Solomon had a vineyard: this phrase begins a story that may or may not be true. However, the point is to describe a situation that contrasts with what follows in verse 12. Solomon in this case refers to the Israelite king of that name. On vineyard see comments on 1.6. Baal-hamon is not known to be an actual location, but the name seems significant, since it means “master of wealth” or “wealthy lord,” a fitting description of the king. That this is a place name may need to be indicated, as Good News Translation does: “a place called Baal-hamon.”

We may use a story form in our translation: “There was a vineyard that belonged to King Solomon, in a place called Baal-hamon.” Since the place is not known, and the name has a meaning which suits the context, we can assume that this is not a historical reference. We can translate the place name: “There was a vineyard belonging to King Solomon in the land called ‘Wealthy Lord.’ ” Alternatively we can put the meaning of the name in a footnote, at least pointing out the obvious wordplay.

Good News Translation “Solomon has a vineyard” may be misleading because it may give the idea that Solomon was actually living at the time the speaker is talking. References to Solomon here are a literary feature, with Solomon being an example only.

He let out the vineyard to keepers: the king rented out the vineyard (let out or New Revised Standard Version “entrusted it”) to keepers. These men were responsible for taking care of it. The word keepers comes from the same root that appeared twice in 1.6 (“my own vineyard have I not kept”). Let out is the Hebrew verb “give,” but the sense is that they paid rent for it. Translators may have a specific word in their language for such “tenant farmers.” If not, we can say “people,” “farmers” (Good News Translation), or “caretakers” (New American Bible).

For the translation of this part of the verse:

• Solomon owned a vineyard in [a place called] Baal-hamon; he rented it out to people.

• Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-hamon; he hired people [tenant farmers] to look after it for him.

Each one was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver: the Hebrew verb form “bring” indicates frequent or regular bringing. So each farmer was to bring to Solomon an amount of money as taxes or rent. The money came from the sale of fruit. Pope, along with New Jerusalem Bible, suggests a different interpretation: “A man would give for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.” We recommend, however, that the traditional interpretation be followed.

A thousand pieces of silver may refer to a large amount of money rather than being an exact figure. Pieces of silver can be translated “silver coins.” A modern money equivalent should be avoided because money value is constantly changing. The point or focus is probably not the actual value but the fact that it was a large amount. Again this figure lends an almost folktale-like flavor to this passage.

We can translate as “each one paid a thousand silver coins” or “each one paid him a lot of money.” Perhaps better is “[he rented it out to people] who each paid him a thousand silver coins.”

The entire verse can be:

• There was a vineyard belonging to Solomon,
In the land called “Wealthy Lord.”
He let out his vineyard to tenants,
Each one bringing 1,000 silver coins
From the fruit that he would sell.

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 .