The young man again addresses his love directly.

Your shoots: an unusual word, it has led to much discussion of its meaning. In Isa 16.8 the same root word appears to mean “branches”; but the form of the word there is different from that in the Song. What significance does it have here? Revised English Bible view it as “your cheeks,” under the influence of verse 3; Good News Translation thinks it means “plants.” Many other suggestions will be found, but from a basic sense “canal [for irrigation]” it is probably a reference to part of the woman’s body. This is what we find in NRSV, “your channels.” Its relation to the word “spring” in the previous verse is clear; both describe the young woman. Translators can choose a term that links with the reference to a “covered spring.” The major problem with retaining this figure is that its meaning remains unclear. Another solution may be to reduce the entire figure to the pronoun “you,” since it is obvious the woman herself is being described.

An orchard of pomegranates: the orchard is parallel to the “garden,” though the Persian term used here, pardes, or “paradise”, may have a closer connection to pleasure.

On pomegranates see notes on verse 3. Pomegranates are commonly symbolic in love poetry.

With all choicest fruits: with all can be given as “full of.” The adjective choicest is rendered variously in translation: “rarest” (Jerusalem Bible); “rare fruits” (New English Bible); “luscious” (Fox); “pleasant” (King James Version). The meaning may be close to “sweet.”

Henna with nard: the terms are both referred to in 1.12, 14. There is no reason for omitting this phrase, as some suggest, claiming that it does not seem to fit in the general context. The real problem of course is that these spices are not found in orchards, especially a pomegranate orchard. It is best then to see this phrase as another separate metaphor. Revised English Bible omit it; Good News Translation expands to read “there is no lack of henna, nard….” If these terms are not known in the local context, then we need to add that they are spices and fragrances. For translation comments see 1.12, 13.

Suggested translations are:

• You are an orchard of pomegranates, full of sweet fruits, of henna and nard.

• You are like a garden paradise full of delightful fruits and fragrant spices.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Song of Songs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1998. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .