Song of Solomon 4:14
New International Version
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices.

New Living Translation
nard and saffron, fragrant calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, and every other lovely spice.

English Standard Version
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all choice spices—

Berean Standard Bible
with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.

King James Bible
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

New King James Version
Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, With all the chief spices—

New American Standard Bible
Nard and saffron, spice reed and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh, and aloes, along with all the finest balsam oils.

NASB 1995
Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

NASB 1977
Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

Legacy Standard Bible
Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

Amplified Bible
Fragrant plants and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

Christian Standard Bible
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices.

American Standard Version
Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.

Contemporary English Version
saffron, calamus, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and aloes--all the finest spices.

English Revised Version
Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
nard and saffron, calamus, cinnamon, and all kinds of incense, myrrh, aloes, and all the best spices.

Good News Translation
of saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, or incense of every kind. Myrrh and aloes grow there with all the most fragrant perfumes.

International Standard Version
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, along with myrrh and aloes, and all the finest spices.

Majority Standard Bible
with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.

NET Bible
nard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon with every kind of spice, myrrh and aloes with all the finest spices.

New Heart English Bible
spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices,

Webster's Bible Translation
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

World English Bible
spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Cypresses with nard—nard and saffron, "" Cane and cinnamon, "" With all trees of frankincense, "" Myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices.

Young's Literal Translation
Cypresses with nard -- nard and saffron, Cane and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices.

Smith's Literal Translation
Spikenard and saffron; the reed and cinnamon, with all the woods of Lebanon; myrrh and aloes, with all the heads of spices.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Spikenard and saffron, sweet cane and cinnamon, with all the trees of Libanus, myrrh and aloes with all the chief perfumes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
aromatic oil and saffron; sweet cane and cinnamon, with all the trees of Lebanon; myrrh and aloe, with all the best ointments.

New American Bible
spikenard and saffron, Sweet cane and cinnamon, with all kinds of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices;

New Revised Standard Version
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Spikenard and saffron; sweet cane and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Spikenard and saffron, crocus, cane and cinnamon with trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the best of sweet spices
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon; with all woods of Libanus, myrrh, aloes, with all chief spices:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Admires His Bride
13Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard, 14with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. 15You are a garden spring, a well of fresh water flowing down from Lebanon.…

Cross References
Genesis 2:12
And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there.

Exodus 30:23-24
“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.

Psalm 45:8
All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.

Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.

Isaiah 39:2
And Hezekiah welcomed the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his entire armory—all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

Ezekiel 27:22
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your wares they exchanged gold, the finest of all spices, and precious stones.

Ezekiel 27:19
and casks of wine from Izal for your wares. Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet cane were exchanged for your merchandise.

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

John 19:39
Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

Revelation 18:13
of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves.

Revelation 5:8
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.

Revelation 8:3-4
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.

Revelation 18:12
cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;

1 Kings 10:2
She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.

1 Kings 10:10
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.


Treasury of Scripture

Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

calamus

Exodus 30:23
Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

Ezekiel 27:19
Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.

cinnamon

Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Revelation 18:13
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

trees

Song of Solomon 4:6
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Song of Solomon 5:1
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Numbers 24:6
As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

the chief

Song of Solomon 6:2
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Genesis 43:11
And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

1 Kings 10:10
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

Jump to Previous
Aloes Best Calamus Cane Chief Cinnamon Cypresses Finest Frankincense Incense Kind Myrrh Nard Spices Spikenard Tree Trees
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Aloes Best Calamus Cane Chief Cinnamon Cypresses Finest Frankincense Incense Kind Myrrh Nard Spices Spikenard Tree Trees
Song of Solomon 4
1. Christ sets forth the graces of the church
8. He shows forth his love to her
16. The church prays to be made fit for his presence














nard
Nard, also known as spikenard, is a fragrant oil derived from the root of the Nardostachys jatamansi plant, native to the Himalayas. In biblical times, it was a luxury item, often used in anointing and perfumery. Its mention here signifies the preciousness and value of the beloved, as well as the richness of their love. The use of nard in the New Testament, particularly in the anointing of Jesus, underscores its significance as a symbol of devotion and sacrifice.

saffron
Saffron, derived from the Crocus sativus flower, is one of the most expensive spices by weight. Its vibrant color and distinct aroma make it a symbol of beauty and rarity. In the context of the Song of Solomon, saffron represents the unique and exquisite nature of the beloved. Historically, saffron has been used in both culinary and medicinal applications, highlighting the multifaceted nature of love and its ability to heal and nourish.

calamus
Calamus, or sweet flag, is a plant known for its aromatic rhizome. In ancient times, it was used in the making of holy anointing oil as described in Exodus 30:23. Its inclusion in this verse suggests a sacred and consecrated aspect to the love being described. The use of calamus evokes a sense of purity and dedication, aligning the love between the lovers with divine love.

cinnamon
Cinnamon, a spice obtained from the inner bark of trees from the genus Cinnamomum, was highly prized in the ancient world for its fragrance and flavor. It was used in religious rituals and as a symbol of wealth and status. In the Song of Solomon, cinnamon represents the warmth and sweetness of love, as well as its ability to enrich and enhance life. The historical trade of cinnamon also reflects the far-reaching and enduring nature of true love.

with all the trees of frankincense
Frankincense, a resin obtained from the Boswellia tree, was used in incense and perfumes. It holds significant religious connotations, being one of the gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi. The mention of "all the trees of frankincense" suggests an abundance of spiritual richness and divine blessing in the relationship. Frankincense symbolizes prayer, worship, and the presence of God, elevating the love described to a sacred level.

myrrh
Myrrh, another resin, was used in embalming and as a perfume. It is often associated with suffering and sacrifice, as seen in its use at Jesus' crucifixion. In the Song of Solomon, myrrh represents the depth and intensity of love, which may involve sacrifice and endurance. The dual nature of myrrh, both bitter and sweet, reflects the complexities and challenges inherent in a committed relationship.

aloes
Aloes, likely referring to the fragrant wood of the Aquilaria tree, were used in burial practices and as a perfume. The mention of aloes in this verse suggests a sense of permanence and legacy in love. Historically, aloes were valued for their soothing and healing properties, symbolizing the restorative power of love to bring comfort and peace.

with all the finest spices
The phrase "with all the finest spices" encapsulates the idea of completeness and perfection in love. It suggests that the love between the lovers is not only rich and diverse but also the best of its kind. The use of spices in ancient times for anointing, healing, and celebration underscores the multifaceted nature of love, which encompasses joy, healing, and sanctity. This phrase invites readers to consider the divine orchestration and blessing present in a love that is both earthly and heavenly.

(14) Spikenard.--See Note, Song of Solomon 1:12. Saffron; Heb. carchom; only here. The Arabic name is still k-rk-m = Crocus sativus, a well-known bulb of the order Iridace?. The pistil and stigma. dried, form the saffron.

Calamus.--Heb. kaneh. (Comp. kaneh bosem = sweet calamus, Exodus 30:23; k. hottov--sweet cane, Jeremiah 6:20.) There are many sweet grasses in India and the East. Andropogon calamus aromaticus has been identified (Royle) with the "reed of fragrance" of Exodus, and Jeremiah's "good reed from a far country," but the identification is not to be implicitly accepted. (See Bible Educator, Vol. I., p. 245.)

Cinnamon.--Heb. kinnamon probably included Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (cinnamon) and Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia lignea). (See Bible Educator, Vol. I., p. 245.) The rind of the plant is the "cinnamon" in use. The plant belongs to the family of laurels, and grows in Ceylon, on the Malabar coast, and in East Indian Islands. It attains a height of from twenty to thirty feet, having numerous boughs, bearing leaves of a scarlet colour when young, but changing to a bright green, and white blossoms.

Aloes.--See Note, Numbers 24:6. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
with nard
נֵ֣רְדְּ ׀ (nê·rəd)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5373: Nard, an aromatic

and saffron,
וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם (wə·ḵar·kōm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3750: The crocus

calamus
קָנֶה֙ (qā·neh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam

and cinnamon,
וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן (wə·qin·nā·mō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7076: Cinnamon bark

with
עִ֖ם (‘im)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

every kind
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of incense
לְבוֹנָ֑ה (lə·ḇō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3828: Frankincense

tree,
עֲצֵ֣י (‘ă·ṣê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

with myrrh
מֹ֚ר (mōr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4753: Myrrh

and aloes,
וַאֲהָל֔וֹת (wa·’ă·hā·lō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 174: The aloe (a tree)

with
עִ֖ם (‘im)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the finest
רָאשֵׁ֥י (rā·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

spices.
בְשָׂמִֽים׃ (ḇə·śā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1314: Fragrance, spicery, the balsam plant


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 4:14 Spikenard and saffron calamus and cinnamon (Song Songs SS So Can)
Song of Solomon 4:13
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