The list of spices describing the young woman continues into this verse.
The translator needs to consider these two verses together and try to retain a certain rhythm.
It is important that the reader be clear that these are aromatic spices. Identifying them as such may be required. In many languages the names of each of the spices will probably have to be rendered as borrowed terms just as they are in Hebrew. On the other hand, the point here is to focus on the aroma of the various spices, not the spices themselves, so we may combine all the terms and use a general expression, “the aroma [or, sweet smell] of many spices.” If we choose this latter method, then we probably will have to sacrifice some of the poetic effect. For the following list of spices and aromatic plants, translators should consult Fauna and Flora of the Bible.
Nard: see notes on 1.12.
Saffron: the sole reference in the Old Testament to this spice is found here. It is a yellow-colored spice used in cooking.
Calamus: an aromatic flavoring derived from a type of cane, and probably not native to the Holy Land.
Cinnamon: native to Sri Lanka, this spice comes from the dried inner rind of the bark of a tree. It is referred to in Exo 30.23 and Pro 7.17.
With all trees of frankincense: for frankincense see comments on 1.13. The sense here is of the various kinds of trees that produce spices.
Myrrh: refer to comments on 1.13.
Aloes: an aromatic perfume taken from another tree that is not native to the Holy Land. It grows in East Asia.
With all chief spices: the adjective chief (literally “head”) describes what is best, of high quality. “Finest” or “choicest” are good translations, but New English Bible “with the subtlest odours” is not accurate. Revised English Bible has returned to the more commonly-accepted understanding, “all the most exquisite spices.” This phrase rounds off the list and indicates that the list contains only examples of spices rather than being a complete list. These exotic and expensive imported perfumes indicate how wonderfully attractive the young woman is. We may add a term like “exotic” or use a phrase like “the best spices in the world,” since this is clearly the meaning the poet is trying to express. There is also another level of meaning present, as spices are also associated with lovemaking. This second level of meaning may not be evident in translation without adding some kind of footnote.
We can combine the end of verse 13 with verse 14 and translate as:
• You have the aroma of spices, like henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, and various kinds of frankincense; also myrrh and aloes, and all kinds of the finest spices.
Or quite simply:
• … myrrh and aloes and all kinds of spices.
Placing the items of both verses 13 and 14 in rhythmic groups will help the reader and may produce the desired poetic effect:
• You are an orchard of pomegranates,
A garden full of choicest fruits.
There is henna and nard,
Saffron and calamus,
Cinnamon, and the finest incense,
Myrrh and aloes, and all the best spices
The world has to offer.
We may need to reintroduce “You” as the subject of this description. We can also change the order of items listed in verse 14 if need be:
• You are a garden paradise,
Full of delicious fruit.
You are as sweet as henna and nard,
And all known spices on this earth:
saffron, calamus, cinnamon, and more:
aloes, frankincense, and myrrh.
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.