Song of Solomon 7:13
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What's so beautiful here is the intimate detail of the beloved laying up "new as well as old" fruits. This isn't just about present delights, but a thoughtful provision for the future, showing a deep, enduring love that anticipates needs and cherishes everything, from the freshest harvest to what's been preserved. It’s a picture of love that’s both generous now and faithfully preparing for later.
The mandrakes give forth fragrance, and beside our doors are all choice fruits, new as well as old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is the culmination of the Beloved's passionate praise for her lover, the King. Earlier in the chapter, she used vivid natural imagery to describe his physical beauty, and now she mirrors that with descriptions of lush abundance and sensual pleasure. This verse serves as a final, intimate offering of herself and the delights of their shared life, as the Song draws to its close.
What do fragrant flowers have to do with passionate love? In Song of Solomon, the senses are awakened to describe a love that is both deeply spiritual and wonderfully physical.
The Aroma of Intimacy
The text opens with 'the mandrakes give forth fragrance.' Mandrakes were known in the ancient world not only for their supposed medicinal properties but also for their strong, sweet scent, often associated with love, fertility, and desire. This isn't just a pretty image; it's a sensory detail that speaks volumes about the atmosphere of intimacy and passion the bride is describing. It suggests a love that is alive, vibrant, and intoxicating – a love that fills the senses with its richness. This fragrance is a symbol of the deep, personal connection she shares with her beloved, a connection that is deeply attractive and pleasing to God.
Imagine a pantry filled with the best fruits, some fresh, some aged to perfection. This isn't just about snacks; it's a picture of a love that provides generously and consistently.
God's Generous and Enduring Love
The bride continues by describing 'all choice fruits, new as well as old, which I have laid up for you.' This imagery speaks of incredible abundance and thoughtful provision. She has gathered the best of both the new harvest and preserved treasures from previous times. This speaks to the steadfastness and completeness of her love and her willingness to provide for her beloved. In a deeper sense, this points to the unfailing provision of God for His people. He doesn't just give us what we need for today; He has laid up blessings, grace, and sustenance for us, both in the present and from His ancient promises. His love is a storehouse, always full, always available.
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Understand the original words
dûdā' · Hebrew Noun
An aromatic plant traditionally associated with fertility and aphrodisiac qualities in the ancient Near East. It highlights the sensual, vibrant atmosphere of the couple's relationship.
rêaḥ · Hebrew,originalWord: Noun
Represents the sweetness and alluring quality of the couple's affection. In biblical literature, fragrance often symbolizes the acceptability or the pervasive influence of love and devotion.
perî · Hebrew Noun
Refers to produce or the results of cultivation. Metaphorically, it represents the various expressions of affection and the fruits of a committed, enduring relationship.
The Song of Solomon likely emerged from a time of unprecedented peace and agricultural abundance in ancient Israel, reflecting the rich sensory experiences and the security that allowed for such celebrations of love and fertility.
c. 970 BC
Reign of Solomon Begins
Solomon inherits the throne of Israel from his father David, ushering in a period of peace and prosperity.
Throughout Solomon's Reign
Prosperity and International Trade
Israel flourishes under Solomon, engaging in extensive trade with surrounding nations, bringing wealth and exotic goods.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the unified kingdom splits into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 965 BC— this verse
Composition of Song of Solomon
The collection of love poems, attributed to Solomon, is believed to have been written during his reign, celebrating love and marriage.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Southern Kingdom of Judah falls to the Babylonians, and Jerusalem is destroyed, with many of its people exiled.
This passage directly mentions the mandrakes that are so central to the verse, connecting them to fertility and the desire for children, which adds a layer of rich symbolism to the Song of Solomon passage.
John 15:16Jesus speaks of His followers bearing fruit that will last, echoing the idea of 'choice fruits, new as well as old' being 'laid up' and available, suggesting a spiritual abundance and lasting legacy.
Proverbs 3:9-10This proverb speaks of honoring the Lord with wealth and the firstfruits of crops, which can be seen as a parallel to the beloved's laying up of choice fruits as a form of devotion and blessing.
Galatians 5:22-23The fruits of the Spirit mentioned here provide a beautiful contrast and complement to the physical fruits of the Song of Solomon, suggesting that the deepest, most precious 'fruits' are those that grow from a life surrendered to God.
What's so beautiful here is the intimate detail of the beloved laying up "new as well as old" fruits. This isn't just about present delights, but a thoughtful provision for the future, showing a deep, enduring love that anticipates needs and cherishes everything, from the freshest harvest to what's been preserved. It’s a picture of love that’s both generous now and faithfully preparing for later.
This passage is the culmination of the Beloved's passionate praise for her lover, the King. Earlier in the chapter, she used vivid natural imagery to describe his physical beauty, and now she mirrors that with descriptions of lush abundance and sensual pleasure. This verse serves as a final, intimate offering of herself and the delights of their shared life, as the Song draws to its close.
This passage is the culmination of the Beloved's passionate praise for her lover, the King. Earlier in the chapter, she used vivid natural imagery to describe his physical beauty, and now she mirrors that with descriptions of lush abundance and sensual pleasure. This verse serves as a final, intimate offering of herself and the delights of their shared life, as the Song draws to its close.
"The mandrakes give forth fragrance, and beside our doors are all choice fruits, new as well as old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved." — What's so beautiful here is the intimate detail of the beloved laying up "new as well as old" fruits. This isn't just about present delights, but a thoughtful provision for the future, showing a deep…
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Last reviewed October 2026
