Song of Solomon 1 · Verse 12

Song of Solomon 1:12

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
Song of Solomon 1:12, King James Version

Song of Solomon 1:12 in other translations

BSBWhile the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
WEBWhile the king sat at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
ASVWhile the king sat at his table, My spikenard sent forth its fragrance.
YLTWhile the king is in his circle, My spikenard hath given its fragrance.
DARBYWhile the king is at his table, My spikenard sendeth forth its fragrance.
BBEWhile the king is seated at his table, my spices send out their perfume.
WebsterWhile the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth its smell.

What does Song of Solomon 1:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. While--It is the presence of the Sun of Righteousness that draws out the believer's odors of grace. It was the sight of Him at table that caused the two women to bring forth their ointments for Him (Lu 7:37, 38; Joh 12:3; 2Co 2:15). Historically fulfilled (Mt 2:11); spiritually (Re 3:20); and in church worship (Mt 18:20); and at the Lord's Supper especially, for here public communion with Him at table amidst His friends is spoken of, as So 1:4 refers to private communion (1Co 10:16, 21); typically (Ex 24:9-11); the future perfect fulfilment (Lu 22:30; Re 19:9). The allegory supposes the King to have stopped in His movements and to be seated with His friends on the divan. What grace that a table should be prepared for us, while still militant (Psa 23:5)! my spikenard--not boasting, but owning the Lord's grace to and in her. The spikenard is a lowly herb, the emblem of humility. She rejoices that He is well pleased with her graces, His own work (Php 4:18).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 While the king sitteth at his table - במסבו bimsibbo, in his circle, probably meaning the circle of his friends at the marriage festivals, or a round table.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:9-17

The Bridegroom gives high praises of his spouse. In the sight of Christ believers are the excellent of the earth, fitted to be instruments for promoting his glory. The spiritual gifts and graces which Christ bestows on every true believer, are described by the ornaments then in use, Song 1:10,11. The graces of the saints are many, but there is dependence upon each other. He who is the Author, will be the Finisher of…

Read the full comment on Song of Solomon 1:9-17 →

Song of Solomon 1:12 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

עַד\־'ad-untilH5704
שֶׁ֤הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙she.ha.Me.lekhthat the kingH4428
בִּמְסִבּ֔וֹbim.si.Bo[was] at table hisH4524
נִרְדִּ֖יnir.Dinard myH5373
נָתַ֥ןna.Tanit gave forthH5414
רֵיחֽוֹ\׃rei.Choodor itsH7381

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Song of Solomon 1:12

  • John 12:3

    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.

  • Revelation 3:20

    Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

  • Mark 14:3

    And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

  • Song of Solomon 4:13-16

    Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

  • Luke 24:30-32

    And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

  • Revelation 8:3-4

    And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

  • Matthew 22:4

    Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

  • Matthew 22:11

    And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

  • Matthew 25:34

    Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

  • Matthew 26:26-28

    And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

  • Song of Solomon 7:5

    Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.

  • Psalms 45:1

    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 is the pen of a ready writer.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the king.
7:5; Ps 45:1; Mt 22:11; 25:34
sitteth.
4:16; Mt 22:4; 26:26-28; Lu 24:30-32; Re 3:20
my.
4:13-16; Joh 12:3; Php 4:18; Re 8:3,4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Song of Solomon 1:11

    We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

  • Song of Solomon 1:12

    While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

  • Song of Solomon 1:13

    A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

Read all of Song of Solomon 1

Song of Solomon 1:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mientras que el rey estaba en su reclinatorio, mi nardo dió su olor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Pendant que le roi est à table, mon nard exhale son odeur.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Während der König an seiner Tafel war, gab meine Narde ihren Duft.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Fasciculus myrrhæ dilectus meus mihi; inter ubera mea commorabitur.