Song of Solomon 5:5: “I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh on the handles of the bolt.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse depicts a moment of eager anticipation and action. The bride, after hesitation, finally rises to open the door for her beloved. The detail about her hands dripping with myrrh adds a layer of richness to the imagery. Myrrh, a fragrant and costly resin, symbolizes love, devotion, and preparation. The picture of her hands covered in flowing myrrh on the bolt suggests that her effort to open the door is marked by passion and readiness to embrace her beloved. It’s an intimate and personal moment that conveys the depth of her feelings and the significance of the encounter.
Historical Context
In the ancient Near East, myrrh was often used as a perfume or ointment, symbolizing beauty, love, and even sacrifice. The mention of myrrh here would have resonated with readers, emphasizing the value and preparation involved in the bride’s act. The bolt or latch of a door in this context represents the barrier between the bride and her beloved, which she is now ready to remove. This scene would have been understood as a poetic expression of the intimate bond within marriage, where love involves effort and deliberate action.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse speaks to the act of responding to love with readiness and devotion. The bride’s actions mirror the way believers are called to respond to God’s pursuit of them. The myrrh can be seen as a symbol of worship and sacrifice, highlighting the importance of approaching God with a heart prepared and willing to engage deeply with Him.
Literary Analysis
The verse is rich in sensory detail, with the imagery of dripping myrrh evoking a sense of beauty and extravagance. The act of opening the door serves as a metaphor for removing barriers to intimacy, whether between the bride and groom or between humanity and God. The poetic structure creates a vivid, almost tangible picture of love in action, emphasizing the bride’s transformation from hesitation to readiness.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 141:2: “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” The myrrh can symbolize the sweet aroma of devotion and prayer.
- Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” This reflects the act of opening the door as a response to God’s invitation.
- Luke 7:37-38: The woman who anoints Jesus with perfume parallels the imagery of myrrh, symbolizing love, devotion, and sacrifice.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder of the importance of responding to God with intentionality and devotion. Just as the bride prepares herself to open the door, believers are called to prepare their hearts to meet God. It challenges us to remove the barriers that keep us from fully embracing His love and presence. The act of opening the door, marked with the richness of myrrh, suggests that our response to God should be marked by worship, reverence, and joy.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse highlights the personal and intimate nature of God’s love. He doesn’t force His way in but waits for us to open the door. When we respond, He meets us with grace and joy. The bride’s preparation with myrrh mirrors the way God values and cherishes the responses of His people. It shows that His love invites, rather than demands, a willing and heartfelt response.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
The imagery of myrrh has strong connections to Jesus. Myrrh was one of the gifts brought to Him at His birth (Matthew 2:11), a symbol of His kingship and the sacrifice He would make. It was also used at His burial (John 19:39-40), pointing to His ultimate act of love and devotion to humanity.
- Ephesians 5:2: “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” This ties the imagery of fragrance to Christ’s sacrificial love.
- John 10:9: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” Jesus is the door through which we find intimacy with God, just as the bride opens the door to her beloved.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What barriers do you need to remove to fully open the door to God’s love in your life?
- How does the imagery of myrrh inspire you to approach God with devotion and readiness?
- In what ways can you respond to God’s pursuit with intentionality and reverence?
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of God’s invitation to intimacy?
- How does the connection between myrrh and Jesus’ life and sacrifice impact your faith?