Song of Solomon 6:2 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 6:2 mean?

Song of Solomon 6:2 describes the woman's beloved going down into his garden, specifically to the beds of spices, where he feeds and gathers lilies. The verse uses garden imagery to picture the beloved’s activity and presence in a place of beauty and fragrance.

In the context of the Song of Solomon, the woman is speaking about her beloved (often understood as her lover or husband) to others, explaining where he is. The garden and lilies are poetic ways of describing a place of delight, intimacy, and abundance, fitting with the book’s theme of love and longing between the two main characters.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 6:2

• "Beloved" (דּוֹד, dōd): This word means a loved one or dear companion, emphasizing the close, affectionate relationship being described.
• "Garden" (גַּן, gan): This term refers to a cultivated, enclosed space, often lush and private, which in this book symbolizes both beauty and intimacy.
• "Beds" (עַרֻבָּה, arubbah): This word means garden beds or plots, highlighting the careful arrangement and richness of the setting.
• "Spices" (בֶּשֶׂם, besem): This refers to aromatic plants, underlining the sensory richness and pleasure of the scene.
• "Feed" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This verb means to graze or tend, often used for shepherding, but here it suggests enjoying or being present in the garden.
• "Gather" (לָקַט, laqat): This means to collect or pick, showing the beloved’s active enjoyment and care within the garden.
• "Lilies" (שׁוּשַׁן, shushan): Lilies are flowers often associated with beauty and purity, reinforcing the sense of delight and attraction.

Why Song of Solomon 6:2 matters

• Song of Solomon 6:2 uses garden language to express love and longing in a poetic, indirect way, which helps readers see the depth and beauty of the relationship without explicit description.
• The verse clarifies that the beloved is not absent or lost, but is in a place of delight and intimacy, countering any sense of abandonment or distance.
• By describing the beloved’s actions in the garden, the verse connects to the wider themes of the Song of Solomon, where gardens often symbolize the private, cherished space of romantic love.