Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Like 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 Translation Like 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 Version As 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 Bible Like 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 Bible 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. New King James Version Like 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 Bible Like 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 Bible Like 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 Version 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. Contemporary English Version And you, my love, are an apple tree among trees of the forest. Your shade brought me pleasure; your fruit was sweet. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Like 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 Translation Like 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 Version Like 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 Bible Like 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 Bible 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, his fruit was sweet to my taste. Webster's Bible Translation 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. 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 Bible 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, 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 Translation As 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 Version Bride to Chorus: Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat beneath the shadow of the one whom I desired, and his fruit was sweet to my palate. New American Bible Like 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 Version As 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 Translated As 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 Translation As 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 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. 4He has brought me to the house of wine, and his banner over me is love.… Cross References Psalm 34:8 Taste 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 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth! Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed. Revelation 22:2 down 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 11:1 Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. John 6:57 Just 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 17:7-8 But 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 7:17-20 Likewise, 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 14:6-7 His 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 1:14 The 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 17:22-24 This 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 6:43-45 No 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 5:22-23 But 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 4:2 On 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 Isaiah 4:2 Ezekiel 17:23,24 my beloved Song of Solomon 5:9,10,16 Psalm 45:2 Psalm 89:6 I sat Judges 9:15,19,20 Psalm 57:1 Psalm 91:1 his fruit Song of Solomon 2:5 Genesis 3:22-24 Ezekiel 47:12 taste Jump to Previous Apple Apple-Tree Beloved Delight Delighted Forest Fruit Great Lover Palate Rapture Sat Shade Shadow Sit Sweet Taste Tree Trees Wood YoungJump to Next Apple Apple-Tree Beloved Delight Delighted Forest Fruit Great Lover Palate Rapture Sat Shade Shadow Sit Sweet Taste Tree Trees Wood YoungSong of Solomon 2 1. the mutual love of Christ and his church8. The hope 10. and calling of the church 14. Christ's care of the church 16. The profession of the church, her faith, and hope Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest This 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. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. 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 Shulammite The female speaker in the Song of Solomon, expressing her love and admiration for her beloved. 3. Apple Tree Symbolizes uniqueness and desirability, standing out among the ordinary trees of the forest. 4. Forest Represents the world or society, where many choices exist, but the beloved is distinct and special. 5. Shade and Fruit Metaphors 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 Christ The 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 Christ The 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 Christ The 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 Others Just 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 2What 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. The apple may be set aside, because the Palestine fruit usually called the apple is really the quince, 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. The quince is 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. The citron does not, according to Thomson and Tristram, satisfy (1); but according to Rev. W. Drake, in Smith's Bible Dictionary, "it is a large and beautiful tree, gives a deep and refreshing shade, and is laden with golden-coloured fruit." The apricot meets 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 tree among the trees בַּעֲצֵ֣י (ba·‘ă·ṣê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood of the forest הַיַּ֔עַר (hay·ya·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3293: A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb is my beloved דּוֹדִ֖י (dō·w·ḏî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle among בֵּ֣ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between the young men. הַבָּנִ֑ים (hab·bā·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son I delight חִמַּ֣דְתִּי (ḥim·maḏ·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 2530: To desire, take pleasure in to sit וְיָשַׁ֔בְתִּי (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 marry in his shade, בְּצִלּוֹ֙ (bə·ṣil·lōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6738: A shadow and his fruit וּפִרְי֖וֹ (ū·p̄ir·yōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6529: Fruit is sweet מָת֥וֹק (mā·ṯō·wq) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 4966: Sweet, sweetness to 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 Links Song of Solomon 2:3 NIVSong of Solomon 2:3 NLT Song of Solomon 2:3 ESV Song of Solomon 2:3 NASB Song of Solomon 2:3 KJV Song of Solomon 2:3 BibleApps.com Song of Solomon 2:3 Biblia Paralela Song of Solomon 2:3 Chinese Bible Song of Solomon 2:3 French Bible Song of Solomon 2:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees (Song Songs SS So Can) |
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