What Does Song of Solomon 5:13 Mean in the King James?
His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The lips’ “dropping” of myrrh uses נטף (nataf), meaning “to drip,” the same root that describes speech falling on listeners and prophetic utterance.
THE MEANING
The beloved’s cheeks are pictured as beds of spice and sweet blossoms, while lilies frame lips that let myrrh fall. His nearness reaches through scent and taste as well as sight.
THE ROOT
נֹטְפוֹת
notefot
GROWS FROM
נטף
nataf
To drip, drop, or let fall in drops.
The lips are described with the root נטף (nataf), meaning “to drip.” The same root can describe speech dropping upon listeners and prophetic utterance, so the image gives what comes from the mouth a tangible character: here, the fragrance of myrrh.
ALSO GROWS
notef: Dripping; one who drips.
נֹטֵף
This participle makes the root’s action vivid as something actively falling, like the myrrh from the beloved’s lips.
tattifu: Prophesy; literally, let speech drop.
תַּטִּיפוּ
Micah uses this form for prophetic speech, linking the root’s physical drops with words that descend upon their hearers.
THE PATTERN
What flows from the mouth is pictured as substance, carrying its character to those who receive it.
Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.THE THREAD
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.Job uses נטף (nataf), meaning “to drip or drop,” for speech, the same root used here for myrrh falling from the beloved’s lips. The shared root lets speech carry texture and effect, settling on its hearers like fragrance.
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