Translation
THE PEACEFUL MAN TO THE PEACEFUL WOMAN
Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved?
THE PEACEFUL WOMAN TO THE PEACEFUL MAN
Under the apple tree I roused you;
there your mother brought you forth while writhing in pain,
Go to footnote numberThere, she who bore you, brought you forth while writhing in pain.
Paraphrase
THE COMPLETE MAN TO THE COMPLETE WOMAN
Who is this emerging from hardships relying on her beloved [for support]?
THE COMPLETE WOMAN TO THE COMPLETE MAN
I woke you from your state of slumber with my ability to revive;
this is reminiscent of how your mother brought you out of sleep,
she brought you out of the sleep of the womb at great cost to herself.
Footnotes
1
The word used here is a strong word meaning “to travail, to writhe in pain, or to bring forth.” It also means other things, such as, “to destroy, to ruin, to pervert, to offend, to bind or to pledge.” The use of the word mother in the immediate context makes it clear the reference is to childbirth and the emphasis is on the pain and difficulty involved therein.
Re: the imagery: This is the answer to the question, “Who is this that comes up from the desert?” The short answer to the question is, “the one who revives you.” We see then, that she relies on him for support, and he relies on her to refresh and revive him. This is also a comparison between the actions of the Shulammite to revive and bring new life, and the actions of Solomon’s mother to bring him into this world and thus give him new life.