Song of Solomon 8:3
New International Version
His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.

New Living Translation
Your left arm would be under my head, and your right arm would embrace me.

English Standard Version
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me!

Berean Standard Bible
His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

King James Bible
His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

New King James Version
His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me.

New American Standard Bible
Let his left hand be under my head, And his right hand embrace me.”

NASB 1995
“Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.”

NASB 1977
“Let his left hand be under my head, And his right hand embrace me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.”

Amplified Bible
“Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.”

Christian Standard Bible
May his left hand be under my head, and his right arm embrace me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

American Standard Version
His left hand should be under my head, And his right hand should embrace me.

Contemporary English Version
Put your left hand under my head and embrace me with your right arm.

English Revised Version
His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His left hand is under my head. His right hand caresses me.

Good News Translation
Your left hand is under my head, and your right hand caresses me.

International Standard Version
Let his left hand be under my head, and let his right hand embrace me.

Majority Standard Bible
His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

NET Bible
His left hand caresses my head, and his right hand stimulates me.

New Heart English Bible
His left hand would be under my head. His right hand would embrace me.

Webster's Bible Translation
His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

World English Bible
His left hand would be under my head. His right hand would embrace me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
His left hand [is] under my head, "" And his right embraces me.

Young's Literal Translation
His left hand is under my head, And his right doth embrace me.

Smith's Literal Translation
His left hand under my head, and his right shall embrace me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
His left hand under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me.

New American Bible
His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

New Revised Standard Version
O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His left arm is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
His left hand is under my head and his right hand will embrace me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
His left hand should be under my head, And his right hand should embrace me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Longing for Her Beloved
2I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates. 3His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. 4O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.…

Cross References
Song of Solomon 2:6
His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

Proverbs 5:18-19
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: / A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.

Genesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:28-29
In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. / Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.

Ephesians 5:31-32
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.

Ruth 3:9
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.”

1 Corinthians 7:3-4
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife.

Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Genesis 24:67
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

Ecclesiastes 9:9
Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun.

Matthew 19:5-6
and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...


Treasury of Scripture

His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

Song of Solomon 2:6
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Isaiah 62:4,5
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married…

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Song of Solomon 8
1. The love of the church to Christ
6. The vehemence of love
8. The calling of the Gentiles
14. the church prays for Christ's coming














His left hand
In the Hebrew context, the left hand often symbolizes support and protection. The imagery of the left hand under the head suggests a position of care and tenderness. In ancient Near Eastern culture, this gesture would be seen as one of intimate support, indicating a deep, nurturing relationship. Spiritually, this can be seen as God's protective and sustaining presence in the life of the believer, offering comfort and security.

is under my head
The head is often considered the seat of thought and identity. In this phrase, the act of placing a hand under the head signifies a profound level of trust and vulnerability. It suggests a relationship where one feels safe enough to let down their guard. Historically, this reflects the intimate and personal nature of the relationship between God and His people, where He knows and supports us at our most vulnerable.

and his right arm
The right arm in biblical literature is frequently associated with strength and power. It is often used to describe God's mighty acts and His ability to save and protect. In this context, the right arm symbolizes the strength and active involvement of the beloved in the relationship. For Christians, this can be seen as a metaphor for Christ's redemptive power and His active role in the life of the believer.

embraces me
The embrace is a universal symbol of love, acceptance, and closeness. In the Hebrew tradition, an embrace signifies a covenantal relationship, one that is binding and deeply personal. This phrase captures the essence of the mutual love and commitment between the lovers in the Song of Solomon. From a spiritual perspective, it reflects the intimate and loving relationship that God desires with His people, one that is characterized by closeness and unwavering commitment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His left hand
שְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ (śə·mō·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand

is under
תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

my head,
רֹאשִׁ֔י (rō·šî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7218: The head

and his right arm
וִֽימִינ֖וֹ (wî·mî·nōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

embraces me.
תְּחַבְּקֵֽנִי׃ (tə·ḥab·bə·qê·nî)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2263: To clasp, embrace


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 8:3 His left hand would be under my (Song Songs SS So Can)
Song of Solomon 8:2
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