Song of Solomon 2:5

“Stay me with flagons, etc.] Of wine, which is a supporter of the animal spiritsf118. The church was now in a house of wine, where was plenty of it; even of the love of Christ, compared to wine, and preferred unto it, (<220102>Song of Solomon 1:2,4); the church though she had had large discoveries of it, desired more; and such that have once tasted of this love are eagerly desirous of it, and cannot be satisfied until they have their fill of it in heaven: the flagons, being vessels in which wine is put, and from thence poured out, may signify the word and ordinances, in which the love of Christ is displayed and manifested; the church desires she might be stayed and supported hereby, while she…”

“The bride’s answer: “As the ‘tappuach’ with its fragrant fruit excels the barren trees of the wild wood, so my beloved his associates and friends etc.” תפוח tappûach may in early Hebrew have been a generic name for apple, quince, citron, orange etc. Song of Solomon 2:4 His banner - As the standard is the rallying-point and guide of the individual soldier, so the bride, transplanted from a lowly station to new scenes of unaccustomed splendor, finds support and safety in the known attachment of her beloved. His “love” is her “banner.” The thought is similar to that expressed in the name “Jehovah-nissi” (see the Exodus 17:15 note). Song of Solomon 2:5 Flagons - More probably cakes of raisins…”

“Stay me - Or, support me, keep me from fainting. The spouse speaks this to her bride - maids, the daughters of Jerusalem: or to the bridegroom himself. Flaggons - With wine, which is a good cordial. Apples - With odoriferous apples, the smell whereof was grateful to persons ready to faint. By this understand the application of the promises, and the quickening influences of the Spirit. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 2:6”

“2:5-6 The woman’s love is intense, his love overwhelming. • If the Song is an anthology, the couple can be seen as married, and lovemaking is seen as so physically exhausting that she grows faint and calls for the sustenance of raisin cakes and apples. These foods were considered aphrodisiacs in the ancient Near East. • Strengthen me: She now depends on him to revive her with the fruit of the earlier image—he is the apple tree, so he can provide apples for her renewed strength. • His left arm is under my head: He tenderly supports her with his embrace as they lie together (see also 8:3).”

“Stay: Psa 4:6, Psa 4:7, Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 63:1-3, Psa 63:8; Isa 26:8, Isa 26:9; Luk 24:32; Phi 1:23 flagons: Sa2 6:19; Hos 3:1 comfort me: Heb. straw me for: Sol 5:8; Sa2 13:1, Sa2 13:2; Psa 119:130, Psa 119:131 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 2:6”

“5 Support me with grape-cakes, Refresh me with apples: For I am sick with love. She makes use of the intensive form as one in a high degree in need of the reanimating of her almost sinking life: סמּך is the intens. of סמך, to prop up, support, or, as here, to under-prop, uphold; and ripeed, the intens. of רפד (R. רף), to raise up from beneath (vid., at Pro 7:16), to furnish firm ground and support. The apple is the Greek attribute of Aphrodite, and is the symbol of love; but here it is only a means of refreshing; and if thoughts of love are connected with the apple-tree ( Sol 2:3; Sol 8:5), that is explained from Shulamith's rural home. Bttcher understands quinces; Epstein, citrons; but…”