Chaper 8
verse 1
If only you were to me like a brother,
(24) she doesn’t wish he was a brother only like a brother in that she could show affection for a brother in public.
Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.
(22a) p 137 Public romantic affection was evidently frowned upon in that culture. But Shulamith wouldn’t have to wait for privacy to express affection if Solomon were a brother by birth. She would kiss him in public, and no one would disapprove.
I would lead you and bring you to my mother’s house – she who has taught me.
Again if he was a brother no one would question her bringing him into her mother’s house
I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.
(22a) 225 Some translations have “pomegranates” instead of “pomegranate.” Sometimes the motivation for this translation is partly because the translators thing Shulmith is referring to her breast, and so the plural is more appropriate. Other times the motivation for this may be because the singular “pomegranate.” Suggests something too erotic for the translators.
(the five megolith) p. 29 asis is fermented juice obtained from crushing the fruit in a wine-press.
His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.
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