Choice things

“Precious” ( meged ) is used in only two books of the Old Testament. in Deuteronomy 33, it is used five times in Moses’ blessing on Joseph. It is used three times in the Song (4:13, 16; 7:13).

In Deuteronomy 33, the adjective is used as a noun four time (“precious things,” vv. 13, 14, 15, 16) and once modifying “fruits” (v. 14), as in Song of Songs 4:13. The precious things promised to Joseph descend from the sky down to earth:

1) Precious things of heaven

2) Precious fruit of the sun

3) Precious things from the moon

4) Precious things of the hills

5) Precious things of the earth

The fivefold gift descend from heaven to the head of Joseph, crowned among his brothers (v. 16).

This suggests some possible angles on Song of Songs 4:13.

First, perhaps the Bridegroom is being compared to Joseph. Second, the “precious fruit” of the Bridegroom is fruit to eat, but in Deuteronomy 33:14 the fruit is from the sun. Fruit is always fr0m the sun, or some sun-substitute. But the fact that there are precious things from the moon in Deuteronomy 33 suggests that something else is going on. Joseph will receive the precious things, or perhaps the precious ones, of sun and moon. In the Joseph narratives, sun and moon represent his father and mother bowing to him, so the precious things might be the gifts from his parents, Jacob and Rachel. Sun and moon rule day and night, so Joseph is promised the precious things of the lighttime and the dark. Perhaps the fruit of the Bridegroom has a similar connotation.

Third, this connection might explain the sequel in the Song. the lover comes to his garden for its precious fruit, enjoys his feast of love, and then we see him outside, his head wet with the dew, which is one of the blessings that descends on Joseph’s head in Deuteronomy 33.

Finally, and most intriguingly, Deuteronomy 33 suggests a dimension of astronomical symbolism in the Song. The garden of the Bride that becomes the garden of the Bridegroom is a heavenly space, with precious fruits like those that descend to Joseph from the sky. The Bride is a heavenly bride, positioned in the garden firmament, a moon shining in the night, longing for the coming of the Bridegroom who will bring the day.

Allegorize as you like.