Song of Solomon 1:13

Translations

Modern

My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.

Traditional

A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

Literal

A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me; between my breasts it lodges.

Latin

Fasciculus myrrhæ dilectus meus mihi; inter ubera mea commorabitur.

Original

Hebrew

English

My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.

Notes

Song of Solomon 1:13

Myrrh comes from the branches of a fragrant shrub that did not grow in Israel. It was imported from Arabia and India at a high cost. The sachet is a small packet of sweet-smelling myrrh. The woman shows her desire for intimacy by comparing her lover to the sachet lying between her breasts.
According to the three-character dramatic view, the woman is with the king in one of his palace rooms. However, the fragrance of myrrh between her breasts reminds her fondly of her shepherd lover, who is closer to her heart than the king.

Song of Solomon 1:12–14

In the dramatic view, the woman is in the king's palace (Song of Solomon 1:4, 12), but her heart belongs to her shepherd lover (1:13–14).
In the anthology view, this is a short poem about intimate fragrances.

Song of Solomon 1:2–14

The song starts with the woman expressing her desire to be close to the man she loves. In the song, the woman often begins the relationship. The chorus, called the "Young Women of Jerusalem" in the New Living Translation, supports her choice of this man.
According to a three-character dramatic interpretation, the song begins by describing the woman's situation. The king is about to bring her into his palace, but she truly loves her shepherd. She hopes her lover will save her from the king (Song of Solomon 1:4).

Theme notes and profiles

Human Sexuality

Related verses

John 19:39
Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
Psalm 45:8
All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.
Ephesians 3:17
…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Song of Solomon 5:5
I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh on the handles of the bolt.
Genesis 43:11
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
Song of Solomon 4:6
Before the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.
Song of Solomon 8:3–4
His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.
Song of Solomon 5:1
I have come to 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, and drink; drink freely, O beloved.
Song of Solomon 3:5
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.
Song of Solomon 4:14
…with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.
Song of Solomon 5:13
His cheeks are like beds of spice, towers of perfume. His lips are like lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh.
Song of Solomon 2:7
O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.

Parallels

Ephesians 5:22–33 1 Peter 3:1–7

Glossary

Incense Perfume Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon 1:13

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