New International Version nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices. New Living Translation nard and saffron, fragrant calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, and every other lovely spice. English Standard Version nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all choice spices— Berean Standard Bible with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. Berean Literal Bible nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices, King James Bible Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: New King James Version Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, With all the chief spices— New American Standard Bible Nard and saffron, spice reed and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh, and aloes, along with all the finest balsam oils. NASB 1995 Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices. NASB 1977 Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices. Legacy Standard Bible Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices. Amplified Bible Fragrant plants and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices. Berean Annotated Bible with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. Christian Standard Bible nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices. Holman Christian Standard Bible nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices. American Standard Version Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. Contemporary English Version saffron, calamus, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and aloes--all the finest spices. English Revised Version Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. GOD'S WORD® Translation nard and saffron, calamus, cinnamon, and all kinds of incense, myrrh, aloes, and all the best spices. Good News Translation of saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, or incense of every kind. Myrrh and aloes grow there with all the most fragrant perfumes. International Standard Version nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, along with myrrh and aloes, and all the finest spices. NET Bible nard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon with every kind of spice, myrrh and aloes with all the finest spices. New Heart English Bible spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices, Webster's Bible Translation Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblewith nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. World English Bible spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionCypresses with nard—nard and saffron, "" Cane and cinnamon, "" With all trees of frankincense, "" Myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices. Berean Literal Bible nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices, Young's Literal Translation Cypresses with nard -- nard and saffron, Cane and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices. Smith's Literal Translation Spikenard and saffron; the reed and cinnamon, with all the woods of Lebanon; myrrh and aloes, with all the heads of spices. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSpikenard and saffron, sweet cane and cinnamon, with all the trees of Libanus, myrrh and aloes with all the chief perfumes. Catholic Public Domain Version aromatic oil and saffron; sweet cane and cinnamon, with all the trees of Lebanon; myrrh and aloe, with all the best ointments. New American Bible spikenard and saffron, Sweet cane and cinnamon, with all kinds of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices; New Revised Standard Version nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices— Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSpikenard and saffron; sweet cane and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Spikenard and saffron, crocus, cane and cinnamon with trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the best of sweet spices OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. Brenton Septuagint Translation spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon; with all woods of Libanus, myrrh, aloes, with all chief spices: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Solomon Admires His Bride…13Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard, 14with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices. 15You are a garden spring, a well of fresh water flowing down from Lebanon.… Cross References nard and saffron, 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. Mark 14:3 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. Songs 1:12 While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. with calamus and cinnamon, Exodus 30:23-25 “Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half that amount (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, / 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. / Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil. Ezekiel 27:19 and casks of wine from Izal for your wares. Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet cane were exchanged for your merchandise. Jeremiah 6:20 What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.” with every kind of frankincense tree, Exodus 30:34 The LORD also said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense—in equal measures, 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. Revelation 18:13 of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves. with myrrh and aloes, John 19:39 Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Psalm 45:8 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad. Proverbs 7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon. with all the finest spices. Ezekiel 27:22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your wares they exchanged gold, the finest of all spices, and precious stones. 1 Kings 10:10 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 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. Genesis 2:12 And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there. Treasury of Scripture Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: calamus Exodus 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, Ezekiel 27:19 Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market. cinnamon Proverbs 7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. trees Song of Solomon 4:6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. 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. Numbers 24:6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. the chief Song of Solomon 6:2 My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: 1 Kings 10:10 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. Jump to Previous Aloes Best Calamus Cane Chief Cinnamon Cypresses Finest Frankincense Incense Kind Myrrh Nard Spices Spikenard Tree TreesJump to Next Aloes Best Calamus Cane Chief Cinnamon Cypresses Finest Frankincense Incense Kind Myrrh Nard Spices Spikenard Tree TreesSong 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 with nard and saffron, Nard, or spikenard, was a costly perfume brought from the Himalayan region, while saffron supplied rare fragrance and color. Their presence in the bride’s garden portrays beauty, abundance, and love worthy of costly devotion. Mary’s use of nard to anoint Jesus’ feet revealed worship that counted no sacrifice too great for the Lord (John 12:3). Jhn 12:3 Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume… with calamus and cinnamon, Calamus and cinnamon belonged among the ingredients of the holy anointing oil prepared for the tabernacle and its priests (Exodus 30:23–25). The garden imagery joins marital delight with the holiness of worship, showing love as precious, set apart, and marked by faithfulness. Exo 30:23-25 Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh,… with every kind of frankincense tree, Frankincense came from resin-bearing trees and was burned with the sacred incense before the Lord (Exodus 30:34–38). Its ascending fragrance recalls prayer and acceptable worship. The Magi also brought frankincense to Jesus, honoring Him as the true King and Priest (Matthew 2:11). Exo 30:34 The LORD also said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—… with myrrh and aloes, Myrrh was valued for perfume, anointing, and burial preparations, while aloes added fragrance to burial spices. Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ burial (John 19:39), connecting costly fragrance with His willing sacrifice. Love that is genuine remains steadfast through sorrow as well as joy. Jhn 19:39 Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night… with all the finest spices. The bride is portrayed as a garden containing every precious fragrance, expressing the fullness of her beauty and the richness of covenant love. The abundance points beyond earthly marriage to the devoted love Christ has for His people, whom He blesses with every spiritual blessing in Him (Ephesians 1:3). Ezk 27:22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you;… Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of the Song of Solomon, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom and wealth. The book is often seen as an allegory of Christ's love for the Church. 2. The Beloved The female protagonist in the Song of Solomon, often interpreted as representing the Church or the individual believer in a spiritual allegory. 3. Spices and Aromatics The verse lists various spices and aromatics, which were highly valued in ancient times for their fragrance and use in anointing and worship. 4. Ancient Near East The cultural and geographical context of the Song of Solomon, where spices and perfumes were significant in trade and daily life. 5. Garden Imagery The use of garden imagery in the Song of Solomon symbolizes beauty, fertility, and the intimate relationship between the lovers, often seen as a metaphor for the relationship between God and His people. Teaching Points Symbolism of SpicesThe spices mentioned symbolize the richness and depth of love. In a spiritual sense, they represent the diverse and pleasing aspects of a believer's relationship with Christ. Worship and Devotion Just as spices were used in worship, our lives should be a fragrant offering to God, characterized by devotion and purity. Christ's Love for the Church The beauty and value of the spices reflect the preciousness of Christ's love for His Church, encouraging believers to cherish and nurture their relationship with Him. Spiritual Growth The variety of spices can symbolize the different aspects of spiritual growth and maturity, encouraging believers to cultivate a well-rounded faith. Intimacy with God The intimate and personal nature of the imagery invites believers to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with God, akin to the closeness of the lovers in the Song of Solomon. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Song of Solomon 4:14?2. How can Song of Solomon 4:14 inspire us to cultivate spiritual fragrance today? 3. What do the spices in Song of Solomon 4:14 symbolize in Christian life? 4. How does Song of Solomon 4:14 connect to the fruits of the Spirit? 5. In what ways can we reflect Christ's aroma as described in Song of Solomon 4:14? 6. How can we apply the imagery of Song of Solomon 4:14 in daily worship? 7. What is the significance of the spices mentioned in Song of Solomon 4:14? 8. How do the plants in Song of Solomon 4:14 symbolize love and desire? 9. Why are specific spices and plants chosen in Song of Solomon 4:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 4? What Does Song of Solomon 4:14 Mean nard and saffron“nard and saffron” (Songs 4:14) opens the list with two of the most precious fragrances of the ancient world. Picture Solomon delighting in the scent wafting from a secluded garden. • Nard appears again when Mary pours it on Jesus’ feet (John 12:3), showing lavish devotion. • Its rarity hints at how the bride’s love is costly and intentional. • Saffron, the bright orange stigma of the crocus, colors food and perfume alike; it evokes joy and warmth, much like the delight God takes in the faith of His people (Zephaniah 3:17). Together they remind us that authentic love for God—and for one another—ought to be both extravagant and joy-filled. calamus and cinnamon Next come “calamus and cinnamon.” Both were ingredients in the sacred anointing oil of Exodus 30:22-25, so any Hebrew reader would sense a worship motif. • Calamus, a sweet reed, speaks of uprightness; its straight stalk mirrors a life that stands tall in integrity (Proverbs 11:3). • Cinnamon’s warm spice suggests intimacy and welcome. In Proverbs 7:17 it perfumes a marriage bed—here it signals married delight celebrated within God’s design. Solomon is saying, “Your character carries the aroma of true worship.” every kind of frankincense tree Frankincense trees supplied the resin burned in temple worship (Exodus 30:34). • Its smoke rising heavenward symbolizes prayer (Psalm 141:2). • When the Magi offered frankincense to Jesus (Matthew 2:11), they acknowledged His deity. The bride, then, is portrayed as a source of prayerful devotion. A godly marriage, and by extension a godly believer, continually lifts sweet petitions to the Lord. myrrh and aloes “Myrrh and aloes” blend sweetness with solemnity. • Psalm 45:8 mixes them in royal wedding imagery, foreshadowing Christ the King. • John 19:39 records Nicodemus burying Jesus with “a mixture of myrrh and aloes.” These scents whisper of sacrificial love—love willing to suffer, serve, and remain faithful. A healthy marriage carries that same self-giving quality, mirroring Christ’s love for the Church (Ephesians 5:25). all the finest spices Finally, Solomon gathers the entire bouquet into “all the finest spices.” • The phrase signals fullness and maturity, like the complete cluster of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. • Second Corinthians 2:14-15 calls believers “the fragrance of Christ,” spreading His knowledge everywhere. Every corner of the garden—every aspect of the believer’s life—is meant to release a God-honoring aroma. summary Song of Solomon 4:14 layers spice upon spice to paint a portrait of devoted, joyful, prayer-soaked, sacrificial love that delights the Bridegroom. In the immediate context, Solomon is praising his bride; in the broader sweep of Scripture, the verse invites every believer to become a fragrant garden where Christ finds “all the finest spices” of worship, integrity, intimacy, prayer, and self-giving love. (14) Spikenard.—See Note, Song of Solomon 1:12. Saffron; Heb. carchom; only here. The Arabic name is still kûrkûm = Crocus sativus, a well-known bulb of the order Iridaceœ. The pistil and stigma. dried, form the saffron.Calamus.—Heb. kâneh. (Comp. kâneh bosem = sweet calamus, Exodus 30:23; k. hottôv—sweet cane, Jeremiah 6:20.) There are many sweet grasses in India and the East. Andropogon calamus aromaticus has been identified (Royle) with the “reed of fragrance” of Exodus, and Jeremiah’s “good reed from a far country,” but the identification is not to be implicitly accepted. (See Bible Educator, Vol. I., p. 245.) Cinnamon.—Heb. kinnamôn probably included Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (cinnamon) and Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia lignea). (See Bible Educator, Vol. I., p. 245.) The rind of the plant is the “cinnamon” in use. The plant belongs to the family of laurels, and grows in Ceylon, on the Malabar coast, and in East Indian Islands. It attains a height of from twenty to thirty feet, having numerous boughs, bearing leaves of a scarlet colour when young, but changing to a bright green, and white blossoms. Aloes.—See Note, Numbers 24:6. Hebrew with nardנֵ֣רְדְּ ׀ (nê·rəd) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5373: Nard, an aromatic and saffron, וְכַרְכֹּ֗ם (wə·ḵar·kōm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3750: The crocus calamus קָנֶה֙ (qā·neh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam and cinnamon, וְקִנָּמ֔וֹן (wə·qin·nā·mō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7076: Cinnamon bark with עִ֖ם (‘im) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with every kind כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every of incense לְבוֹנָ֑ה (lə·ḇō·w·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3828: Frankincense tree, עֲצֵ֣י (‘ă·ṣê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood with myrrh מֹ֚ר (mōr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4753: Myrrh and aloes, וַאֲהָל֔וֹת (wa·’ă·hā·lō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 174: The aloe (a tree) with עִ֖ם (‘im) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the finest רָאשֵׁ֥י (rā·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 7218: The head spices. בְשָׂמִֽים׃ (ḇə·śā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1314: Fragrance, spicery, the balsam plant Additonal Resources Song of Solomon 4:14 Blue Letter BibleSong of Solomon 4:14 Bible Gateway Song of Solomon 4:14 Bible.com Song of Solomon 4:14 NIV |
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