Song of Solomon 5:1 Meaning: The Bridegroom’s Invitation to Feast
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Friends Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved.
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
I have come in to my garden, my sister-spouse, I have plucked my myrrh with my spice, I have eaten my comb with my honey, I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends, drink, Yea, drink abundantly, O beloved ones!
I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, beloved ones!
Meaning in one sentence
In Song of Solomon 5:1, the bridegroom enters his garden and invites friends to feast. This verse celebrates joyful union and points to God’s abundant love.
Context
The Song of Solomon is a love poem, a collection of songs between a bride and groom. Christians have long read it as a picture of God’s tender love for his people. In chapter 4, the bride invites her beloved to come into his garden and taste its fruits. Now in chapter 5, verse 1, the bridegroom answers. He has come. He has gathered myrrh and spice, eaten honeycomb and honey, drunk wine and milk. This is the moment of joyful union. Then he turns to those nearby, friends, companions, loved ones, and calls them to share the feast. The verse marks a high point in the poem, a celebration of love fully received and freely given.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight of this verse. First, bo (to come in) is the same word used in the Old Testament for entering the marriage chamber. It means more than just arriving; it pictures a husband coming to claim his bride. Second, arah (to pluck) suggests gathering grapes or flowers with care. The bridegroom does not simply take, he delights in what he gathers, handpicking each spice and fruit. Third, shakar (to become drunk) is translated here as "drink abundantly." It means to be filled to the point of intoxication, but not with wine, with love and joy. The invitation to "become drunk" is an invitation to be overwhelmed by goodness. Together these words paint a scene of complete satisfaction: Christ enters fully, enjoys thoroughly, and shares generously.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians from different traditions have read this verse in two main ways. Many see it as an allegory of Christ and the church. Matthew Henry wrote that Christ here owns his people as his garden and delights in their fruits. The bridegroom’s joy pictures the joy of Christ over his redeemed. Others read the poem as celebrating human marital love, given by God and meant to be enjoyed. In this view, the verse describes the consummation of a marriage, with the invitation to friends reflecting the wedding feast of that time. Both readings honor the text. The verse speaks of intimacy and abundance, whether we see it as a picture of divine love or a celebration of human romance.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think the command "drink, yes, drink abundantly" means the bridegroom is encouraging literal drunkenness. In fact, the word shakar (become drunk) is used here as a metaphor for being completely filled with joy and love. The poem uses the language of wine and feasting to express the overwhelming happiness of union. It is not an invitation to excess but an image of abundance and delight.
Living This Out
This verse invites you to believe that Christ takes joy in you. He does not come into his garden reluctantly. He comes eagerly, gathers what he finds, and calls it good. This week, let yourself be the garden he delights in. When guilt or shame tells you God is disappointed, remember he has eaten and drunk and is satisfied. Let his joy be your confidence. And if you are married, let this verse refresh your own love, see your spouse as a garden worth entering, worth gathering, worth celebrating. For every reader, the call is the same: come to the feast. He has more than enough.
Main takeaway: Christ delights in his people and invites them to share in the abundance of his love.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This verse talks about a garden and a wedding party. The groom tells everyone to eat and drink and be happy. Jesus loves his people like a bridegroom loves his bride. He wants you to enjoy his goodness.
For ages 9, 12
In this verse, the bridegroom says he has come into his garden and gathered all the good things. Then he invites his friends to feast on honey, milk, and wine. For Christians, this points to how Jesus wants to share his joy with us. He doesn’t hold back. He invites us to eat and drink deeply of his love. Think of it like a celebration where everyone is welcome and there’s more than enough for all.
Questions People Ask
Who is speaking in Song of Solomon 5:1?
The bridegroom speaks first, declaring he has come into his garden. Then he turns to others and invites them to eat and drink. Most interpreters agree the groom is the main speaker throughout the verse.
Are the verbs in this verse past tense or future?
The Hebrew verbs are perfect tense, which usually indicates completed action: "I have come," "I have gathered," "I have eaten." Some older commentators thought it expressed confident expectation (like a prophetic perfect). But most modern scholars read them as describing a real, past event of union.
Who are the 'friends' and 'beloved' at the end of the verse?
The word 'friends' (rea) means companions or close associates, likely the groom’s wedding party. The 'beloved' (dodim) is a plural form meaning 'loved ones,' referring to the bride and her companions. Together, they are all invited to share in the joy of the celebration.
Does this verse have a deeper spiritual meaning?
Many Christians have seen it as an allegory of Christ's love for the church. The garden represents the believer's heart; the myrrh and spices symbolize prayers and good works; the feast points to the joy of salvation. Others read it as celebrating marital love, which itself reflects God’s design. Both views honor the verse as Scripture.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study