Song of Solomon 4:5

שְׁנֵ֥י שָׁדַ֛יִךְ כִּשְׁנֵ֥י עֳפָרִ֖ים תְּאוֹמֵ֣י צְבִיָּ֑ה הָרוֹעִ֖ים בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים

Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

Connections

Song of Solomon 2:16

דּוֹדִי לִי וַאֲנִי לוֹ הָרֹעֶה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃

My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 6:3

אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי הָרֹעֶה בַּשׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃

I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 7:3

שְׁנֵי שָׁדַיִךְ כִּשְׁנֵי עֳפָרִים תָּאֳמֵי צְבִיָּֽה׃

Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.

Song of Solomon 8:10

אֲנִי חוֹמָה וְשָׁדַי כַּמִּגְדָּלוֹת אָז הָיִיתִי בְעֵינָיו כְּמוֹצְאֵת שָׁלֽוֹם׃

I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.

1 Peter 2:2

ὡς ἀρτιγέννητα βρέφη τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα ἐπιποθήσατε ἵνα ἐν αὐτῷ αὐξηθῆτε

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Proverbs 5:19

אַיֶּלֶת אֲהָבִים וְֽיַעֲלַת-חֵן דַּדֶּיהָ יְרַוֻּךָ בְכָל-עֵת בְּאַהֲבָתָהּ תִּשְׁגֶּה תָמִֽיד׃

Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

Song of Solomon 8:1

מִי יִתֶּנְךָ כְּאָח לִי יוֹנֵק שְׁדֵי אִמִּי אֶֽמְצָאֲךָ בַחוּץ אֶשָּׁקְךָ גַּם לֹא-יָבֻזוּ לִֽי׃

O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.

Song of Solomon 7:7

זֹאת קֽוֹמָתֵךְ דָּֽמְתָה לְתָמָר וְשָׁדַיִךְ לְאַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת׃

This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.

Isaiah 66:10

שִׂמְחוּ אֶת-יְרוּשָׁלִַם וְגִילוּ בָהּ כָּל-אֹהֲבֶיהָ שִׂישׂוּ אִתָּהּ מָשׂוֹשׂ כָּל-הַמִּֽתְאַבְּלִים עָלֶֽיהָ׃

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

Song of Solomon 1:13

צְרוֹר הַמֹּר׀ דּוֹדִי לִי בֵּין שָׁדַי יָלִֽין׃

A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

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Song of Solomon 4:5

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Niqqud

Cantillation

Masoretic Phrasing

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.

שְׁנֵ֥י שָׁדַ֛יִךְ Tevir — a lesser break כִּשְׁנֵ֥י עֳפָרִ֖ים Tipeha — a lesser break תְּאוֹמֵ֣י צְבִיָּ֑ה Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here הָרוֹעִ֖ים Tipeha — a lesser break בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים Silluq — end of the verse

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Word Parts

שְׁנֵ֥י

Root word two, twelve, both, twelfth, second, …

Dictionary form: שְׁנַיִם · sheh-na-YIM

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Acmdc

Adjective — Cardinal Number, masculine dual, construct state dual — a natural pair ("two ___"); "___ of …" — bound to the next word; a number (one, two, three, …)

שְׁנֵי

Speech Adjective Type Cardinal Number Gender Masculine Number Dual State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: thy two

two ×174 and two ×106 the two ×62 twelve ×34 both ×31 were twelve ×27 and the two ×23 and twelve ×15

More options

two — Standard cardinal number; fits virtually every context.

both — Use when referring to a pair already mentioned.

a pair — Emphasizes the twosome as a unit or set.

double — Prefer when quantity or amount is being doubled.

twice — Use for repetition or frequency, not counting objects.

twelve — Compound use; only when context indicates ten-plus-two.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB10007 H8145 H8147

תנא (ᵑ7 Syriac; = Biblical Hebrew II. שָׁנָה, שְׁנַיִם, שֵׁנִי).

BDB8886 H8147

שְׁנַ֫יִם, שְׁתַּיִם (Philippi^{ZMG xlix (1895), 202} Ges^{«GKC:97b»§ 97b} note):768 noun masculine and feminine dual two (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician אשנם (and ׳שנ second), Punic שנם Lzb³⁸⁰; Arabic ; Sabean תֿני Hom^{Chr 47}, Aramaic תְּרֵין, (תִּנְיָנָא, second); Nabataean תרין, Palmyrene feminine תרתן, תרתיא, Lzb³⁸⁸; Assyrian šinâ; on etymology see √, and especially Philippi^{ZMG xxxii (1878), 21-98}); —

masculine (with masculine noun) שְׁנַיִם Amos 3:3 +; construct שְׁנֵי Isa 7:16 +, suffix שְׁנֵיהֶם Gen 2:25 +, etc.; feminine (with feminine noun) שְׁתַּיִם Amos 4:8 +; construct שְׁתֵּי Gen 4:19, וּשְׁתֵּי Isa 7:21 +, etc., מִשְּׁתֵֿי Judg 16:28 (see GFM); suffixes see below (2 + 10 = 12, see below); Hexateuch chiefly P; — two:

1. no other number:
a. usually construct before plural noun (צְמִידִים) שְׁנֵי Gen 24:22 + 19 t. + 2Sam 23:20 || 1Chr 11:22 (insert בְּנֵי ᵐ5 Th modern, otherwise RS^{Semitic i. 469, 2nd ed., 488}); (נָשִׁים) שְׁתֵּי Gen 4:19 + 132 t., 1Sam 10:4 insert כִּכְּרוֺת Klo HPS Bu Now; Lev 16:21 read dual יָדָיו Qr, + Judg 16:28 (see above) + שְׁתֵּיאֵֿלֶּה Isa 47:9 both these things; before singular noun, שְׁנֵי Exod 16:22 (Ges^{«GKC:134e»§ 134e}); suffix שְׁנֵיתֶם the two of them Gen 2:25 + 62 t., + Prov 24:22 (> their years ᵑ6 ᵑ7 De and others; probably corrupt, see Toy), שְׁנֵינוּ Gen 31:37 + 2 t., שְׁנֵיכֶם Gen 27:45 שְׁתֵּיהֶם (masculine suffix! Ges^{«GKC:135o»§ 135o}) Ruth 1:19; Ruth 4:11, יֵ֯הֶן 1Sam 25:43; Ezek 23:13.
b. absolute (1) שְׁנַ֫יִם (90 t.), before plural noun Judg 11:37 + 26 t.; after plural noun 2Sam 1:1; Exod 29:1+ 21 t. (usually P Chronicles), singular noun (collective) Gen 46:27; Num 7:17 + 11 t. Num 17 noun omitted Gen 7:2; Gen 44:27 + 26 t.; ׳שׁ ׳שׁ distributive Gen 7:9 +; ׳לִשׁ cut in two 2Kgs 3:25; Jer 34:18 = double amount Exod 22:3; Exod 22:6; Exod 22:8 (E); ׳פִּי שׁ Deut 21:17 double portion, + בְּרוּחֲךָ 2Kgs 2:9 in (of) thy spirit, + בָּהּ Zech 3:18 (2) שְׁתַּ֫יִם (55 t.) before plural noun 1Kgs 3:16 + 16 t.; after plural noun (usually P and late) 2Chr 24:3 + 9 t.; noun omitted, = two things Isa 51:19; Job 13:20; Prov 30:7 שְׁתַּיִם = twice 2Kgs 6:10; Job 40:5; Ps 62:12 (or as Prov 30:7), ׳בִּשׁ Job 33:14 either so, or in two ways RVm (see De); as ordinal בִּשְׁנַת שְׁתַּיִם לְ 1Kgs 15:25 + 9 t., etc.; (3) as round number, שְׁנַיִם עֵצִים 1Kgs 17:12 a few sticks (German 'ein paar'), compare 2Kgs 9:32; Isa 17:6 שְׁתַּיִם שָׁלשׁ Amos 4:8, פַּעַם וּשְׁתָּ֑יִם Neh 13:20, compare Jer 3:14 אֶחָד מֵעִיר וּשְׁנַיִם מִמִּשְׁפָּחָה = a small number; Ezra 10:13 not for one or two days (but for many), 2Kgs 6:10.

2. twelve: with noun masculine שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר Gen 42:13 + 87 t., לִשְׁנֵי עָשָׂר Exod 28:21 + 4 t.; with noun feminine שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה Exod 24:4 + 34 t., שְׁתֵּי עֶשְׂרֵה Ezek 32:1; Ezek 32:17; Ezek 33:21 before plural noun Gen 17:20; Exod 15:27 +; after plural noun Num 7:84 (twice in verse) +; before singular noun Exod 28:21 +, Gen 14:4 (12 year) +, etc.; as ordinal, יוֺם בְּיוֺם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר Num 7:78, בִּשְׁתֵּי עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה Ezek 32:1 +, etc.

3. with larger number: 10 (etc.) + 2, 2Sam 8:5; Judg 10:3 + 56 t.; 2 + 10 (etc.) Num 1:35 (P), 2Chr 22:2 + 18 t. (Kö^{ii. 1. 215 ff.} Ges^{«GKC:97f»§ 97f}.); 200 + 2 + 30, 1Kgs 20:15 50 + 2 as ordinal 2Kgs 15:27 + 2 t.; compare 2 + 20, 1Chr 24:17.

Strong's Definition H8147

two, twelve, both, twelfth, second, …

šĕnayim

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

two (the cardinal number)

two, both, double, twice

Variations 67 forms of this word

Translations 163 English renderings

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Word Parts

שָׁדַ֛יִ ךְ

שָׁדַ֛יִ

Root word breasts, breast, paps, teats

ךְ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one woman)

Dictionary form: שַׁד · shahd

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmdc/Sp2fs

Noun — Common, masculine dual, construct state dual — a natural pair ("two ___"); "___ of …" — bound to the next word

שָׁדַיִ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Dual State Construct
ךְ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Second Person Gender Feminine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: breasts

breasts ×5 the breasts ×3 the breast ×2 also thy breasts ×1 and my breasts ×1 and thy breasts ×1 from the breast ×1 from the breasts ×1

More options

breast — Most natural, widely understood modern term; default choice.

bosom — Slightly more poetic; suits lyrical or intimate contexts.

chest — More neutral and anatomical; avoids gendered connotations.

nipple — Precise anatomical term when nursing or suckling is in view.

teat — Retained from KJV only in animal/pastoral contexts; rarely used of humans.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8474 H7701 H7699

I. שֹׁד, שׁוֺד (see below) noun masculine violence, havoc, devastation, ruin; — ׳שׁ absolute Hos 7:13 +; construct Isa 22:4 +; —

1. violence, havoc, as social sin: חָמָס וָשֹׁד Amos 3:10; Jer 6:7; Jer 20:5; Ezek 45:2, ׳וְח ׳שׁ Hab 1:3, כָּזָב ׳וָשׁ Hos 12:2 (1. וָשָׁוְא, ᵐ5 We Marti a.), וָשֶׁבֶר ׳שׁ Isa 59:7; Isa 60:18; Prov 24:2 (|| עָמָל;רְשָׁעִים ׳שׁ Prov 21:7 with genitive object עֲנִיִּים ׳שׁ Ps 12:6.

2. devastation, ruin, for nation Hos 7:13, כְּשֹׁד מִשַּׁדַּי יָבוֺא Isa 13:6 (simile of ׳יוֺם י) = Joel 1:13; Isa 16:4 (Lo Gr Che^Hpt Marti שֹׁדֵד; || רֹמֵס), Isa 22:4, וְשֶׁבֶר ׳שׁ Isa 51:19; Jer 48:3 more generally Amos 5:9 (twice in verse); for individual Job 5:21 (van d. H. שׁוֺד), vJob 5:22 for beasts Hab 2:17 (+ חֲמַס לְבָנוֺן). — Hos 10:14 see שׁדד Infinitive — מִשּׁד (הָֽלְכוּ) Hos 9:6 read אַשּׁוּר We Now Marti. — II. שֹׁד, see שׁדה. below

שַׁדַּי see below אַשְׁדוֺד; > here, Thes and others

BDB8476 H7699

[שַׁד] noun masculine^{Hos 9:14} female breast; — absolute שָׁ֑ד Lam 4:3 elsewhere dual שָׁדַיִם Hos 9:14 +, construct שְׁדֵי Ezek 23:21 +, suffix שָׁדַי Song 1:13; Song 8:10, שָׁדַיִךְ Song 4:5 +, etc.; — breast:

1. of woman Hos 2:4; Ezek 16:7; Ezek 23:3; Ezek 23:21 (שְׁדֵי נְעוּרָ֑יִךְ, || דַּדַּיִךְ), vEzek 23:34 (> strike out ᵐ5 Manuscripts Co; — all these of personified People), Song 1:13; Song 4:5; Song 7:4; Song 7:8; Song 7:9; Song 8:8; Song 8:10 of mother Ps 22:10, with יָנַק suck Song 8:1; Job 3:12; Joel 2:15; Hos 9:14 (see [ צָמַק]); ׳מִשּׁ עֲתִיקֵי Isa 28:9 i.e. those already weaned, mature (|| גְּמוּלֵי מֵךְָלָב). — Isa 32:12 see [ספד].

2. of animal Lam 4:3.

3. both human and animal, וָרָ֑חַם ׳בִּרְכוֺת שׁ Gen 49:25 (poem in J).

BDB8477 H7699

II. שֹׁד noun masculine id. (compare the rare Arabic , Lane³³³ Ba^{ZMG ii. 637}); — ׳שׁ absolute, of mother Job 24:9 construct (figurative, with יָנַק): מְלָכִים ׳שׁ Isa 60:16, תַּנְחֻמֶיהָ ׳שׁ Isa 66:11, i.e. the consolations of Jerusalem.

Strong's Definition H7699

breasts, breast, paps, teats

šad

the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)

breast, bosom, (female) breast

breast (of woman)

Variations 15 forms of this word

Translations 17 English renderings

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Word Parts

כִּ שְׁנֵ֥י

כִּ

Prefix — preposition like, as

שְׁנֵ֥י

Root word two, twelve, both, twelfth, second, …

Dictionary form: שְׁנַיִם · sheh-na-YIM

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Acmdc

Adjective — Cardinal Number, masculine dual, construct state dual — a natural pair ("two ___"); "___ of …" — bound to the next word; a number (one, two, three, …)

כִּ	Speech Preposition
שְׁנֵי	Speech Adjective Type Cardinal Number Gender Masculine Number Dual State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: are like two

two ×174 and two ×106 the two ×62 twelve ×34 both ×31 were twelve ×27 and the two ×23 and twelve ×15

More options

two — Standard cardinal number; fits virtually every context.

both — Use when referring to a pair already mentioned.

a pair — Emphasizes the twosome as a unit or set.

double — Prefer when quantity or amount is being doubled.

twice — Use for repetition or frequency, not counting objects.

twelve — Compound use; only when context indicates ten-plus-two.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB10007 H8145 H8147

תנא (ᵑ7 Syriac; = Biblical Hebrew II. שָׁנָה, שְׁנַיִם, שֵׁנִי).

BDB8886 H8147

Strong's Definition H8147

two, twelve, both, twelfth, second, …

šĕnayim

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

two (the cardinal number)

two, both, double, twice

Variations 67 forms of this word

Translations 163 English renderings

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Word Parts

עֳפָרִ֖ים

Root word young

Dictionary form: עֹפֶר · oh-PER

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmpa

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

עֳפָרִים

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: young

a young ×2 young ×2 to a young ×1

More options

fawn — Most natural modern English for a young deer.

young deer — Plain descriptive phrase; clearer for general audiences.

young stag — Emphasizes male gender; useful in poetic/romantic contexts.

young gazelle — Some scholars read as gazelle; fits Song of Songs imagery.

colt — Use only if context suggests a young horse or donkey.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6260 H6082

עֹ֫פֶר noun masculine^{Song 4:5} young hart, stag; — constructהָאַיָּלִים ׳ע || (צְבִיׅ Song 2:9; Song 2:17; Song 8:14 plural absolute עֳפָרִים תְּאוֺמֵי צְבִיָּה Song 4:5; Song 7:4 (all in simile).

Strong's Definition H6082

young

ʿōper

a fawn (from the dusty color)

deer, fawn, stag, young hart

Variations 2 forms of this word

Translations 3 English renderings

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Word Parts

תְּאוֹמֵ֣י

Root word twins

Dictionary form: תָּאוֹם · taw-OME

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmpc

Noun — Common, masculine plural, construct state plural — usually add "-s"; "___ of …" — bound to the next word

תְּאוֹמֵי

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Plural State Construct

In English

In the KJV here: that are twins

that are twins ×2 there were twins ×1 twins ×1

More options

twin — Most natural, universal modern English choice.

twins — Use when the plural context is explicit.

double — Poetic or figurative contexts emphasizing duality.

matched pair — Highlights symmetry; suits descriptive or poetic passages.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB9094 H8380

[תּוֺאָם (Kö^{ii. 1. 69} תְּאֹם)] noun masculine twin (Late Hebrew id.; compare Phoenician proper name, masculine תאם, Greek Θωμᾶς = δίδυμος John 20:24); — plural absolute of two boys תּוֺמִם Gen 25:24 (Ges^{«GKC:23f»§ 23f}.) תְּאוֺמִים Gen 38:27 (both J); of animals, construct תְּאוֺמֵי צְבִיָּה Song 4:5, ׳תָּאֳמֵי צ Song 7:4.

Strong's Definition H8380

twins

tāʾôm

a twin (in plural only), literally or figuratively

twin

Variations 4 forms of this word

Translations 3 English renderings

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Word Parts

צְבִיָּ֑ה

Root word roes

Dictionary form: צְבִיָּה · tseh-bih-YAW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncfsa

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

צְבִיָּה

Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: roes

roes ×2

More options

gazelle — Most recognized modern equivalent; prefer in narrative prose.

doe — Emphasizes the female animal; good in poetic contexts.

female gazelle — Explicit about sex; use when precision matters.

antelope — Broader term; use when gazelle may confuse readers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6916 H6646

צְבִיָּה noun feminine id.; — ׳תְּאוֺמֵי צ Song 4:5 = Song 7:4.

Strong's Definition H6646

roes

ṣĕbiyyâ

a female gazelle

gazelle, doe

Variations 2 forms of this word

Translations 1 English renderings

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Word Parts

הָ רוֹעִ֖ים

הָ

Prefix — article the

רוֹעִ֖ים

Root word feed, shepherds, shepherd, fed, pastors, …

Dictionary form: רָעָה · raw-AW

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Td/Vqrmpa

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, masculine plural, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

הָ	Speech Particle Type Definite Article
רוֹעִים	Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Participle Active Gender Masculine Number Plural State Absolute

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: which feed

feed ×16 shepherd ×12 and feed ×6 the shepherds ×6 shall feed ×5 to feed ×5 of the shepherds ×4 a shepherd ×3

More options

tend — Broad pastoral care; suits both literal and metaphorical contexts.

graze — Prefer for literal animal feeding/pasturing scenes.

shepherd — Vivid and figurative; ideal for leadership or divine care contexts.

pasture — Emphasizes the act of leading flocks to grazing land.

herd — Suits contexts involving cattle or large livestock specifically.

associate with — Captures the rarer 'companion/friend' semantic range of the lemma.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB7994 H7462 H7473 H7423

I. רָעָה₁₆₇ verb pasture, tend, graze (Assyrian rê°û, verb pasture, noun ruler, Tel Amarna ru—i (as Canaanism) Wkl^{No. 181, 11}; Arabic , Ethiopic Aramaic רְעָא, , all = Biblical Hebrew); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular consecutive וְרָעָה Mic 5:3 +, 1 singular suffix consecutive זּרְעִיתִים Ezek 34:13, 3 plural suffix consecutive וְרָעוּם Jer 23:4, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִרְעֶה Isa 27:20 +, jussive יֵ֫רַע Job 20:26, suffix יִרְעֶנָּה Ps 80:14, וַיִרְעֵם Ps 78:72 (׳וַיַּר Hiph`il van d. H.), etc.; Imperative masculine singular רְעֵה Mic 7:14 +, suffix רְעֵם Ps 28:9 feminine singular רְעִי Song 1:8 masculine plural רְעוּ Gen 29:7 Infinitive construct לִרְעוֺת Gen 37:12 +, etc.; Participle רֹעֶה Gen 30:36 +, suffix רֹעִי Ps 23:1 +; feminine singular רֹעָה Gen 29:9; Prov 25:19, etc.; —

1. transitive
a. pasture, tend (pascere), literal, with accusative צאֹן Gen 30:31; Gen 30:36; Gen 37:12 (all J), Exod 3:1 (E), 1Sam 17:15; 1Sam 25:16; Isa 61:5, accusative of asses Gen 36:24 (P), kids Song 1:8 accusative (צאֹן) omitted Gen 29:7; Gen 37:13 (ב location) vGen 37:16 (all J), Song 1:7 (|| הִרְבִּיץ), Job 24:2 (ᵐ5 Me Siegf Bu וְרֹעוֺ); — metaphor גֹּרֶן וָיֶקֶב לֹא יִרְעֵם Hos 9:2, but read יֵדָעֵם ᵐ5 We Now GASm; מָוֶת יִרְעֵם Ps 49:15.
b. figurative of ׳י, accusative of person, Gen 48:15 (E) God, who shepherded me; with accusative of people, as flock Hos 4:16; Isa 40:11; Mic 7:14 (בְּשִׁבְטֶ֑ךָ), Ezek 34:13 (pregnantly, with אֶל location), vEzek 34:14 vEzek 34:15 (+ הִרְבִּיץ), vEzek 34:16; Ps 28:9.
c. figurative of ruler, and teacher, accusative of people, as flock, 2Sam 5:2 = 1Chr 11:2; 2Sam 7:1 = 1Chr 17:6; Ps 78:72; Jer 3:15; Jer 23:2; Jer 23:4; Ezek 34:2; Ezek 34:3; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 34:10; Ezek 34:23 (twice in verse); Zech 11:4; Zech 11:7 (twice in verse); Zech 11:9 of teaching, יִרְעוּ רַבִּים שִׂפְתֵי צַדִּיק Prov 10:21 with ב of people Ps 78:71 absolute Mic 5:3 with accusative of person reflexive pastured (fed, enriched) themselves Ezek 34:2; Ezek 34:8; Ezek 34:10.
d. especially participle רֹעֶה, etc., as substantive = shepherd, herdsman: (I) literal, צאֹן רֹעֵה Gen 4:2; Gen 46:32; Gen 46:34; Gen 47:3 (all J), ׳רֹעֶה בַּצּ Gen 37:2 (E), 1Sam 16:11; 1Sam 17:34 רֹעֵי מִקְנֶה Gen 13:7 (twice in verse) (J); ׳(ה)ר alone, singular Amos 3:12 + 7 t. (all in simile); רֹעָה shepherdess, Gen 29:9 (J); כְּלִי רֹעֶה אֱוִילִי Zech 11:15 (see כְּלִי 2 c), as symbol; plural (הָ)רֹעִים Amos 1:2; Exod 2:17; Exod 2:19 (J) 1Sam 21:8 (׳אַבִּיר הָר; Gr Dr Bu Kit Löhr חָרָצִים ׳א; ᵐ5 Lag^{BN 45} HPS אֹבִיל הָעְַיָרִים, but compare We) + 8 t. + Isa 31:4 (simile), Isa 38:12 (read רֹעִים for רֹעִי Perles²⁹ Du Che^Hpt compare Di), compare (suffix) Gen 13:8 (twice in verse) (J); כְּלִי הָרֹעִים 1Sam 17:40 (see כְּלִי 3); — בֵּידעֵֿקֶד הָרִעִיס. (2) figurative of ruler (as often Assyrian; compare Greek (Homer) ποιμένα λαῶν), absolute singular Jer 17:16

**figurative of prophet (but Aq Symm ᵑ6 Gie Du Co מֵרָעָה); Zech 10:2; Zech 11:16; Zech 13:7b + 8 t. Jeremiah, Ezekiel; suffix of ׳י, רֹעִי Isa 44:28 (of Cyrus), Zech 13:7a.; Zech 13:17 (read רֹעִי הָאֱוִילִי We Now GASm); absolute plural Isa 56:11; Jer 2:8; Jer 3:15; Mic 5:4; Zech 10:3; Zech 11:5; Zech 11:8 + 18 t. Jeremiah Ezek 34, + (of Assyrian leaders) Nah 3:18 ׳רֹעֵי יִשׂ Ezek 34:2 צאֹנוֺ רֹעֵי Isa 63:11 (but read רֹעֵה [of Moses] ᵐ5 Targam Di Du and others). (3) epithet of ׳רֹעִי ׃ י ׳י Ps 23:1, ׳רֹעֵה יִשׂ Ps 80:2, ׳רֹעֶה אֶבֶן יִשׂ Gen 49:24 (poem in J; read construct רֹעֵה. compare Commentaries); מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָד Eccl 12:11 De Wild, < president of assembly of sages Siegf SS.

2. intransitive feed, graze:
a. literally of cows, sheep, etc.: with ב location Gen 41:2; Gen 41:18 (E), 1Chr 27:29 with accusative of pasture Isa 30:23 with עַל location Zeph 2:7 (עֲלֵי הַיָּם for ᵑ0 עֲלֵיהֶם, see Now); אֶלמֿוּל location Exod 34:3 (J); absolute Isa 5:17; Isa 11:7 (|| רבץ; but see רעה below) Isa 27:10 (|| id.), Isa 65:25; Jonah 3:7; Job 1:14.
b. figurative of idolater, Isa 44:20 he feedeth on ashes (accusative); compare Hos 12:2 Ehpraimitic source feedeth on wind (acc); אִוֶּלֶת ׳פִּי כְסִילִים יִר Prov 15:14 (so Vrss Qr; Kt פני for פי) the mouth of fools feeds on folly (Toy; Buhl √ II. רעה, Gerber¹⁶² below III. רעה); in Canticles, with ב location, figurative of lover Song 2:16; Song 6:2; Song 6:3 of breasts (like gazelles) Song 4:5.
c. figurative, of Israel as flock Isa 14:30 (|| רבץ), read (יַ֯) בְּכָרֹי in my pasture(s), for ᵑ0 בְּכוֺרֵי, Koppe Ew Di Du (otherwise Che^Hpt, compare Marti); Zeph 3:13 (|| id..); with עַלדְּֿרָכִים Isa 49:9 with accusative of pasture-land Jer 50:19; Mic 7:14; Ezek 34:14b ( + אֶל location), vEzek 34:18 vEzek 34:19 hence crop, strip, i.e. devastate, of conqueror, with accusative of land Mic 5:6, cf; אֶתיָֿדוֺ Jer 6:3 so יִרְעוּךְ קָדְקֹד; Jer 2:16 accusative of Israel under figure of vine (subject foes, as beasts) Ps 80:14.
d. subject wind, with accusative of person Jer 22:22, i. e. drive them away; subject fire, with accusative of thing, יֵרַע Job 20:26, but read perhaps יֵרָע, Niph`al (Ol Di Hoffm Siegf Bu; otherwise Du). רֹעֶה עֲקָרָה֯ Job 24:21 is difficult; Bu חֵרַע for ׳ר; more radical conjectures in Du. Niph`al possibly Job 20:26, see 2 d above Hiph`il Ps 78:72 van d. H., see 1 c above

BDB7995 H7462 H7473

רֹעֶה shepherd, רֹעָה shepherdess, see √ 1 d. above

BDB8000 H7462 H7489

II. [רָעָה] verb probably associate with (compare Schulth^{69 ff.} but also Nö^{ZMG iiv (1900), 154 f.}; Assyrian ru°a, ruttu, neighbour, fellow (masculine and feminine; compare Jäger^{BAS i. 483,486}); so Bedouin , master, owner, Wallin^{ZMG v (1851), 9} Jayakar^{JA xxi. 851}; Ethiopic marriage; Arabic , Ethiopic yoke; Late Hebrew רֵעוּת friendship is from Biblical Hebrew רֵעַ); —

Qal Imperative masculine singular וּרְעֵה אֱמוּנָה Ps 37:3 cherish faithfulness (Hup-Now RV Che Du Dr); > feed seocurely (Bae; I.רעה; feed on (his) faithfulness AmRV); Participle כְסִילִים רֹעֶה Prov 13:20 one associating with fools, so ׳זֹלְלְים ר Prov 28:7, זוֺנוֺת ׳ר Prov 29:3 (Thes and others think these figurative from I. רעה, see 2 b). Hithpa`el 2 masculine singular אַלתִּֿתְרַע אֶתבַּֿעַל אָ֑ף Prov 22:24 do not make companionship with a bad-tempered man; perhaps also 3 feminine plural תִּתְרָעֶינָה Isa 11:7 (Lag^{Or. i. 21}; Deceased Wife's Sister 399 Brd Du Che Hpt) cow and bear shall be each other's companions; + Infinitive construct הִתְרָעֹת Prov 18:24 (Toy, for ᵑ0 הִתְרֹעֵעַ) there are [יֵשׁ, for אִישׁ] friends (merely) to be companions (see II. רעע near the end).

BDB8003 H7462

[רָעָה] verb denominative Pi`el be a special friend; — Perfect 3 masculine singular מֵרֵעֵהוּ אֲשֶׁר רֵעָה לוֺ Judg 14:20 his comrade who had been 'best man' (GFM) to him.

BDB8036 H7489 H7465 H7462

II. [רָעַע] verb break (Aramaic loan-word = Hebrew רָצַץ q. v.); —

Qal Perfect 3 plural רָעוּ Jer 11:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יָרֹעַ Jer 15:12; Job 34:24, 2 masculine singular suffix תְּרֹעֵם Ps 2:9 (but see below); Infinitive absolute רֹ֫עָה Isa 24:19 (strike out ה as dittograph and read רֹעַ, see Hithpo`el); Participle feminine רֹעָה (? for רֹעֲעָה) Prov 25:19: —

1. transitive הֲיָרֹע בַּרְזֶל ׳בַּרְזֶל וגו Jer 15:12 can one break iron, iron out of the north? compare יָרֹעַ כַּבִּירִים Job 34:24 תְּרֹעֵם בְּשֵֹׁבֶט בַּרְזֶל Ps 2:9 (but read תִּרְעֵם, see I. רהְ, ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Hup-Now and others).

2. intransitive break = be broken, of branches Jer 11:16 (in figurative; Gf Or and others; > Hi Gie are in a sad state, √ I. רעע); שֵׁן רֹעָה Prov 25:19 a broken tooth (׳ר = רֹעֲעָה?; Frankenb Niph`al Participle נְרָעָה, compare Toy, but Niph`al not elsewhere; Vrss רָעָה bad). — רֹ֫עוּ Isa 8:9 read דְּעוּ (ᵐ5 Lo Che and others, || הַאֲזִינוּ). Hithpo`el Perfect 3 feminine singular + Qal Infinitive absolute (see above) צרץ[הָ] רֹעַ הִתְרֹעֲעָה Isa 24:19 the earth is broken asunder (|| פּוֺר תִתְפּוֺרְרָה, מוֺט הִתְמוֺטְטָה); also Infinitive construct לְהִתְרוֺעֵעַ Prov 18:24 will be broken in pieces (Ges^{«GKC:114i»§ 114i}), ruined, De and others, but < read לְהִתְרָעוֺת Vrss Toy and others, see רעה Hithpa`el (see, however, Dr^{Expos. Times xi (1899-1900), 230f.}).

BDB9904 H7462

רעה (√ of following; compare Biblical Hebrew III. רעה).

Strong's Definition H7462

feed, shepherds, shepherd, fed, pastors, …

rāʿâ

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)

to pasture, tend, graze, feed

(Qal)

to tend, pasture

to shepherd

of cows, sheep, etc (literally)

(Qal) to associate with

Variations 66 forms of this word

Translations 99 English renderings

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Word Parts

בַּ שּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים

בַּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)

שּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים

Root word lilies, lily, shoshannim, shushan-eduth

Dictionary form: שׁוּשַׁן · shoo-SHAHN

Vowels & Accents

בַּ

Hidden "the" בַּ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "in the ___".

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Rd/Ncbpa

Noun — Common, both plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

בַּ	Speech Preposition Type Definite Article
שּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Both Number Plural State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: among the lilies

among the lilies ×3 as the lily ×2 of lilies ×2 shoshannim ×2 and the lily ×1 like lilies ×1 lilies ×1 shushan-eduth ×1

More options

lily — Most natural default rendering in modern English.

lotus — Prefer when Egyptian or water-flower context is likely.

flower — Broader term; use when species is uncertain or decorative.

water lily — Highlights aquatic variety; suits Song of Songs imagery.

shoshannim — Retain as musical/psalm title term; not a flower reference.

blossom — Emphasizes the bloom itself; poetic, less specific.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8572 H7799 H7802

I. שׁוּשַׁן, שׁוֺשָׁ֑ן noun masculine שׁוֺשַׁנָּה noun feminine usually lily, probably any lily-like flower (Tristr^{NHB 462 ff.} Post^{Hast. DB LILY} Löw^{No. 323}; Late Hebrew שׁוֺשַׁנָּה, Arabic (Vulgar ), especially iris, Aramaic שׁוּשַׁנְתָּא, (PS⁴³⁴⁴), Greek σοῦσον Lewy^{Fremdw. 48}; original loan-word from Egyptian sššn, šôš§n, Erman^{ZMG xlvi (1892), 117}); — lily: in simile, יִפְרַח כַּשּׁוֺשַׁנָּה Hos 14:7 (of Israel), בֵּין הַחוֺחִים ׳כְּשׁוֺ Song 2:2 (simile of bride), so construct שׁוֺשַׁנַּת הָעֲמָקִים vSong 2:1 (compare חֲבַצֶּלֶת); plural שׁוֺשַׁנִּים Song 2:16; Song 4:5; Song 6:2; Song 6:3; Song 7:3 and (figurative of lover's lips) Song 5:13 of flower-shaped capitals of pillars, מַעֲשֵׂה שׁוּשַׁן 1Kgs 7:19, שׁוֺשָׁ֑ן ׳מ v1Kgs 7:22 compare פֶּרַח שׁוֺשָׁ֑ן of brim of molten sea v1Kgs 7:26, || שׁוֺשַׁנָה ׳פ 2Chr 4:5 elsewhere only Psalm-titles: עַשֹֿׁשַׁנִּים Ps 45:1; Ps 69:1, עַלשֿׁוּשַׁן עֵדוּת Ps 60:1, אֶלשֿׁשַׁגִּם עֵדוּת Ps 80:1 meaning not clear, see Bae and Commentaries al.; yet compare עֵדוּת, below עוד.

Strong's Definition H7799

lilies, lily, shoshannim, shushan-eduth

šûšan

a lily (from its whiteness), as a flower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape)

lily

probably any lily-like flower

Variations 12 forms of this word

Translations 11 English renderings

Song of Solomon 4:4

Read Song of Solomon 4

Song of Solomon 4:6