My beloved

The bride of the Song addresses Solomon as “my beloved” ( dodi ) some 25 times.  The phrasing is unusual; elsewhere, dod means not “beloved” but “uncle.”  In the LXX, the word is translated as adelphidos , used only in the Son.

While the terminology is different, “my beloved” is used in the NT.  It is the Father’s address of love to His Son (Matthew 3:17; ho agapatos huios ), but it is also Paul’s common form of address to congregations and individuals, either absolutely (Romans 16:5, 8, 9; 1 Corinthians 10:14; Philippians 2:12; 4:1) or in phrases like “my beloved brothers” (1 Corinthians 15:58) or “my beloved son” (2 Timothy 1:2).

As the friend of the Bridegroom, sent to prepare the Bride for her beloved’s coming, he takes over the Bridegroom’s form of address to the beloved.  And this also doubtless expresses the deep affection of the apostle for the church.