Question 1

What does Song of Solomon 2:5 mean?

Accepted Answer

Song of Solomon 2:5 describes the speaker asking for physical refreshment—specifically flagons (cakes of raisins or wine) and apples—because she feels overwhelmed and faint with love. The verse uses the language of lovesickness to express intense longing and emotional vulnerability. In this scene, the woman is speaking, likely to her beloved or to those around her, during a moment of deep emotional intensity. The request for flagons and apples is a poetic way of asking for comfort and strength, as her feelings of love are so strong they make her feel physically weak. The verse uses vivid, sensory images to capture the powerful effect that love has on her body and spirit.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 2:5

Accepted Answer

"Stay" (סָמַךְ, samakh) means to support or sustain. Here, it suggests the woman is asking to be upheld or steadied, not just emotionally but physically. "Flagons" (אֲשִׁישׁוֹת, ashisot) refers to raisin cakes or possibly wine, foods associated with celebration and vitality in ancient Israel. This adds a layer of seeking both comfort and restoration. "Comfort" (רָפַד, rafad) means to spread or lay out, often connected to making someone comfortable or providing rest. The woman’s request is for tangible comfort, not just soothing words. "Sick" (חָלָה, chalah) is the word for being weak or ill, here paired with "love" (אַהֲבָה, ahavah) to describe a lovesickness—a real, physical reaction to deep longing.

Question 3

Why Song of Solomon 2:5 matters

Accepted Answer

The verse clarifies that the emotional experience of love in the Song of Solomon is so intense it affects the body, not just the mind or heart. The request for specific foods ties the experience of love to everyday, physical realities, grounding the poetry in tangible life. This moment connects to the wider theme of the Song, where love is portrayed as powerful, overwhelming, and even disruptive, not merely pleasant or easy.

Song of Solomon 2:5 (KJV)