Song of Songs 1:12, what does it mean?
The phrase עד אשר means “until” indicating the completion of an action, either time wise, or the desired result has been achieved. Here we find the אשר as a prefix. As a noun, מסב is found only here and in 2 Kings 23:5. In the latter place it refers to the surrounding territory, i.e. “surroundings”, so here it should have the same meaning, though the “territory” would be much smaller, maybe confined to one room. Here is my question: what does המלך mean? Is it from the verb מלל meaning to make a statement? Or from מול meaning to clip or pluck off, used also for to circumcise? Or is there some other word that I have not considered? Right now, I am leaning toward an understanding that the verse means, “Until you cause it to be plucked off, my nard gives off its scent in its surroundings.” Any thoughts? Karl W. Randolph. _______________________________________________ b-hebrew mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew
