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

[AliciaKeegan]

hi everyone i have just come across this page and would be very thankful if someone could help me translate this into the hebrew style victoria beckham has on her spin
"it is the bad times that make the good times special"
i would like to get it in the same position as victoria beckhams one and would really help if it was vertical so i can bring it into the tattooist. i would love if someone could help me has i am trying to get it for my brothers anniversary coming up.My Email is alicia.keegan@hotmail.com
Thank you very much

[Peter Phan]

I love Victoria Beckham and inspire me to get one in hebrew also that quote "mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all" what is the correct way to translate that? it would be my first ever tattoo so I was crossing fingers for a correct translation. thank you very much.

Thank you
Peter Phan

[danni]

Hi can you translate two separate things ; i would greatly appreciate it.
-Faith
&&
- Your word i have treasured in my heart that i may not sin against you.
Please and thank you

[danni]

What is the serenity prayer in Hebrew

[Dee]

Hi
could you please translate for me "only he can make my heart beat again..." please!!! It's very,very,very important for me as it's for my little angel...
Thank you!

[Gloria]

My name is Gloria and my husband's name is Samuel. Can our names be translated into Hebrew?
Thank you so much

[rachael]

Im wanting to get " lew you own my heart he just renting" in Ancient Hebrew but is ancient hebrew the same as hebrew? Can someone write it for me?

[Monika]

Hi

Can anyone translate 4 me this sentence?

When a child laughs at the whole world laughs

Thank U so much!!!

[Gabrielle]

can you translate my hebrew name, its Gabrielle

[Hanna]

hi

could you please translate, ' never a failure, always a lesson in Hebrew

thanks

[Lisa]

Hello,
I was wondering if you could translate "I am who I am" from Exodus 3: 14

Please and thank you :)

[Amber H]

Hi, im looking to translate " Family is Forever" in Hebrew

[Steve]

Just to be a big kill joy for everyone...

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28

...I love biblical poetry, Hebrew type face looks really funky and lest I say 'chic', but there seems to be an irony here...unless you are not religious in the Judaic and Christian sense of course. I know, kill joy right?

[Solange]

I would like to translate in Hebrew the name of: ELIZABETH, somebody can please help me, thanks

[bianca]

hi can you please translate this for me from top to bottom, im gonna get it on my spine. A beautiful thing is not always perfect. thank you

[Cindy]

Hi can someone please help me with the way you write ' I am my loves and my love is mine my soul cleaves to him' I would like the ancient hebrew translation please.

[Jackie wright]

Could you please translate the following for me....

I am my love's and my love is mine Love is everything it needs to be and nothing it isn't

I'd really like it in ancient hebrew please.

Thank you

[Whitney]

Hi, could you translate Philippians 4:13 for me?? Not the actual verse but just the name of book, the chapter and the verse.

I would really appreciate this.
Please and thank you.