Song of Solomon 2
NETnotesSong of Solomon 2:1
53
54
Song of Solomon 2:2
55
56
57
58
Song of Solomon 2:3
59
60
61
Song of Solomon 2:4
62
63
64
65
Song of Solomon 2:5
66
67
Song of Solomon 2:6
68
69
70
Song of Solomon 2:7
71
72
73
74
Song of Solomon 2:8
75
76
77
78
Song of Solomon 2:9
79
80
Song of Solomon 2:10
81
82
83
Song of Solomon 2:11
84
85
Song of Solomon 2:12
86
87
88
89
Song of Solomon 2:13
90
91
92
Song of Solomon 2:14
93
94
Song of Solomon 2:16
1 tn The Niphal participle functions substantively and has a reflexive nuance: “one who has separated himself” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB). He is not merely anti-social; he is a problem for society since he will defy sound judgment. The Mishnah uses the verse to teach the necessity of being part of a community because people have social responsibilities and need each other (m. Avot 2:4).
2 tc The MT has “seeks [his own] desire[s].” The translation in the LXX represents a Hebrew Vorlage of לְתֹאֲנָה (lÿto’anah) instead of לְתַאֲוָה (lÿta’avah); this could be translated “seeks his own occasion,” that is, “his own pretext” (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 354; cf. NAB). The MT makes sense as it stands and the emendation is not really necessary.
3 tn Heb “breaks out”; NRSV “showing contempt for”; NLT “snarling at.” This individual breaks out in contention against sound judgment. He is in opposition to society (e.g., Proverbs 17:14; 20:3).
Song of Solomon 2:17
4 sn This expression forms an understatement (tapeinosis); the opposite is the point - he detests understanding or discernment.
5 tn The Hitpael infinitive construct בְּהִתְגַּלּוֹת (bÿhitgalot) functions nominally as the object of the preposition. The term means “reveal, uncover, betray.” So the fool takes pleasure “in uncovering” his heart.
6 tn Heb “his heart.” This is a metonymy meaning “what is on his mind” (cf. NAB “displaying what he thinks”; NRSV “expressing personal opinion”). This kind of person is in love with his own ideas and enjoys spewing them out (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 515). It is the kind of person who would ask a question, not to learn, but to show everyone how clever he is (cf. TEV).