Song of Solomon 4:14

Authorized King James Version

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Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

Original Language Analysis

נֵ֣רְדְּ׀ Spikenard H5373
נֵ֣רְדְּ׀ Spikenard
Strong's: H5373
Word #: 1 of 14
nard, an aromatic
וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם and saffron H3750
וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם and saffron
Strong's: H3750
Word #: 2 of 14
the crocus
קָנֶה֙ calamus H7070
קָנֶה֙ calamus
Strong's: H7070
Word #: 3 of 14
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן and cinnamon H7076
וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן and cinnamon
Strong's: H7076
Word #: 4 of 14
cinnamon bark (as in upright rolls)
עִ֖ם H5973
עִ֖ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 5 of 14
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲצֵ֣י with all trees H6086
עֲצֵ֣י with all trees
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 7 of 14
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
לְבוֹנָ֑ה of frankincense H3828
לְבוֹנָ֑ה of frankincense
Strong's: H3828
Word #: 8 of 14
frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
מֹ֚ר myrrh H4753
מֹ֚ר myrrh
Strong's: H4753
Word #: 9 of 14
myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)
וַאֲהָל֔וֹת and aloes H174
וַאֲהָל֔וֹת and aloes
Strong's: H174
Word #: 10 of 14
aloe wood (i.e., sticks)
עִ֖ם H5973
עִ֖ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 11 of 14
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָאשֵׁ֥י with all the chief H7218
רָאשֵׁ֥י with all the chief
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 13 of 14
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
בְשָׂמִֽים׃ spices H1314
בְשָׂמִֽים׃ spices
Strong's: H1314
Word #: 14 of 14
fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

Analysis & Commentary

Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices (nerd vekarkom qaneh veqinamon im kol atsey levonah mor va'ahalot im kol roshey vesamim, נֵרְדְּ וְכַרְכֹּם קָנֶה וְקִנָּמוֹן עִם כָּל־עֲצֵי לְבוֹנָה מֹר וַאֲהָלוֹת עִם כָּל־רָאשֵׁי בְשָׂמִים)—this remarkable catalog lists expensive imported spices from across the ancient world. Spikenard from the Himalayas, saffron from Persia, calamus from India, cinnamon from Ceylon, frankincense from Arabia, myrrh from Somalia, aloes from southeast Asia.

The beloved sees his bride as containing the world's most precious aromatics. The phrase "all the chief spices" (kol roshey vesamim, כָּל־רָאשֵׁי בְשָׂמִים) means "every premier spice"—comprehensive, supreme value. This extravagant list teaches that the beloved sees infinite worth in his bride. She isn't common or ordinary but supremely precious. Christ views His Church this way—worth His life, containing immeasurable value, producing diverse spiritual graces.

Historical Context

This spice catalog reads like an ancient Near Eastern luxury import manifest. International trade brought these aromatics to Israel at great expense. Spikenard cost a year's wages (John 12:5). Saffron required 70,000 crocus flowers to produce one pound. These spices were used in worship (temple incense), royalty (anointing), medicine (healing), and romance (fragrant oils). The beloved's comparison to exotic spices celebrated the bride's supreme worth and rarity. Early church fathers saw each spice as representing different spiritual graces: spikenard (devotion), saffron (joy), cinnamon (prayer), myrrh (suffering), frankincense (worship). The diversity celebrated the Church's varied gifts and members producing complementary fragrances. The Reformers emphasized that the Church's value comes from Christ's valuation, not inherent worth. The Puritans taught that believers should cultivate diverse virtues, becoming fragrant with Christ's character.

Questions for Reflection