Song of Solomon 1:3
"Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Because of the savour of thy good ointments,.... It was usual for lovers to anoint themselves, their hair, garments, &c. to commend themselves to each other; and it was common to commend each other's ointments, and the grateful smell of them (q) none being like them, or so agreeable as theirs: by these ointments may be meant the grace of Christ, the fulness of it, the oil of gladness with which he is anointed above his fellows, and without measure;

and which so greatly recommends him to his church and people, Psa 45:7 ; thy name is as ointment poured forth; which emits the greater odour for its being poured forth out of the box. The very names of lovers are dear to one another, sweeter than nectar itself (r); the very mention of them gives an inexpressible pleasure. This may respect not merely the fame of Christ spread abroad in the world through the ministry of the word; nor the Gospel only, which is his name, Act 9:15 ; and is like a box of ointment broke open, which diffuses the savour of his knowledge everywhere; but some precious name of his, as Immanuel, God with us; Jesus, a Saviour; but more particularly his name Messiah, which signifies anointed, the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King of his church; therefore do the virgins love thee: for the preciousness of his person, the fulness of grace in him, and the truths of his Gospel: and which love shows itself in a desire of his presence, and communion with him; in a regard to his word and worship, to his truths and ordinances; and to his people, to conversation and communion with them. By these virgins are meant either congregational churches that strictly adhere to Christ, and to his pure worship; or particular believers, for their inviolate attachment to him; for the singleness and sincerity of their love to him; for their uncorruptness in the doctrine of faith; for the truth and spirituality of their worship; for the purity of their lives and conversations; for their beauty and comeliness through Christ; for their colourful and costly attire, being clothed with his righteousness; and for their modest behaviour, having the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. (q) "Nam omuium unguentum odos prae tua nautea est", Plauti Curculio, Act. 1. Sc. 2. v. 5. (r) "Nomen nectari dulcius beato", Martial. l. 9. Epigr. 9.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (10 words)

H7381 רֵיחַ
Definition:

Fromruwach; odor (as if blown) -- savour, scent, smell.see HEBREWruwachBrown-Driver-Briggsרֵיחַ58noun masculineJeremiah 48:11scent, odour(properlybreath); — absoluteSongs 2:13+, usually constructGenes Fromruwach; odor (as if blown) -- savour, scent, smell.see HEBREWruwachBrown-Driver-Briggsרֵיחַ58noun masculineJeremiah 48:11scent, odour(properlybreath); — absoluteSongs 2:13+, usually constructGenes

H8081 שֶׁמֶן
Definition:

13(on apparentlyfeminineSongs 1:3compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 99, 106)fat, oil; —׳שׁabsoluteGenesis 28:28+, constructLeviticus 8:2+;׳שָׁ֑2 Kings 4:6+; suffixשַׁמְנִיHosea 2:7+, etc.; pluralשְׁמָנִיםAmo 13(on apparentlyfeminineSongs 1:3compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 99, 106)fat, oil; —׳שׁabsoluteGenesis 28:28+, constructLeviticus 8:2+;׳שָׁ֑2 Kings 4:6+; suffixשַׁמְנִיHosea 2:7+, etc.; pluralשְׁמָנִיםAmo

H2896 טוֹב
Definition:

Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the

Possible Meanings:
  • good things (semantic_range)
  • goods (semantic_range)
  • goodness (semantic_range)
H8081 שֶׁמֶן
Definition:

13(on apparentlyfeminineSongs 1:3compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 99, 106)fat, oil; —׳שׁabsoluteGenesis 28:28+, constructLeviticus 8:2+;׳שָׁ֑2 Kings 4:6+; suffixשַׁמְנִיHosea 2:7+, etc.; pluralשְׁמָנִיםAmo 13(on apparentlyfeminineSongs 1:3compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 99, 106)fat, oil; —׳שׁabsoluteGenesis 28:28+, constructLeviticus 8:2+;׳שָׁ֑2 Kings 4:6+; suffixשַׁמְנִיHosea 2:7+, etc.; pluralשְׁמָנִיםAmo

H7324 רוּק
Definition:

A primitive root; to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. Empty -- X arm, cast out, draw (out), (make) empty, pour forth (out).NAS Exhaustive ConcordanceWord Originseeriq.Brown-Driver-Briggs[רִי A primitive root; to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. Empty -- X arm, cast out, draw (out), (make) empty, pour forth (out).NAS Exhaustive ConcordanceWord Originseeriq.Brown-Driver-Briggs[רִי

H8034 שֵׁם
Definition:

9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz 9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz

H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3651 כֵּן
Definition:

29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ 29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • thus (semantic_range)
  • as follows (semantic_range)
H5959 עַלְמָה
Definition:

43(J),Exodus 2:8(E),Proverbs 30:19;Isaiah 7:14; pluralעֲלָמוֺתPsalm 68:26;Songs 1:3;Songs 6:8;עַלעֲֿלָמוֺתto(the voice of)young women, either literally, or of soprano or falsetto of boys:1 Chronicles 43(J),Exodus 2:8(E),Proverbs 30:19;Isaiah 7:14; pluralעֲלָמוֺתPsalm 68:26;Songs 1:3;Songs 6:8;עַלעֲֿלָמוֺתto(the voice of)young women, either literally, or of soprano or falsetto of boys:1 Chronicles

Possible Meanings:
  • young woman (semantic_range)
H0157 אָהַב
Definition:

97t;אָשֵהבּGenesis 27:14;אָהַבGenesis 37:33t.;אֲֵ˜הבָךָDeuteronomy 15:16; 3feminine singularאָֽהֲבָהSongs 1:7+, etc.;Imperfect(הָֿ֑ב) יֶאֱהַבProverbs 3:12+; 1 singularאֵהָ֑בProverbs 8:17(compare Ew§ 1 97t;אָשֵהבּGenesis 27:14;אָהַבGenesis 37:33t.;אֲֵ˜הבָךָDeuteronomy 15:16; 3feminine singularאָֽהֲבָהSongs 1:7+, etc.;Imperfect(הָֿ֑ב) יֶאֱהַבProverbs 3:12+; 1 singularאֵהָ֑בProverbs 8:17(compare Ew§ 1

Possible Meanings:
  • amours (semantic_range)

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