Song of Solomon 6:2
New International Version
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies.

New Living Translation
My lover has gone down to his garden, to his spice beds, to browse in the gardens and gather the lilies.

English Standard Version
My beloved has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices, to graze in the gardens and to gather lilies.

Berean Standard Bible
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.

King James Bible
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

New King James Version
My beloved has gone to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed his flock in the gardens, And to gather lilies.

New American Standard Bible
“My beloved has gone down to his garden, To the beds of balsam, To pasture his flock in the gardens And gather lilies.

NASB 1995
“My beloved has gone down to his garden, To the beds of balsam, To pasture his flock in the gardens And gather lilies.

NASB 1977
“My beloved has gone down to his garden, To the beds of balsam, To pasture his flock in the gardens And gather lilies.

Legacy Standard Bible
“My beloved has gone down to his garden, To the beds of spices, To shepherd his flock in the gardens And gather lilies.

Amplified Bible
“My beloved has gone down to his garden, To the beds of balsam, To feed his flock in the gardens And gather lilies.

Christian Standard Bible
My love has gone down to his garden, to beds of spice, to feed in the gardens and gather lilies.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My love has gone down to his garden, to beds of spice, to feed in the gardens and gather lilies.

American Standard Version
My beloved is gone down to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Contemporary English Version
My darling has gone down to his garden of spices, where he will feed his sheep and gather lilies.

English Revised Version
My beloved is gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
My beloved went to his garden, to the beds of spices, to graze his flock in the gardens and gather lilies.

Good News Translation
My lover has gone to his garden, where the balsam trees grow. He is feeding his flock in the garden and gathering lilies.

International Standard Version
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to graze his flock in the gardens and gather lilies.

Majority Standard Bible
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.

NET Bible
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the flowerbeds of balsam spices, to graze in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

New Heart English Bible
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Webster's Bible Translation
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

World English Bible
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
My beloved went down to his garden, "" To the beds of the spice, "" To delight himself in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Young's Literal Translation
My beloved went down to his garden, To the beds of the spice, To delight himself in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Smith's Literal Translation
My beloved went down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the bed of aromatical spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Bride: My beloved has descended to his garden, to the courtyard of aromatic plants, in order to pasture in the gardens and gather the lilies.

New American Bible
My lover has come down to his garden, to the beds of spices, To feed in the gardens and to gather lilies.

New Revised Standard Version
My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My beloved has gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lilies.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My beloved went down to his garden and to the garden beds of sweet spices, that he may feed in the gardens and he may gather the lilies
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
My beloved is gone down into his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed in the gardens, And to gather lilies.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
My kinsman is gone down to his garden, to the beds of spice, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Together in the Garden
1Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Which way has he turned? We will seek him with you. 2My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies. 3I belong to my beloved and he belongs to me; he pastures his flock among the lilies.…

Cross References
John 15:1-5
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...

Isaiah 5:1-7
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! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...

John 10:14-16
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, / just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. / I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Psalm 23:1-3
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

Ezekiel 34:11-16
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. ...

John 10:27-30
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. / I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ...

Isaiah 61:10-11
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. / For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jeremiah 31:12-14
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. / Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow. / I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,” declares the LORD.

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

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. ...

Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...

1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.


Treasury of Scripture

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

gone

Song of Solomon 6:11
I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.

Song of Solomon 4:12-16
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed…

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.

the beds

Song of Solomon 5:13
His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

feed

Song of Solomon 1:7,8
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? …

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Ezekiel 34:23
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

and to

Song of Solomon 2:2
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Isaiah 57:1
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

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Balsam Beds Beloved Browse Delight Feed Flock Food Garden Gardens Gather Lilies Pasture Spice Spices
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Balsam Beds Beloved Browse Delight Feed Flock Food Garden Gardens Gather Lilies Pasture Spice Spices
Song of Solomon 6
1. the church professes her faith in Christ
4. Christ shows the graces of the church
10. and his love toward her














My beloved
This phrase is a term of endearment and intimacy, reflecting the deep love and affection between the Shulammite woman and her lover, often interpreted as a representation of Christ and His church. The Hebrew word for "beloved" is "דּוֹדִי" (dodi), which conveys a sense of cherished companionship and deep relational connection. In a spiritual context, it reminds believers of the personal and intimate relationship they are invited to have with Christ.

has gone down
The action of "going down" suggests movement and purpose. In the Hebrew context, "יָרַד" (yarad) can imply descending or moving towards a specific goal. This movement can symbolize Christ's incarnation, His coming down from heaven to earth to dwell among humanity, and His continual presence in the lives of believers.

to his garden
The "garden" is a recurring motif in the Song of Solomon, symbolizing a place of beauty, growth, and intimacy. The Hebrew word "גַּן" (gan) refers to a cultivated area, often enclosed, representing the church or the soul of the believer where Christ delights to dwell. It is a place of nurturing and flourishing, where the relationship between Christ and His followers is cultivated.

to the beds of spices
"Beds of spices" evoke imagery of fragrance and richness, suggesting a place of delight and abundance. The Hebrew "עֲרוּגוֹת הַבֹּשֶׂם" (arugot habosem) indicates carefully tended plots filled with aromatic plants. This can symbolize the virtues and graces cultivated in the life of a believer, pleasing to Christ and reflective of His character.

to graze in the gardens
The act of "grazing" implies sustenance and satisfaction. The Hebrew "לִרְעוֹת" (lir'ot) can mean to feed or shepherd, suggesting Christ's role as the Good Shepherd who tends to His flock. The "gardens" represent the community of believers, where Christ finds joy and fulfillment in their spiritual growth and fellowship.

and gather lilies
"Lilies" are often associated with purity and beauty. The Hebrew "לִלְקוֹט שׁוֹשַׁנִּים" (lilqot shoshanim) suggests the act of collecting or gathering these flowers, symbolizing Christ's desire to gather His people, who are pure and beautiful in His sight. Lilies can also represent the virtues and righteous acts of the saints, which are precious to Him.

Verses 2, 3. - My beloved is gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth his flock among the lilies. In Ecclesiastes 2:5, 6 Solomon says, "I planted me vineyards; I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit; I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared." In Revelation 7:17 it is said, "The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall be their Shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of water of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes." We can scarcely doubt that the meaning is - The bridegroom is not gone far; he is where he is congenially employed; where his pure and lovely nature finds that which is like itself - beauty and fragrance and innocence. It is his resort, and it corresponds with his perfection. Delitzsch thinks "thoughtfulness and depth of feeling are intended" (cf. Psalm 92:5). "His thoughts are very deep." But it would seem more fitting, in the lips of the bride, that she should dwell on the aspects of her beloved which correspond with her own feelings. She is one of the lilies. The king is coming into his garden, and I am ready to receive him. The shepherd among his flock. They are all like lilies, pure and beautiful. The bride has nothing but chaste thoughts of her husband: because she knows that he is hers, and she is his. Surely such language is not inaptly applied to spiritual uses. Tennyson's lovely poem, 'St. Agnes' Eve,' has caught the spirit of Shulamith. A few of his lines will illustrate this -

"The shadows of the convent towers
Slant down the snowy sward,
Still creeping with the creeping hours
That lead me to my Lord.

Make thou my spirit pure and clear
As are the frosty skies,
Or this first snowdrop of the year
That in my bosom lies.

He lifts me to the golden doors;
The flashes come and go;
All Heaven bursts her starry floors,
And strews her lights below,
. . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
My beloved
דּוֹדִי֙ (dō·w·ḏî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1730: To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle

has gone down
יָרַ֣ד (yā·raḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to his garden,
לְגַנּ֔וֹ (lə·ḡan·nōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden

to the beds
לַעֲרוּג֖וֹת (la·‘ă·rū·ḡō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6170: Something piled up, raised by mental aspiration), a paterre

of spices,
הַבֹּ֑שֶׂם (hab·bō·śem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1314: Fragrance, spicery, the balsam plant

to pasture [his flock]
לִרְעוֹת֙ (lir·‘ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

in the gardens,
בַּגַּנִּ֔ים (bag·gan·nîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common plural
Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden

and to gather
וְלִלְקֹ֖ט (wə·lil·qōṭ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3950: To pick up, to gather, to glean

lilies.
שֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃ (šō·wō·šan·nîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 7799: A lily, as a, flower of architectural ornament, a, trumpet


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 6:2 My beloved has gone down to his (Song Songs SS So Can)
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