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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 2:16 My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/songs/2-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/22_Sng_02_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Song of Solomon 2:16 - The Bride's Admiration" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/songs/2-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/songs/2-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/songs/">Songs</a> > <a href="/songs/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.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/2-15.htm" title="Song of Solomon 2:15">◄</a> Song of Solomon 2:16 <a href="/songs/2-17.htm" title="Song of Solomon 2:17">►</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/2.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/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />My beloved is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/songs/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/songs/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/songs/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/songs/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />My beloved <i>is</i> mine, and I <i>am</i> his: he feedeth among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/songs/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />My beloved <i>is</i> mine, and I <i>am</i> his. He feeds <i>his flock</i> among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/songs/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“My beloved is mine, and I am his; He pastures <i>his flock</i> among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/songs/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220My beloved is mine, and I am his; He pastures his flock among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/songs/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“My beloved is mine, and I am his; He pastures <i>his flock</i> among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/songs/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“My beloved is mine, and I am his, He who shepherds <i>his flock</i> among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/songs/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“My beloved is mine and I am his; He pastures <i>his flock</i> among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/songs/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />My love is mine and I am his; he feeds among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/songs/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />My love is mine and I am his; he feeds among the lilies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/songs/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his: He feedeth his flock among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/songs/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My darling, I am yours, and you are mine, as you feed your sheep among the lilies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/songs/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth his flock among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/songs/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his. He is the one who grazes his flock among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/songs/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My lover is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/songs/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />My beloved belongs to me and I belong to him. He is the one who shepherds his flock among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/songs/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/songs/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />My lover is mine and I am his; he grazes among the lilies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/songs/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/songs/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/songs/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/songs/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />My beloved [is] mine, and I [am] his, "" Who is delighting among the lilies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/songs/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> My beloved is mine, and I am his, Who is delighting among the lilies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/songs/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />My beloved to me, and I to him: he feeding among the lilies.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/songs/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />My beloved to me, and I to him who feedeth among the lilies, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/songs/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Bride to Chorus: <font color=#0000CC>My beloved is for me, and I am for him. He pastures among the lilies, until the day rises and the shadows decline.</font><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/songs/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />My lover belongs to me and I to him; he feeds among the lilies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/songs/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/songs/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his; he feeds among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/songs/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />My beloved is mine and I am his, who feeds among the lilies<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/songs/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />My beloved is mine, and I am his, That feedeth among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/songs/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />My kinsman is mine, and I am his: he feeds <i>his flock</i> among the lilies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/songs/2-16.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=317" 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/2.htm">The Bride's Admiration</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>Catch for us the foxes—the little foxes that ruin the vineyards—for our vineyards are in bloom. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1730.htm" title="1730: dō·w·ḏî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Or dod; from an unused root meaning properly, to boil, i.e. to love; by implication, a love- token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle.">My beloved</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">is mine</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: wa·’ă·nî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">and I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">his;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: hā·rō·‘eh (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">he pastures his flock</a> <a href="/hebrew/7799.htm" title="7799: baš·šō·wō·šan·nîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-cp) -- Or showshan; or shoshan; and showshannah; from suws; a lily, as a flower of arch. Ornament; also a trumpet: lily, Shoshannim.">among the lilies.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether.…<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/10-14.htm">John 10:14-15</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, / just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a></span><br />Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-7.htm">Revelation 19:7-9</a></span><br />Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. / Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-4.htm">John 15:4-5</a></span><br />Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. / I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a></span><br />Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2</a></span><br />I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a></span><br />And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a></span><br />“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4</a></span><br />Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9-10</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm">Isaiah 54:5</a></span><br />For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a></span><br />So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-3.htm">Jeremiah 31:3</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/45-10.htm">Psalm 45:10-11</a></span><br />Listen, O daughter! Consider and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father’s house, / and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-23.htm">Genesis 2:23-24</a></span><br />And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.” / For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feeds among the lilies.</p><p class="hdg">beloved</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Song of Solomon 6:3</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> my beloved's, and my beloved <i>is</i> mine: he feedeth among the lilies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/7-10.htm">Song of Solomon 7:10,13</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> my beloved's, and his desire <i>is</i> toward me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/48-14.htm">Psalm 48:14</a></b></br> For this God <i>is</i> our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide <i>even</i> unto death.</p><p class="hdg">he</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/2-1.htm">Song of Solomon 2:1</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> the rose of Sharon, <i>and</i> the lily of the valleys.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Song of Solomon 1:7</a></b></br> Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest <i>thy flock</i> to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Song of Solomon 6:3</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> my beloved's, and my beloved <i>is</i> mine: he feedeth among the lilies.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/songs/2-15.htm">Beloved</a> <a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Browses</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-31.htm">Delighting</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-14.htm">Feedeth</a> <a href="/songs/1-8.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/songs/2-12.htm">Flowers</a> <a href="/songs/1-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/80-1.htm">Lilies</a> <a href="/psalms/144-13.htm">Pastures</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/2-17.htm">Beloved</a> <a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Browses</a> <a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Delighting</a> <a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Feedeth</a> <a href="/songs/4-1.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/songs/5-13.htm">Flowers</a> <a href="/songs/4-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/songs/4-5.htm">Lilies</a> <a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Pastures</a><div class="vheading2">Song of Solomon 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-1.htm">the mutual love of Christ and his church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-8.htm">The hope</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-10.htm">and calling of the church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-14.htm">Christ's care of the church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/songs/2-16.htm">The profession of the church, her faith, and hope</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'; 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In the context of marriage, it emphasizes the exclusivity and commitment inherent in the marital bond. This mirrors the covenantal language found in other parts of Scripture, such as <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a>, where God speaks of betrothing His people to Himself in faithfulness. Theologically, this can also be seen as a type of Christ and the Church, as described in <a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-32</a>, where the relationship between husband and wife is likened to that of Christ and His bride, the Church. The mutual belonging signifies a profound unity and love that is both personal and communal.<p><b>he pastures his flock among the lilies.</b><br>This imagery draws from the pastoral and agrarian context of ancient Israel, where shepherding was a common occupation. The mention of "lilies" suggests a setting of beauty and tranquility, indicating a place of provision and care. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for Christ as the Good Shepherd, who tends to His flock with love and gentleness, as seen in <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-15</a>. The lilies may also symbolize purity and renewal, reflecting the sanctifying work of Christ in the lives of believers. Additionally, the pastoral imagery connects to <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a>, where the Lord is depicted as a shepherd who leads His people to green pastures and still waters, providing for their needs and ensuring their well-being.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_beloved.htm">The Beloved</a></b><br>In the context of the Song of Solomon, the beloved is often interpreted as Solomon or a representation of a lover. In a broader spiritual sense, it can symbolize Christ as the bridegroom of the Church.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_shulammite.htm">The Shulammite</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, traditionally understood to be the Shulammite woman, who represents the bride or the Church in allegorical interpretations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/lilies.htm">Lilies</a></b><br>A symbol of beauty and purity, often used in biblical poetry to describe the beloved's environment or the nature of their love.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the vineyard is a recurring motif in the Song of Solomon, symbolizing a place of love and intimacy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_shepherd.htm">The Shepherd</a></b><br>The imagery of grazing suggests pastoral scenes, which can symbolize care, provision, and guidance, often associated with Christ as the Good Shepherd.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/m/mutual_belonging_in_relationships.htm">Mutual Belonging in Relationships</a></b><br>The verse highlights the importance of mutual love and commitment in relationships, reflecting the ideal of selfless love in marriage.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/christ_and_the_church.htm">Christ and the Church</a></b><br>This verse can be seen as an allegory for the relationship between Christ and the Church, emphasizing the deep, personal connection believers have with Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_and_beauty_in_love.htm">Purity and Beauty in Love</a></b><br>The imagery of lilies suggests that love should be pure and beautiful, encouraging believers to cultivate such qualities in their relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/security_in_christ.htm">Security in Christ</a></b><br>Just as the beloved finds security in mutual belonging, believers can find assurance in their relationship with Christ, knowing they are His and He is theirs.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_song_of_solomon_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_themes_are_in_song_of_solomon.htm">What themes are explored in the Song of Solomon?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_teachings_on_marriage.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on marriage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_song_8_5_align_with_patriarchy.htm">How does Song of Solomon 8:5, which suggests a strong marital bond, align with biblical texts that portray marriage in more patriarchal terms? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_focus_on_sensuality_in_song_4_5-7.htm">Why does this chapter focus on sensual imagery (Song of Solomon 4:5–7) when other biblical texts seem to emphasize modesty or spiritual themes? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/songs/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">He feedeth.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">he that is feeding his flock--the pastor.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/songs/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">My beloved is mine, and I am his; he feedeth</span> (<span class="cmt_word">his flock</span>) <span class="cmt_word">among the lilies.</span> These are the words of the bride. The latter clause is repeated in <a href="/songs/6-2.htm">Song of Solomon 6:2</a>, with the addition, "in the gardens," and it is evident that Solomon is lovingly regarded as a shepherd, because Shulamith delights to think of him as fully sympathizing with her simple country life. She idealizes. The words may be taken as either the response given at the time by the maiden to the invitation of her lover to come forth into the vineyards, or as the breathing of love as she lies in the arms of Solomon. Lilies are the emblem of purity, lofty elevation above that which is common. Moreover, the lily stalk is the symbol of the life of regeneration among the mystical mediaevalists. Mary the Virgin, the <span class="accented">Rosa mystica</span>, in ancient paintings is represented with a lily in her hand at the Annunciation. The people of God were called by the Jewish priests "a people of lilies." So Mary was the lily of lilies in the lily community; the <span class="accented">sanctissima</span> in the <span class="accented">communio sanctorum.</span> There may be an allusion to the lily forms around Solomon in his palace - the daughters of Jerusalem; in that ease the words must be taken as spoken, not in remembrance of the first love, but in present joy in Solomon's embrace. Some would render the words as simply praise of Solomon himself, "who, wherever he abides, spreads radiancy and loveliness about him," or "in whose footsteps roses and lilies ever bloom." At least, they are expressive of entire self-surrender and delight. She herself is a lily, and the beloved one feeds upon her beauty, purity, and perfection. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/songs/2-16.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">My beloved</span><br /><span class="heb">דּוֹדִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(dō·w·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1730.htm">Strong's 1730: </a> </span><span class="str2">To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is mine</span><br /><span class="heb">לִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I am his;</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲנִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he pastures [his flock]</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרֹעֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rō·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among the lilies.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šō·wō·šan·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7799.htm">Strong's 7799: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lily, as a, flower of architectural ornament, a, trumpet</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/songs/2-16.htm">Song of Solomon 2:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/songs/2-16.htm">OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 2:16 My beloved is mine and (Song Songs SS So Can)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/songs/2-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Song of Solomon 2:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 2:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/songs/2-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Song of Solomon 2:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Song of Solomon 2:17" /></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>