We have seen that verse 6 draws attention to what seems to be an approaching caravan. Now in verse 7 the speaker identifies who it is that is coming.

Behold: an attention-getting word. It is also an emotive term, so the translation should express surprise or excitement. “Look!” or “[Over] There!” are possibilities.

It is the litter of Solomon!: the literal expression here is “his bed which is Solomon’s.” Here the third person suffix “his” looks forward to or anticipates the following proper noun “Solomon”: “It’s his bed, Solomon’s.” This form of expression may be another indication of the excitement of the speaker. Some languages may use a similar style in such circumstances: “It’s him. It’s Solomon’s carriage!”

Litter has several meanings in English; we should not confuse the meaning here with a group of newborn pigs or cats, or with the garbage we throw away! The Hebrew term used can mean “bed” or “couch,” and in this context of travel, it was probably supported on poles resting on the shoulders of a group of men as they walked along. Cultures around the world make use of such “man-powered” carriages to carry royalty. In parts of Asia and Africa, kings are still carried in this way. In such cultures finding an equivalent term will not be too difficult. The portable chair or throne described here was highly decorated and probably private, with curtains that could be closed. Thus we can see it as an effective metaphor for the young couple’s “love nest.”

Solomon is the young woman’s name for her lover. She also calls him her “king.” If we are right in assuming that she is the one speaking, we may insert this into the text: “it is [my king] Solomon’s carriage.”

Good News Translation assumes that Solomon must be inside: “Solomon is coming, carried on his throne.” The text does not actually say this, only that it belongs to Solomon, and it is not called a “throne,” so it is best to avoid this kind of rendering.

About it are sixty mighty men: About means “surrounding.” The figure sixty occurs again in 6.8. Its full significance is unknown. We note, however, that the term occurs directly following Solomon’s name and is probably used because in Hebrew it shares common consonants (“sh” and “m”) with it. The result is a very poetic effect: shellishlomoh shishim gibborim “Solomon’s sixty warriors.”

Mighty men: or “warriors.” The term suggests someone with great strength and courage. It is often used in Old Testament poetry. Here the mighty men are Solomon’s bodyguards. It may be possible to find an equivalent expression that is poetic. “Men of valor,” or “Brave-hearted ones,” are examples in English.

Of the mighty men of Israel renders literally the Hebrew expression. The sixty come from or represent the warrior class, in which case we can suggest a translation “sixty handpicked [Israelite] warriors form a bodyguard.” This is close to New English Bible, “Sixty of Israel’s chosen warriors are his escort.” Jerusalem Bible uses “champions” to render mighty men, but this may be easily misunderstood to mean great athletes. The idea of defending is foremost, so “warrior” is preferred.

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 .