 15:62; Sa1 23:29, Sa1 24:1 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 1:15”