I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
The bridegroom responds to the bride's invitation (4:16): 'I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk.' The phrase 'I am come into my garden' (bati le-gani, בָאתִי לְגַנִּי) indicates arrival and full entry. The repeated possessive 'my' emphasizes belonging and intimacy. The verbs 'gathered,' 'eaten,' 'drunk' suggest full participation in the garden's delights. This verse celebrates consummated covenant love—the bridegroom responds to the bride's invitation by fully entering and enjoying what she offers. The following line, 'Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved,' appears to be divine blessing on their union. This verse affirms the goodness of marital intimacy within covenant relationship. Spiritually, it represents Christ's response to the Church's invitation—He delights in His people and finds satisfaction in relationship with them.
Historical Context
Ancient weddings culminated in consummation—the completion of covenant union. The Song's celebration of this is unabashed yet within proper covenant context. The garden imagery continues from 4:12-16, where the bride is described as enclosed garden. Now the bridegroom enters. Ancient Near Eastern love poetry employed similar garden imagery, but the Song uniquely places it within exclusive covenant commitment. Early church fathers carefully navigated this passage—maintaining both literal affirmation of marital sexuality and allegorical reading as Christ entering His Church. Bernard of Clairvaux emphasized Christ's delight in His people—He finds joy in relationship with the redeemed. The Reformers rejected medieval asceticism by affirming marital sexuality as divine gift, not merely procreative duty. Modern readers benefit from the Song's holistic affirmation of covenant love encompassing emotional, spiritual, and physical dimensions.
Questions for Reflection
How does this passage affirm that physical intimacy within marriage is good, God-honoring, and mutually delightful—not shameful or merely functional?
What does Christ's delight in His Church ('I am come into my garden') teach about God's disposition toward His people?
Analysis & Commentary
The bridegroom responds to the bride's invitation (4:16): 'I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk.' The phrase 'I am come into my garden' (bati le-gani, בָאתִי לְגַנִּי) indicates arrival and full entry. The repeated possessive 'my' emphasizes belonging and intimacy. The verbs 'gathered,' 'eaten,' 'drunk' suggest full participation in the garden's delights. This verse celebrates consummated covenant love—the bridegroom responds to the bride's invitation by fully entering and enjoying what she offers. The following line, 'Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved,' appears to be divine blessing on their union. This verse affirms the goodness of marital intimacy within covenant relationship. Spiritually, it represents Christ's response to the Church's invitation—He delights in His people and finds satisfaction in relationship with them.