Song of Solomon 5:1

Old Testament Poetry/Wisdom ASV (1901)

What does Song of Solomon 5:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] bride: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] bride: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
Song of Solomon 5:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Song of Solomon 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] bride: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse, etc.] This verse should rather have concluded the preceding chapter, being Christ’s answer to the church’s request, which was speedily and exactly granted as she desired; which shows it was according to the will of Christ, and of which he informs her; for sometimes he is present, when it is not known he is: of the titles used, (see <220408>Song of Solomon 4:8,9); and of Christ’s coming into his garden, (<220416>Song of Solomon 4:16). What he did, when come into it, follows: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice: to make an ointment of, and anoint his guests with, after invited, as was usual in those times and countries, (<420738>Luke 7:38,46…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Answer to her prayer (Isa 65:24; Rev 3:20). am come--already (Sol 4:16); "come" (Gen 28:16). sister . . . spouse--As Adam's was created of his flesh, out of his opened side, there being none on earth on a level with him, so the bride out of the pierced Saviour (Eph 5:30-32). have gathered . . . myrrh--His course was already complete; the myrrh, &c. (Mat 2:11; Mat 26:7-12; Joh 19:39), emblems of the indwelling of the anointing Holy Ghost, were already gathered. spice--literally, "balsam." have eaten--answering to her "eat" (Sol 4:16). honeycomb--distinguished here from liquid "honey" dropping from trees. The last supper, here set forth, is one of espousal, a pledge of the future marriage (Sol…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My honeycomb - literally, “my reed” or “my wood,” i. e., the substance itself, or portions of it in which the comb is formed. The bees in Palestine form their combs not only in the hollows of trees and rocks, but also in reeds by the river-banks. The king’s meaning appears to be: “All pleases me in thee, there is nothing to despise or cast away.” Eat, O friends - A salutation from the king to his assembled guests, or to the chorus of young men his companions, bidding them in the gladness of his heart Song of Solomon 3:11 partake of the banquet. So ends this day of outward festivity and supreme heart-joy. The first half of the Song of Songs is fitly closed. The second half of the poem…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I come - This is the bridegroom's answer. I have - I have eaten of my pleasant fruits, I have taken notice of, and delight in the service and obedience of my people. O friends - Believers are here encouraged with freedom and chearfulness to eat and drink their spiritual food. Song of Solomon (Canticles) 5:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:1 I have entered my garden . . . myrrh with my spices . . . honeycomb with my honey . . . wine with my milk: In penetrating the garden, the man finds that there is no limit to what he can enjoy. They are ecstatic over finally unlocking the vast enjoyment of intercourse. • drink deeply of your love! The young women of Jerusalem encourage the couple to enjoy their sexual union to the fullest; there can be no guilt or shame in the deepest pleasure between husband and wife.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“come: Sol 4:16, Sol 6:2, Sol 6:11, Sol 8:13; Isa 5:1, Isa 51:3, Isa 58:11, Isa 61:11; Joh 14:21-23 my sister: Sol 4:9-12, Sol 8:1; Heb 2:12-14 I have gathered: Sol 4:13, Sol 4:14; Psa 147:11; Isa 53:11 eat: Deu 16:13-17, Deu 26:10-14; Ch2 31:6-10; Psa 16:3; Isa 23:18, Isa 55:1, Isa 55:2; Isa 62:8, Isa 62:9, Isa 65:13, Isa 66:14; Mat 25:40; Act 11:29; Co2 9:11-15; Eph 5:18; Th1 3:8, Th1 3:9 friends: Luk 12:4, Luk 15:6, Luk 15:7, Luk 15:9, Luk 15:10; Joh 3:29, Joh 15:14, Joh 15:15 yea, drink abundantly, O beloved: or, and be drunken with loves, Zac 9:15-17; Rev 22:17 Song of Solomon (Canticles) 5:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“She gives herself to him, and he has accepted her, and now celebrates the delight of possession and enjoyment. 1 I am come into my garden, my sister-bride; Have plucked my myrrh with my balsam; Have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; Have drunk my wine with my milk - Eat, drink, and be drunken, ye friends! If the exclamation of Solomon, 1a, is immediately connected with the words of Shulamith, Sol 4:16, then we must suppose that, influenced by these words, in which the ardour of love and humility express themselves, he thus in triumph exclaims, after he has embraced her in his arms as his own inalienable possession. But the exclamation denotes more than this. It supposes a union of love, such…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification