Song of Solomon 1:14 — Word Study
WLCאֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל הַכֹּ֤פֶר׀ דּוֹדִי֙ לִ֔י בְּכַרְמֵ֖י עֵ֥ין גֶּֽדִי׃ ס
BSAMy beloveddôwd [dearly loved one, uncle] a clusterʼeshkôwl [bunch, group] of henna blossomskôpher [camphire, fragrant flowers] in the vineyardskerem [gardens, plots of land] of En-gediʻÊyn Gedîy [fount of the kid, a town by the Dead Sea]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל | [is] [the] cluster of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הַכֹּ֤פֶר׀ | henna blossom | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| דּוֹדִי֙ | lover my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לִ֔י | to me | Preposition, suffix |
| בְּכַרְמֵ֖י | in [the] vineyards of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| עֵ֥ין | En | Noun proper |
| גֶּֽדִי׃ ס | Gedi | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi. |
| KJV | My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. |
| ASV | My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of En-gedi. |
| YLT | A cluster of cypress [is] my beloved to me, In the vineyards of En-Gedi! |
| WEB | My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. |
| BBE | My love is to me as a branch of the cypress-tree in the vine-gardens of En-gedi. |
Where they part company is הַכֹּ֤פֶר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with two phrases that elaborate on the beloved's identity and location.
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Song of Solomon 1:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Song of Solomon's Celebration of Lovegenerated
Song of Solomon 1:14 expresses the speaker's admiration for their beloved, using rich imagery to convey deep affection. This verse is part of a larger poetic dialogue celebrating romantic love, where the beloved is described in terms of beauty and fragrance, drawing on nature and the environment for vivid comparisons. The vineyards of En-gedi, a lush and fertile area, enhance the imagery of love and beauty.
The Key Word — אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל, 'esh.Kolgenerated
The word אֶשְׁכּוֹל ('eshkowl) means 'cluster,' specifically referring to a bunch of grapes or flowers. It evokes the idea of beauty and abundance, making it a fitting metaphor for love.
The parsing as a masculine singular construct indicates that it is used here to describe something cherished and personal, emphasizing the closeness of the relationship between the speaker and their beloved.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses cluster for אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb is implied in the structure of the phrase, with the main subject being דּוֹדִי֙ (do.Di), meaning 'my beloved.' The phrase אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל ('eshkowl) serves as the predicate, describing the beloved.
The structure emphasizes the beloved's qualities by using a series of noun phrases, culminating in the prepositional phrase בְּכַרְמֵ֖י (be.khar.Mei), which locates the imagery in the vineyards of En-gedi.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל as βότρυς (botrys), which means 'bunch' or 'cluster' and carries a similar connotation of beauty and abundance.
This choice aligns well with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the metaphor of love through the imagery of nature.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Song of Solomon 1:14 describes the speaker's beloved as a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi. This imagery highlights the beauty and fragrance of love, using natural elements to express deep affection.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The cluster symbolizes beauty and the sweetness of love, suggesting that the beloved brings joy and fragrance to the speaker's life.
En-gedi is known for its lush vineyards and beauty, enhancing the imagery of love and abundance in the context of the verse.
The term 'beloved' implies a deep affection and connection, indicating a romantic or familial bond that is cherished.
This verse reflects the themes of love, beauty, and nature, which are central to the Song of Solomon, celebrating romantic relationships through poetic imagery.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways that I can express love and appreciation for those close to me?
- How does nature inspire my understanding of beauty and love in relationships?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper connection with those I care about?
- How can I use imagery and metaphor to describe my feelings for others?
The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi.
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi.
My beloved is like a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-Gedi.
Tyndale line
My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi.
My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of En-gedi.
My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers in the vineyards of En-gedi.
My beloved is to me as a cluster of camphor in the vineyards of En-gedi.
My loue, beholde, thou art faire: beholde, thou art faire: thine eyes are like the doues.
Strictly literal
My beloved is unto me a cluster of henna-flowers In the vineyards of Engedi.
A cluster of cypress [is] my beloved to me, In the vineyards of En-Gedi!
A cluster of cypress [is] my beloved to me, || In the vineyards of En-Gedi!
A copher-cluster is my friend unto me in the vineyards of 'En-gedi.—
My beloved is to me like a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of En Gedi.
From the Latin
Behold thou art fair, O my love, behold thou art fair, thy eyes are as those of doves.
Simplified
My love is like a bunch of fragrant henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.
My love is to me as a branch of the cypress-tree in the vine-gardens of En-gedi.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree, with 5 of the 7 words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but the core imagery and meaning remain consistent.
אֶשְׁכֹּ֨ל הַכֹּ֤פֶר׀ דּוֹדִי֙ לִ֔י בְּכַרְמֵ֖י עֵ֥ין גֶּֽדִי׃ ס
5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Song of Solomon 1:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֶשְׁכּוֹל (eshkowl) means 'cluster,' specifically referring to a bunch of grapes or flowers. The entries highlight its use as a metaphor for love, particularly in the context of flowers. The word is likely derived from a related term, but the exact derivation is not detailed.
אֶשְׁכּוֹל n.m. cluster
cluster of grapes
cluster of henna-flowers
base
H811 אֶשְׁכּוֹל cluster
811 'eshkowl esh-kole'
or meshkol {esh-kole'}; probably prolonged from 810; a bunch
of grapes or other fruit:--cluster (of grapes).
see HEBREW for 0810
אֶשְׁכּוֹל (esh.kol) — cluster.
1) cluster
1a) of grapes
1b) of flowers (metaphor of lover)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
כֹּפֶר (kofer) has several meanings, including 'ransom' or 'price of a life,' 'pitch' (as in bitumen), 'henna' (a plant), and 'village.' It is derived from a root meaning 'cover.' The word appears in contexts related to redemption and construction, notably in Genesis 6:14 and 1 Samuel 6:18.
ref
כֹּ֫פֶר n.m. name of a plant, El Ḥenna
base
כֹּפֶר n.[m.] village;—only sg. cstr. 1 S 6:18
ref
H3724a כֹּפֶר the price of a life, ransom H3724b כֹּ֫פֶר pitch H3724c כֹּ֫פֶר name of a plant H3724d כֹּפֶר village
3724 kopher ko'-fer
from 3722; properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as
covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as used for coating), and
the henna plant (as used for dyeing); figuratively, a
redemption-price:--bribe, camphire, pitch, ransom,
satisfaction, sum of money, village.
see HEBREW for 03722
כֹּפֶר (ko.pher) — ransom.
price of a life, ransom, bribe
כֹּ֫פֶר (ko.pher) — pitch.
asphalt, pitch (as a covering)
כֹּ֫פֶר (ko.pher) — henna.
the henna plant, name of a plant (henna?)
כֹּפֶר (ko.pher) — village.
village
Another spelling of ka.phar (כָּפָר "village" H3723H)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
דּוֹד (dod) means 'beloved' and can refer to love in a general sense, as well as specifically to an uncle. It is derived from a root meaning 'to boil,' figuratively relating to love. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to affection and familial ties.
דּוֹד n.m. beloved, love (pl.), uncle
base
H1730 דּוֹד beloved, love (pl.), uncle
1730 dowd dode
or (shortened) dod {dode}; from an unused root meaning
properly, to boil, i.e. (figuratively) to love; by
implication, a love- token, lover, friend; specifically an
uncle:--(well-)beloved, father's brother, love, uncle.
דּוֹד (dod) — beloved.
: beloved
1) beloved, love, uncle
1a) loved one, beloved
1b) uncle
1c) love (pl. abstract)
דּוֹד (dod) — beloved: love.
: love
1) beloved, love, uncle
1a) loved one, beloved
1b) uncle
1c) love (pl. abstract)
דּוֹד (dod) — beloved: male relative.
: male_relative
1) beloved, love, uncle
1a) loved one, beloved
1b) uncle
1c) love (pl. abstract)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp1bs
כֶּרֶם (kerem) means 'vineyard' and is derived from an unused root of uncertain meaning. It covers the concept of a garden or vineyard, including terms like 'vines' and 'vintage.' The word appears in contexts related to agriculture, specifically in the Old Testament.
כֶּרֶם 92 n.m. (f.) vineyard
base
H3754 כֶּרֶם vineyard
3754 kerem keh'-rem
from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or
vineyard:--vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See
also 1021.
see HEBREW for 01021
כֶּרֶם (ke.rem) — vineyard.
vineyard
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עֵין גֶּ֫דִי refers to En-Gedi, meaning 'fountain of the kid.' It is a location in the wilderness of Judah, situated on the western shore of the Dead Sea. The word is constructed from roots meaning 'fountain' and 'kid' (young goat). Brown-Driver-Briggs and Strong's agree on its meaning and significance.
עֵין גֶּ֫דִי n.pr.loc. Ενγαδδει, etc.
base
H5872 עֵין גֶּ֫דִי
5872 `Eyn Gediy ane geh'-dee
from 5869 and 1423; fountain of a kid; En-Gedi, a place in
Palestine:--En-gedi.
see HEBREW for 05869
see HEBREW for 01423
עֵין גֶּ֫דִי (en ge.di) — Engedi.
En-gedi = "fount of the kid"
a town in the wilderness of Judah on the western shore of the Dead Sea
Also named: chats.tson ta.mar (חַצֲצֹן תָּמָר "Hazazon-tamar" H2688)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
at the beginning of many Hebrew words, signifies a spring or fountain.
A fountain compounded with many names of towns and places; as En- dor, En-gedi, En-eglaim, En-shemesh, that is, the fountain of Dor, etc.
עֵין גֶּ֫דִי refers to En-Gedi, meaning 'fountain of the kid.' It is a location in the wilderness of Judah, situated on the western shore of the Dead Sea. The word is constructed from roots meaning 'fountain' and 'kid' (young goat). Brown-Driver-Briggs and Strong's agree on its meaning and significance.
עֵין גֶּ֫דִי n.pr.loc. Ενγαδδει, etc.
base
H5872 עֵין גֶּ֫דִי
5872 `Eyn Gediy ane geh'-dee
from 5869 and 1423; fountain of a kid; En-Gedi, a place in
Palestine:--En-gedi.
see HEBREW for 05869
see HEBREW for 01423
עֵין גֶּ֫דִי (en ge.di) — Engedi.
En-gedi = "fount of the kid"
a town in the wilderness of Judah on the western shore of the Dead Sea
Also named: chats.tson ta.mar (חַצֲצֹן תָּמָר "Hazazon-tamar" H2688)
HNpl — Noun properHNpl