Song of Solomon4:9

1: “you have heartened me”

The Hebrew word used here can take the reader one of two directions, one is positive, one is negative. It can mean either to “hearten” or to “dishearten.” It can also mean, among other things, to “capture the heart and hold it captive in one place.” It can mean that his heart is now “captured.” But both are considered good things, not like the negativity expressed in many jokes about marriage that are heard in America, even among God-fearing people.

Since we don’t use the word “hearten” in modern English, I choose to express it in the paraphrase column in a positive way, i.e. “you have encouraged my heart.” But I purposefully stay away from anything that resembles “capturing” or “holding captive.”

2

Sister is a close relationship.

3

Bride is an even closer relationship. The emphasis is definitely on the closeness of the relationship. When the two terms are used in this way, the contrast between close and closer seems to be what is in view.

If some think the use of the word “bride” shows that they were not yet married, the following should help clear that up. The word can mean “bride”, “young wife” or “daughter-in-law”—Hebrew is a very open language, not precise like Greek. But this use with sister is a contrast between close and closer.

4

The Hebrew says, “with one of your eyes,” but the grammar indicates that something is assumed, something like the word “glance,” hence, “With one glance of your eyes.”

Re: the imagery: Eyes represent knowledge.

5: "necklace"

Literally it reads, “with one chain of your neck.” Obviously, this would not be a chain of servitude, but something that adorns, what we call a necklace.

Re: the imagery: A necklace served the same purpose as other jewels, to decorate or enhance one’s beauty. As imagery it was not about the necklace at all, but about what it represented and what the neck represented. See the paraphrase.