Song of Solomon 4:10 — Word Study
WLCמַה־ יָּפ֥וּ דֹדַ֖יִךְ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה מַה־ טֹּ֤בוּ דֹדַ֙יִךְ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן וְרֵ֥יחַ שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ מִכָּל־ בְּשָׂמִֽים׃
BSAHowmâh delightfulyâphâh■ [wonderful, fair] [is] your lovedôwd [beloved, affection] my sisterʼâchôwth [close relative] my bridekallâh [daughter-in-law] Your lovedôwd [strong affection] is muchmâh betterṭôwb■ [more pleasing] than wineyayin [fermented wine, intoxicating drink] and the fragrancerêyach [aroma, sweet smell] of your perfumeshemen [oil, anointing oil] than allkôl [everything, the sum of all] spicesbesem [pleasant smells, sweet fragrances]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַה־ | how! | Pronoun |
| יָּפ֥וּ | they are beautiful | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| דֹדַ֖יִךְ | love your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אֲחֹתִ֣י | O sister my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| כַלָּ֑ה | bride | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| מַה־ | how! | Pronoun |
| טֹּ֤בוּ | they are good | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| דֹדַ֙יִךְ֙ | love your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| מִיַּ֔יִן | more than wine | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְרֵ֥יחַ | and [the] odor of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ | oils your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| מִכָּל־ | more than all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| בְּשָׂמִֽים׃ | spices | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices. |
| KJV | How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices! |
| ASV | How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices! |
| YLT | How wonderful have been thy loves, my sister-spouse, How much better have been thy loves than wine, And the fragrance of thy perfumes than all spices. |
| WEB | How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, the fragrance of your perfumes than all kinds of spices! |
| BBE | How fair is your love, my sister! How much better is your love than wine, and the smell of your oils than any perfume! |
Where they part company is מַה־ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by two comparative clauses, emphasizing the delight and superiority of love.
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 4:10
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 Celebration of Lovegenerated
Song of Solomon 4:10 expresses the joy and beauty of love, likening it to delightful experiences such as wine and fragrances. This poetic imagery emphasizes the depth of affection between the speaker and their beloved, highlighting the intimate bond shared in love. The surrounding verses further develop this theme, illustrating love as a powerful and cherished connection.
The Key Word — דֹדַ֖יִךְ, do.Da.yikhgenerated
The noun דּוֹד (dod) means 'beloved' and conveys a sense of strong affection. It is often used in familial contexts, such as referring to an uncle, but here it emphasizes romantic love. The parsing as a common masculine plural construct with a suffix indicates it is directed towards the beloved.
This term carries a depth of meaning, suggesting not just affection but also a close relational bond. In this verse, it highlights the speaker's deep admiration and love for their sister and bride, enhancing the emotional weight of the declaration.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, both expressing admiration for love. The first clause begins with the interrogative מַה־, how, which sets a tone of wonderment. The second clause follows with a comparative structure, indicating that love surpasses wine and fragrances.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between love and the sensory experiences of taste and smell, drawing a parallel that enhances the appreciation of love's beauty.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates דֹדַ֖יִךְ as σου (sou), meaning 'your,' which maintains the possessive nature of the original Hebrew while simplifying the term of endearment. This choice reflects a broader interpretation of the beloved's affection.
The translation of מַה־ as τί (ti) also aligns with the interrogative nature of the original, preserving the sense of wonder in the expression of love.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Song of Solomon 4:10 highlights the beauty of love, comparing it to wine and fragrant spices. The speaker expresses admiration for their sister and bride, emphasizing that her love is more delightful than anything else.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The comparison suggests that love brings joy and pleasure, similar to the enjoyment one derives from wine.
In this poetic context, 'sister' signifies a close and intimate relationship, enhancing the bond between the speaker and the beloved.
Fragrances symbolize beauty and allure, enhancing the imagery of love as something precious and desirable.
This verse encapsulates the overarching themes of love, beauty, and intimacy found throughout the Song of Solomon, celebrating the joys of romantic relationships.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I experience love as delightful in my life?
- How can I express appreciation for the relationships that bring joy to my life?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper bond with loved ones?
- How do sensory experiences, like taste and smell, enhance my understanding of love?
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
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, the fragrance of your perfumes than all kinds of spices!
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine; the fragrance of your perfume is better than any spice!
Tyndale line
How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!
How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices!
How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices!
How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thy ointments than all spices!
My sister, my spouse, how faire is thy loue? howe much better is thy loue then wine? and the sauour of thine oyntments then all spices?
Strictly literal
How fair is thy love, my sister, [my] spouse! How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine ointments than all spices!
How wonderful have been thy loves, my sister-spouse, How much better have been thy loves than wine, And the fragrance of thy perfumes than all spices.
How beautiful have been your loves, my sister-spouse, || How much better have been your loves than wine, || And the fragrance of your perfumes than all spices.
How beautiful are thy caresses, O my sister, [my] bride! how much more pleasant are thy caresses than wine! and the smell of thy fragrant oils more than all spices.
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice.
From the Latin
How beautiful are thy breasts, my sister, my spouse! thy breasts are more beautiful than wine, and the sweet smell of thy ointments above all aromatical spices.
Simplified
How wonderful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is sweeter than wine. The way you smell from your perfumed oils is better than any spice.
How fair is your love, my sister! How much better is your love than wine, and the smell of your oils than any perfume!
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 (MT) reads, "מַה־ יָּפ֥וּ דֹדַ֖יִךְ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה מַה־ טֹּ֤בוּ דֹדַ֙יִךְ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן וְרֵ֥יחַ שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ מִכָּל־ בְּשָׂמִֽים׃" The Septuagint (LXX) agrees with the MT in meaning and structure, matching all 13 words in a word-by-word correspondence, though its sentence structure may differ. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q107) also align closely with the MT, preserving 13 words with two partially restored, confirming the overall agreement with the MT and LXX. This consistency across the witnesses highlights the stability of this verse in ancient texts.
מַה־ יָּפ֥וּ דֹדַ֖יִךְ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה מַה־ טֹּ֤בוּ דֹדַ֙יִךְ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן וְרֵ֥יחַ שְׁמָנַ֖יִךְ מִכָּל־ בְּשָׂמִֽים׃
13 of the 13 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.
מה יפו דדי׳ך אחות׳י הו מה טבו דדי׳ך מן יין וריח שמנ׳ך מן כל בשמין
13 words on the leather — 2 partly restored.
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 4:10
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.
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
Part — PronounHPi
Represents various Hebrew and Greek words, interrogative, interjectional and relative. Its different uses refer to
(1) the manner or way, e.g. Ge 44:34, "How shall I go up to my father?" ('ekh); Mt 6:28, "how they grow" (pos); 1Co 15:35, "How are the dead raised?";
(2) degree, extent, frequently, "how great" (Da 4:3, mah; Mr 5:19, hosos, "how much"); "how many" (Mt 27:13, posos); "how much" (Ac 9:13, hosos); "how much more" (Mt 7:11, posos;
יָפָה (yaphah) is a Hebrew verb that means to be bright or beautiful. It encompasses various forms, including Qal (to be beautiful), Piel (to beautify), and Hithpael (to beautify oneself). The entries suggest a focus on beauty and brightness, with applications in both personal appearance and the adornment of objects.
[יָפָה] vb. be fair, beautiful
Qal be beautiful
Pi. beautify an idol
Hithp. beautify thyself
base
H3302 יָפָה
3302 yaphah yaw-faw'
a primitive root; properly, to be bright, i.e. (by
implication) beautiful:--be beautiful, be (make self)
fair(-r), deck.
יָפָה (ya.phah) — be beautiful.
1) to be bright, be beautiful, be handsome, be fair
1a) (Qal) to be beautiful
1b) (Piel) to beautify
1c) (Pual) to be beautiful
1d) (Hithpael) to beautify oneself
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
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-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2fs
אָחוֹת (achowth) means 'sister' and can refer to a full sister, half-sister, or a relative. It is used both literally and figuratively, symbolizing relationships such as that of Israel and Judah, and can also imply intimacy or connection. The word is built from a feminine form related to other terms for kinship.
אָחוֹת 114 n.f. sister
sister
= beloved
symbol. of Judah, Samaria, Sodom & Jerusalem
fig. of intimate connection
another
base
H269 אָחוֹת sister
269 'achowth aw-khoth'
irregular feminine of 251; a sister (used very widely (like
250), literally and figuratively):--(an-)other, sister,
together.
see HEBREW for 0251
see HEBREW for 0250
אָחוֹת (a.chot) — sister.
1) sister
1a) sister (same parents)
1b) half-sister (same father)
1c) relative
1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship
1d) beloved
1d1) bride
1e) (fig.) of intimate connection
1f) another
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
כַּלָה (kallah) primarily means 'bride' or 'daughter-in-law.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to be perfect.' The entries consistently refer to the word as denoting a son's wife or a young bride, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
כַּלָה n.f. daughter-in-law, bride
base
H3618 כַּלָה daughter-in-law, bride
3618 kallah kal-law'
from 3634; a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's
wife:--bride, daughter-in-law, spouse.
see HEBREW for 03634
כַּלָּה (kal.lah) — daughter-in-law: bride.
: bride
1) bride, daughter-in-law
1a) daughter-in-law
1b) bride, young wife
Also means: kal.lah (כַּלָּה ": daughter-in-law" H3618H)
כַּלָּה (kal.lah) — daughter-in-law.
: daughter-in-law
1) bride, daughter-in-law
1a) daughter-in-law
1b) bride, young wife
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
brid.
See MARRIAGE.
Bride
Frequently used in the ordinary sense (Isa. 49:18; 61:10, etc.). The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride (John 3:29). The church is called “the bride” (Rev. 21:9; 22:17). Compare parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13).
→ Ornaments of Isa 49:18; 61:10; Jer 2:32; Re 21:2
→ Presents to Ge 24:53
→ Maids of Ge 24:59,61; 29:24,29
→ FIGURATIVE Ps 45:10-17; Eze 16:8-14; Re 19:7,8; 21:2,9; 22:17
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
Part — PronounHPi
Represents various Hebrew and Greek words, interrogative, interjectional and relative. Its different uses refer to
(1) the manner or way, e.g. Ge 44:34, "How shall I go up to my father?" ('ekh); Mt 6:28, "how they grow" (pos); 1Co 15:35, "How are the dead raised?";
(2) degree, extent, frequently, "how great" (Da 4:3, mah; Mr 5:19, hosos, "how much"); "how many" (Mt 27:13, posos); "how much" (Ac 9:13, hosos); "how much more" (Mt 7:11, posos;
The Hebrew word טוֹב (tov) is a primitive root meaning to be good or pleasing in various senses, including being delightful, joyful, and beneficial. It covers a range of meanings from personal well-being to moral actions, as seen in its uses in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations without significant disagreement.
טוֹב vb. pleasing, good
Qal
be pleasant, delightful
be glad, joyful
of rank, position, claim: art thou really better than Balak?
be well with, good for
be pleasing
Hiph. do well, act right
base
H2895 טוֹב pleasing, good .. be pleasant, delightful
. be glad, joyful
. of rank, position, claim: art thou really better than Balak?
. be well with, good for
. be pleasing
. do well, act right
2895 towb tobe
a primitive root, to be (transitively, do or make) good (or
well) in the widest sense:--be (do) better, cheer, be (do,
seem) good, (make) goodly, X please, (be, do, go, play) well.
טוֹב (tov) — be pleasing.
1) to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favourable, be happy, be right
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be pleasant, be delightful
1a2) to be glad, be joyful
1a3) to be better
1a4) to be well with, be good for
1a5) to be pleasing
1b) (Hiphil) to do well, do good, act right, act rightly
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.
(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:
(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).
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-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2fs
יַ֫יִן (yayin) means 'wine' and is associated with fermentation and intoxication. It appears in various contexts, including banqueting. The word is derived from an unused root that suggests the idea of effervescence.
יַ֫יִן 141 n.m. wine
base
H3196 יַ֫יִן wine
3196 yayin yah'-yin
from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as
fermented); by implication, intoxication:--banqueting, wine,
wine(-bibber).
יַ֫יִן (ya.yin) — wine.
wine
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
Wine
The common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning “to boil up,” “to be in a ferment.” Others derive it from a root meaning “to tread out,” and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is oinos_, and the Latin _vinun. But besides this common Hebrew word, there are several others which are thus rendered.
(1.) Ashishah (2 Sam. 6:19; 1 Chr. 16:3; Cant. 2:5; Hos. 3:1), which, however, rather denotes a solid cake of pressed grapes, or, as in the Revised Version, a cake of raisins.
(2.) ‘Asis, “sweet wine,” or “new wine,” the product of the same year (Cant. 8:2;
The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah, (Genesis 9:20,21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are described under a separate head. [VINE] The only other plant whose fruit is noticed as having been converted into wine was the pomegranate. (Solomon 8:2) In Palestine the vintage takes place in September, and is celebrated with great rejoicing. The ripe fruit was gathered in baskets, (Jeremiah 6:9) as represented in Egyptian paintings, and was carried to the wine-press. It was then placed in the upper one of the two vats or receptacles of which the winepress was formed, and was subjected to the process of "treading," which has prevailed in all ages in Oriental…
The vine being natural to the soil of Canaan and its vicinity, wine was much used as a beverage, especially at festivals, Es 1:7 5:6 Da 5:1-4 Joh 2:3. As one of the staple products of the Holy Land, it was employed for drink-offerings in the temple service, Ex 20:26 Nu 15:4-10; it was included among the "first-fruits," De 18:4, and was used in the celebration of the Passover, and subsequently of the Lord’s supper, Mt 26:27-29. Together with corn and oil it denoted all temporal supplies,
רֵיחַ (reyach) refers to scent or odor, derived from the root meaning breath. It encompasses general fragrances and specifically the odor associated with sacrifices to God. The term appears in various contexts, highlighting its significance in both everyday and ritualistic settings.
רֵיחַ 58 n.m. scent, odour (prop. breath)
base
H7381 רֵיחַ scent, odour (prop. breath)
7381 reyach ray'-akh
from 7306; odor (as if blown):--savour, scent, smell.
see HEBREW for 07306
רֵיחַ (re.ach) — aroma.
1) scent, fragrance, aroma, odour
1a) scent, odour
1b) odour of soothing (technical term for sacrifice to God)
Aramaic equivalent: re.ach (רֵיחַ "smell" H7382)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
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…
שֶׁ֫מֶן (shemen) refers to fat or oil, particularly olive oil, and includes meanings related to richness and anointing. It is derived from the root word for grease and can also metaphorically describe fertile land. The entries consistently highlight its use in contexts like medicinal applications and anointing.
שֶׁ֫מֶן 192 n.m. fat, oil
base
H8081 שֶׁ֫מֶן fat, oil
8081 shemen sheh'-men
from 8080; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive,
often perfumed); figuratively, richness:--anointing, X fat
(things), X fruitful, oil((-ed)), ointment, olive, + pine.
see HEBREW for 08080
שֶׁ֫מֶן (she.men) — oil.
1) fat, oil
1a) fat, fatness
1b) oil, olive oil
1b1) as staple, medicament or unguent
1b2) for anointing
1c) fat (of fruitful land, valleys) (metaph)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2fs
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
בֹּ֫שֶׂם (besem) refers to spice, specifically balsam and the balsam tree, with connotations of fragrance and sweet odor. The word is built from a root related to scent and encompasses meanings like perfume and spicery. It appears in contexts discussing pleasant aromas.
בֹּ֫שֶׂם n.m. spice, balsam, balsam-tree
base
H1314 בֹּ֫שֶׂם spice, balsam, balsam-tree
1314 besem beh'-sem
or bosem {bo'-sem}; from the same as 1313; fragrance; by
implication, spicery; also the balsam plant:--smell, spice,
sweet (odour).
see HEBREW for 01313
בֶּ֫שֶׂם (be.sem) — spice.
1) spice, balsam, balsam tree, perfume
2) (TWOT) sweet, sweet smell, sweet odour
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
Spices
Aromatic substances, of which several are named in Ex. 30. They were used in the sacred anointing oil (Ex. 25:6; 35:8; 1 Chr. 9:29), and in embalming the dead (2 Chr. 16:14; Luke 23:56; 24:1; John 19:39, 40). Spices were stored by Hezekiah in his treasure-house (2 Kings 20:13; Isa. 39:2).
