Song of Songs 1:2 in Hebrew
יִשָּׁקֵ֨נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיקֹ֣ות פִּ֔יהוּ כִּֽי־טֹובִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן׃
Introduction to the Verse
Song of Songs 1:2 is a poetic expression of love and longing, beginning the book with an intimate request:
יִשָּׁקֵ֨נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיקֹ֣ות פִּ֔יהוּ – “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.”
כִּֽי־טֹובִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן – “For your love is better than wine.”
A key term in this verse is דֹּדֶיךָ (dōḏêḵā), which plays a crucial role in understanding biblical expressions of love and affection.
Understanding דֹּדֶיךָ
1. דֹּדֶיךָ (Dodeikha) – “Your Love” or “Your Caresses”
– Derived from the root ד־ו־ד (d-w-d), meaning “beloved, love, or affection.”
– In biblical poetry, דֹּדִים (dōdīm) can refer to romantic love, intimacy, or passionate affection.
– The term does not strictly mean “kisses” but encompasses a broader sense of deep emotional and physical closeness.
2. Comparison to יָיִן (Wine)
– Wine (יָיִן, yayin) is often associated with joy, pleasure, and celebration in biblical texts.
– The phrase טֹובִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן (“Your love is better than wine”) elevates the power of love above sensory pleasures, emphasizing its intoxicating and joyful nature.
Literary and Theological Significance
1. Love as a Symbol of Divine and Human Relationship
– The Song of Songs is traditionally interpreted in two ways:
– As an expression of human romantic love.
– As an allegory of the relationship between God and Israel (or Christ and the Church in Christian tradition).
– The use of דֹּדִים reflects both human intimacy and divine affection.
2. The Intensification of Desire Through Poetic Repetition
– The phrase מִנְּשִׁיקֹ֣ות פִּ֔יהוּ (“with the kisses of his mouth”) is a doubling of expression, reinforcing intimacy and longing.
– This poetic style is typical of Hebrew love poetry, where repetition builds emotional depth.
3. Contrast Between Physical and Emotional Fulfillment
– The contrast between love and wine suggests that love surpasses physical pleasures, pointing to a deeper emotional and spiritual satisfaction.
The Meaning of דֹּדֶיךָ in Song of Songs 1:2
The phrase טֹובִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן highlights the richness of love, emphasizing its surpassing joy and fulfillment. The word דֹּדִים carries a dual meaning of romantic intimacy and spiritual devotion, making this verse one of the most expressive declarations of love in biblical poetry.
Whether understood as human passion or divine affection, the verse sets the tone for the deeply poetic and symbolic themes found throughout the Song of Songs.
