492 BlaΩej ∏trba reasonable enough when we realize that the expression occurs twice after the most important statement of their mutual relationship, 2,16(a); 6,3(a). The reciprocal ownership excludes any individual abuse and the joy of it is almost “intoxicating” to both of them. The different wording of 6,3 only emphasises what she already stated before, in 2,16: 16 (a) My beloved is mine and I am his wl ynaw yl ydwd (b) he feeds among πôπannîm µynvwvb h[rh Twice the formula of reciprocal ownership, 2,16(a); 6,3(a) is used, followed by the expression “feeds among µynvwv” (2,16(b); 6,3(b)). He is not a “lotus-eater” at all, but the expression of eating among these flowers confirms — and in no way weakens — the previous joyful statement. The µynvwv are in service of sealing the idea of enjoyment of this reciprocal ownership, as it is pleasant for her to state. e) Cant 5,13 After it has been claimed that she is the “fairest among women” (5,9) she praises him in a descriptive poem (5,10-16). Here is the only time when µynvwv are attributed to him: “his lips are µynvwv, dripping liquid myrrh”, v. 13. To grasp the tertium comparationis is tricky here too. Keel proposes to see in µynvwv the life-giving characteristics of the kisses. Pope in the same line finds support in Pr 24,26: “whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips” (75). Schmoldt disagrees with this understanding and holds to the traditional one (76) of the lips as red flowers (77). There are some who argue that the tertium comparationis of µynvwv is the colour red. The experts in “biblical” plants try to find out the corresponding flower of red colour like Lilium chalcedonicum (78). It would be the only place in the MT where the plural masculine µynvwv refers to a specific flower. The same authors have recognized that it must have been a flower of exceptional beauty and not the simple plant Anemone coronaria which is most often the choice for µynvwv in 5,13. The outstanding beauty and rarity of the flower is indeed recognized, for the plant Lilium chalcedonicum is of scarlet colour. (75) POPE, Song, 541. (76) ENGEL, Susanna-Erzählung, 92. (77) H. SCHMOLDT, “ˆvWv πûπan”, TWAT VII, 1207. (78) MOLDENKE – MOLDENKE, Plants, 129.