Song of Solomon 1:14 Meaning and Explanation
“My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The bride compares her beloved to a rare, precious flowering plant found in an oasis, representing his uniqueness and desirability.
The Context of Song of Solomon 1:14
The bride uses pastoral and botanical imagery to praise her beloved.
What Does Song of Solomon 1:14 Mean?
Camphire (henna) was a prized flowering plant yielding fragrant blossoms. Engedi, an oasis in the Judean wilderness, was renowned for its fertility and beauty amid arid lands. By placing her beloved in this lush setting, she elevates him to something unique and precious—not common but rare, like a valued plant in a valued place.
The cluster of camphire suggests abundance, beauty, and fragrance all together. Her beloved represents a concentration of all she treasures—rare, desirable, and life-giving in an otherwise sparse landscape.
Song of Solomon 1:14 in the Original Language
Camphire (כֹּפֶר), 'henna' — a flowering shrub yielding fragrant blossoms, prized in the ancient world for beauty and aroma.
Frequently Asked Questions About Song of Solomon 1:14
What does Song of Solomon 1:14 mean?
The bride compares her beloved to a rare, precious flowering plant found in an oasis, representing his uniqueness and desirability.
What is the context of Song of Solomon 1:14?
The bride uses pastoral and botanical imagery to praise her beloved.