Victoria Beckham’s Hebrew Tattoo Patiently Explained

The net overflows with pictures of Victoria’s tattooed neck and back. But no one has explained the Hebrew words, how one pronounces them, what the imagery means. Those who tried got it wrong (see below)!  A picture of Victoria’s tattoo is reproduced below.

Hebrew is a gorgeous language, and the Song of Solomon is magnificent love poetry. For a short introduction and sample poetic translation, go here.

If you are thinking about learning Hebrew, find a teacher and go for it! You will not be disappointed. Some tips for those who wish to pursue Hebrew are available here.

This is the Hebrew on Victoria’s back (from top to bottom across her neck and back, read from right to left here; I subdivide the text into three thoughts):

אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי

וְדוֹדִי לִי

הָרֹעֶה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים

 It’s a quote from Song of Solomon 6:3.

 This is how one pronounces it, phrase-by-phrase (capitalized syllables receive stress):

 אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי

Ah-NEE  le-doh-DEE

 וְדוֹדִי לִי

 Ve-doh-DEE  LEE

הָרֹעֶה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים

 Ha-roh-EY ba-shoh-sha-NEEM

Here is a translation (a girl speaks):

 
I am my love’s
and my love is mine,
who browses among the lilies.

(Song of Solomon 6:3 - my translation)

 What does it mean? That’s pretty obvious, except for the last phrase. Ancient Hebrew can be very roundabout in its erotic expressions. The lover who grazes, or browses, among the lilies, is elsewhere described in these terms (once again, a girl speaks):

 A sachet of myrrh
is my love to me;
between my breasts he lodges.

            (Song of Solomon 1:13 - my translation)

 By now the meaning of the imagery should be clear.

Victoria Beckham has excellent taste in love poetry. Did you know the Bible has love poetry in it? It does, some of the best ever written.

In another way, the Bible is an exchange of love letters between God and humanity. The letters are full of desire and wrath and sweetness. A stormy love, in which God’s faithfulness saves the day against all odds more than once.

The Bible will always be worth reading. Here are links to translations that are accurate but not too difficult to follow, with introductions and notes to each book:

Jewish Study Bible

HarperCollins Study Bible with New Testament and Apocrypha

By the way, when it comes to Hebrew Tattoos, Buyers Beware!

As an aid to some of my friends who always have their nose in a book, Victoria Beckham, born Victoria Caroline Adams, is best-known as "Posh Spice" of the famous Spice Girls.

 

Comments

[ElShaddai Edwards]

John, have you ever read "The Greatest Song" by Calvin Seerveld? Seerveld examines The Song of Songs and retranslates it literally for musical chorus and solo voices. The most interesting critique to me was that he finds two male solo voices instead of the traditional one. As a result, in addition to the erotic love relationship between the maiden and her lover, he also finds a thread of lust by an older, lecherous Solomon toward the maiden. The maiden rebuffs Solomon’s efforts to “know her” and remains faithful to her real lover. It's a fascinating treatment of the text and a real contrast to the translation we normally see.

ElShaddai

[JohnFH]

No, that's news to me, ElShaddai. But if you are looking for one volume to help you understand Song of Songs, I recommend:

Michael V. Fox

The Song of Songs and the Egyptian Love Songs. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1985. 544 pages.

Out of print but still readily available via amazon.com.

[Kevin P. Edgecomb]

The reading Seerveld uses that ElShaddai (you do attract such distinguished commenters, John!) mentions is one I've run across once or twice. I think this was the understanding presented in E.W. Bullinger's The Companion Bible, a remarkable study Bible of the early 20th century. I know I've seen it elsewhere, too, but can't remember the source. The Hermeneia commentary on Song of Songs might help, but I'm too lazy to stand up and get it!

[Peter Kirk]

This tattoo would have been more suitable for Princess Diana, given the name of her beloved! The connection is not by chance, for I think "Dodi" means "my beloved" in Arabic as well as Hebrew. But then if Victoria had left the tattoo unpointed, she could have explained and pronounced this word as davidi "my David".

Does anyone know what Hebrew words David Beckham has tattooed on his left arm?

[Em]

Can you please help me get the following in Hebrew Script:
My beloved is mine and I am his.
Song of Songs 2:16
I would like this, including the reference. The KJV is Song of Solomon 2:16, so could you help with both !? I would also like the Hebrew script for the name Timothy !?
Thanks... xo

[JohnFH]

The Hebrew of Song of Songs 2:16 is:

דּוֹדִי לִי וַאֲנִי לוֹ

That's

doh-DEE LEE va-ah-NEE LOH

Timothy is a Greek, not a Hebrew name. There's an equivalent in modern Hebrew of course, but I doubt that is what you're after.

[Tokyo]

I absolutely love the tattoo Victoria Beckham has on the back of her neck. Ive recently started doing some research on tattoos and its simply come to my attention because i am in the midst of getting my first tattoo. Maybe I havent looked hard enough but as of now, I cant seem to find any that even interest me the way those 3sentences do. Tattos are a big deal to me and I want something that will be worth the permanent ink. Would you by any chance have something similar and as intriguing as that poem to be used as a tattoo for a couple?
It would be greatly appreciated, thank you. :]

[JohnFH]

Tokyo,

I invite you to take a closer look at the Song of Songs (sometimes called the Song of Solomon) in the Bible. There are many other beautiful turns of phrase that might interest you.

The most helpful book on the Song I know of is Michael V. Fox, The Song of Songs and the Egyptian Love Songs (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1985). It's out of print but still available via amazon.com.

[a]

i was told that aria is a hebrew name. what would that be in hebrew script?
thank you.

[Laetitia]

Could I find anywhere Jesus´words: Father forgive them, for they not know what they are doing on hebrew? I´m looking for almost 2 years now and couldn´t find it anywhere...
Thank you very much!!

[JohnFH]

Aria is not a Hebrew name, so far as I know. Aryeh is, in Hebrew script:

אריה

The name means "lion."

Laetitia, let's see if I can make you happy. The Hebrew of the passage you cite has to be reconstructed (assuming Jesus used Hebrew as a prayer language, a probability in my book). It might have gone like this:

אבי
תשא להם
כי לא ידעו
מה עשו

Abí,
tissá lahém,
ki ló yadáu
ma ásu

The accents tell you where to put the stress. Keep in mind that other scholars might reconstruct somewhat differently.

[Laetitia]

Thank you so much ;-)

[Rachel]

Hello! I am very interested in Hebrew tattoos. My name is a Hebrew name and I have a tattoo of it's meaning "ewe". I really want to have the Jewish Proverb "Not to have felt pain is not to have been human" tattooed on my back. Similar to Victoria's tattoo. I was wondering what the proper translation of that Proverb would be. I've tried different translation sites and get a bit different translation every time. I don't want to have it tattooed until I know it is correct. Do you think you could translate it for me? :)

[Raquel]

Hi ive been trying to get aramaic or hebrew translations for a tattoo, and i was just wondering if i could get the script for 'forever' in hebrew and i was also wondering if Raquel is a Hebrew name and if so do u think u could translate it?

thank you so much.

[JohnFH]

Hello, Raquel.

You have a beautiful Hebrew name. It goes like this:

רָחֵל

Ra-cheyl (rhymes with 'pail,' with 'ch' as in Bach). The name means 'ewe,' that is, a female sheep, and has tender associations.

Your namesake in the Bible was quite the good-looker, and Jacob slaved many years to obtain her. She also knew how to lead men around by the nose, something that came easily to her. Yet somehow God blessed her and her family through all their adventures.

Read all about it in the book of Genesis, chapter 29. The first innocent kiss is recounted in 29:11; it presages what is to come.

A poetic expression in Hebrew for 'forever' is

עוֹלָם וָעֶד

Olam va-ed

Do you know which is the font? Of her tattoo I mean

[alex]

can someone please tell me how to translate "fortune favours the brave"
thank u [email protected]

[Michael]

Alex - if you want it in Latin, then it's "Fors juvat audentes."

I find this whole discussion fascinating in light of Leviticus 19:28.

[JohnFH]

Lev 19:28 is relevant here. My wife who pastors a new church start, with families joining out who have been far from the influence of church culture, notes that people come with tattoos but tend to get rid of them, at least the wild ones, as they become more active.

Earrings for men, however, which once was a no-no, are coming back with a pirate's vengeance. That's everywhere.

[alex]

hey i was wondering if anyone can translate "fortune favours the brave" in hebrew???
thanks

could someone possibly translate God is Love in hebrew for me!?
thanks so much :)

[Elshadi]

my mom and a few people ive ran into in my life have gave me a few different definitions of what my name really means... so i figured i might ask someone who might really know.

it's Elshadi

and ive been told it means the fallowing-
*god almighty
*god protect us
* and god protect over isreal.
just curious how those look in hebrew and also if you think it means something different...
thanks a bunch
:]

[ElShaddai Edwards]

Hmmm... you *do* attract people with the oddest names, John.

[JohnFH]

You might have explained, E.-S., that your name's meaning is, shall we say, a work in progress.

"God Almighty" is a traditional understanding of what it means. "El" means the god by that name, or simply "God," but what Shaddai meant in biblical times is a matter of conjecture.

[brandy]

Hi! My name is Brandy and I am thinking about getting a hebrew tattoo down my spine, much like Victoria's but starting below my T-shirt line. I want it to say "My strength comes from the one I love." I have a translation of the text already but I do not know if it is correct. And I am also wondering, which way do I put it on my back. Like what symbol is the first symbol, how is it supposed to look if it is meant to be read vertically. Thanks for your help and here is the translation I have gotten for the phrase above:

החוזק שלי בא מהאני האחד אוהב

[JohnFH]

Brandy,

I could try to explain things to you, but I have a better idea. If you are going to have Hebrew, a very beautiful language, written across your back, you might take the time to put at least the rudiments of the language inside your brain first. You will be glad you did.

The Hebrew you were given looks like excellent modern Hebrew to me.

[Matthew T]

Scholar John!

Are there any online sources for learning rudimentary Hebrew? I'm interested in translating some scriptures and learning the different typographies associated.

Thanks

[JohnFH]

Matthew T,

there are lots of online resources. Try the Hebrew Hub I list under links of interest in the right hand side bar. On the left hand side bar, I list a number of posts that may interest you.

But it's important, Matthew T, to find yourself a flesh-and-blood teacher.

[Burnham]

My wife and I will be married 25 years next year. I want to get new wedding rings for us that are inscribed with the passage from Solomon: "I am my love’s and my love is mine". However, I was told that this is feminine in Hebrew meaning this could not be said from a man to a woman (only from a woman to a man). If so, what would be the essential equivalent if there is one? Thanx for any help you can offer!

[JohnFH]

"I am my love's and my love is mine" is spoken by the girl to the boy in Song of Songs. If you want to respond to the girl - that is, the love of your life - in biblical language, you might consider 4:9 or 6:9 from the book.

[Burnham]

I must admit I am hoping to have same basic Hebrew inscription in both rings that will translate roughly "I am my love's and my love is mine". Other than using an entirely different Hebrew Scriptural reference as you have first suggested which I would rather not have to do, is there no Hebrew phrasing in which a man might essentially say of his wife-lover "I am my love's and my love is mine" which could then appropriately be inscribed in Hebrew on a wedding band? I realize it might not be precisely drawn directly from Scripture but it would express the same concept. Again thanx for any help.

[Verônica]

hi! im brazilian.. and could someone translate "with faith always shine hope" in hebrew?

thanks!

[JohnFH]

Perhaps you mean, "with faith, hope always shines."

hope doesn't shine in biblical idiom, but one might say:

אני בחסדך בטחתי
תקותי לא תכרת

I put faith in your kindness,
my hope will not be cut off.

[leanne]

hi i am desperatly trying to get a copy of the text on victoria beckhams back to print out for my tattooist. i need it vertical so it can go down my spine, can anyone help me. thanks
[email protected]

[JohnFH]

Right to left and then down, these are letters you need:

אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי

וְדוֹדִי לִי

הָרֹעֶה בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּים

But if your tattooist doesn't know Hebrew, he or she is likely to mess it up.

You might consider learning Hebrew well enough to read and pronounce it on your own. It's a beautiful language, and worth the effort.

[Kate0602]

Just a quick favor to ask would you be able to translate

"A beautiful thing is never perfect"

as well as

"Every action has a consequence"

Thank you :)

[Jessica Walker]

Hi,
Please could someone translate my name Jessica in hebrew please... Thanks for your help

[Linda]

I would like to get a tattoo (like victoria beckhams ) hebrew, but reading along the lines of.....dance like know ones looking love like you have never been hurt.. Is this possible in hebrew script and if so how would it be laid out, early days and just looking for as much imfo as possible.. thanks

[Pia]

Hey, could someone please translate these words for me, to hebrew?

-Jesus
-Father
-Lord

Thanks :)

[natalie]

can someone please translate 'yahwey' and 'in god i trust' please. much appreciated

[Charlene]

Like many others, I would like a tattoo of my name in Hebrew. Is there a Hebrew equivalent of Charlene ?
Thanks!!!

[Ashley King]

Could you possibley translate Ashley and James in hebrew.... Thanks so much

[Shelby]

Is the way that Victoria Beckhams tattoo displayed correct? I know the language is right to left, but when doing it vertically, do the letters change direction?

[Shelby]

Is the way that Victoria Beckhams tattoo displayed correct? I know the language is right to left, but when doing it vertically, do the letters change direction?

[kate]

Hi There,
Just wondering if somebody would be able to translate "One Mind Two Bodies" into hebrew for me? It would be much appreciated.
Thanks heaps
Kate

[lynsey hesse]

can anybody translate "I sin but I am not the devil" for me please.

Lynsey

[lynda]

please could you translate this phrase to hebrew for me ive been trying all day , always in my thoughts thanks

[celine]

Hi there! I hope this isn't becoming annoying, but I was wondering if you could translate the phrase,

"I Love you not knowing how, or why, or from where"

for me please!
Your help is greatly appreciated!!

[Melissa]

Hi I want to have my babys name Noah and his birth date 18.11.07 as a tatoo. Can anyone translate into Hebrew for me? Thanks in Advance!

[Sian]

Hello could i just ask you to clarify the translation of "forever" in hebrew. Also could you show how it would look if i was to get it running down my neck? Thanks very much x

[Lucy English]

I am looking for a tattoo for my Twin and i for our 30th birthday and we would love to have a Hebrew inscription poem would you please recommend somthing and could you email me if you find anything?Kind regards Lucy.

[shanon]

Hello, I want to get the same tattoo as Victoria Beckham on the back of the neck. I'm catholic. Is it ok to get Hebrew saying? Thanks

[Lisa]

I am looking for the hebrew translation for the name Aaron. I believe Aaron is a Hebrew name.

[Lisa]

I am looking for the hebrew translation for the name Aaron. I believe Aaron is a Hebrew name.

[Stefanie]

How do you say Only God Can Judge me in Hebrew? I want to get it tattooed on, but I want to make sure it is correct. Also if someone can translate Jeremiah 29:11 in Hebrew for me that would be great! thank you so me!

[hayley]

could you translate the phrase -
Tuesdays child is full of grace

[Jen]

Looking for the name "Diana" translated in hebrew;) Somebody help ..pleasee

[lauren]

hey! i was wondering if you could please translate this in hebrew for me?

"i can do everything through him who gives me strength"

thank you so much!

[becky]

i just wanted to know what Love means in Hebrew for my next tattoo

Hi
i understand that "phun sum tshogs" is a tibetan spiritual term meaning surpreme happiness or sublime. could you put that into the hebrew text?
thank you.

[tokyo]

hello, its me again. :]
i just wanted to know if someone could show me what GEMINI would look like in hebrew. its for a tattoo. thank you.

[liz]

hello there im just wonder if someone can translate this in hebrew MANUEL CAPPIELLO IF YOU LIVE THROUGH THIS WITH I SWEAR THAT I WOULD DIE FOR YOU LOVE YOU

[sophie]

please could you translate Everything happens for a reason
into hebrew?
i have had it translated once before, but i want to check that it is correct before i turn it into a tattoo!
thankyou

[Gemma]

I too like "Not to have felt pain is not to have been human" could someone please some me how that would look in hebrew and possivly "beautiful diaster." too . If so thank you.

[Erin Dorsey]

Hey! i have recently gotten to know a Jewish girl at my school. i want to share my favorite bible verse with her. could u translate Romans 12:1 into hebrew for me?

[dorota]

hi if you looking for hebrew names go to www.my-hebrew-name.com

[sophie]

hiya
i was wondering if anyone new the translation of Louise in hebrew. my gran passed away and i want her name tattoed in hebrew
thanks

[Ashley]

hi, i've been looking to get a tattoo in hebrew similar to Victoria Beckhams, can you please translate "your enemy are your thoughts so just let them go" i've been looking for about a year now and can't find a good cite anywhere, it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[Lauren]

I'm looking for a translation of Heb. 8:6 "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm" which I believe was spoken from female to male. I'm also interested in the Hebrew acronym for "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." אלִול but I was wondering how it would be done in two lines with two symbols on each line.

[Carla Smith]

Hi
As like the other comment I also love Victoria Beckam's tattoo. I would like the tattoo of my daughters name but I am not sure if it is a Hebrew name??
Her name is Madison Tailor Hotchkiss do you think you could translate this for me, I have been on many translation websites and am stuck!!
Thank you

hey katrina here, im really iterested in getting a tatto similar to victoria beckhams on my neck too,im having trouble finding the numbers of the date i want to translate,if u could help me id be gretfull!! the dates are 11/2//1859 and the 16/10/2004.

[kathy]

דּוֹדִי לִי וַאֲנִי לוֹ
means :my beloved is mine as i am his.
right?
how would I write it vertical?
and how would you translate:
My strength comes from the one I love. both horizontal and vertical?
I am also wondering how the date
April 16.2004 and September 3rd 1981 translate
I know I am asking a lot it would be really really great if you could help me out
I would like to get this things tattooed but I want it right...
thank you so much
k.

[billy]

Could you pls translate "Everything is possible" into Hebrew for me? THX:)

[Emily]

Hi. My parents gave me the middle name, Mayan. According to them, Mayan (pronouced May-yhan) means spring, not the season, but the water that comes from the ground. I want to get this, my middle/hebrew name tattooed. What is the correct Hebrew word for this? What are the letters? It is possible that my parents translation skills are a bit skewed.

my name is sarah. i am getting my next tattoo and was wondering if you could email me the translation in hebrew to my email so i can print it out to get done.
"every step is one step closer to your dream"
"sarah jean gabriel berlyn"
"live each day like there is no tommorrow"
please emai l it to [email protected]
thank you very much

[ussiel Dominguez]

hey i wanted to know if some could translate "not very man lives but every man dies, with uzziel with me i shall riese" i would like to get this as a tatto and i cant find the right translation.

[Stuart]

Hey John,
Can you translate the Old Testament into Hebrew for me? I want the whole thing for a stomach tattoo and need to know what it might look... oh wait, I've got a "copy." Hmm, maybe I'll just get the Greek additions to Esther and Daniel tattooed down my leg instead.

[beki]

hi i'm getting a tattoo of my son's name Jacob Benjamin could you translate it for me in hebrew please, also there's alot of different font's i was wondering which one victoria beckham used for hers thank you

[loretta]

could you please give me the translation in hebrew for the sentence: thier are angel amongest us.this would be a great help to me thankyou so very much

[Cherdon]

Hey, Im looking to translate this in Hebrew:

Love Conquers All

Is that possible?

[ashleigh]

in hebrew how would u write the following..

thy cannot loose if determined to succeed

thanks

[Kat]

hi, i was wondering if someone could translate the word fate (as in to believe in)into hebrew please, its for a tattoo? thanks!

[chelsea-leigh]

hello , i love the tattoo on victoria beckhams back i wand the exact same foing from my neck down my spine with the words " only god can judge me" can anyone translate it into hebrew for me ? xxx

[knanceee]

i think victoria beckham's tattoo is really special. i was actually thinking about getting a quote tattooed on me in a different language. is it any trouble for u to translate this for me in hebrew? Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

[kendra]

wanted to know if anyone could translate "faith hope and love" and the name "hunter". also should it read from left to right or right to left? or vertical?

[sophie]

I was just wondering if you would translate my daughters names for me? Maddie Mia.

[angie]

please please please could someone tell me what "my strength comes from the one i love" in hebrew is please ....

[michael]

buenas me gustaria saber la traduccion de mi nombre isaac en hebreo.gracias

[Cynthia Vega]

I would like to get a tattoo in the same manner as Victoria Beckham. I would like for mine to read" ...Please don't take my sunshine away." How would you translate this into Hebrew?

[Jasmine Ariel]

Hi, my hebrew name is Ariella, which translates into lioness of god. is this correct. Can you give me any more information on the translation of Ariella?

thanks :)

[brenda]

Hi! My name is brenda and I am thinking about getting a hebrew tattoo like Victoria's but i need help to translate "peace and love" or can somebody help me find a better phrase from the bible it's my first tattoo!please....thanks for you help

[Ros]

John, you really should set up a small business providing translations into Hebrew for tattoo artists.

[Jessica]

Wow, so, my bf told me today that Victoria Beckham's tattoo was the same as mine, but i had to see it for myself. i just got my tattoo a couple days ago. mine is just the beginning of the verse "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine" in Hebrew....its beautiful and i love it...but mine means something different to me, i guess. for me, it is a commitment to purity.

[cat-grace]

I absolutly adore this poem! its so pretty. the first line "let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth" is my favorite. I had chills when I first read it. If someone could please translate it into hebrew for me, they would be a hero!

Thanks :)

[hayley]

hello i am also wanting a tattoo like victorias but want mine to say just

I am my love’s
and my love is mine

could some one please translate this part for me and also which way should it read going down?? which letter should come first etc?? many thanks

[hayley]

hello i was wondering if you could translate

I am my love’s
and my love is mine

for me please. i want it like victoria beckhams but just this first part. also which way would it go? which character would go first?

[Bob]

Here is a site with the whole Bible in both English and Hebrew. This link will take you the Song of Songs book. It begins with "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth--for thy love is better than wine." and on the left side of the screen, you'll see the Hebrew version.

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt3001.htm

If you so desire, you can click the link at the top of each page ad hear the chapter spoken in Hebrew.

Enjoy

[jess]

hi

i have booked in for a tattoo on my foot soon and i would like to know it someone can translate

'I will leave footprints'

in hebrew??

thanks a lot

[email protected]

[Christine]

Hi,

My name is Christine and I was wondering whether you would be able to help me translate a few phrases in ancient hebrew. I am planning to get the same design as Victoria's although changing the phrase to my own personal meaning. So far I have not found anything in the bible to use (unless you have any suggestions) otherwise I have chosen a few phrases myself and wondered whether they could be tranlated into hebrew. The phrases are:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"

"Failure is only an opportunity to begin more intelligently"

"Only god can judge me"

If you could please translate these phrases that would be wonderful! I want something inspirational that describes what I am about. I do like the love poetry (song of solomon) and have had a boyfriend for a few years, although I am much too young to be getting something that describes my love for him on my body yet. So I would rather a phrase that is inspirational!

Thank you ... I hope you can help me :)

Christine