Song of Songs 5

{{Short description|Fifth chapter of the Song of Songs}}  {{Bible chapter|letname= Song of Songs 5 |previouslink= Song of Songs 4 |previousletter= chapter 4 |nextlink= Song of Songs 6 |nextletter= chapter 6 |book=[[Song of Songs]] |biblepart=[[Old Testament]] | booknum= 22 |category= [[Ketuvim]] | filename= Vienne en son jardin 04225.JPG| size=250px |caption=<div style="width: 250px; text-align: center; line-height: 1em">French tapestry with the text of the [[Vulgate]] opening of Song 5:1 in Latin "{{lang|la|Veniat dilectus meus in hortum suum}}" ("Let my beloved come into his garden"). Palais du Tau, Reims, [[Hauteville, Aisne]] (17th century).</div>}}

'''Song of Songs 5''' (abbreviated {{where|date=January 2023}} as '''Song 5''') is the fifth chapter of the [[Song of Songs]] in the [[Hebrew Bible]] or the [[Old Testament]] of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Bible]].{{sfn|Halley|1965|p=279}}<ref name=Holman>Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012.</ref> This book is one of the [[Five Megillot]], a collection of short books, together with [[Book of Ruth|Ruth]], [[Book of Lamentations|Lamentations]], [[Ecclesiastes]] and [[Book of Esther|Esther]], within the [[Ketuvim]], the third and the last part of the Hebrew Bible.{{sfn|Brenner|2007|p=429}} [[Jewish tradition]] views [[Solomon]] as the author of this book (although this is now largely disputed), and this attribution influences the acceptance of this book as a canonical text.{{sfn|Brenner|2007|p=429}}

This chapter opens with the man's response to his lover's [[consent]] in the closing verses of [[Song of Songs 4|chapter 4]], but the second part of the chapter relates the refusal of the woman to welcome the man into her room at night, and when she changes her mind, he already disappears; in the next part she looks for him in the city and in the final section (verses 10 onwards) she describes to the daughters of Jerusalem how fair the man is.{{sfn|Brenner|2007|p=431}}

==Text== The original text is written in [[Biblical Hebrew|Hebrew language]]. [[Chapters and verses of the Bible|This chapter is divided into]] 16 verses.

===Textual witnesses=== Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in [[Biblical Hebrew|Hebrew]] are of the [[Masoretic Text]], which includes the [[Leningrad Codex|Codex Leningradensis]] (1008).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=36-37}}{{efn|Since 1947 the current text of [[Aleppo Codex]] is missing Song of Songs 3:11, after the word {{lang|he|ציון}} ("Zion"), to the end.<ref>{{citation | author=P. W. Skehan | contribution=BIBLE (TEXTS) | title=[[New Catholic Encyclopedia]] | edition=2nd | volume=2 | publisher=Gale | year=2003 | pages=355–362}}</ref>}} One fragment containing a part of this chapter was found among the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]], assigned as [[4Q107|4Q107 (4QCant<sup>b</sup>)]]; 30 BCE-30 CE; extant verse 1).<ref>{{Cite book | editor-last = Ulrich | editor-first = Eugene | editor-link = Eugene Ulrich | title = The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants | year = 2010 | pages = 745 | publisher = Brill | url = https://archive.org/details/TheBiblicalQumranScrolls |access-date= May 15, 2017 | isbn= 9789004181830}}</ref><ref name=generalinfo>[https://thewaytoyahuweh.com/dead-sea-scrolls/general-info/#song_of_songs Dead sea scrolls - Song of Songs].</ref><ref name=fitzmyer>{{Cite book|last = Fitzmyer|first = Joseph A. |title = A Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature| authorlink = Joseph Fitzmyer | publisher = William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=TILXeWJ2eNAC | year = 2008 | pages = 42 |isbn = 9780802862419 | location = Grand Rapids, MI | access-date= February 15, 2019}}</ref>

There is also a translation into [[Koine Greek]] known as the [[Septuagint]], made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include [[Codex Vaticanus]] ('''B'''; <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>B</sup>; 4th century), [[Codex Sinaiticus]] ('''S'''; [[Biblia Hebraica (Kittel)|BHK]]: <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>S</sup>; 4th century), and [[Codex Alexandrinus]] ('''A'''; <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>A</sup>; 5th century).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=73-74}}

==Structure== The [[Modern English Version|Modern English Version (MEV)]] identifies the speakers in this chapter as: *{{bibleref2|Song|5:1|MEV}}a = The Man *{{bibleref2|Song|5:1|MEV}}b = Friends of the Man *{{bibleref2|Song|5:2-8|MEV}} = The Woman *{{bibleref2|Song|5:9|MEV}} = Friends of the Woman *{{bibleref2|Song|5:10-16|MEV}} = The Woman

The start of the fifth chapter and the close of the fourth chapter are not in the same verse in all versions of the Bible: the [[Vulgate]] version of chapter 5 starts with "{{lang|la|Veniat dilectus meus ...}}",<ref name="Vul5">[https://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_vt_canticum-canticorum_lt.html#5 CANTICUM CANTICORUM 5] at [[Holy See|Vatican]] website.</ref> which is the end of the woman's speech in the [[Song of Songs 4#Female: Invitation to her garden (4:16)|last verse of the fourth chapter]] in most other versions:<ref>{{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=World English|book=Song of Solomon|chapter=4|verse=16|range=b}} [[World English Bible]]</ref>

{{Verse translation|lang=la|Veniat dilectus meus in hortum suum et comedat fructus eius optimos.|Let my beloved come into his garden, and taste his precious fruits.|attr1=Vulgate, [https://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_vt_canticum-canticorum_lt.html#5 CANTICUM CANTICORUM 5:1a]|attr2=[[World English Bible]], {{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=World English|book=Song of Solomon|chapter=4|verse=16|range=b}}}}

==Analysis== ===Male and chorus: tasting and enjoy the garden (5:1)=== This verse contains the man's closure of the dialogue at the end of the previous chapter; the call to eat and drink implies consummation.{{sfn|Brenner|2007|p=431}} [[John Gill (theologian)|John Gill]] notes that the words closing the dialogue should not have been separated from the rest of the exchange in chapter 4.<ref>Gill, J., [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/songs/5.htm Gill's Exposition] on Song of Solomon 5, accessed 14 January 2023</ref>

====Verse 1==== [The Beloved/the Man] :''I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse;'' :''I have gathered my myrrh with my spice;'' :''I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;'' :''I have drunk my wine with my milk.'' [To His Friends] :''Eat, O friends!'' :''Drink, yes, drink deeply,'' :''O beloved ones!''<ref>{{bibleverse|Song|5:1|NKJV}} [[New King James Version|NKJV]]</ref>

*"Spouse" or "bride" ([[Song 4:8]]-{{bibleverse|Song|4:10|KJV|10}}, {{bibleverse|Song|4:12|KJV|12}}) together with "sister" ({{bibleverse|Song|4:9-10|KJV}}, {{bibleverse|Song|4:12|KJV|12}}) are terms of affection.{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=963 Hebrew Bible}}

===Female: A second search at night for her dream lover (5:2-8)=== In this part, the woman refuses to welcome her lover into her room at night (either in reality or a dream; cf. [[Song of Songs 3#Female: Search and seizure (3:1-5)|3:1-5]]), but when she changes her mind, the man already disappears. She looks for him in the city, then the watchmen (the guards) found her and beat her up. She appeals for help to the daughters of Jerusalem about her lovesick condition.{{sfn|Brenner|2007|p=431}}

====Verse 2==== [[Image:Lilien Hohelied.jpg|thumb|Book cover by [[Ephraim Moses Lilien]] for ''Das Hohelied'', depicting the themes of doves and lilies.]] :''I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Song|5:2|KJV}} [[King James Version|KJV]]</ref> *"My love" (or "my [female] friend"; Hebrew: {{lang|he|רעיתי}}, ''{{Strong-number|ra'-yā-ṯî|H|7474}}''<ref name="So5_2h">[https://biblehub.com/text/songs/5-2.htm Hebrew Text Analysis: Song of Solomon 5:2]. Biblehub</ref>) a specific term of endearment used by the man for the woman that is used 9 times in the book ([[Song 1:9]], [[Song 1:15|15]]; [[Song of Songs 2:2|2:2]],{{bibleverse|Song|2:10|KJV|10}}, [[Song of Songs 2:13|13]]; {{bibleverse-nb|Song|4:1|KJV}},{{bibleverse|Song|4:7|KJV|7}}; '''5:2'''; [[Song of Songs 6:4|6:4]]).{{sfn|Bergant|2001|p=19}}<ref name="Strong's Concordance: 7474. rayah">[https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7474.htm Strong's Concordance: 7474. rayah]. Biblehub</ref> The masculine form of the same root word to call the man ("my [male] friend"; Hebrew: {{lang|he|רעי}}, ''{{Strong-number|rê-'î|H|7453}}''<ref name="So5_16h">[https://biblehub.com/text/songs/5-16.htm Hebrew Text Analysis: Song of Solomon 5:16]. Biblehub</ref>) is used in a parallel construction with "my beloved" (Hebrew: {{lang|he|דודי}}, ''{{Strong-number|ḏōḏî|H|1730}}''<ref name="So5_16h"/>) in [[#Verse 16|Song 5:16]].{{sfn|Bergant|2001|p=19}} The repetition of "my (sister), my (love), my (dove), my (undefiled) is thought to enact the "knocking" of the beloved.{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=964 Hebrew Bible}} *"Locks": "curls" or "hair"<ref>Note [b] on Song of Solomon 5:2 in NKJV</ref>

===Chorus: Challenge to compare the male lover (5:9)=== The "daughters of Jerusalem" want to know what the male lover looks like.{{sfn|Brenner|2007|p=431}}

===Female: descriptive poem for the male (5:10-16)=== The woman describes her lover from head to toe in a [[waṣf]] or descriptive poem, using the imagery of fauna and flora for his head, then metals and precious stones for the rest of his body.{{sfn|Brenner|2007|p=431}} This ''waṣf'' and the other ones ([[Song of Songs 4#Male: First descriptive poem and call to come along (4:1-8)|4:1-8]]; [[Song of Songs 6#Male: Second descriptive poem for the female (6:4-10)|6:4-10]]; [[Song of Songs 7#Verses 1–9|7:2-10a (7:1-9a English)]]) theologically demonstrate the heart of the Song that values the body as not evil but good even worthy of praise, and respects the body with an appreciative focus (rather than lurid).{{sfn|Hess|2005|p=127}} Hess notes that this reflects 'the fundamental value of God's creation as good and the human body as a key part of that creation, whether at the beginning ({{bibleverse|Genesis|1:26-28|KJV}}) or redeemed in the resurrection ({{bibleverse|1 Corinthians|15:42|KJV}}, {{bibleverse|1 Corinthians|15:44|KJV|44}})'.{{sfn|Hess|2005|p=127}}

====Verse 16==== :''His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Song|5:16|KJV}} KJV</ref> *"Sweet": refers to a drink in {{bibleverse|Nehemiah|8:10|KJV}} (cf. {{bibleverse|Song|7:10|KJV}}).{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=965 Hebrew Bible}} *"My friend" ("my [male] friend"; Hebrew: {{lang|he|רעי}}, ''{{Strong-number|rê-'î|H|7453}}''<ref name="So5_16h"/>): is a specific term of endearment used by the woman for the man that is only used here in the whole book,{{efn|Another use of ''rê·'î'' in the Hebrew Bible is in {{bibleverse|Job|31:9|KJV}} (as "my neighbour").<ref>[https://biblehub.com/hebrew/rei_7453.htm Englishman's Concordance: rê·'î — 2 Occurrences]. Biblehub</ref>}} in a parallel construction with "my beloved" (Hebrew: {{lang|he|דודי}}, ''{{Strong-number|ḏōḏî|H|1730}}''<ref name="So5_16h"/>).{{sfn|Bergant|2001|p=19}} The feminine form of the same root word to call the woman ("my love" or "my [female] friend"; Hebrew: {{lang|he|רעיתי}}, ''{{Strong-number|ra'-yā-ṯî|H|7474}}''<ref name="So5_2h"/>) is used 9 times in the book ([[Song 1:9]], [[Song 1:15|15]]; [[Song of Songs 2:2|2:2]],{{bibleverse|Song|2:10|KJV|10}}, [[Song of Songs 2:13|13]]; {{bibleverse-nb|Song|4:1|KJV}},{{bibleverse|Song|4:7|KJV|7}}; [[#Verse 2|5:2]]; [[Song of Songs 6:4|6:4]]).{{sfn|Bergant|2001|p=19}}<ref name="Strong's Concordance: 7474. rayah"/>

=={{anchor|Veniat dilectus meus}}Musical settings== {{see also|Song of Songs 4#Verse 16b}} The phrase ''Veniat dilectus meus'' and variant texts such as antiphons based on it have been set to music, for instance in [[Gregorian chant]], and by composers including [[Alessandro Grandi]] and [[Pietro Torri]].<ref>[https://gregorien.info/chant/id/8441/0/en Veniat dilectus meus in hortum] at {{url|gregorien.info}}</ref><ref>[https://www.muziekweb.nl/Link/DBX12912/Celesti-fiori-Motetti?WorkID=U00002788806 Alessandro Grandi: Celesti fiori – Motetti] at {{url|www.muziekweb.nl}}</ref><ref name="VeniatRISM">{{RISM|455034494}}.</ref><ref name="VeniatSBB">[https://resolver.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/SBB000159AC000A0000 ''Veniat dilectus meus'' from Mus.ms. 30299] at [[Berlin State Library]] website.</ref>

==See also== *[[Jerusalem]] *[[Lebanon]] *Related [[Bible]] parts: [[Song of Songs 4]]

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Sources== *{{cite book|last= Bergant |first= Dianne |author-link=Dianne Bergant |title= The Songs of Songs |series= Berit Olam (The Everlasting Covenant): Studies In Hebrew Narrative And Poetry |editor1-first=David W. |editor1-last= Cotter|editor2-first= Jerome T. |editor2-last= Walsh|editor3-first= Chris |editor3-last= Franke |publisher= Liturgical Press |date= 2001|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xkwtwLQ_QCQC |isbn= 9780814650691}} *{{cite book|last= Brenner | first= Athalya |chapter = 21. The Song of Solomon | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John| editor-last1=Barton | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 429–433 | isbn = 978-0199277186 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ| access-date=February 6, 2019}} *{{cite book|last= Coogan|first = Michael David| authorlink= Michael D. Coogan |title = The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 |editor-last1=Coogan |editor-first1=Michael David |editor-first2=Marc Zvi |editor-last2= Brettler |editor-first3=Carol Ann |editor-last3= Newsom |editor-first4= Pheme |editor-last4= Perkins |edition= Augmented 3rd |publisher = Oxford University Press |year =2007 |isbn = 9780195288810 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HmpMPgAACAAJ}} *{{cite book|last= Exum |first= J. Cheryl |title= Songs of Songs: A Commentary |series= Old Testament library |edition= reprint|publisher= Westminster John Knox Press |date= 2005 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=mLKBcC5ND30C |isbn= 9780664221904}} *{{cite book|last= Halley| first= Henry H.| authorlink= Henry Hampton Halley| title= Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary |edition=24th (revised)|publisher= Zondervan Publishing House |date= 1965 |url= https://archive.org/details/halleysbiblehand00henr |url-access= registration| isbn= 0-310-25720-4}} *{{cite book|last= Hess |first= Richard S. |title= Songs of Songs |series= Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Series |publisher= Baker Academic |date= 2005 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=AWoEZ2bWauAC |isbn= 9780801027123}} *{{cite book|last= Longman |first= Tremper |title= Songs of Songs |volume= 26 |series= The New International Commentary on the Old Testament |publisher= Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |date= 2001 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PDnMuOcIUjEC |isbn= 9780802825438}} *{{cite book | last = Würthwein | first = Ernst | authorlink = Ernst Würthwein | title = The Text of the Old Testament | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans |location = Grand Rapids, MI | year= 1995 | translator-first1 = Erroll F.| translator-last1 = Rhodes |isbn = 0-8028-0788-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC | access-date= January 26, 2019}}

==External links== * [[Judaism|Jewish]] translations: ** [https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16449 Shir Hashirim - Song of Songs - Chapter 5 (Judaica Press)] translation [with [[Rashi]]'s commentary] at Chabad.org * [[Christianity|Christian]] translations: ** [http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Song+5 ''Online Bible'' at GospelHall.org] (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English) * [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=26&chapter=5&version=9 Song of Solomon Chapter 5 King James Version] * {{librivox book | title=Song of Solomon}} Various versions

{{DEFAULTSORT:Song 05}}  [[Category:Song of Songs chapters|05]]