Closed garden
The bride of the Song is a closed garden (4:12), her spices and fruits inaccessible, her springs of living water sealed up. Winds blow over the garden of the bride, spreading her fragrance (v. 16). But no one can feast, or drink, or see her beauties, until the Lover enters the garden (5:1). He opens her so that the power of her beauty is opened to the world.
Then we allegorize: For the bride is Israel, which is a garden closed. The bride is the temple, which is Eden locked, her springs of water sealed from the nations. Until the Lover comes to open the garden, unlock the spring, tear the temple veil, and open up Israel’s delights to all.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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