I went down into the garden of nuts, to see the fruits of the valleys, and to look if the vineyard had flourished, and the pomegranates budded.
מִי־זֹ֥את הַנִּשְׁקָפָ֖ה כְּמוֹ־שָׁ֑חַר יָפָ֣ה כַלְּבָנָ֗ה בָּרָה֙ כַּֽחַמָּ֔ה אֲיֻמָּ֖ה כַּנִּדְגָּלֽוֹת׃
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The Church represents the sun, the moon, and the stars, reflecting the words, "Beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun" (Song of Songs 6:10). Through these symbols, our Joseph was esteemed in this world while in Egypt, ascending from a humble state to an exalted one (See Gen. 29-50).
Aquila expresses that she resonates with the dawn, interpreting ‘sounding’ as deserving of praise, signifying her remarkable and resonant deeds. She is likened to the dawn due to the clarity of her actions, or the brilliance of her spirit that will be revealed before the Father in heaven (Matt. 6:9; Lk. 11:2). Thus, it becomes evident that her veil was not merely lifted, but that, unveiled and exposed, she might manifest her virtues. Similarly, one who forsakes earthly sustenance and turns away from its shadow, will have their soul illuminate like the dawn; of whom it is said: Who is she that emerges like the dawn, lovely as the moon?
Unburdened, she gazes outward as if from a dwelling, affirming that she is not swallowed by darkness, nor confined by walls, and questioning who knows if the Almighty notices her (Sir 25:18). Rather, she pursues the light: as if looking from the higher part of her dwelling, which represents her body, transcending the mundane; she yearns for the divine, seeking closeness to God, already bearing the lamp of her virtuous deeds, much like a telescope surveying the entire expanse of the heavens. Aquila’s statement that she sounds like the sun may hint at the cosmic order, the orbits of the sun and moon, the dance of the stars, and the harmony of the heavenly realms, as interpreted by some of our scholars. Although absent in faith, he does not strike us as foreign due to his refined reasoning.
The bride shines beautifully like the moon at a significant time (Song of Songs 6:10; LXX). Observers note that the moon reflects the sun's light, capturing a small amount when only partially facing the sun; when it stands in full view, it mirrors the sun's brilliance completely, illuminating its entire surface without any shadow. In a similar manner, the Church of Christ, a communion of souls perfected in grace, gazes with unveiled faces at the splendor of the Lord. As the apostle Paul states, they are transformed into His likeness from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18), becoming radiant like the full moon.
Furthermore, the bride not only resembles the moon at that significant time (Song of Songs 6:10; LXX), but she will also shine like the sun in eternal life, astonishing all with her dazzling glory. People will not only be amazed by her light but also by her harmonious nature, for the bride of the Lord is without chaos—everything about her is clear and defined. Indeed, it is as if she straightens her path with a plumb line, arranging her life according to divine principles and precepts.
Here on earth, His servants, having been instructed by Him about her beauty, examine her closely and exclaim, “Who is this that breaks forth like the dawn?” They liken her to the morning, recognizing that she is not yet fully illuminated and still imperfect; however, when this perishable body puts on the imperishable, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53), her true light will shine forth. Observing this transformation, the ministers of the Bridegroom compare her not only to the morning but also to the moon and the sun, for “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). Their admiration transcends mere brightness; it is her perfect order that astounds them. In the Bride, there is no confusion or fragmentation—her life is meticulously arranged according to a heavenly model. Ultimately, she herself will radiate this brilliance.
Are you interested in learning about the location as well? In the Song of Songs, Jesus mentions, ‘into the heptagon of nuts I entered.’ This refers to the garden where He was crucified. While today this site is magnificently beautified with the offerings of the King, it was once merely a garden, and its signs and remnants continue to persist.
In eternal communion with God the Word, this state resembles a glowing ember, vibrant and complete. Similarly, just as a single lit coal ignites a cluster of cold coals, so too does this unique and selected soul for eternal life enliven all those who believe, transforming them into its image and elevating them to its own splendor. This soul now enjoys the privilege of radiating eternal and enduring beauty, shining with a brilliance akin to the moon, which stands out as the finest among the stars of heaven.
It is prophesied that she will be celebrated by all as the chosen one, like the sun, in the majesty of the Father among the heavenly hosts, as demonstrated by the verse: The virgins saw her and called her blessed, the queens and concubines, and praised her (Song of Songs 6:9).
The prophets refer to the Church as the moon, describing it as ‘penetrating as the morning’ (Song of Songs 6:10).
Elevating from every nation the most precious gem, you transport to the heavenly domain the spirits of the just, akin to the stars in the celestial sphere. You are a structure towering with divine sustenance, a sacred gathering of saints from diverse lands, a radiant assembly of enlightened souls, an unshakeable edifice crafted from living stones, the everlasting delight of all the blessed, shining brighter than the sun and purer than the snow—without blemish or flaw. It is proclaimed in the Song of Songs: Who is this one, radiant like the dawn, lovely like the moon, brilliant like the sun, awe-inspiring like troops with banners? (Song of Songs 6:10).
When the crucified Savior is exalted through His resurrection and ascension into heaven, the glory of His Divine Mother no longer shines with the intensity of lightning. Instead, as Solomon articulates, it rises “like the morning,” appearing “fair as the moon.” Under the Sun of righteousness, she remains “chosen like the sun” on earth, amidst one or two dozen stars, representing the Apostles (Song of Songs 6:9).
In the distance, Sulamita emerges in a remarkably lovely form, and unaware of her friends' presence, she expresses that she has come to the vineyard. Her companions urge her to speak to them, but the bridegroom suddenly intervenes, quelling their curiosity and resuming his song of admiration for his beloved. He concludes with a wish to partake of the delightful fruits of the date and grape, likening his bride to these bountiful offerings.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS