Song Of Solomon 3:11 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Song Of Solomon 3:11 kjv
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Song Of Solomon 3:11 nkjv
Go forth, O daughters of Zion, And see King Solomon with the crown With which his mother crowned him On the day of his wedding, The day of the gladness of his heart.
Song Of Solomon 3:11 niv
come out, and look, you daughters of Zion. Look on King Solomon wearing a crown, the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced.
Song Of Solomon 3:11 esv
Go out, O daughters of Zion, and look upon King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart.
Song Of Solomon 3:11 nlt
Come out to see King Solomon,
young women of Jerusalem.
He wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day,
his most joyous day.
Song Of Solomon 3 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 72:1-20 | Give the king thy judgments... and thy righteousness... | Prophecy of Solomon's reign, prefiguring Christ's. |
| Isa 9:6-7 | For unto us a child is born... The Prince of Peace... | Christ as the ultimate "King of Peace" (Solomon's name implies peace). |
| Matt 12:42 | ...the queen of the south came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. | Christ's superior wisdom and glory compared to Solomon. |
| Rev 19:16 | And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. | Christ as the supreme King. |
| Eze 16:12 | And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. | God adorning Israel like a bride, showing honor and beauty. |
| Isa 62:3 | Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. | Believers (or Israel) as God's treasured crown. |
| Jer 13:18 | Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. | The removal of a crown symbolizing lost glory due to sin. |
| Rev 2:10 | ...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. | The heavenly reward, a spiritual crown for faithfulness. |
| 1 Pet 5:4 | And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. | Believers receiving an eternal, unfading crown from Christ. |
| Prov 12:4 | A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. | The good wife as a crown of honor. |
| Hos 2:19-20 | And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness... | God's eternal covenantal marriage with Israel. |
| Matt 22:2-14 | ...A certain king made a marriage for his son... | Parable of the wedding feast, often interpreted as the Marriage of the Lamb. |
| Eph 5:25-27 | Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... That he might present it to himself a glorious church... | Christ's self-giving love for the Church, preparing her as a spotless bride. |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. | Paul's commitment to present the Corinthian church as pure to Christ. |
| Rev 19:7-9 | Let us be glad and rejoice... for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. | The ultimate consummation of Christ's union with the Church. |
| Neh 8:10 | ...for the joy of the LORD is your strength. | Divine joy as a source of spiritual strength and celebration. |
| Ps 16:11 | Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy... | The ultimate source of joy is found in God's presence. |
| Rom 14:17 | For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. | Joy as a characteristic of the Kingdom of God and Christian experience. |
| Zeph 3:14 | Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. | An invitation to Jerusalem/Israel to rejoice in their salvation. |
| Zec 9:9 | Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee... | Prophecy of the Messiah's triumphal entry to Jerusalem, linking "King" and "Daughter of Zion." |
| Isa 62:11 | Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh... | God's declaration of salvation for Zion, inviting them to see. |
Song Of Solomon 3 verses
Song Of Solomon 3 11 meaning
This verse is a regal summons, inviting the "daughters of Zion" (women of Jerusalem, symbolizing the community) to step out and witness King Solomon in all his wedding glory. It describes a momentous occasion: his espousals, where he is adorned with a unique crown bestowed by his mother, signifying a day of profound personal joy and celebration for the monarch.
Song Of Solomon 3 11 Context
This verse appears at a significant juncture in the Song of Solomon. It immediately follows the Shulamite's successful quest for her beloved, whom she has brought into her mother's house (Song 3:4). The passage preceding it (3:6-10) describes a majestic royal procession, a grand palanquin carrying King Solomon. Verse 11 acts as an explicit invitation to the "daughters of Zion" (women of Jerusalem, representing the wider community or witnesses) to observe King Solomon specifically on his wedding day. This transition from a highly personal, passionate narrative to a public, regal scene highlights the beauty of marital love glorified and affirmed within the context of Solomon's grandeur, making the personal joy a matter of communal celebration.
Song Of Solomon 3 11 Word analysis
- Go forth (יֵצֵאן, yêtse'ân): An imperative command or an urgent invitation, indicating movement from inside to an outdoor spectacle. It suggests an active call to participate in witnessing a significant event.
- O ye daughters of Zion (בְּנוֹת צִיּוֹן, bᵉnôṯ Ṣîyyôn): This poetic phrase refers to the women of Jerusalem, but extends to represent the inhabitants and community of the city itself. They are the invited audience, highlighting the public, celebratory nature of the event. In prophetic literature, "Daughter of Zion" often symbolizes the people of God, Israel, or the Church, called to witness God's redemptive acts.
- and behold (רְאֶינָה, rᵉ'eynâh): Another imperative, it's stronger than a casual glance. It implies looking intently, marveling, taking in the full spectacle.
- king Solomon (הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה, hammeleḵ Šᵉlōmōh): Emphasizes his royal status and identity as the wise and glorious king of Israel. His name, "Solomon," (from shalom) means "peace" or "complete," linking him thematically to the Messianic Prince of Peace.
- with the crown (עֲטָרָה, `aṭārāh): This specific Hebrew word denotes a wreath, circlet, or adornment, rather than nezer (נֵזֶר), which implies the royal diadem of sacral kingship. The `aṭārāh here signifies an emblem of joy, honor, and festive celebration, common in weddings, more than solely political power. It focuses on the personal triumph and gladness.
- wherewith his mother (אִמּוֹ, ʾimmô) crowned him: This is a striking and personal detail. It moves the crowning from a state function (like anointing by a prophet or high priest) to an intimate, familial act. The mother's involvement underscores parental blessing, deep affection, and personal pride in her son's happiness. This crown symbolizes her love and joy, making it uniquely personal. (Possible mother: Bathsheba).
- in the day of his espousals (חֲתֻנָּתוֹ, ḥªṯunnāṯô): Refers directly to his wedding day, the ceremony of formal marriage. This term highlights the celebratory union, not merely a betrothal (ʾārûsîm), but the consummated public declaration of marriage.
- and in the day of the gladness (שִׂמְחַת, śimḥaṯ) of his heart (לִבּוֹ, libbô): This phrase amplifies and reaffirms the theme of profound, internal joy. The repetition ("day of... and in the day of...") stresses the singular importance of this moment. "Gladness of heart" signifies the deep, emotional, personal fulfillment that comes from love and union, impacting his innermost being.
- Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold": This trio functions as a vibrant, public proclamation, calling the entire community to witness an event of collective significance and admiration. It sets a stage for royal spectacle intertwined with communal participation.
- "King Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him": This phrase cleverly interweaves public royalty ("King Solomon") with intimate, familial affection and honor ("his mother crowned him"). The crown becomes a symbol not merely of political authority, but of a son's honor and a mother's loving pride, dignifying the king through personal relationships.
- "in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart": The doubling of "in the day of" intensely focuses on the singularity and profound significance of the wedding. It portrays the espousals not just as a ceremonial duty but as the zenith of personal joy and emotional contentment for the King, rooting his royal glory in deeply human, loving fulfillment.
Song Of Solomon 3 11 Bonus section
- The emphasis on the "mother" crowning Solomon is unique and significant. Royal coronations in ancient Israel typically involved prophets or priests anointing the king. This detail shifts the focus from national consecration to a personal, familial celebration, deepening the emotional resonance of the event and underscoring the intimate joy of a wedding rather than solely statecraft.
- Solomon, whose name (Shelomoh) is derived from shalom (peace), is the king of peace. This verse, describing his day of "gladness of heart" at his "espousals," paints a picture of fulfillment and harmony, archetypally prefiguring the Messianic King, Jesus Christ, who brings true peace (Isa 9:6) and whose kingdom is ultimately a joyous union with His redeemed.
- The communal invitation to the "daughters of Zion" suggests that while marriage is a personal bond, it has public significance and is meant to be celebrated within the community. In a spiritual sense, the Church is called to witness and participate in the joy of Christ's reign and His eternal relationship with His people.
- The `aṭārāh, the specific type of crown mentioned, highlights that this is a crown of celebration, honor, and festive adornment, common for both bride and groom in ancient Near Eastern weddings, rather than a strictly governmental diadem of power. This reinforces the focus on marital bliss and personal triumph over mere political status.
Song Of Solomon 3 11 Commentary
Song of Solomon 3:11 offers a captivating scene: an open invitation for the women of Jerusalem to observe King Solomon in a deeply personal yet majestically public moment – his wedding. The verse bridges the intensity of the lovers' affection with the grandeur of royal celebration. The "crown" from his mother is particularly noteworthy; it's an emblem of joy and honor (a wedding crown, `aṭārāh), distinct from a symbol of governmental power, suggesting the profound, intimate joy found in the marital bond. This highlights that even for a king, true happiness and glory are profoundly rooted in love, personal connection, and the blessing of family.
Theological interpretation often sees Solomon here as a type of Christ, the true King of Peace, whose "espousals" are with His Church, His beloved bride. The invitation to "behold" him then becomes an invitation for believers (Daughters of Zion) to marvel at the joyous union of Christ and His redeemed people. His "gladness of heart" anticipates the joy of the Bridegroom with His Church, an unbreakable covenantal bond filled with eternal joy and purpose. It signifies a profound divine love made manifest in the ultimate spiritual marriage.