כְּתַפּ֨וּחַ֙ בַּעֲצֵ֣י הַיַּ֔עַר כֵּ֥ן דּוֹדִ֖י בֵּ֣ין הַבָּנִ֑ים בְּצִלּוֹ֙ חִמַּ֣דְתִּי וְיָשַׁ֔בְתִּי וּפִרְי֖וֹ מָת֥וֹק לְחִכִּֽי׃
3As an apple tree among the trees of the wood,
so is my beloved among young men.
With great delight I sat in his shadow,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
The interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) uses the ideophone tseketseketseke in Song of Songs 2:3 to describe exquisite sweetness (“you can almost feel it crackle/tingle”), pleasant sharpness, juicy delight. (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)
The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “joy” or “happiness” is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible idiomatically as farin ciki or “white stomach.” In some cases, such as in Genesis 29:11, it is also added for emphatic purposes.
Other languages that use the same expression include Southern Birifor (pʋpɛl), Dera (popolok awo), Reshe (ɾipo ɾipuhã). (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
See also Seat of the Mind / Seat of Emotions, rejoiced greatly / celebrated, the Mossi translation of “righteous”, and joy.
The Wild Apple (or Crab Apple) Malus sylvestris is the ancestor of the sweet fruit we know today Malus domestica. The domestication may have occurred in what is now Iran, Armenia, Turkey, or Syria. Apples have grown in Europe, in western Asia, and probably in Turkey and Lebanon, for several thousand years. The question for Bible scholars is whether the puny, rather tart fruit of the wild apple merits the glowing description we find in Proverbs 25:11: “. . . like apples of silver in a set-ting of gold,” and in Song of Songs 2:5: “Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am sick with love.” With that doubt in mind, some scholars have suggested that the tapuach, whose pleasant smell is noted in Song of Songs 7:8, is the apricot. Zohary (Plants of the Bible. Cambridge University Press, 1982) favors the apple on linguistic grounds, citing the Arabic cognate tuffach, which refers to the apple, and Egyptian records from 1298–1235 B.C. that refer to taph (probably the same as tapuach) growing in the Nile Valley. It is possible that improved varieties had already been developed in biblical times. Zohary points out that the apricot appeared in the region much later than the apple.
The apple tree reaches to 5-10 meters (17-33 feet), has a rounded crown, and bears a round fruit about the size of an orange. In the spring the tree is completely covered with pink flowers, which gradually give way to the green of the leaves as they develop. The fruit can be greenish, yellow, or red.
Apples grow well only in temperate climates where the tree is frozen part of the year, so there are no close native relatives in tropical Africa or Asia. However, fruits grown in Europe and South Africa are being shipped to many African countries, and so have become well-known, at least in the cities, usually by a name from a major international language. We recommend transliteration from a well-known language (for example, tufa [Arabic], pom/pomier [French], manzano [Spanish], masa/masiyera [Portuguese], and apel [English]), although translators seeking literary equivalence may wish to find a cultural substitute in the Proverbs and Song of Songs passages.
Source: Each According to its Kind: Plants and Trees in the Bible (UBS Helps for Translators)
See also apples on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Song of Solomon 2:3:
Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, o-rare-ru (おられる) or “is/be present” is used.
(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
Note and mark this verse as the young woman’s reply.
From a literary point of view, we observe not only the pattern of contrast between different kinds of plants and fruit, but also the identical structure in her response to the young man’s comment in verse 2. This literary form lends both power and beauty to the expression. Translators may examine possible ways to preserve something of the impact that parallelism gives to the presentation.
As an apple tree: the apple tree known in cooler climates today and grown for fruit is not native to the Middle East. The so-called “wild apple” was not a fruit to be eaten. Furthermore, whether apple is an acceptable translation for the Hebrew here is questionable. Some believe it is the “apricot,” and some translations have adopted this (so Revised English Bible); another suggestion is “quince” (Ginsburg). The problem is compounded by the fact that the word occurs only six times in the entire Old Testament, so we cannot be sure what kind of fruit it is. The point of the saying here seems to be to contrast a tree whose fruit can be eaten, with a forest tree (Revised Standard Version “wood”) that does not bear fruit. Jerusalem Bible renders the Hebrew term as “orchard,” but this seems incorrect. “Fruit tree” and “forest tree” may be the best terms for drawing out the intended contrast.
So is my beloved among young men: as in verse 2, the main clause is placed after the introductory clause, setting up the parallelism. The young woman contrasts her lover with what Revised Standard Version calls young men, though the Hebrew speaks of “sons.” This term no doubt is used because of the term “daughters” used in verse 2. The sense intended is that the young man is outstanding among others, though in what way he is better is not stated. If there is a strict parallel between verses 2 and 3, it may be his physical appearance that is being referred to. However, as we shall see below, the metaphor of “fruit” often has sexual overtones, and so it seems more likely that there is that sense present here. If so, the meaning is that he is as desirable as fruit, or that his lovemaking is as sweet to her as fruit is.
Examples of possible translation are:
• Like a fruit tree among trees of the forest,
So is my lover among other [young] men.
• As a fruit tree is better than those without fruit,
So my lover exceeds all other young men.
In some languages we may have to draw out the meaning:
• As a tree that bears fruit is better than those that do not,
So the one I love is more desirable than all other men.
With great delight I sit in his shadow: here we find a good example of an extended metaphor. The young man is compared to a fruit tree. Now further comparisons are made with the tree’s shadow and its fruit. The Revised Standard Version opening adverbial phrase, With great delight, is a verb clause in Hebrew, “I take delight in.” This is then followed by a second verb, I sat. This construction probably intends to focus upon the young woman’s pleasure at “sitting” or being in his presence. We can follow Revised Standard Version or say, as Good News Translation, “I love to sit….”
Shadow is a well-known biblical metaphor for protection (Judges 9.15; Psa 17.8; 121.5). Here it is the lover who offers protection to the young woman, so we can express that clearly in our translation. Good News Translation takes the possessive pronoun in his shadow to refer rather to the tree described in the previous context, and so translates “I love to sit in its shadow.” At first glance the text seems ambiguous, since the possessive pronoun can apply to either the young man or the tree. But in Hebrew the closest noun or pronoun to shadow is the young man. Probably, then, the Revised Standard Version interpretation is to be preferred over Good News Translation. Shadow is not really an appropriate word in English for rendering the Hebrew term in this context. “Shade” continues the figure and is suggestive of both protection and refreshment.
And his fruit was sweet to my taste: the picture of the fruit tree continues here. The tree represents her lover, and his fruit is a figure for the broad sexual satisfaction that he provides, as in 4.16.
Rendering the sexual meaning of fruit may prove difficult, in which case we may decide to translate literally. When dealing with extended metaphors, we have essentially two choices: we can try to translate as much of the imagery as possible, or we can concentrate on the meaning. In these lines we can, for example, focus on the meaning and translate “I delight in his protection. His kisses are delicious.” When we do this, however, we break the flow of the imagery. Part of the delight of poetry is letting the reader interact with the images in the text, so if at all possible it is better to preserve the images: “I love to sit in his shade and to taste his delicious fruits.”
A good translation should try to render whole sections of the poem as a unit. In the case of verses 1-3, we hope to portray the playful interchange between the two lovers. In some languages, changing from third person to second person address in verse 3 helps bring this out:
• “[I am] a lily of the valleys.”
“A lily, yes, my darling,
but a lily blooming among thorns,
more beautiful than all the others!”
“And you, my lover—
As a fruit tree is sweeter
than all the trees of the forest,
so you surpass all other young men.
I love to sit in your shade
and eat your delicious fruit.”
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 .
2:3–6 The woman praised the man
In these lines the woman answered the man in a way that is parallel to what he said in 2:2, where he compared a lily to thistles. In 2:3 the woman compared him to a fruitful apple tree, which is better than other trees that do not produce fruit. This contrast is like the contrasts between the woman and other young women (2:2b), and between the man and other young men (2:3b).
In 2:3 the woman spoke directly to the man, but she used indirect forms (like “so is my beloved”). In many languages it is more natural to use direct forms (like “you, my beloved”) to indicate clearly that the woman spoke directly to him. For example:
And you, my love, are an apple tree among trees of the forest. Your shade brought me pleasure; your fruit was sweet. (Contemporary English Version)
It may also be more natural to use direct forms throughout 2:3–6. (In Hebrew only 2:5 uses direct address.) In 2:3–6 the woman described her longings. Probably she did not describe actual events that happened when she was with her beloved. The verse tells how she felt about him, as she thought about being with him.
2:3a–b
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men: Here the woman implied that the apple tree is the best type of tree in the wood. Then she implied that her beloved is the best man among all the other young men. Some other ways to translate this verse are:
Compared to other young men, my beloved is like a ⌊fruitful⌋ apple tree in a forest of trees ⌊without fruit⌋.
-or-
Like an apple tree among the other trees, my love is ⌊more delightful⌋ than all the other young men.
It is good to translate this verse in a similar way as you translated 2:2.
2:3a
apple tree: Scholars are not sure exactly what type of tree the Hebrew text refers to here. It is not certain that the tree was the same tree that people call apple tree in English. The important facts for a translator to consider are that the tree had edible fruit and a pleasant scent.
If the apple tree is unknown in your language, some other ways to translate it are:
• Use a general term to describe a tree that bears fruit that is good to eat. For example:
fruit tree
• Use a word for another edible fruit tree with a pleasant smell. For example:
apricot tree
-or-
mango tree
The apple tree was a symbol for romantic love. If people in your culture do not think of an apple tree or any other fruit tree as a symbol for love, you may include a footnote with this information. For example:
In the Hebrew culture, this kind of tree was a symbol for romantic love.
among the trees of the forest: The apple tree is located among the other trees in a forest. It is near them but it is different from them. It is delicious and fragrant compared to the other forest trees.
trees of the forest: The phrase trees of the forest refers to the other common trees of the forest that do not produce fruit. The word forest does not refer to a tree farm or orchard. The trees in this verse were uncultivated trees.
2:3b
is my beloved among the young men: The woman’s words here are parallel to what she said in 2:2b. There she compared the apple tree with forest trees. Here she compared the man to other men in a similar way. Just as the apple tree was better than the other trees, so her beloved was better than other young men. He was the most desirable among all of them. It is good to translate this statement in a similar way as you translated 2:2b.
General Comment on 2:3a–b
In some languages it may be necessary to change the order of the clauses. For example:
3b Among the young men, my lover is 3a like an apple tree in the woods! (New Century Version)
2:3c
I delight to sit in his shade: The statement I delight to sit in his shade is a figure of speech. It indicates that the man refreshed the woman, as if she were sitting in the shade of an apple tree (see 2:3a). In the climate of Israel, people need shade so that they can have relief from the hot sun. When the woman was with the man, he refreshed her, just as sitting in the shade of an apple tree refreshes people and pleases them with its coolness.
Some other ways to translate this are:
I sit in his delightful shade (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I love/want to sit resting in his shade
The word sit can also have the general meaning “to be in the presence of.” Another way to translate the meaning is:
Your shade brought me pleasure (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Sitting near him is a delight to me.
Use an option that is natural in your language.
in his shade: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in his shade can refer to the man’s shadow or to the shade of the tree. This sort of ambiguity is common in the Song, and the author probably had a poetic purpose for it.
In some languages it is confusing or impossible to translate the ambiguity. If that is true in your language, you can indicate that the man is the focus of the comparison, not the tree. Most English versions follow this option.
shade: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shade refers here to the cool shade under a tree. It also has figurative meanings. It is a metaphor for “protection,” and it can also mean “refreshment.” Here the meaning “refreshment” is probably in focus.
In some languages a word like shade implies a wrong meaning. It is important to use a natural way in your language to speak about the coolness and refreshment that trees provide.
2:3d
and his fruit is sweet to my taste: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his fruit is ambiguous in this context. There are two ways to interpret it here:
(1) It means his fruit (it refers to something sweet or desirable about the man himself). For example:
His fruit tastes sweet to me. (God’s Word)
(2) It means “its fruit” (it refers to the tree’s fruit). For example:
…and its fruit is sweet to my taste. (Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with almost all English versions. It is the man who is in focus, not the tree.
his fruit: The phrase his fruit is a metaphor. It refers to something about the man that is “delicious” or “refreshing” like fruit. It does not refer to edible fruit that belongs to the man. In this context his fruit may imply the man’s kisses. But it probably refers more generally to various ways that he showed his love for the woman.
In some languages the metaphor may not be understood. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate it are:
• Use a simile. For example:
He is like sweet/delicious fruit to me.
• Use a simile and indicate the meaning in some way. For example:
He is ⌊desirable/wonderful⌋ to me like sweet fruit.
-or-
Like sweet fruit, he ⌊delights⌋ me.
is: Here the Hebrew text does not have a verb like is. The woman referred to her present feelings about the man, and that agrees with her statement in 2:3c. Use a natural way in your language to describe present or ongoing feelings.
sweet to my taste: The phrase sweet to my taste describes something that is pleasant to a person when he tastes it. In this context it is used as a metaphor. It means that the man’s characteristics pleased the woman. Be sure that your translation of the phrase does not only refer to tasting sweet but can refer in general to the pleasure that the man gives the woman. For example:
pleases me very much.
-or-
fills me with delight.
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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