Song of Solomon 4:9

“Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, [my] spouse, etc.] Here another new title is given to the church, “my sister”, with the repetition of the former, my “spouse”: for one and the same person, with the Hebrews, might be sister and spouse; (see <460905>1 Corinthians 9:5). And this may be used in a love strain, and so not improper in a love poem, as this wasf249; (see <220808>Song of Solomon 8:8); likewise the church may be called Christ’s sister, because of his incarnation, in virtue of which he is not ashamed to call his people his brethren, and so his sisters, (<580211>Hebrews 2:11); and on account of their adoption; in which respect, he that is Christ’s Father is theirs; and which is…”

“The similes employed refer to the graces of adornment, speech, and gesture, as expressions of inward character and sentiment. Song of Solomon 4:9 With one of thine eyes - Rather, with one look of thine. Song of Solomon 4:11 Honeycomb - literally, Thy lips distill a dropping (of pure honey). Compare the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”

“My sister - So he calls her to shew the greatness of his love, which cannot sufficiently be expressed by any one relation. With one - With one glance. One chain - With one of those other graces and perfections wherewith thou art adorned. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 4:10”

“4:9 my treasure (literally my sister): The man calls the woman his sister to emphasize their relationship as loving companions and his role as her protector. This sounds strange to modern ears, but it does not suggest an incestuous relationship. Ancient Near Eastern love poetry often uses the language of brother and sister to refer to two people in love.”

“ravished: or, taken away, etc my sister: Sol 4:10, Sol 4:12, Sol 5:1, Sol 5:2; Gen 20:12; Mat 12:50; Co1 9:5; Heb 2:11-14 my spouse: Sol 3:11; Psa 45:9; Isa 54:5, Isa 62:5; Eze 16:8; Hos 2:19, Hos 2:20; Joh 3:29; Co2 11:2; Rev 19:7, Rev 19:8, Rev 21:2, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:10 thou hast: Sol 6:12, Sol 7:5, Sol 7:6, Sol 7:10; Pro 5:19, Pro 5:20; Zep 3:17 with one of: Sol 1:15, Sol 6:5 one chain: Sol 1:10 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 4:10”

“All that the king calls his, she now can call hers; for she has won his heart, and with his heart himself and all that is his. 9 Thou hast taken my heart, my sister-bride; Thou hast taken my heart with one of thy glances, With a little chain of thy necklace. The Piel לבּב may mean to make courageous, and it actually has this meaning in the Aram., wherefore the Syr. retains the word; Symm. renders it by ἐθάρσυνάς με. But is it becoming in a man who is no coward, especially in a king, to say that the love he cherishes gives him heart, i.e., courage? It might be becoming, perhaps, in a warrior who is inspired by the thought of his beloved, whose respect and admiration he seeks to gain, to…”