When she speaks of the love apples (the mandrakes) and their fragrance, she emphasizes how she wants to give herself to him in love, how she longs to be physically united with him as well. This is how she gives herself only to him. We also read about this fruit in Genesis 30:14–16. They are yellow fruits that are somewhat smaller than an apple. It was believed that eating them would stimulate sexual feelings. It is worth noting that the woman in the Song of Solomon has been compared to a beautiful garden before (see Song of Solomon 4:12 – 5:1). The love apples show how strong her desire is. The various fruits she points to show that she wants to give herself to her husband with everything she has. She wants to give herself completely to her husband. With love and tenderness, he may enjoy all that she physically has. Sanctified by prayer, sanctified by a life through the Spirit, it is wonderful to live and enjoy each other together in this way.
In the previous chapter we saw how, as husband and wife, they were forced to be away from each other for a while. Now that they are back together, he needs to know that she does not give this intimacy, this love to others, even when he is away.
13 The mandrakes give forth fragrance, and beside our doors are all choice fruits, new as well as old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.