Introduction to Song of Songs 7:9
This highly poetic and sensuous verse expresses a male speaker’s desire using a sequence of imperfect verbs that reflect volition, desire, and poetic imagination. The verse features multiple uses of the imperfect with cohortative or subjunctive meaning, including the particle נָא, which emphasizes the speaker’s wish. This lesson explores the use of the volitional imperfect, especially in love poetry, and how Hebrew uses the imperfect to express not only future actions but also intentionality and longing.
אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙ אֶעֱלֶ֣ה בְתָמָ֔ר אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו וְיִֽהְיוּ־נָ֤א שָׁדַ֨יִךְ֙ כְּאֶשְׁכְּלֹ֣ות הַגֶּ֔פֶן וְרֵ֥יחַ אַפֵּ֖ךְ כַּתַּפּוּחִֽים׃
Analysis of Key Words and Structures
- אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙ (amarti) – “I said.”
– Qal perfect 1cs from אמר. Functions here as a prelude to a poetic resolution or inner thought. - אֶעֱלֶ֣ה בְתָמָ֔ר (eʿeleh vetamar) – “Let me go up into the palm tree.”
– Qal imperfect 1cs from עלה with volitional meaning.
– This imperfect functions like a **cohortative** (“I will” or “let me”), expressing desire.
– בְתָמָר = “into the palm tree” (metaphor for the beloved). - אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו (oḥazah b’sansinnav) – “Let me take hold of its branches.”
– Qal cohortative 1cs from אחז (“to seize, grasp”), marked by final ָה.
– סַנְסִנִּים are branches or shoots; poetic reference to physical closeness.
– Expresses a **second stage of desire**, continuing the imagery of approach. - וְיִֽהְיוּ־נָ֤א שָׁדַ֨יִךְ֙ (veyihyu-na shadayikh) – “May your breasts now be…”
– יִֽהְיוּ is Qal imperfect 3mp from היה.
– נָא adds volitional or polite emphasis (“please,” “now,” or “may”).
– The phrase expresses a **wish or poetic subjunctive**, common in romantic literature. - כְּאֶשְׁכְּלֹ֣ות הַגֶּ֔פֶן (keʾeshk’lot haggef en) – “like clusters of the vine.”
– אֶשְׁכְּלוֹת = clusters (usually of grapes); metaphor for sensual beauty.
– Construct phrase with הַגֶּ֔פֶן (“the vine”), forming an image of fruitfulness and abundance. - וְרֵ֥יחַ אַפֵּ֖ךְ כַּתַּפּוּחִֽים (verei’aḥ appekha kattappuḥim) – “And the scent of your nose is like apples.”
– רֵ֥יחַ = “fragrance” or “smell.”
– אַפֵּ֖ךְ = “your nose,” poetic parallel for breath or closeness.
– כַּתַּפּוּחִֽים = “like apples,” a comparison to pleasant scent and sweetness.
Volitional Imperfects and Expressive Desire in Hebrew Poetry
In this verse, the speaker moves from inner thought (אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙) to **expressed longing** using a sequence of volitional imperfects:
– אֶעֱלֶ֣ה – “Let me ascend”
– אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה – “Let me seize”
– יִֽהְיוּ־נָא – “May they be…”
These are not simple future tense verbs. Each carries desire, permission, or emotional intention, which is a hallmark of Biblical Hebrew poetic style.
The addition of נָא in יִֽהְיוּ־נָא adds a pleading or gentle tone, making the wish more intimate or emotionally charged. In narrative, נָא may request compliance; in poetry, it often highlights aesthetic yearning.
How Hebrew Volitional Grammar Frames Desire in the Song of Songs
Song of Songs 7:9 is a masterclass in how Biblical Hebrew uses verb forms not just to describe actions, but to render inner longing. Through the cohortative imperfects and the use of נָא, the speaker’s imagination becomes grammatically vivid.
Rather than simply declare, “I want,” the text embodies desire in grammar:
– The imperfects move the listener from thought to action.
– The imagery moves from vertical ascent (אֶעֱלֶ֣ה) to intimate contact (אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה) to sensual comparison (יִֽהְיוּ־נָא… כְּאֶשְׁכְּלֹ֣ות).
Thus, Hebrew poetry achieves not only beauty in metaphor but intensity in grammar. Desire is structured, embodied, and ultimately sanctified by poetic form.
