Song of Solomon 4:12 — Word Study
WLCגַּ֥ן׀ נָע֖וּל אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה גַּ֥ל נָע֖וּל מַעְיָ֥ן חָתֽוּם׃
BSAMy sisterʼâchôwth [beloved, dear one] my bridekallâh [daughter-in-law, wife] [you are] a gardengan [enclosed area] locked upnâʻal [shut up, enclosed] a springgal [source of water, fountain] enclosednâʻal [shut up, sealed] a fountainmaʻyân [source of satisfaction] sealedchâtham [locked, closed]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גַּ֥ן׀ | [is] a garden | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| נָע֖וּל | locked | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| אֲחֹתִ֣י | sister my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| כַלָּ֑ה | bride | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| גַּ֥ל | a spring | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| נָע֖וּל | locked | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| מַעְיָ֥ן | a spring | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| חָתֽוּם׃ | sealed up | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed. |
| KJV | A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. |
| ASV | A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed. |
| YLT | A garden shut up [is] my sister-spouse, A spring shut up — a fountain sealed. |
| WEB | My sister, my bride, is a locked up garden; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain. |
| BBE | A garden walled-in is my sister, my bride; a garden shut up, a spring of water stopped. |
Where they part company is נָע֖וּל — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of one main clause followed by three descriptive phrases, creating a rich image of the beloved.
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Song of Solomon 4:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Celebration of Lovegenerated
Song of Solomon 4:12 is part of a poetic exchange where the speaker expresses admiration for his beloved. This section emphasizes the beauty and exclusivity of their relationship, with the beloved being compared to a locked garden, symbolizing both purity and intimacy. The verses surrounding it highlight the sweetness and allure of the bride, enhancing the romantic imagery present throughout the Song of Solomon.
The Key Word — גַּן, gangenerated
The word גַּן (gan) means 'garden' or 'enclosure' and can refer to a physical garden or, figuratively, to a bride. It is derived from a root meaning to fence in. This term evokes images of a protected and cultivated space, suggesting beauty and intimacy. The parsing as a noun in the singular absolute form indicates it stands alone as a significant image in this context.
In this verse, the garden symbolizes the beloved's beauty and the exclusivity of their relationship. It suggests that she is cherished and set apart, much like a garden that is cultivated and cared for.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is built around a series of noun phrases and participles, with the main subject being the beloved. The finite verb is implied in the context, and the phrases describe her attributes—each contributing to the overall image of her as a cherished garden.
The arrangement emphasizes the beloved's qualities: 'my sister, my bride' introduces her intimacy, while the descriptors 'locked up', 'enclosed', and 'sealed' highlight her exclusivity and protection.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates גַּן as κῆπος (kēpos), which is a direct equivalent meaning 'garden'. This choice maintains the imagery of a cultivated space.
For נָע֖וּל, the translation is κεκλεισμένος (kekleismenos), meaning 'closed' or 'locked'. This choice reinforces the idea of security and exclusivity in the relationship.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Song of Solomon 4:12 describes the beloved as a locked garden and a sealed spring, emphasizing her beauty and the intimacy of their relationship. The speaker affectionately calls her 'sister' and 'bride', indicating a close bond and admiration.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase suggests that the beloved is precious and protected, symbolizing both beauty and exclusivity.
The term 'sister' indicates a close, intimate relationship, emphasizing the depth of their bond.
The imagery of a garden and spring conveys themes of beauty, intimacy, and security in the relationship.
This verse is part of a larger poetic celebration of love, where the beloved is consistently portrayed with rich, romantic imagery.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What qualities do you admire in someone you love, and how can you express that admiration?
- In what ways do you feel cherished and protected in your relationships?
- How can the imagery of a garden inspire you to cultivate beauty in your own life?
- What does it mean to you to have a close bond with someone, like the speaker's relationship with his beloved?
The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed.
My sister, my bride, is a locked up garden; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain.
My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed.
You are a locked garden, my sister, my bride; you are an enclosed spring, a sealed-up fountain.
Tyndale line
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
My sister my spouse is as a garden inclosed, as a spring shut vp, and a fountaine sealed vp.
Strictly literal
A garden enclosed is my sister, [my] spouse; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
A garden shut up [is] my sister-spouse, A spring shut up — a fountain sealed.
A garden shut up [is] my sister-spouse, || A spring shut up—a fountain sealed.
A locked-up garden is my sister, [my] bride; a locked-up spring, a sealed fountain.
My sister, my bride is a garden locked up, a garden locked up, a spring that is sealed.
From the Latin
My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up.
Simplified
My sister, my bride, is a locked garden, a spring of water that is closed, a fountain that is sealed.
A garden walled-in is my sister, my bride; a garden shut up, a spring of water stopped.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Song of Solomon 4:12 reads, "גן נעול אחותי כלה גל נעול מעין חתום," which translates to "My sister, my bride, you are a garden locked up, a spring enclosed, a fountain sealed." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the words used, matching all eight words in a word-by-word correspondence, although the order and structure may differ due to the nature of the Greek translation. There are no significant differences noted in the surviving texts from the Samaritan Pentateuch or the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse, indicating a strong consistency across these ancient witnesses.
גַּ֥ן׀ נָע֖וּל אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּ֑ה גַּ֥ל נָע֖וּל מַעְיָ֥ן חָתֽוּם׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Song of Solomon 4:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
גַּן (gan) means 'garden' or 'enclosure' and can refer to a physical garden or, figuratively, to a bride. It is derived from a root meaning to fence in. The term is used in various contexts, including the Garden of Eden and specific locations like Beth-haggan.
גַּן n.m. & f. enclosure, garden
base
H1588 גַּן enclosure, garden
1588 gan gan
from 1598; a garden (as fenced):--garden.
see HEBREW for 01598
גַּן (gan) — Garden (of Uzza).
This name means garden, enclosure
גַּן (gan) — (Beth)-haggan.
Combined with ba.yit (בַּ֫יִת "Beth" H1004H)
גַּן (gan) — garden.
1) garden, enclosure
1a) enclosed garden
1a1) (fig. of a bride)
1b) garden (of plants)
1c) Garden of Eden
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
gar'-d'-n (gan, gannah, ginnah; kepos): The Arabic jannah (diminutive, jannainah), like the Hebrew gannah, literally, "a covered or hidden place," denotes in the mind of the dweller in the East something more than the ordinary garden. Gardens in Biblical times, such as are frequently referred to in Semitic literature, were usually walled enclosures, as the name indicates (La 2:6 the American Revised Version, margin), in which there were paths winding in and out among shade and fruit trees, canals of running water, fountains, sweet-smelling herbs, aromatic blossoms and convenient arbors in which to sit and enjoy the effect. These gardens are mentioned in Ge 2 and Ge 3; 13:10; So 4:12-16; Ec 2:5,6;
Gardens in the East, as the Hebrew word indicates, are enclosures on the outskirts of towns, planted with various trees and shrubs. From the allusions in the Bible we learn that they were surrounded by hedges of thorn, (Isaiah 5:5) or walls of stone. (Proverbs 24:31) For further protection lodges, (Isaiah 1:8; Lamentations 2:6) or watchtowers, (Mark 12:1) were built in them, in which sat the keeper, (Job 27:18) to drive away the wild beasts and robbers, as is the case to this day. The gardens of the Hebrews were planted with flowers and aromatic shrubs, (Solomon 6:2; 4:16) besides olives, fig trees, nuts or walnuts, (Solomon 6:12) pomegranates, and others for domestic use.…
→ Of Eden
See EDEN
→ Of Gethsemane
→ See GETHSEMANE
נָעַל (na'al) primarily means to lock or bar something, as well as to furnish with sandals. It is derived from a root meaning to fasten up. The verb appears in both Qal and Hiphil forms, indicating actions of locking and providing footwear, respectively. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָעַל vb. bar, bolt, lock
base
[נָעַל] vb. denom. furnish with sandals
Qal and I shod thee with תחשׁ (q.v.).
Hiph. and gave them sandals.
base
H5274a נָעַל bar, bolt, look H5274b נָעַל vb. denom. furnish with sandals
5274 na`al naw-al'
a primitive root; properly, to fasten up, i.e. with a bar or
cord; hence (denominative from 5275), to sandal, i.e. furnish
with slippers:--bolt, inclose, lock, shoe, shut up.
see HEBREW for 05275
נָעַל (na.al) — to lock.
1) to bar, lock, bolt
1a) (Qal) to bar, lock, bolt
נָעַל (na.al) — to shoe.
1) to furnish with sandals, shoe
1a) (Qal) to shoe
1b) (Hiphil) to give sandals
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
אָחוֹת (achowth) means 'sister' and can refer to a full sister, half-sister, or a relative. It is used both literally and figuratively, symbolizing relationships such as that of Israel and Judah, and can also imply intimacy or connection. The word is built from a feminine form related to other terms for kinship.
אָחוֹת 114 n.f. sister
sister
= beloved
symbol. of Judah, Samaria, Sodom & Jerusalem
fig. of intimate connection
another
base
H269 אָחוֹת sister
269 'achowth aw-khoth'
irregular feminine of 251; a sister (used very widely (like
250), literally and figuratively):--(an-)other, sister,
together.
see HEBREW for 0251
see HEBREW for 0250
אָחוֹת (a.chot) — sister.
1) sister
1a) sister (same parents)
1b) half-sister (same father)
1c) relative
1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship
1d) beloved
1d1) bride
1e) (fig.) of intimate connection
1f) another
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
כַּלָה (kallah) primarily means 'bride' or 'daughter-in-law.' It is derived from a root meaning 'to be perfect.' The entries consistently refer to the word as denoting a son's wife or a young bride, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
כַּלָה n.f. daughter-in-law, bride
base
H3618 כַּלָה daughter-in-law, bride
3618 kallah kal-law'
from 3634; a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's
wife:--bride, daughter-in-law, spouse.
see HEBREW for 03634
כַּלָּה (kal.lah) — daughter-in-law: bride.
: bride
1) bride, daughter-in-law
1a) daughter-in-law
1b) bride, young wife
Also means: kal.lah (כַּלָּה ": daughter-in-law" H3618H)
כַּלָּה (kal.lah) — daughter-in-law.
: daughter-in-law
1) bride, daughter-in-law
1a) daughter-in-law
1b) bride, young wife
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
brid.
See MARRIAGE.
Bride
Frequently used in the ordinary sense (Isa. 49:18; 61:10, etc.). The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride (John 3:29). The church is called “the bride” (Rev. 21:9; 22:17). Compare parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13).
→ Ornaments of Isa 49:18; 61:10; Jer 2:32; Re 21:2
→ Presents to Ge 24:53
→ Maids of Ge 24:59,61; 29:24,29
→ FIGURATIVE Ps 45:10-17; Eze 16:8-14; Re 19:7,8; 21:2,9; 22:17
גַּל (gal) refers to a heap or pile, often of stones or dung, and can also denote waves or billows, particularly in a poetic context. It is derived from a root meaning something rolled and can signify a spring of water. The word is used in various contexts, including the ratification of covenants and metaphorically to describe the chastisement of Jehovah.
גַּל n.m. heap, wave, billow
heap of stones
waves (rollers) poet.
spring
base
H1530 גַּל heap, wave, billow
1530 gal gal
from 1556; something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung
(plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural
waves):--billow, heap, spring, wave.
see HEBREW for 01556
גַּל (gal) — heap.
: heap/pile
1) heap, spring, wave, billow
1a) heap (of stones)
1a1) over dead body
1a2) alone
1a3) used in ratifying a covenant
1b) waves (fig. of chastisement of Jehovah)
1c) spring
Also means: gal (גַּל ": wave" H1530H)
גַּל (gal) — heap: wave.
: wave
1) heap, spring, wave, billow
1a) heap (of stones)
1a1) over dead body
1a2) alone
1a3) used in ratifying a covenant
1b) waves (fig. of chastisement of Jehovah)
1c) spring
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
See FOUNTAIN; WELL.
Spring
(Heb. ‘ain, “the bright open source, the eye of the landscape”). To be carefully distinguished from “well” (q.v.). “Springs” mentioned in Josh. 10:40 (Heb. ‘ashdoth) should rather be “declivities” or “slopes” (R.V.), i.e., the undulating ground lying between the lowlands (the shephelah) and the central range of hills.
נָעַל (na'al) primarily means to lock or bar something, as well as to furnish with sandals. It is derived from a root meaning to fasten up. The verb appears in both Qal and Hiphil forms, indicating actions of locking and providing footwear, respectively. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָעַל vb. bar, bolt, lock
base
[נָעַל] vb. denom. furnish with sandals
Qal and I shod thee with תחשׁ (q.v.).
Hiph. and gave them sandals.
base
H5274a נָעַל bar, bolt, look H5274b נָעַל vb. denom. furnish with sandals
5274 na`al naw-al'
a primitive root; properly, to fasten up, i.e. with a bar or
cord; hence (denominative from 5275), to sandal, i.e. furnish
with slippers:--bolt, inclose, lock, shoe, shut up.
see HEBREW for 05275
נָעַל (na.al) — to lock.
1) to bar, lock, bolt
1a) (Qal) to bar, lock, bolt
נָעַל (na.al) — to shoe.
1) to furnish with sandals, shoe
1a) (Qal) to shoe
1b) (Hiphil) to give sandals
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
מַעְיָן (ma`yan) means 'spring' and refers to a source of water, such as a fountain or well. It can also be used figuratively to denote a source of satisfaction. The word is derived from a root meaning to spring forth, and it appears in contexts like Psalm 114:8.
מַעְיָן n.m. spring
base
H4599 מַעְיָן spring
4599 ma`yan mah-yawn'
or ma ynow (Psa. 114:8) {mah-yen-o'}; or (feminine) ma yanah
{mah-yaw-naw'}; from 5869 (as a denominative in the sense of a
spring); a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a
source (of satisfaction):--fountain, spring, well.
see HEBREW for 05869
מַעְיָן (ma.yan) — spring.
spring
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
See FOUNTAIN; WELL.
Spring
(Heb. ‘ain, “the bright open source, the eye of the landscape”). To be carefully distinguished from “well” (q.v.). “Springs” mentioned in Josh. 10:40 (Heb. ‘ashdoth) should rather be “declivities” or “slopes” (R.V.), i.e., the undulating ground lying between the lowlands (the shephelah) and the central range of hills.
חָתַם (cha.tam) means to seal or affix a seal. It covers various forms, including sealing up, locking up, and being stopped. The verb appears in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating various nuances of sealing and closure. The Aramaic equivalent is also noted.
חָתַם vb. seal, affix seal, seal up
Qal
seal, affix one’s seal, in attestation
seal up, fasten up by sealing
Niph. (it was) written and sealed
Pi. lit. by day they seal up for themselves, i.e acc. to most, they shut themselves up
Hiph. or hath his flesh (genital organ) shewn stoppage by reason of his flux.
base
H2856 חָתַם seal, affix seal, seal up
2856 chatham khaw-tham'
a primitive root; to close up; especially to seal:--make an
end, mark, seal (up), stop.
חָתַם (cha.tam) — to seal.
1) to seal, seal up, affix a seal
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to seal, affix one's seal
1a2) to seal up, fasten up by sealing
1b) (Niphal) to seal
1c) (Piel) to lock up
1d) (Hiphil) to be stopped
Aramaic equivalent: cha.tam (חֲתַם "to seal" H2857)
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa