Meaning of Song Of Solomon 3:6

This verse depicts a dramatic and sensory arrival, describing a figure ascending from the wilderness, characterized by a fragrant, smoky procession. The "column of smoke" signifies a significant movement, visible from afar and indicative of something substantial and purposeful. The rich perfuming with "myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant" highlights a deliberate and costly preparation, suggesting a journey undertaken with great care and a desire to impress or to offer something precious. This imagery evokes a sense of anticipation and wonder, hinting at the identity and significance of the one approaching, and setting the stage for a climactic revelation within the Song of Solomon.

Context and Background

Song of Solomon 3:6 immediately follows a passage where the "woman" (often interpreted as the Shulamite bride) describes her anxious search for her beloved through the night. Having finally found him, she now witnesses his grand and fragrant approach. The wilderness setting contrasts with the richness of the perfumes, suggesting a transition from a state of barrenness or difficulty to one of arrival and celebration. The reference to "spices of the merchant" points to exotic and valuable commodities, underscoring the preciousness of the one arriving and the effort invested in this presentation.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are anticipation, arrival, and the presentation of worth. The visual of smoke rising signifies a noticeable and impactful presence. The olfactory experience – the pervasive scent of myrrh and incense – appeals to the senses, suggesting an overwhelming and delightful impression. This is not a casual or unnoticed arrival; it is a deliberate and magnificent entrance. The verse celebrates the beloved's coming, emphasizing his value and the celebratory nature of his appearance.

Spiritual Significance and Application

In a spiritual sense, this verse is often interpreted allegorically. The beloved arriving from the wilderness can represent Christ coming to his church. The wilderness can symbolize the world's fallen state, or the period of waiting and seeking by the believer. The rich perfumes then signify the virtues and redemptive work of Christ – his sacrifice (myrrh) and his pleasing presence before God (incense). The merchant's spices represent the manifold blessings and spiritual riches Christ offers to his people. It speaks to the believer's joy in Christ's presence and the profound impact of his coming into their lives, transforming barrenness into fragrance.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This imagery resonates with themes of divine presence and covenant. God's presence among His people in the Old Testament was often associated with incense and sacrifices offered in the tabernacle and temple, signifying His acceptance and fellowship. The arrival of the beloved from the wilderness also echoes the journey of Israel through the desert, leading them to a promised land. In the New Testament, the coming of Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence, bringing with Him the ultimate sacrifice and the fragrant offering of His righteousness, making believers acceptable to God.

Analogies

• A Royal Procession: Imagine a king arriving in a city after a long journey, heralded by trumpets, banners, and the scent of exotic perfumes, signifying his authority and the celebration of his return.
• A Perfumer's Shop: The overwhelming and varied scents evoke the experience of entering a highly specialized shop, where the air is thick with the aromas of precious oils and spices, creating an atmosphere of luxury and refinement.
• The Coming of Spring: After a stark winter (the wilderness), the arrival of spring is marked by a vibrant reawakening of life, accompanied by the fragrant blossoms of flowers, a beautiful and anticipated transformation.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 30:34-38: This passage describes the sacred incense to be made for the Lord, emphasizing its purity and purpose in atonement and pleasing God. The spices in Song of Solomon 3:6 echo this sacred and precious nature.
• Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." This verse connects prayer and worship with the offering of incense, highlighting the spiritual fragrance that pleases God.
• Revelation 8:3-4: Here, an angel is given much incense to offer with the prayers of all God's people on the golden altar before the throne, signifying the prayers of the saints rising as a fragrant offering to God. This further solidifies the connection between fragrance and acceptable worship and divine presence.