Whom I Desired (Chimadeti) SONG OF SOLOMON 2:3: “As the…
““Whom I Desired (Chimadeti) SONG OF SOLOMON 2:3: “As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.” As I was reading this passage in my Hebrew Bible I was struck by the word chimadeti (great delight). That word was strangely out of place in this sweet romantic verse. I was intrigued as to how our English translators had handled this word. I first went to your friend and mine, the King James Version which rendered it as “great delight.” This seemed to be the good cowardly way out. Other modern translations said the same. Some simply rendered it as “delight.” One translation was a little braver and said “with whom I desired”. But the version with the most guts rendered this word as have I raptured. What caught my attention in the use of the word chimadeti is that it is used only once in the Song of Solomon and its rooted in the same word that is used in Exodus 20:17: “Thou shalt not covet.” If you ever go to a synagogue and glance at the Ten Commandments above the ark and scroll down to the 10th commandment you will see in Hebrew Script the words “Lo””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The Hebrew word “chimadeti” conveys intense delight, possibly implying a passionate, almost ecstatic love, linking to the concept of coveting.
In simple terms: The term suggests deep, ecstatic love, perhaps bordering on desire.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the depth of biblical poetic language.
Themes
love
passion
language
translation
biblical studies
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
theological
literary
When to use this quote
- religious education
- literary analysis
- interfaith dialogue
- personal devotion
Key Concepts
semantic nuance
theology
poetics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does translation affect spiritual understanding?
- What emotions does “chimadeti” evoke?
A Different Perspective
Translations may oversimplify rich meanings.