8:2a–b

I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother who taught me: This theme of the “mother’s house” is also found in 3:4e. Scholars differ about how to interpret the phrase the house of my mother here. Most English versions indicate that it refers to the place where the woman’s mother lived. For example:

I would take you to my mother’s house (Good News Translation)

to the house of my mother who taught me: There is a textual issue concerning the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as taught :

(1) The Hebrew text has the word that means “taught.” For example:

taught (NET Bible)

(2) The Greek text has the word that means “conceived” or “bore.” For example:

conceived (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most English versions.

who taught me: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who taught me :

(1) It means “she teaching me,” and it refers to the woman’s mother. For example:

my mother, who taught me all I know. (Contemporary English Version)

(2) It means “you teaching me,” and it refers to the man. For example:

there you would teach me. (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

my mother, who used to instruct me (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
She is the one who was my teacher. (God’s Word)

8:2c

I would give you spiced wine to drink: The phrase spiced wine refers to wine that is mixed with spices.

8:2d

the nectar of my pomegranates: The phrase the nectar of my pomegranates is parallel to 8:2c. Probably it describes the spiced wine in 8:2c. That implies that the woman mixed pomegranate juice with the wine. It is also possible that the pomegranate juice was a separate drink in addition to the wine in 8:2c. The pomegranates are a symbol of romantic love.

Some other ways to translate the nectar of my pomegranates are:

with pomegranate juice
-or-
my sweet pomegranate wine (New Living Translation (2004))

If pomegranates are not known in your area, you may use a more general word or phrase. For example:

with nectar/juice from the love fruit
-or-
flavored with fruit juice

pomegranates: pomegranates are a red fruit with reddish pulp and seeds. It makes a delicious sweet drink. For more information about pomegranates, see the note on 4:3c.

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