Song of Solomon 3:9

Solomon Arrives on His Wedding Day · Song of Solomon 3:6–11
Read Song of Solomon 3

Translations

Modern
King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.
Traditional
King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
Literal
King Solomon has made a carriage for himself from the trees of the Lebanon.
Latin
Ferculum fecit sibi rex Salomon de lignis Libani;

Original

Hebrew
English
King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.

Notes

  • King Solomon's carriage was made from materials that matched his wealth and power. It included the same costly Lebanese wood used to build the Temple (1 Kings 5:5–6).

  • inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem: Despite all his splendor, Solomon was admired and served with love, even by his servants.

  • In the three-character dramatic interpretation, Solomon's humility and generosity are evident when he attends a wedding of a woman who chose a common shepherd's love over his. With Solomon there, this ordinary wedding becomes a grand ceremony.

  • If the Song is an anthology, this poem seems to describe Solomon's wedding procession. People are amazed by the luxury of his carriage and the power of his entourage. This reflects the importance of marriage, similar to how expensive and beautiful wedding dresses and tuxedos do in modern weddings.

Theme notes and profiles

Human Sexuality

People

Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Places

Lebanon: A mountainous region known for its cedar trees

Glossary

Litter Song of Solomon

Topics

Bed: Made of Wood Beds: Wood The Cedar used In Making Chariots