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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Song of Solomon 1:12 While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/songs/1-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/22_Sng_01_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Song of Solomon 1:12 - The Bride Confesses Her Love" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/songs/1-11.htm" title="Song of Solomon 1:11">◄</a> Song of Solomon 1:12 <a href="/songs/1-13.htm" title="Song of Solomon 1:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/songs/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/songs/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/songs/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The king is lying on his couch, enchanted by the fragrance of my perfume.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/songs/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/songs/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/songs/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />While the king <i>sitteth</i> at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/songs/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />While the king <i>is</i> at his table, My spikenard sends forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/songs/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“While the king was at his table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/songs/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220While the king was at his table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/songs/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“While the king was at his table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/songs/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“While the king was at his banqueting table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/songs/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“While the king was at his table, My perfume (Solomon) sent forth [his] fragrance [surrounding me].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/songs/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />While the king is on his couch, my perfume releases its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/songs/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />While the king is on his couch, my perfume releases its fragrance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/songs/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />While the king sat at his table, My spikenard sent forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/songs/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My king, while you were on your couch, my aroma was a magic charm. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/songs/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />While the king sat at his table, my spikenard sent forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/songs/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />While the king is at his table, my perfume fills the air with its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/songs/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My king was lying on his couch, and my perfume filled the air with fragrance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/songs/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />While the king was sitting at his table, my perfume sent forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/songs/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/songs/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />While the king was at his banqueting table, my nard gave forth its fragrance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/songs/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />While the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/songs/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth its smell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/songs/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />While the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/songs/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />While the king [is] in his circle, "" My spikenard has given its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/songs/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> While the king is in his circle, My spikenard hath given its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/songs/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The king yet in his divan, my spikenard gave its odor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/songs/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />While the king was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the odour thereof. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/songs/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Bride to Chorus: <font color=#0000CC>While the king was taking his rest, my aromatic ointment sent forth its odor.</font><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/songs/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />While the king was upon his couch, my spikenard gave forth its fragrance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/songs/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/songs/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />While you are seated with the king upon his cushion, spikenard sends forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/songs/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />With the King on his seat my spikenard gives its fragrance<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/songs/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />While the king sat at his table, My spikenard sent forth its fragrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/songs/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So long as the king was at table, my spikenard gave forth its smell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/songs/1-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D_QEk8ZdxU?start=119" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/songs/1.htm">The Bride Confesses Her Love</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>We will make you ornaments of gold, studded with beads of silver. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">While</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: še·ham·me·leḵ (Pro-r, Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/4524.htm" title="4524: bim·sib·bōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- That which surrounds or is round. Plural masculine mcibbiym; or feminine mcibbowth; from cabab; a divan; abstractly around.">was at his table,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5373.htm" title="5373: nir·dî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Nard. Of foreign origin; nard, an aromatic.">my perfume</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯan (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">spread</a> <a href="/hebrew/7381.htm" title="7381: rê·ḥōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- To smell, perceive odor. From ruwach; odor.">its fragrance.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-3.htm">John 12:3</a></span><br />Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-7.htm">Matthew 26:7</a></span><br />a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3</a></span><br />While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a></span><br />You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Luke 7:37-38</a></span><br />When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. / As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">Proverbs 27:9</a></span><br />Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:1</a></span><br />A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/2-14.htm">2 Corinthians 2:14-16</a></span><br />But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. / For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. / To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/45-8.htm">Psalm 45:8</a></span><br />All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Isaiah 61:3</a></span><br />to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-2.htm">John 11:2</a></span><br />(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Exodus 30:23-25</a></span><br />“Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half that amount (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, / 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. / Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-8.htm">Revelation 5:8</a></span><br />When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/8-3.htm">Revelation 8:3-4</a></span><br />Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/6-6.htm">Amos 6:6</a></span><br />You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">While the king sits at his table, my spikenard sends forth the smell thereof.</p><p class="hdg">the king</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/7-5.htm">Song of Solomon 7:5</a></b></br> Thine head upon thee <i>is</i> like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king <i>is</i> held in the galleries.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/45-1.htm">Psalm 45:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue <i>is</i> the pen of a ready writer.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/22-11.htm">Matthew 22:11</a></b></br> And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:</p><p class="hdg">sitteth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/4-16.htm">Song of Solomon 4:16</a></b></br> Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, <i>that</i> the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/22-4.htm">Matthew 22:4</a></b></br> Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and <i>my</i> fatlings <i>are</i> killed, and all things <i>are</i> ready: come unto the marriage.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-26.htm">Matthew 26:26-28</a></b></br> And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed <i>it</i>, and brake <i>it</i>, and gave <i>it</i> to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body… </p><p class="hdg">my</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/4-13.htm">Song of Solomon 4:13-16</a></b></br> Thy plants <i>are</i> an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/12-3.htm">John 12:3</a></b></br> Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/4-18.htm">Philippians 4:18</a></b></br> But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things <i>which were sent</i> from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Circle</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-17.htm">Couch</a> <a href="/songs/1-8.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Fragrance</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Nard</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-14.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-30.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-23.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Smell</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-17.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Spikenard</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-20.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-2.htm">Table</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-8.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/5-5.htm">Circle</a> <a href="/songs/1-16.htm">Couch</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/songs/2-13.htm">Fragrance</a> <a href="/songs/4-13.htm">Nard</a> <a href="/songs/4-10.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/songs/2-3.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/songs/2-13.htm">Smell</a> <a href="/songs/2-17.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/songs/4-13.htm">Spikenard</a> <a href="/songs/2-13.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-5.htm">Table</a> <a href="/songs/3-10.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Song of Solomon 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/1-1.htm">the church's love unto Christ</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/1-5.htm">She confesses her deformity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/1-7.htm">and prays to be directed, to his flock</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/1-8.htm">Christ directs her to the shepherd's tents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/1-9.htm">and showing his love to her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/1-11.htm">gives her gracious promises</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/1-12.htm">the church and Christ congratulate one another</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/songs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/songs/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>While the king was at his table</b><br>This phrase sets the scene in a royal context, indicating a setting of opulence and authority. The "king" here is often interpreted as Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth. The table signifies a place of fellowship and intimacy, possibly during a banquet or feast. In ancient Near Eastern culture, dining with someone was a sign of close relationship and trust. This setting can also be seen as a type of Christ, who invites believers to His table, symbolizing communion and fellowship with Him (<a href="/revelation/3-20.htm">Revelation 3:20</a>).<p><b>my perfume spread its fragrance</b><br>Perfume in biblical times was a luxury item, often made from costly spices and oils. The spreading of fragrance symbolizes the influence and presence of the beloved. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as the believer's life being a pleasing aroma to God, as referenced in <a href="/2_corinthians/2-15.htm">2 Corinthians 2:15</a>, where believers are described as the fragrance of Christ. The act of spreading fragrance can also be seen as an act of worship, similar to Mary anointing Jesus with costly perfume in <a href="/john/12-3.htm">John 12:3</a>, symbolizing devotion and love.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>In the context of the Song of Solomon, the king is often understood to be Solomon himself. However, from a conservative Christian perspective, the king can also symbolize Christ, the ultimate bridegroom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_table.htm">The Table</a></b><br>This represents a place of fellowship and intimacy. In ancient times, sharing a meal was a significant act of communion and relationship-building.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_perfume.htm">The Perfume</a></b><br>The perfume, or nard, symbolizes the bride's love and devotion. It is a costly and precious substance, indicating the value and depth of her affection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/intimacy_with_christ.htm">Intimacy with Christ</a></b><br>Just as the bride is in the presence of the king, believers are invited into a close, personal relationship with Jesus. This verse encourages us to cultivate that intimacy through prayer and worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fragrance_of_devotion.htm">The Fragrance of Devotion</a></b><br>Our lives, like the perfume, should spread the fragrance of Christ's love. This involves living in a way that reflects His character and draws others to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_worship.htm">The Cost of Worship</a></b><br>The perfume represents a costly offering. True worship often involves sacrifice, whether it be time, resources, or personal desires, to honor God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/presence_at_the_table.htm">Presence at the Table</a></b><br>Being at the king's table signifies acceptance and belonging. As believers, we are invited to dine with Christ, experiencing His provision and grace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_song_of_solomon_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_spikenard_in_the_bible.htm">What does spikenard refer to in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_one_jar's_scent_fill_the_house.htm">In John 12:3, how is it scientifically plausible that the fragrance from a single jar of perfume filled the entire house? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_60_queens_fit_solomon's_700_wives.htm">(Song of Solomon 6:8) How can sixty queens and eighty concubines align with Solomon's reputed 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_song_4_fit_solomon's_many_wives.htm">If historically attributed to King Solomon, how does Song of Solomon 4 mesh with the accounts of his many wives and concubines in other biblical texts (e.g., 1 Kings 11:3)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/songs/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">While the king sitteth.</span>--There is no need to imagine a scene where the monarch, having failed in his attempt to allure the shepherdess by fine offers, retires to his banquet, leaving her to console herself with the thoughts of her absent shepherd love. As in <a href="/songs/1-2.htm" title="Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love is better than wine.">Song of Solomon 1:2</a> the poet makes his mistress prefer his love to wine, so here she prefers the thought of union with him to all the imagined pleasures of the royal table.<p><span class= "bld">Spikenard</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">nerd</span>--is exclusively an Indian product, procured from the <span class= "ital">Nardostachys jatamansi, </span>a plant of the order <span class= "ital">Valerianace?. </span>It was imported into Palestine at a very early period. The perfume is prepared by drying the shaggy stem of the plant (see Tristram's <span class= "ital">Nat. Hist. of Bible, </span>pp. 484, 485). There is a sketch of the plant in Smith's <span class= "ital">Bibl. Dict.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/songs/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">While the king sat</span> (or, <span class="accented">sits</span>) <span class="cmt_word">at his table, my spikenard sent</span> (<span class="accented">sends</span>) <span class="cmt_word">forth its fragrance. My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh, that lieth betwixt my breasts. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi.</span> The preterite is best taken poetically for the present. The words are evidently a response to those of the king. As such they refer to present feeling and not to a past state. The bride expresses her delight in the king. The table is used generally. The Hebrew word is from a root "to sit round." The habit of reclining at table was introduced much later, during the Persian, Greek, and Roman period. The spikenard was a powerful perfume, probably of Indian origin, as the Indian word <span class="accented">nalada</span>, meaning "that which yields fragrance," shows. The Persian is <span class="accented">nard</span>, the Old Arabic <span class="accented">nardu</span>. It was made from an Indian plant, the <span class="accented">Valeriana</span>, called <span class="accented">Nardo-stachys</span> '<span class="accented">Gatamansi</span>, growing in Northern and Eastern India. The hairy part of the stem immediately above the root yields the perfume. That it was "very precious" we see from the account of Mary's offering, which was worth more than three hundred denarii, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> £8 10s. (<a href="/mark/14-5.htm">Mark 14:5</a>; <a href="/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2</a>). Horace promised Virgil a whole cask, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> nine gallons, of the best wine in exchange for a small onyx box full of the perfume. The metaphor represents the intense longing of love. <span class="accented">Myrrh</span> was an exotic introduced into Palestine from Arabia, Abyssinia, and India. Like frankincense, it is one of the amyridae. The <span class="accented">Balsamodendron myrrha</span> is the tree itself with its leaves and flowers. From the tree came a resin or gum (<span class="accented">Gummi myrrhae</span>), which either dropped from the leaves or was artificially obtained by incisions in the bark. The natural product was the more valuable. It was much prized as a perfume, and employed for many purposes. The Hebrew women were accustomed to carry little bags or bottles of myrrh suspended from their necks and hanging down between the breasts under the dress, diffusing an attractive fragrance round them. The word <span class="accented">tseror</span> is, properly, "a little bag," <span class="accented">sacculus</span>, "that which one ties up," rather than a "bundle." The meaning, of course, is rhetorical - He is at my heart and delightful to all my thoughts as the fragrance to my senses. The henna flowers, or cypress, in the vineyards of Engedi, is a very beautiful figure. <span class="accented">Copher</span>, the cypress cluster, - in Greek, <span class="greek">κύπρος</span>: in Arabic, <span class="accented">al-henna</span> (<span class="accented">Lawsonia</span>) - grows in Palestine and Egypt, as we are told by Pliny ('Nat. Hist.' 12:24). It is a tall shrub reaching to eight or ten feet, exceedingly beautiful in appearance, and giving forth a delightful odour. It is named from a root "to be white or yellow-white." The Moslem women stain their hands and feet with it to give them a yellow tint. Engedi was a lovely district on the west of the Dead Sea - Hazezon Tamar, now <span class="accented">Ain Tidy</span>, where Solomon made terraces on the hillsides and covered them with gardens and vineyards. The allusion confirms the date of the writing as contemporary with Solomon, as the gardens would then be in their perfection. The figure is, perhaps, intended to be an advance in rhetorical force upon that which preceded - the fragrance diffused and almost overpowering, as of a blossoming tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/songs/1-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">While</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁ֤הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(še·ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was at his table,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּמְסִבּ֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bim·sib·bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4524.htm">Strong's 4524: </a> </span><span class="str2">That which surrounds or is round</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my perfume</span><br /><span class="heb">נִרְדִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(nir·dî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5373.htm">Strong's 5373: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nard, an aromatic</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spread</span><br /><span class="heb">נָתַ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its fragrance.</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵיחֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rê·ḥōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7381.htm">Strong's 7381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smell, perceive odor</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/songs/1-12.htm">Song of Solomon 1:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/songs/1-12.htm">OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 1:12 While the king sat at his table (Song Songs SS So Can)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/songs/1-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Song of Solomon 1:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 1:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/songs/1-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Song of Solomon 1:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 1:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>