Tafsiran Kidung Agung 1:9: Tze'enah Ure'enah, Rashi & Ezra ben Solomon

“To a mare” [1:9]. Pesikta Rabbati writes in the name of Rabbi Simeon: The waves of the sea assumed the form of female horses and the Egyptians had male horses who ran after the waves thinking they were female horses. In this way, they were all drowned in the sea. As the verse says, “horse and rider He hurled into the sea.” [Exodus, 15:1].¹⁰It is not found in Pesikta Rabbati. This citation of Pesikta Rabbati is based on the note in Yalkut Shimoni, Song of Songs, Remez, 983. The source is Exodus Rabbah, 23:14.

To steeds in the chariots of Pharaoh I have likened you, my beloved. This lamed is like the lamed of, “At the sound לְקוֹל of His giving an abundance of water,”³⁷Yirmiyahu 10:13. and as in, “like the fragrance לְרֵיחַ of your good oils.”³⁸Above 1:3. לְסֻסָתִי=] at the gathering of many steeds, for I gathered My camps to go out toward you against the chariots of Pharaoh to save you, as it is stated, “You trampled [them] in the sea with your steeds,”³⁹Chavakuk 3:15. i.e., many steeds. There I silenced you [=דִּמִּיתִיךְ, My beloved; I silenced you from your cry, as it is stated, “and you shall remain silent.”⁴⁰Shemos 14:14. I saw this in Aggadic works. Another explanation—I have likened you my beloved. There I demonstrated [=דִּמִּיתִיךְ to all that you are My beloved.

To a mare: These are the words of the Glory. The figure refers to Pharaoh’s pursuit of Israel, the Glory and the Presence of Its might accompanying them, with his chariots and cavalry.

To steeds. A gathering of horses, chevalchie in O.F.

I have likened you. Adesmei in O.F., as in, “they intended דִּמּוּ to kill me,”⁴¹Shoftim 20:5. for there⁴²At the Red Sea. I adorned you with beautiful ornaments.⁴³Because I intended to demonstrate that you are My beloved.