Song of Solomon 3:6
New International Version
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?

New Living Translation
Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness like a cloud of smoke? Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense and every kind of spice?

English Standard Version
What is that coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of a merchant?

Berean Standard Bible
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?

King James Bible
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

New King James Version
Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant’s fragrant powders?

New American Standard Bible
“What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the scented powders of the merchant?

NASB 1995
“What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant?

NASB 1977
“<,>What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant?

Legacy Standard Bible
“Who is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, As rising incense of myrrh and frankincense, With all scented powders of the merchant?

Amplified Bible
“What is this coming up from the wilderness Like [stately] pillars of smoke Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the fragrant powders of the merchant?”

Christian Standard Bible
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant?

American Standard Version
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?

Contemporary English Version
What do we see approaching from the desert like a cloud of smoke? With it comes the sweet smell of spices, including myrrh and frankincense.

English Revised Version
Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Who is this young woman coming up from the wilderness like clouds of smoke? She is perfumed with myrrh and incense made from the merchants' scented powders.

Good News Translation
What is this coming from the desert like a column of smoke, fragrant with incense and myrrh, the incense sold by the traders?

International Standard Version
What is this coming up from the desert like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense from all the fragrant powders of the merchant?

Majority Standard Bible
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?

NET Bible
Who is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, like a fragrant billow of myrrh and frankincense, every kind of fragrant powder of the traveling merchants?

New Heart English Bible
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

Webster's Bible Translation
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

World English Bible
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who [is] this coming up from the wilderness, "" Like palm-trees of smoke, "" Perfumed [with] myrrh and frankincense, "" From every powder of the merchant?

Young's Literal Translation
Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Like palm-trees of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, From every powder of the merchant?

Smith's Literal Translation
Who is this coming up from the desert as columns of smoke of burning incense, of myrrh and frankincense from all the powder of the trader.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who is she that goeth up by the desert, as a pillar of smoke of aromatical spices, of myrrh, and frankincense, and of all the powders of the perfumer?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Chorus to Groom: Who is she, who ascends through the desert, like a staff of smoke from the aromatics of myrrh, and frankincense, and every powder of the perfumer?

New American Bible
Who is this coming up from the desert, like columns of smoke Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all kinds of exotic powders?

New Revised Standard Version
What is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who is this that comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, compounded from all kinds of powdered sweet spices?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like a fume of smoke? He is sweet with myrrh and with frankincense from every powder of sweet spices!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Who is this that comes up from the wilderness as pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the perfumer?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon Arrives on His Wedding Day
6Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant? 7Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel.…

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

Isaiah 60:6
Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

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 12:3
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.

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.

Exodus 30:34-38
The LORD also said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense—in equal measures, / and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. / Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. ...

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.

Psalm 72:10
May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

Isaiah 53:2
He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.

Matthew 26:7-13
a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. / When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? / This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.” ...

Mark 14:3-9
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. / Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? / It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ...

Luke 7:37-38
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.

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.

Genesis 37:25
And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt.

2 Chronicles 9:1
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.


Treasury of Scripture

Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

this

Song of Solomon 8:5
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

Deuteronomy 8:2
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

like

Exodus 13:21,22
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: …

Joel 2:29-31
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit…

Acts 2:18-21
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: …

perfumed

Song of Solomon 1:3,13
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee…

Song of Solomon 4:12-14
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed…

Song of Solomon 5:5,13
I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock…

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Column Columns Desert Fragrant Frankincense Incense Merchant Myrrh Palm-Trees Perfumed Pillars Places Powder Smoke Spices Sweet Trader Waste Wilderness
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Song of Solomon 3
1. the church's fight and victory in temptation
6. The church glories in Christ














Who is this
This phrase invites the reader into a moment of curiosity and anticipation. In the Hebrew text, the word "this" (זֹאת, "zot") is feminine, suggesting the subject is a woman, likely the Shulammite bride. This question sets the stage for a dramatic entrance, emphasizing the significance and mystery of the figure being described. It reflects the awe and admiration of the onlookers, drawing attention to the bride's grandeur and the transformative journey she has undertaken.

coming up from the wilderness
The "wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, "midbar") in biblical literature often symbolizes a place of testing, transformation, and divine encounter. The imagery of coming up from the wilderness suggests a journey of growth and purification. Historically, the wilderness was a place where the Israelites wandered and were refined. Here, it signifies the bride's emergence from a period of preparation, ready to enter into a new phase of life, much like the Church emerging from trials into the fullness of Christ's love.

like a column of smoke
The "column of smoke" (כְּתִימֲרוֹת עָשָׁן, "ketimrot ashan") evokes the imagery of the sacrificial offerings in the temple, where smoke would rise as a pleasing aroma to God. This symbolizes the bride's life as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord. The smoke also suggests mystery and majesty, as it ascends towards heaven, indicating a connection between the earthly and the divine. It reflects the spiritual beauty and the sanctified life of the believer.

perfumed with myrrh and frankincense
"Myrrh" (מֹר, "mor") and "frankincense" (לְבוֹנָה, "levonah") were precious spices used in anointing oils and temple incense, symbolizing purity, holiness, and the presence of God. Myrrh, often associated with suffering and embalming, points to the sacrificial love and the bittersweet aspects of life. Frankincense, used in worship, represents prayer and the divine presence. Together, they depict a life that is both consecrated and fragrant, reflecting the believer's devotion and the sweet aroma of Christ's love.

with all the fragrant powders of the merchant
The "fragrant powders" (אֲבָקוֹת רוֹכֵל, "avakot rochel") indicate a variety of spices and perfumes, suggesting abundance and richness. Merchants in ancient times were known for trading in luxurious and exotic goods, symbolizing the wealth and diversity of spiritual gifts and graces bestowed upon the bride. This phrase highlights the lavishness of God's blessings and the beauty of a life adorned with the virtues of the Spirit, ready to be presented to the King.

(6) Who is this that cometh.--The dramatic feeling is decidedly shown in the passage introduced by this verse, but we still regard it as a scene passing only in the theatre of the fancy, introduced by the poet in his Epithalamium, partly from his sympathy with all newly-wedded people, partly (as Song of Solomon 8:11) to contrast the simplicity of his own espousals, of which all the joy centred in true love, with the pomp and magnificence of a royal marriage, which was a State ceremony.

Wilderness.--Heb., midbar. The idea is that of a wide open space, with or without pasture: the country of nomads, as distinguished from that of a settled population. With the article (as here) generally of the desert of Arabia, but also of the tracts of country on the frontiers of Palestine (Joshua 8:16; Judges 1:16; comp. Matthew 3:1, &c). Here = the country.

Like pillars of smoke.--The custom of heading a cortege with incense is both very ancient and very general in the East: probably a relic of religious ceremonials where gods were carried in processions. For Frankincense, see Exodus 30:34. . . .

Verse 6-ch. 5:1. - Part III. NUPTIAL REJOICINGS. Verse 6. - Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the powders of the merchant? This may be taken as spoken by a single voice, one of the ladies or inhabitants of Jerusalem, or it may be regarded as the exclamation of the whole population going out to see the splendid sight - a gorgeous procession coming towards the city. "Who is this coming?" (עֹלָה, feminine); that is, "Who is this lady coming?" There could be no difficulty in discerning that it was a bridal procession which is seen. Curiosity always asks, "What bride is this?" "Who is she?" not, "Who is he?" A maiden from Galilee is being conducted to Jerusalem; the procession naturally passes through the valley of the Jordan (Ghor). There is splendour and majesty in the sight. It must be some one coming to the royal palace. The censers of frankincense are being swung to and fro and filling the air with fragrant smoke. Columns of dust and smoke from the burning incense rise up to heaven, and mark the line of progress before and after. "The spices of Arabia" were famous at all times. Hence the names of the perfumes are Arabic, as murr, levona, and the travelling spice merchant, or trader, was Arabic (cf. the Arabic elixir). We can scarcely miss the typical colouring in such a representation - the wilderness, typical of bondage and humiliation, sin and misery, out of which the bride is brought; the onward progress towards a glorious destination (see Isaiah 40:3; Hosea 1:16; Psalm 68:8). The Church must pass through the wilderness to her royal home, and the soul must be led out of the wilderness of sin and unbelief into everlasting union with her Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Who
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

is this
זֹ֗את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

coming up
עֹלָה֙ (‘ō·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the wilderness
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר (ham·miḏ·bār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

like a column
כְּתִֽימֲר֖וֹת (kə·ṯî·mă·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8490: (palm-like) column

of smoke,
עָשָׁ֑ן (‘ā·šān)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6227: Smoke

scented
מְקֻטֶּ֤רֶת (mə·quṭ·ṭe·reṯ)
Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

with myrrh
מוֹר֙ (mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4753: Myrrh

and frankincense
וּלְבוֹנָ֔ה (ū·lə·ḇō·w·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3828: Frankincense

from all
מִכֹּ֖ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the spices
אַבְקַ֥ת (’aḇ·qaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 81: Light particles

of the merchant?
רוֹכֵֽל׃ (rō·w·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7402: To travel for, trading


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 3:6 Who is this who comes up (Song Songs SS So Can)
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