Song Of Solomon 6 3

Song Of Solomon 6:3 kjv

I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.

Song Of Solomon 6:3 nkjv

I am my beloved's, And my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies.

Song Of Solomon 6:3 niv

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he browses among the lilies.

Song Of Solomon 6:3 esv

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.

Song Of Solomon 6:3 nlt

I am my lover's, and my lover is mine.
He browses among the lilies.

Song Of Solomon 6 verses

Song Of Solomon 6 3 meaning

Song of Solomon 6:3 is a profound declaration by the Shulammite woman, expressing absolute, reciprocal belonging and unwavering assurance in her beloved. She proclaims her devoted ownership to him, matched by his equal claim upon her. The verse also indicates his joyful and attentive presence in places of beauty and purity, symbolizing his care and delight in her (and allegorically, Christ's dwelling among His people in holiness). It speaks of a covenantal bond, intimate communion, and mutual possession within a relationship of deep love.

Song Of Solomon 6 3 Context

Song of Solomon 6:3 is spoken by the Shulammite woman to the "daughters of Jerusalem" (Song 6:1). They had asked her where her beloved had gone, seeking to help her find him (Song 6:1). Her confident reply in 6:2-3 reveals her absolute certainty of his whereabouts and her complete, assured belonging to him. This verse reaffirms a similar declaration she made earlier in 2:16, emphasizing the settled, unshakeable nature of their love and covenant. The immediate context of chapter 6 begins with the beloved having left to gather lilies, leading to the concern of the daughters of Jerusalem. The broader context of the Song celebrates exclusive, passionate marital love, often interpreted allegorically to represent the relationship between Christ and His Church, or God and Israel, where mutual delight and steadfast devotion are paramount. The imagery is drawn from an ancient Near Eastern pastoral and garden culture, highlighting natural beauty and the shepherd's role.

Song Of Solomon 6 3 Word analysis

• I (Hebrew: Ani - אֲנִי): A strong first-person pronoun emphasizing the speaker's personal identification and complete ownership in the relationship. It signifies "my very self."
• am my beloved's (Hebrew: le-dodi - לְדוֹדִי): The preposition le- indicates possession, belonging, or devotion to someone. Dodi (my beloved) denotes an intimate, affectionate term for her lover. This phrase signifies full commitment and self-surrender to him.
• and my beloved (Hebrew: ve-dodi - וְדוֹדִי): The conjunction ve- (and) connects the two declarations. Dodi is repeated, reaffirming his identity and role.
• is mine (Hebrew: li - לִי): This is the reciprocal declaration, formed by le- (to, for) and the first-person singular pronoun ani (I). It signifies her claiming him entirely for herself.
• he feedeth (Hebrew: Ha-ro'eh - הָרֹעֶה): A definite article (Ha-) and the Qal participle of the verb ra'ah (to shepherd, to feed, to graze). It describes him actively performing a shepherding role, caring for his flock, or enjoying himself in a pleasant environment. It carries connotations of provision, guidance, and peaceful presence.
• among the lilies (Hebrew: ba-shoshannim - בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים): The preposition ba- (in, among) indicates his location. Shoshannim (lilies) are plural. Lilies in the Song symbolize beauty, purity, delight, fragrance, and even a spiritual environment (like the "lily of the valleys" representing Christ).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: This is a powerful, symmetrical declaration of mutual and exclusive possession. It reflects a covenant of love, a perfect reciprocity where both partners wholly belong to each other. This phrase encapsulates identity found in the beloved, security, and an unbreakable bond. The repetition (echoing 2:16) underscores its certainty and foundational truth for the Shulammite. In the allegorical sense, it speaks of the believer's absolute belonging to Christ, and Christ's intimate claim over the believer, an everlasting union and co-identity.
• he feedeth among the lilies: This phrase reveals the beloved's activity and environment. "Feedeth" highlights his role as a shepherd – providing care, sustenance, protection, and finding pleasant pastures. "Among the lilies" signifies a beautiful, pure, and delightful place. It suggests that his activities, even when apart, are in a serene and desirable setting. Allegorically, it portrays Christ dwelling in purity and beauty, finding delight among His saints (the Church, who are often compared to lilies for their beauty and holiness), and pasturing His flock in places of peace and spiritual nourishment.

Song Of Solomon 6 3 Bonus section

This repeated declaration (compare with Song 2:16 and Song 7:10) showcases a progressive development and deepening of assurance within the Shulammite's relationship. In Song 2:16, it is a hopeful, perhaps newfound, confession of love. Here in 6:3, it is a confident and firm declaration in response to external inquiry, demonstrating an unshakeable certainty. By 7:10, it is paired with the understanding of her beloved's deep desire for her, adding a layer of recognized desirability and cherished love. The "lilies" also evoke images beyond simple flora; they suggest the precious, consecrated ground where divine communion occurs (cf. priestly garments often depicted with flowers), indicating that the Beloved's "feeding" or dwelling place is holy and cherished, filled with the delightful presence of God. This points to the sacredness of Christ's dwelling among His people and the purity expected in that communion.

Song Of Solomon 6 3 Commentary

Song of Solomon 6:3 articulates a profound truth of biblical love: perfect reciprocity and secure identity. The Shulammite's declaration "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine" is a spiritual and relational pinnacle. It speaks of a bond so strong that one's very being is intertwined with the beloved's, offering full surrender and confident possession. This mutuality signifies trust, faithfulness, and the secure knowledge that neither will forsake the other. Her subsequent statement, "he feedeth among the lilies," completes this picture of security. It indicates not only his delightful whereabouts in beauty and peace, but also his faithful character as one who nurtures and protects. Allegorically, this verse powerfully speaks of the believer's secure standing in Christ—we belong to Him, and He to us, through covenant. Christ, our Good Shepherd, delights in His Church (symbolized by the lilies, representing purity and grace) and ministers to His people, finding His joy and presence among those made pure by Him. This offers immense comfort and assurance, for our identity is eternally bound up with our faithful Beloved who delights in our fellowship and tends to our needs.

• Practical example: A believer's daily affirmation: "I belong to Christ, and He belongs to me; I rest secure in His love, knowing He delights in my fellowship and cares for all my needs."
• Practical example: When facing anxiety about belonging, remembering this verse can remind one of the unchanging, mutual love between Christ and His followers, grounding identity in Him alone.