New International VersionLike an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
New Living TranslationLike the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit.
English Standard VersionAs an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Berean Standard BibleLike an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
King James BibleAs the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
New King James VersionLike an apple tree among the trees of the woods, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
New American Standard Bible“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
NASB 1995“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
NASB 1977“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Legacy Standard Bible“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the sons. In his shade I had great desire and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Amplified Bible“Like an apple tree [rare and welcome] among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men! In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet and delicious to my palate.
Christian Standard BibleLike an apricot tree among the trees of the forest, so is my love among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
Holman Christian Standard BibleLike an apricot tree among the trees of the forest, so is my love among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
American Standard VersionAs the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Contemporary English VersionAnd you, my love, are an apple tree among trees of the forest. Your shade brought me pleasure; your fruit was sweet.
English Revised VersionAs the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationLike an apple tree among the trees in the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. I want to sit in his shadow. His fruit tastes sweet to me.
Good News TranslationLike an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my dearest compared to other men. I love to sit in its shadow, and its fruit is sweet to my taste.
International Standard VersionLike an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I take delight and sit down, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
NET BibleLike an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
New Heart English BibleAs the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Webster's Bible TranslationAs the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleLike an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
World English BibleAs the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, his fruit was sweet to my taste. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs a citron among trees of the forest, "" So [is] my beloved among the sons, "" In his shade I delighted, and sat down, "" And his fruit [is] sweet to my palate.
Young's Literal Translation As a citron among trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the sons, In his shade I delighted, and sat down, And his fruit is sweet to my palate.
Smith's Literal TranslationAs the apple among the trees of the forest, so my beloved between the sons. In his shadow I delighted, and I sat down, and his fruit was sweet to my palate. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs the apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow, whom I desired: and his fruit was sweet to my palate.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBride to Chorus:
New American BibleLike an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my lover among men. In his shadow I delight to sit, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
New Revised Standard VersionAs an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLike an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAs apples in the trees of the forest, so is my love among the sons; for his shadow I lusted and I sat; his fruit is sweet to my palate OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917As an apple-tree among the trees of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons. Under its shadow I delighted to sit, And its fruit was sweet to my taste.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAs the apple among the trees of the wood, so is my kinsman among the sons. I desired his shadow, and sat down, and his fruit was sweet in my throat.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Bride's Admiration… 2Like a lily among the thorns is my darling among the maidens. 3Like an apple treeamong the treesof the forestis my belovedamongthe young men.I delightto sitin his shade,and his fruitis sweetto my taste.4He has brought me to the house of wine, and his banner over me is love.…
Cross References Psalm 34:8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
John 15:1-5“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...
Psalm 119:103How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth!
Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
Revelation 22:2down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Isaiah 11:1Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
John 6:57Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
Jeremiah 17:7-8But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.
Matthew 7:17-20Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. / Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...
Hosea 14:6-7His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
John 1:14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Ezekiel 17:22-24This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. / I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. / Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”
Luke 6:43-45No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. / The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Galatians 5:22-23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Isaiah 4:2On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors.
Treasury of Scripture As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. the apple tree Song of Solomon 8:5 Whois this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forththat bare thee. Isaiah 4:2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earthshall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. Ezekiel 17:23,24 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell… my beloved Song of Solomon 5:9,10,16 Whatis thy beloved more thananother beloved, O thou fairest among women? whatis thy beloved more thananother beloved, that thou dost so charge us? … Psalm 45:2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Psalm 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD?who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? I sat Judges 9:15,19,20 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you,then comeand put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon… Psalm 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, untilthese calamities be overpast. Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. his fruit Song of Solomon 2:5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for Iam sick of love. Genesis 3:22-24 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: … Ezekiel 47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. taste Jump to Previous AppleApple-TreeBelovedDelightDelightedForestFruitGreatLoverPalateRaptureSatShadeShadowSitSweetTasteTreeTreesWoodYoungJump to Next AppleApple-TreeBelovedDelightDelightedForestFruitGreatLoverPalateRaptureSatShadeShadowSitSweetTasteTreeTreesWoodYoungSong of Solomon 2 1.the mutual love of Christ and his church8.The hope10.and calling of the church14.Christ's care of the church16.The profession of the church, her faith, and hopeLike an apple tree among the trees of the forestThis phrase highlights the uniqueness and desirability of the beloved. In ancient Near Eastern culture, apple trees were valued for their beauty and fruitfulness, often symbolizing love and fertility. The comparison to a forest suggests that the beloved stands out among many, much like Christ is unique among all men. The apple tree can also be seen as a type of Christ, offering sustenance and refuge. is my beloved among the young men.
The beloved is distinguished from others, emphasizing his exceptional qualities. In the context of the Song of Solomon, this reflects the deep admiration and love the bride has for her bridegroom. Spiritually, this can be seen as a reflection of the believer's love for Christ, who is unparalleled among men. The young men may represent worldly attractions, but the beloved surpasses them all. I delight to sit in his shade,
Shade provides protection and comfort, symbolizing the safety and peace found in the presence of the beloved. In biblical times, shade was a precious commodity in the hot climate of the Middle East. This imagery can be connected toPsalm 91:1, where dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty is a place of refuge. It signifies the rest and security believers find in Christ. and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
The fruit represents the blessings and joys derived from the relationship with the beloved. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that believers experience through their relationship with Christ. The sweetness indicates the satisfaction and fulfillment found in communion with Him, echoing the idea that Christ's presence and gifts are deeply satisfying to the soul. Persons / Places / Events 1. The BelovedRepresents the male figure in the Song of Solomon, often interpreted as Solomon himself or a representation of Christ in allegorical readings. 2. The ShulammiteThe female speaker in the Song of Solomon, expressing her love and admiration for her beloved. 3. Apple TreeSymbolizes uniqueness and desirability, standing out among the ordinary trees of the forest. 4. ForestRepresents the world or society, where many choices exist, but the beloved is distinct and special. 5. Shade and FruitMetaphors for protection, comfort, and the satisfying nature of the beloved's presence and love. Teaching Points Uniqueness of ChristJust as the apple tree stands out among the forest, Christ is unique and unparalleled among all others. Believers are called to recognize and cherish His distinctiveness. Seeking Refuge in ChristThe shade of the apple tree represents the protection and comfort found in Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek refuge in Him during times of trouble and uncertainty. Satisfaction in ChristThe sweetness of the fruit symbolizes the deep satisfaction and joy found in a relationship with Christ. Believers should cultivate a desire for His presence and the nourishment He provides. Intimacy with ChristThe Shulammite's delight in her beloved's presence reflects the intimate relationship believers are invited to have with Christ. This intimacy is nurtured through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. Witnessing to OthersJust as the Shulammite publicly declares her delight in her beloved, believers are called to share the joy and satisfaction they find in Christ with others. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 2
What does 'Do not awaken love until it pleases' mean?
What is the Bible's stance on oral sex?
How do we reconcile the romantic imagery of Song of Solomon 3 with the more sober views on marriage and lust in other biblical texts (e.g., Matthew 5:28)?
How does Song of Solomon 8:5, which suggests a strong marital bond, align with biblical texts that portray marriage in more patriarchal terms?(3) Apple tree.--So the LXX. and Vulg.; Heb., tappuach.Out of the six times that the word is used, four occur in this book, the other two being Proverbs 25:11--"apple of gold"-- Joel 1:12, where it is joined with vine, fig, &c, as suffering from drought. It has been very variously identified. The quince, the citron, the apple, and the apricot have each had their advocates. Theapplemay be set aside, because the Palestine fruit usually called theappleis really thequince,the climate being too hot for our apple. (But see Thornson,The Land and the Book,p. 546.) The requirements to be satisfied are (1) grateful shade,Song of Solomon 2:3; (2) agreeable taste,Song of Solomon 2:3-5; (3) sweet perfume,Song of Solomon 7:8; (4) golden appearance,Proverbs 25:11. Thequinceis preferred by many, as being by the ancients consecrated to love, but it does not satisfy (2), being astringent and unpleasant to the taste till cooked. Thecitrondoes not, according to Thomson and Tristram, satisfy (1); but according to Rev. W. Drake, in Smith'sBible Dictionary,"it is a large and beautiful tree, gives a deep and refreshing shade, and is laden with golden-coloured fruit." Theapricotmeets all the requirements, and is, with the exception of the fig, the most abundant fruit of the country. "In highlands and lowlands alike, by the shores of the Mediterranean and on the banks of the Jordan, in the nooks of Judiaea, under the heights of Lebanon, in the recesses of Galilee, and in the glades of Gilead, the apricot flourishes, and yields a crop of prodigious abundance. Many times have we pitched our tents in its shade, and spread our carpets secure from the rays of the sun. . . . There can scarcely be a more deliciously-perfumed fruit; and what can better fit the epithet of Solomon, 'apples of gold in pictures of silver,' than its golden fruit as its branches bend under the weight, in their setting of bright yet pale foliage?" (Tristram,Nat. Hist. of Bible,p. 335). . . . Verse 3. - As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. That these are the words of the bride there can be no doubt. The apple tree is noted for the fragrance of its blossom and the sweetness of its fruit; hence the name tappuach, from the root naphach, "to breathe sweetly." The trees of the wood or forest are specially referred to, because they are generally wild, and their fruit sour and rough, and many have no fruit or flower. The Chaldee renders, "citron;" Rosenmuller and others, "quince." The word is rare (see Proverbs 25:11; Joel 1:12). It is sometimes the tree itself, at other times the fruit. It occurs in proper names, as ( Joshua 12:17), "The King of Tappuah," etc., and that shows that it was very early known in Palestine. It occurs frequently in the Talmud. The word is masculine, while "lily" is feminine. "I sat with delight" is expressed in true Hebrew phrase, "I delighted and sat," the intensity of feeling being expressed by the piel of the verb. By the shadow is intended both protection and refreshment; by the fruit, enjoyment. Perhaps we may go further, and say there is here a symbolical representation of the spiritual life, as both that of trust and participation. The greatness and goodness of the tree of life protects and covers the sinner, while the inner nature and Divine virtue of the Saviour comes forth in delicious fruits, in his character, words, ministry, and spiritual gifts. If there is any truth in the typical view, it must be found in such passages as this, where the metaphor is so simple and apt, and has been incorporated with all religious language as the vehicle of faith and love. Hymnology abounds in such ideas and analogies.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Like an apricot treeכְּתַפּ֙וּחַ֙(kə·ṯap·pū·aḥ)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8598:An apple, the fruit, the treeamong the treesבַּעֲצֵ֣י(ba·‘ă·ṣê)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6086:Tree, trees, woodof the forestהַיַּ֔עַר(hay·ya·‘ar)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3293:A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the combis my belovedדּוֹדִ֖י(dō·w·ḏî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1730:To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncleamongבֵּ֣ין(bên)Preposition
Strong's 996:An interval, space betweenthe young men.הַבָּנִ֑ים(hab·bā·nîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A sonI delightחִמַּ֣דְתִּי(ḥim·maḏ·tî)Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2530:To desire, take pleasure into sitוְיָשַׁ֔בְתִּי(wə·yā·šaḇ·tî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marryin his shade,בְּצִלּוֹ֙(bə·ṣil·lōw)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6738:A shadowand his fruitוּפִרְי֖וֹ(ū·p̄ir·yōw)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6529:Fruitis sweetמָת֥וֹק(mā·ṯō·wq)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4966:Sweet, sweetnessto my taste.לְחִכִּֽי׃(lə·ḥik·kî)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2441:Palate, roof of the mouth, gums
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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees (Song Songs SS So Can) |
