Strong's Hebrew: 5473. סוּג (sug) -- carefully fence, fenced aboutzzz
Lexical Summary
sug: carefully fence, fenced about
Original Word: סוּג
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: cuwg
Pronunciation: soog
Phonetic Spelling: (soog)
KJV: set about
NASB: carefully fence, fenced about
Word Origin: [a primitive root (probably rather identical with H5472 (סוּג - turned) through the idea of shrinking from a hedge]
1. to hem in, i.e. bind
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
set about
A primitive root (probably rather identical with cuwg through the idea of shrinking from a hedge; compare suwg); to hem in, i.e. Bind -- set about.
see HEBREW cuwg
see HEBREW suwg
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto fence about
NASB Translationcarefully fence (1), fenced about (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. [
סוּג,
שׂוּג]
verb fence about (Aramaic word;
,
,
sepsit, circumsepsit, clausit,
sepes, compare
ᵑ7 סיג Pa`el
fence about,
סְיָיגָא fence; Late Hebrew
סוג fence about; Arabic
enclosure made with thorns, etc.,
around grape-vines, etc. Lane
1460,
II.
make a 
; — only
Qal Passive participle feminine בִּטְנֵךְ עֲרֵמַת חִטִּים סוּגָה בַּשּׁוֺשַׁנִּים Cant 7:3 thy body a help of wheat fenced about with lilies (compare especially De Bu).
Pilpel intensive Imperfect2feminine singular תְּשַׂגְֿשֵׂ֑גִי Isaiah 17:11 thou dost fence it carefully about (> make it grow, as if שׂוג = שׂגה, AE Ki Brd Du).
סוד (check of following; perhaps kindred with יסד (compare יסד
Niph`al), see Köii. 1. 49; Ecclus 42:12 Hithpa`el הִסְתַּוִּיִד (margin הסתיד) converse, is perhaps denominative; Syriac 
, 
, friendly, confidential speech, ὁμιλία, 
= ὁμιλεῖν; Sabean מסוד place of speaker, oracle, HomZMG xlvi (1892), 529, who finds connection with 
lord, chief (and 
be be lord), properly speaker; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew).
Topical Lexicon
Overview Sûg appears once in Scripture (Song of Solomon 7:2), conveying the idea of being hedged about, encircled, or enclosed for protection and adornment.
Scriptural Context
Song of Solomon 7:2 praises the bride: "Your belly is a mound of wheat encircled by lilies." The word presents a double picture—valuable grain gathered for safekeeping and delicate flowers crowning the enclosure—capturing fruitfulness sheltered within beauty.
Imagery and Symbolism
• Wheat: harvest abundance, nourishment, covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 28:4; Matthew 13:24–30).
• Lilies: purity, fragrance, elegance (Song of Solomon 2:1–2; 5:13; 6:2–3).
• Enclosure: protective hedge (Job 1:10; Isaiah 5:2) and intimate security (Song of Solomon 4:12). Together they express a life that is fruitful, guarded, and lovely, emblematic of the covenant relationship between Bridegroom and bride.
Theological Significance
1. Preservation of Covenant People—God surrounds His own, ensuring that fruit ripens undisturbed (Psalm 91:1–4).
2. Union and Intimacy—The enclosed heap typifies the Church's safeguarded communion with Christ (John 15:4–5; Ephesians 5:25–27).
3. Holiness and Harvest—Purity (lilies) must accompany productivity (wheat); holiness beautifies ministry and guards it from corruption (1 Corinthians 3:12–15).
Historical Interpretation
• Jewish Commentators: Saw a foreshadowing of grain offerings safely stored in the Temple precincts.
• Patristic and Medieval Writers: Viewed the verse as portraying the Church's doctrine and sacraments protected by the fragrance of sanctified lives; Bernard of Clairvaux likened the lilies to virtues shielding the mysteries of grace.
Applications for Ministry
• Preaching: Call believers to remain inside the hedge of obedience where harvest matures.
• Pastoral Care: Encourage couples to cultivate boundaries that promote intimacy and purity (Proverbs 5:15–19).
• Discipleship: Stress that spiritual fruit must be kept within the fence of sound doctrine (2 Timothy 1:13–14).
Cross-References
Song of Solomon 2:1–2; 2:16; 4:12–15; 6:3. Job 1:10. Isaiah 5:2. Psalm 91:1–4. Matthew 13:24–30. John 15:4–5; 17:11. Ephesians 5:25–27. Revelation 19:7–8.
Christological Perspective
The Bridegroom who safeguards His wheat now (John 10:27–29) will present His Bride "without stain or wrinkle" (Ephesians 5:27). Sûg anticipates that final unveiling when love's harvest, still ringed with lilies of holiness, is brought into the King's barn (Matthew 13:43).
Devotional Reflection
Within the Lord's enclosing grace the soul becomes a granary of His word, circled with the fragrance of His Spirit. Secure in that hedge, love flourishes and the King is "captivated by its tresses" (Song of Solomon 7:5), delighting in a life both fruitful and fair.
Forms and Transliterations
סוּגָ֖ה סוגה sū·ḡāh suGah sūḡāh
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