The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing;In ancient Near Eastern culture, perfumes and ointments were highly valued for their aromatic qualities and were often used in social and religious contexts. The mention of fragrance here symbolizes the allure and attractiveness of the beloved. Perfumes were made from various natural ingredients, such as myrrh and frankincense, which were also used in temple worship, suggesting a connection between the beloved's appeal and spiritual devotion. This imagery can be seen as a type of Christ, whose presence is spiritually fragrant and pleasing to believers, as reflected in
Ephesians 5:2, where Christ's sacrificial love is described as a "fragrant offering."
your name is like perfume poured out.
In biblical times, a person's name was more than just an identifier; it represented their character and reputation. The comparison of the beloved's name to perfume suggests that their reputation is as pleasing and attractive as a delightful fragrance. This can be connected to the name of Jesus, which is exalted and revered, as seen inPhilippians 2:9-10, where every knee bows at His name. The pouring out of perfume also evokes the image of anointing, which in the Old Testament was associated with consecration and blessing, pointing to the anointing of Jesus as the Messiah.
No wonder the maidens adore you.
The admiration of the maidens reflects the communal recognition of the beloved's virtues and attractiveness. In the context of the Song of Solomon, this admiration can be seen as a celebration of love and beauty. Spiritually, it can be interpreted as the collective adoration of the Church for Christ, the Bridegroom. The maidens' adoration parallels the Church's response to Christ's love and sacrifice, as seen inRevelation 19:7, where the Church, as the Bride, rejoices in the marriage of the Lamb. This communal aspect underscores the idea that true love and virtue are recognized and celebrated by others.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The BelovedThe speaker in this verse, traditionally understood to be the Shulammite woman, expressing her admiration for her beloved, often interpreted as Solomon.
2.
The MaidensThese are the young women or virgins who admire the beloved, symbolizing purity and the collective admiration for the beloved's character.
3.
Fragrance/PerfumeSymbolic of the beloved's character and reputation, which is pleasing and attractive to others.
Teaching Points
The Power of a Good NameA good reputation is invaluable and can influence others positively, much like a pleasing fragrance.
Character as a FragranceJust as perfume spreads and affects the environment, our character and actions impact those around us.
Admiration and InfluenceThe admiration of the maidens reflects how a life lived with integrity and love can draw others to us and, ultimately, to Christ.
Symbolism of Fragrance in WorshipFragrance in the Bible often symbolizes worship and sacrifice, reminding us that our lives should be a pleasing offering to God.
Community and WitnessThe collective admiration of the maidens suggests the importance of community in recognizing and affirming godly character.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Song of Solomon 1:3?
2.How does Song of Solomon 1:3 highlight the importance of a good reputation?
3.What does "pleasing fragrance" symbolize in Song of Solomon 1:3?
4.How can we cultivate a "name" that reflects Christ's character today?
5.What other scriptures emphasize the significance of a good name or reputation?
6.How can Song of Solomon 1:3 inspire us to live with integrity daily?
7.What does "your name is oil poured out" signify in Song of Solomon 1:3?
8.How does Song of Solomon 1:3 reflect the nature of divine love?
9.Why is fragrance used as a metaphor in Song of Solomon 1:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 1?
11.If the author truly was King Solomon, why is there no explicit historical record or external verification of these events beyond the text (Song of Solomon 3)?
12.What is the Bible's perspective on essential oils?
13.(Song of Solomon 6:8) How can sixty queens and eighty concubines align with Solomon's reputed 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3)?
14.If historically attributed to King Solomon, how does Song of Solomon 4 mesh with the accounts of his many wives and concubines in other biblical texts (e.g., 1 Kings 11:3)?What Does Song of Solomon 1:3 Mean
The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing“The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing” opens with the image of a sweet, pervasive aroma. In Scripture, fragrance often signals the delight God takes in acceptable sacrifices or lives lived in faithful love.
•Ephesians 5:2 declares, “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” showing that a life of love pleases God like a perfume.
•2 Corinthians 2:15 adds, “For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ,” reminding us that believers, by reflecting Christ, carry His pleasing scent into the world.
•Psalm 45:7-8 pictures the royal bridegroom with “all your garments fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia,” accenting that true kingship is marked by a winsome, holy attractiveness.
Just as a pleasing scent quietly fills a room, the beloved’s character quietly draws hearts. True godliness cannot be hidden; its beauty naturally spreads.
Your name is like perfume poured out“Your name is like perfume poured out” moves from scent to reputation. In Scripture, a “name” stands for the whole person—character, deeds, authority.
•Proverbs 22:1 notes, “A good name is more desirable than great riches,” underscoring that a worthy reputation outlasts wealth.
•Philippians 2:9-10 tells how God “gave Him the name above all names,” so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,” revealing the supreme worth bound up in Christ’s name.
•Acts 4:12 proclaims, “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved,” confirming that the poured-out worth of Jesus is life to all who believe.
The image of perfume “poured out” suggests generosity—nothing grudging, nothing held back. The beloved’s character is openly shared, filling all who come near with life-giving fragrance.
No wonder the maidens adore youWith such irresistible aroma and name, “No wonder the maidens adore you” follows naturally. The “maidens” (daughters of Jerusalem) portray those who witness the beloved’s excellence and respond with admiration.
•Psalm 45:9 pictures a royal entourage: “Daughters of kings are among your honored women,” hinting that noble hearts gather around a worthy king.
•John 12:32 records Jesus saying, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself,” showing that His sacrifice attracts many.
•Revelation 19:7 rejoices, “The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready,” confirming that believers, captivated by Christ, prepare to meet Him.
Those who truly see the beloved’s character cannot help but love him. Genuine holiness invites genuine affection.
summarySong of Solomon 1:3 paints a threefold portrait of the beloved: His pleasing presence, his matchless reputation, and the natural attraction these create. Like rich perfume, the aroma of Christ’s sacrificial love quietly fills the lives of those who draw near. His name—representing every aspect of His perfect character—has been lavishly poured out for the salvation of His people. Consequently, hearts awakened to His worth respond with adoration.
(3)
Because of the savour.--The general sense of this verse is plain, though grammatical difficulties render the literal translation doubtful. It should be divided into three clauses, not into two only, as in the Authorised Version: "Because of their odour (or, with regard to their fragrance) thy ointments (are) sweet." There is no authority for taking
riach =sense of smell, or we should naturally translate "to the smell thy ointments are sweet." The rendering of the next clause, "thy name is (like) oil poured forth," is to be preferred, though it necessitates making either
shemen= oil, or
shem =name, feminine, for which there is no example, since the alternative, which takes
t-rak= poured forth, second masculine instead of third feminine, is harsh: "Thou art poured forth like oil with regard to thy name." The image is an obvious one (comp.
Ecclesiastes 7:1). There is a play on words in
shemenand
shemka.Virgins.--Heb.,alamoth; young girls.(See Note,Song of Solomon 6:8.) Those who understand Solomon to be the object of the desire expressed in these verses understand byalamoth"the ladies of the harem." In the original these three verses plainly form a stanza of five lines
Verse 3. -
Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance; thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the virgins love thee. There is some slight difference among critics as to the rendering of this verse, but it does not affect the meaning. Lovely and delightful thou art. As thy perfumes are so precious, so is thy name; the more it is spread, the more delight is found in it. The idea is that the person is the sweetest, and that his communications are elevating and inspiring. The "virgins" may be taken generally, "Those who are full of the sensibility of youth appreciate thy attractions." The word
almah is much disputed about, but the meaning is simply that of "young woman," whether virgin or married. "Thou art the delight of all the young." Mason Good renders the verse -
"Rich thy perfumes; but richer far than they
The countless charms that round thy person play;
Thy name alone, more fragrant than the rose,
Glads every maid, where'er its fragrance flows."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The fragranceלְרֵ֙יחַ֙(lə·rê·aḥ)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7381:To smell, perceive odorof your perfumeשְׁמָנֶ֣יךָ(šə·mā·ne·ḵā)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8081:Grease, liquid, richnessis pleasing;טוֹבִ֔ים(ṭō·w·ḇîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodyour nameשְׁמֶ֑ךָ(šə·me·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8034:A nameis like perfumeשֶׁ֖מֶן(še·men)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081:Grease, liquid, richnesspoured out.תּוּרַ֣ק(tū·raq)Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7324:Arm, cast out, draw out, make empty, pour forth outNo wonderעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe maidensעֲלָמ֥וֹת(‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5959:A young woman, a virginadore you.אֲהֵבֽוּךָ׃(’ă·hê·ḇū·ḵā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 157:To have affection f
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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 1:3 Your oils have a pleasing fragrance (Song Songs SS So Can) 
