Lexical Summary sansin: Thorn, prickle Original Word: סַנְסִן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bough From an unused root meaning to be pointed; a twig (as tapering) -- bough. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition fruit stalk (of the date) NASB Translation fruit stalks (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סַנְסִנִּים noun [masculine] plural fruit-stalk of date (Löwp. 119) (Aramaic loan-word from  PS2617 racemus dactylorum, compare Assyrian sissinnu, part of the date-palm Dl507); — suffix אֹחֲזָה בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו Cant 7:9. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The noun סַנְסִן appears once, in Song of Songs 7:8. There the groom declares, “I said, ‘I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit [or branches].’ ” The word designates the slim off-shoots of the date-palm that are grasped when climbing or harvesting. Literary Setting in Song of Songs Within a poem celebrating covenant love, the palm tree stands as a poetic parallel for the bride’s stature (Song of Songs 7:7), and the act of seizing its shoots symbolizes the groom’s delight in lawful intimacy. The single use of סַנְסִן therefore accentuates tenderness and purposeful pursuit rather than random passion. Its placement amid repeated images of fruitfulness (clusters, vine, apples, wine) reinforces the text’s life-giving motif. Historical and Cultural Background 1. Agriculture: Date palms were plentiful in the Jordan Valley and coastal plains; their flexible shoots were grasped by harvesters to steady themselves while gathering clusters of dates. Symbolic Significance of the Palm • Uprightness and resilience – “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree” (Psalm 92:12). Because סַנְסִן evokes the reachable, life-bearing part of the palm, it carries connotations of accessible blessing: strength that nourishes others. Theological Reflections 1. Faithful Desire: The groom’s intent to “take hold” portrays desire restrained within covenant, modeling godly marital affection. Ministry Applications • Marriage Enrichment: Couples can study Song of Songs 7 to learn how Scripture affirms physical attraction without shame when bounded by covenant. Related Passages for Study Leviticus 23:40; Exodus 15:27; 1 Kings 6:29; Psalm 92:12; John 12:13; Revelation 7:9 Forms and Transliterations בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו בסנסניו bə·san·sin·nāw besansinNav bəsansinnāwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 7:8 HEB: בְתָמָ֔ר אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו וְיִֽהְיוּ־ נָ֤א NAS: I will take hold of its fruit stalks.' Oh, may KJV: I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts INT: the palm will take fruit become may 1 Occurrence |
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