Tag Archives: Song of Songs 6:1

The Interrogative Particle אָ֚נָה in Song of Songs 6:1

Introduction to Song of Songs 6:1 Song of Songs 6:1 presents a question directed to the beloved woman, asking about the whereabouts of her lover. The interrogative particle אָ֚נָה (ʾānāh) plays a crucial role in shaping the inquiry, as it introduces a directional or locative question rather than a simple “where” question. This analysis will explore its morphology, syntactic role, and semantic nuances within Biblical Hebrew. אָ֚נָה הָלַ֣ךְ דֹּודֵ֔ךְ הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים אָ֚נָה פָּנָ֣ה דֹודֵ֔ךְ וּנְבַקְשֶׁ֖נּוּ עִמָּֽךְ׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases The interrogative particle אָ֚נָה (ʾānāh) appears twice in the verse: אָ֚נָה הָלַ֣ךְ דֹּודֵ֔ךְ אָ֚נָה פָּנָ֣ה דֹּודֵ֔ךְ Each phrase consists of: אָ֚נָה (ʾānāh) – “Where (to)?”… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Rhetorical Questions and the Syntax of Seeking in Song of Songs 6:1

Introduction to Song of Songs 6:1 Song of Songs 6:1 presents a dialogue of inquiry, where the “daughters of Jerusalem” address the Shulamite, asking where her beloved has gone so they may help her seek him. The verse employs rhetorical questions as a poetic device to express concern, admiration, and solidarity. This passage consists of two parallel questions, each introduced by אָ֚נָה (“where?”), emphasizing: The physical departure of the beloved (אָ֚נָה הָלַ֣ךְ דֹּודֵ֔ךְ, “Where has your beloved gone?”). The direction in which he turned (אָ֚נָה פָּנָ֣ה דֹודֵ֔ךְ, “Where has your beloved turned?”).… Learn Hebrew
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