Song 8:13 | NET2full | STEP | O you who stay in the gardens , my companions are listening attentively for your voice ; let me be the one to hear it!

‏ Song of Solomon 8:13

Epilogue: The Lover’s Request and His Beloved’s Invitation

The Lover to His Beloved:

13 O you who stay in the gardens,
my companions are listening attentively ^{▼▼tn The term מַקְשִׁיבִים (maqshivim) is in the Hiphil stem which denotes an intense desire to hear someone’s voice, that is, to eagerly listen for someone’s voice (e.g., Jer 6:17) (HALOT 1151 s.v. קשׁב 1). The participle functions verbally and denotes a continual, ongoing, durative action.} for your voice;
let me be the one to ^{▼▼tc The editors of BHS suggests that גַם אָנִי (gam ʾani, “me also”) should be inserted. Although there is no textual evidence for the insertion, it seems clear that the first person common singular referent is emphatic in MT הַשְׁמִיעִינִי (hashmiʿini, “Let me hear it!”).} hear it! ^{▼▼tn The imperative הַשְׁמִיעִינִי (hashmiʿini) functions as a request. The lover asks his beloved to let him hear her beautiful voice (e.g., Song 2:14).}