Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain. New Living Translation You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain. English Standard Version A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed. Berean Standard Bible My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed. Berean Literal Bible A garden locked up is my sister, my bride—a spring locked up, a fountain sealed. King James Bible A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. New King James Version A garden enclosed Is my sister, my spouse, A spring shut up, A fountain sealed. New American Standard Bible “A locked garden is my sister, my bride, A locked spring, a sealed fountain. NASB 1995 “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up. NASB 1977 “A garden locked is my sister, my bride, A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up. Legacy Standard Bible A garden locked is my sister, my bride, A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up. Amplified Bible “A garden enclosed is my sister, my [promised] bride— A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up. Berean Annotated Bible My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed. Christian Standard Bible My sister, my bride, you are a locked garden — a locked garden and a sealed spring. Holman Christian Standard Bible My sister, my bride, you are a locked garden— a locked garden and a sealed spring. American Standard Version A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Contemporary English Version My bride, my very own, you are a garden, a fountain closed off to all others. English Revised Version A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. GOD'S WORD® Translation My bride, my sister is a garden that is locked, a garden that is locked, a spring that is sealed. Good News Translation My sweetheart, my bride, is a secret garden, a walled garden, a private spring; International Standard Version My sister, my bride, is a locked garden a locked rock garden, a sealed up spring. NET Bible You are a locked garden, my sister, my bride; you are an enclosed spring, a sealed-up fountain. New Heart English Bible A locked up garden is my sister, my bride; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain. Webster's Bible Translation A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMy sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed. World English Bible My sister, my bride, is a locked up garden; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA garden shut up [is] my sister-spouse, "" A spring shut up—a fountain sealed. Berean Literal Bible A garden locked up is my sister, my bride—a spring locked up, a fountain sealed. Young's Literal Translation A garden shut up is my sister-spouse, A spring shut up -- a fountain sealed. Smith's Literal Translation A garden shut up, my sister, O bride; a reservoir shut up, a fountain sealed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMy sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up. Catholic Public Domain Version An enclosed garden is my sister, my spouse: an enclosed garden, a sealed fountain. New American Bible A garden enclosed, my sister, my bride, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed! New Revised Standard Version A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a garden locked, a fountain sealed. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA garden enclosed is my sister, my bride; yea, a garden guarded, a fountain sealed. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A garden that is enclosed is my sister bride! A garden that is enclosed, a spring that is sealed OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Brenton Septuagint Translation My sister, my spouse is a garden enclosed; a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Solomon Admires His Bride…11Your lips, my bride, drip sweetness like the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue, and the fragrance of your garments is like the aroma of Lebanon. 12My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed. 13Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,… Cross References My sister, my bride, Revelation 21:2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 19:7 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. 2 Corinthians 11:2 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. you are a garden locked up, Isaiah 5:1-2 I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! Jeremiah 31:12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. a spring enclosed, Proverbs 5:15-17 Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. / Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? / Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. John 4:14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” Jeremiah 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water. a fountain sealed. 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 29:2-3 He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well. / When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well. Jeremiah 2:13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Ezekiel 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. Genesis 2:8-10 And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed. / Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. / Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters: Psalm 80:8-11 You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. … Isaiah 27:2-3 In that day: “Sing about a fruitful vineyard. / I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can disturb it; Treasury of Scripture A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. garden Song of Solomon 6:2,11 My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies… Proverbs 5:15-18 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well… Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. inclosed 2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Jump to Previous Bride Enclosed Fountain Garden Inclosed Locked Rock Sealed Shut Sister Sister-Spouse Spouse Spring Stopped WaterJump to Next Bride Enclosed Fountain Garden Inclosed Locked Rock Sealed Shut Sister Sister-Spouse Spouse Spring Stopped WaterSong of Solomon 4 1. Christ sets forth the graces of the church8. He shows forth his love to her 16. The church prays to be made fit for his presence My sister, my bride This phrase reflects the intimate and multifaceted relationship between the lovers. "Sister" denotes a familial bond, suggesting deep affection and respect, while "bride" indicates a covenantal and exclusive relationship. In ancient Near Eastern culture, marriage was a sacred covenant, and the dual terms emphasize both the friendship and the romantic love present in the relationship. This duality can also be seen as a type of Christ and the Church, where believers are both family and the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). you are a garden locked up a spring enclosed a fountain sealed Persons / Places / Events 1. The BridegroomOften interpreted as Solomon, representing Christ in allegorical readings. He speaks of his bride with admiration and respect. 2. The Bride Represents the Church or the individual believer, symbolizing purity, beauty, and exclusivity in her relationship with the bridegroom. 3. The Garden Symbolizes the bride's purity and the sanctity of her love, which is reserved for her bridegroom alone. 4. The Spring and Fountain Represent sources of life and refreshment, indicating the bride's inner beauty and vitality, which are protected and cherished. 5. The Locked/Sealed Imagery Emphasizes the exclusivity and sacredness of the bride's love and purity, reserved for her husband. Teaching Points Purity and ExclusivityThe imagery of a locked garden and sealed fountain teaches the importance of purity and exclusivity in relationships, particularly in marriage. Value of Inner Beauty The bride's inner beauty and vitality are highlighted, reminding believers to cultivate inner spiritual beauty and character. Sacredness of Marriage Marriage is portrayed as a sacred covenant, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church, calling for faithfulness and commitment. Guarding One's Heart Just as the garden is locked, believers are encouraged to guard their hearts and maintain spiritual purity. Christ's Love for the Church The passage reflects Christ's deep love and desire for a pure and devoted Church, encouraging believers to live in a way that honors this relationship. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Song of Solomon 4:12?2. How does Song of Solomon 4:12 illustrate purity in a Christian relationship? 3. What does "locked garden" symbolize in Song of Solomon 4:12? 4. How can we apply the concept of "sealed spring" in our spiritual lives? 5. What other scriptures emphasize purity and protection in relationships? 6. How can we cultivate a "locked garden" mindset in our daily walk with God? 7. What does "a garden locked" symbolize in Song of Solomon 4:12? 8. How does Song of Solomon 4:12 reflect the theme of purity? 9. What historical context influences the imagery in Song of Solomon 4:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 4? 11. How can the description of the bride's flawless perfection in Song of Solomon 4:7 align with human reality, given our understanding of human imperfection? 12. If historically attributed to King Solomon, how does Song of Solomon 4 mesh with the accounts of his many wives and concubines in other biblical texts (e.g., 1 Kings 11:3)? 13. How do we reconcile the poetic exaggerations in Song of Solomon 4:1-3 with any literal or historical interpretations of the text? 14. What does spikenard refer to in the Bible? What Does Song of Solomon 4:12 Mean My sister, my bride– Two tender titles blend family affection with covenant commitment. – “Sister” speaks of cherished kinship and equality (see Hebrews 2:11, “He is not ashamed to call them brothers,”). – “Bride” highlights exclusive, lifelong union (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31–32). – Together they model marriage as both intimate friendship and sacred covenant, reflecting Christ’s love for His church (Revelation 19:7). – The phrase safeguards passion inside marriage, affirming that physical desire is holy when framed by covenant. you are a garden locked up – A garden is lush, fragrant, and fruitful—yet “locked up” stresses privacy. • No stranger may wander its paths. • The groom alone enjoys its delights (Proverbs 5:15–18). – Morally, it pictures sexual purity and faithfulness. – Spiritually, the believer’s heart is set apart for Christ: “I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). – The verse invites couples to guard their intimacy and believers to guard their devotion. a spring enclosed – A spring gives life-giving water, but “enclosed” means protected. • Freshness—love continually renews. • Provision—mutual satisfaction is sustained. • Privacy—no public fountain here (compare John 4:14, the living water that never runs dry). – Just as a covered spring is undisturbed, covenant love flourishes when shielded from outside intrusion. a fountain sealed – A fountain suggests abundance; a seal marks ownership and security. • The groom’s seal declares, “She is mine, and our bond is inviolable” (Songs 8:6). • For believers, the Spirit is our seal “until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). – The imagery underscores permanence: authentic love is both overflowing and safeguarded. – In marriage and in redemption, God designs love to be joyous, abundant, and secure. summary Song of Solomon 4:12 paints the bride as a private garden, an enclosed spring, a sealed fountain—pure, protected, and passionately reserved for her groom. The verse champions marital exclusivity, celebrates the beauty of covenant intimacy, and foreshadows the church’s secure union with Christ. (12) A garden inclosed.--Comp. with this passage Song of Solomon 4:12-15; Proverbs 5:15; Proverbs 5:21. The closed or walled garden and the sealed fountain appear to have been established metaphors for the pure and chaste wife. For the latter, at least, there is not only the above passage in Proverbs, but a prayer still in use in Jewish marriages: "Suffer not a stranger to enter into the sealed fountain," &cVerse 12. - A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. We must bear in mind that these words are supposed to be spoken on the journey in the marriage procession. The bride is not yet brought to the royal palace. She is still travelling in the royal palanquin. The idea of a paradise or garden is carried from the beginning of Scripture to the end, the symbol of perfect blessedness. The figure of the closed or shut-up garden represents the bridegroom's delight in the sense of absolute and sole possession - for himself and no other. The language is very natural at such a time, when the bride is being taken from her home. We may compare with the figures here employed those in Proverbs 5:15-20.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew My sister,אֲחֹתִ֣י (’ă·ḥō·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister my bride, כַלָּ֑ה (ḵal·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3618: Daughter-in-law, bride [you are] a garden גַּ֥ן ׀ (gan) Noun - common singular Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden locked up, נָע֖וּל (nā·‘ūl) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 5274: To fasten up, with a, bar, cord, to sandal, furnish with slippers a spring גַּ֥ל (gal) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1530: Something rolled, a heap of stone, dung, a spring of water enclosed, נָע֖וּל (nā·‘ūl) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 5274: To fasten up, with a, bar, cord, to sandal, furnish with slippers a fountain מַעְיָ֥ן (ma‘·yān) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4599: A fountain, a source sealed. חָתֽוּם׃ (ḥā·ṯūm) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 2856: To seal, affix a seal, seal up Links Song of Solomon 4:12 NIVSong of Solomon 4:12 NLT Song of Solomon 4:12 ESV Song of Solomon 4:12 NASB Song of Solomon 4:12 KJV Song of Solomon 4:12 BibleApps.com Song of Solomon 4:12 Biblia Paralela Song of Solomon 4:12 Chinese Bible Song of Solomon 4:12 French Bible Song of Solomon 4:12 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 4:12 A locked up garden is my sister (Song Songs SS So Can) |



