Song of Solomon 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The bridegroom's description of his bride, her person, her accomplishments, her chastity, and her general excellence, vv. 1-16.
Open source ↗Contrast with the bride's state by nature (Isa 1:6) her state by grace (Sol 4:1-7), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" (Eze 16:14; Joh 15:3). The praise of Jesus Christ, unlike that of the world, hurts not, but edifies; as His, not ours, is the glory (Joh 5:44; Rev 4:10-11). Seven features of beauty are specified (Sol 4:1-5) ("lips" and "speech" are but one feature, Sol 4:3), the number for perfection. To each of these is attached a comparison from nature: the resemblances consist not so much in outward likeness, as in the combined sensations of delight produced by contemplating these natural objects. doves'--the large melting eye of the Syrian dove appears especially beautiful amid the foliage of its native groves: so the bride's "eyes within her locks" (Luk 7:44). MAURER for "locks," has "veil"; but locks suit the connection better: so the Hebrew is translated (Isa 47:2). The dove was the only bird counted "clean" for sacrifice. Once the heart was "the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Grace makes the change. eyes-- (Mat 6:22; Eph 1:18; contrast Mat 5:28; Eph 4:18; Jo1 2:16). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," Mat 10:16, Margin; Joh 1:47). John the Baptist, historically, was the "turtledove" (Sol 2:12), with eye directed to the coming Bridegroom: his Nazarite unshorn hair answers to "locks" (Joh 1:29, Joh 1:36). hair . . . goats--The hair of goats in the East is fine like silk. As long hair is her glory, and marks her subjection to man (Co1 11:6-15), so the Nazarite's hair marked his subjection and separation unto God. (Compare Jdg 16:17, with Co2 6:17; Tit 2:14; Pe1 2:9). Jesus Christ cares for the minutest concerns of His saints (Mat 10:30). appear from--literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture…
Open source ↗INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 4 In this chapter is contained a large commendation of the church's beauty by Christ; first, more particularly, by an enumeration of several parts, as her eyes, hair, teeth, lips, temples, neck, and breasts, Sol 4:1; and more generally, Sol 4:7; And having observed where he himself was determined to go, he invites her to go with him; which he enforces, partly from the danger she was exposed unto where she was Sol 4:6; and partly from the comeliness of her person and graces in his esteem; with which he was ravished, and therefore was extremely desirous of her company, Sol 4:9; And then enters into some new descriptions of her; as a garden and orchard, as a spring and fountain, Sol 4:12; all which she makes to be owing to him, Sol 4:15; And the chapter is closed with an order from Christ to the winds to blow on his garden, and cause the spices of it to flow out; and with an invitation of the church to Christ, to come into his garden, and relax there, Sol 4:16.
Open source ↗4:1–5:1 The consummation of the marriage is now expressed. • This poem is the first “descriptive poem” in the book (see also 5:10-16; 6:4-6; 7:2-8). Scholars commonly refer to these poems by the Arabic term wasf (“description”); these poems are similar in form to songs sung at modern Arabic weddings. These sensuous poems are preludes to sexual intimacy. In their descriptions of physical beauty, they often move—as this one does—from the head downward. 4:1 my darling (literally companion): The man is about to consummate his love with the one who is his friend as well as lover (see also 4:7). • like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead: Middle Eastern goats are very dark, if not black. The woman’s hair flows over and down her lighter veil.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) רַעְיָה (raʻyâh, H7474) — a female associate יוֹנָה (yôwnâh, H3123) — a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) בְּעַד (bᵉʻad, H1157) — in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc. צַמָּה (tsammâh, H6777) — a veil שֵׂעָר (sêʻâr, H8181) — hair (as if tossed or bristling) עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals) עֵז (ʻêz, H5795) — a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for… גָּלַשׁ (gâlash, H1570) — probably to caper (as a goat) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals) קָצַב (qâtsab, H7094) — to clip, or (generally) chop עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… רַחְצָה (rachtsâh, H7367) — a bathing place תָּאַם (tâʼam, H8382) — to be (causatively, make) twinned, i.e. (figuratively) duplicate or (architectural)… שַׁכּוּל (shakkûwl, H7909) — bereaved
Open source ↗שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… חוּט (chûwṭ, H2339) — a string; by implication, a measuring tape שָׁנִי (shânîy, H8144) — crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… נָאוֶה (nâʼveh, H5000) — suitable, or beautiful רַקָּה (raqqâh, H7541) — properly, thinness, i.e. the side of the head פֶּלַח (pelach, H6400) — a slice רִמּוֹן (rimmôwn, H7416) — a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial… בְּעַד (bᵉʻad, H1157) — in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc. צַמָּה (tsammâh, H6777) — a veil
Open source ↗צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) תַּלְפִּיָּה (talpîyâh, H8530) — something tall, i.e. (plural collective) slenderness תָּלָה (tâlâh, H8518) — to suspend (especially to gibbet) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… שֶׁלֶט (sheleṭ, H7982) — probably a shield (as controlling, i.e. protecting the person) גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שַׁד (shad, H7699) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging) עֹפֶר (ʻôpher, H6082) — a fawn (from the dusty color) צְבִיָּה (tsᵉbîyâh, H6646) — a female gazelle תָּאוֹם (tâʼôwm, H8380) — a twin (in plural only), literally or figuratively רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… שׁוּשַׁן (shûwshan, H7799) — a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectural ornament; also a (straight)…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… פּוּחַ (pûwach, H6315) — to puff, i.e. blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to… צֵלֶל (tsêlel, H6752) — shade נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) מֹר (môr, H4753) — myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter) גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock לְבוֹנָה (lᵉbôwnâh, H3828) — frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
Open source ↗יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) רַעְיָה (raʻyâh, H7474) — a female associate מאוּם (mʼûwm, H3971) — to stain; a blemish (physically or morally)
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife שׁוּר (shûwr, H7789) — to spy out, i.e. (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אֲמָנָה (ʼĂmânâh, H549) — Amanah, a mountain near Damascus שְׁנִיר (Shᵉnîyr, H8149) — Shenir or Senir, a summit of Lebanon חֶרְמוֹן (Chermôwn, H2768) — Chermon, a mount of Palestine אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion מְעוֹנָה (mᵉʻôwnâh, H4585) — {an abode, of God (the Tabernacle or the Temple), men (their home) or animals (their… הָרָר (hârâr, H2042) — a mountain נָמֵר (nâmêr, H5246) — a leopard (from its stripes)
Open source ↗לָבַב (lâbab, H3823) — (in a good sense) transport (with love), or (in a bad sense) stultify; to make cakes אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) עָנָק (ʻânâq, H6060) — a necklace (as if strangling) צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
Open source ↗יָפָה (yâphâh, H3302) — properly, to be bright, i.e. (by implication) beautiful דּוֹד (dôwd, H1730) — (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2895) — to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness בֶּשֶׂם (besem, H1314) — fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant
Open source ↗שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife נָטַף (nâṭaph, H5197) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak… נֹפֶת (nôpheth, H5317) — a dripping i.e. of honey (from the comb) דְּבַשׁ (dᵉbash, H1706) — honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup חָלָב (châlâb, H2461) — milk (as the richness of kine) לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown) שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008) — a dress לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine
Open source ↗גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) נָעַל (nâʻal, H5274) — properly, to fasten up, i.e. with abar or cord; hence, to sandal, i.e. furnish with… אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife גַּל (gal, H1530) — something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of… מַעְיָן (maʻyân, H4599) — a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction) חָתַם (châtham, H2856) — to close up; especially to seal
Open source ↗שֶׁלַח (shelach, H7973) — a missile of attack, i.e. spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth; i.e. branch פַּרְדֵּס (pardêç, H6508) — a park רִמּוֹן (rimmôwn, H7416) — a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial… מֶגֶד (meged, H4022) — properly, a distinguished thing; hence something valuable, as aproduct or fruit פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) כֹּפֶר (kôpher, H3724) — properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as… נֵרְדְּ (nêrd, H5373) — nard, an aromatic
Open source ↗נֵרְדְּ (nêrd, H5373) — nard, an aromatic כַּרְכֹּם (karkôm, H3750) — the crocus קָנֶה (qâneh, H7070) — a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem,… קִנָּמוֹן (qinnâmôwn, H7076) — cinnamon bark (as in upright rolls) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) לְבוֹנָה (lᵉbôwnâh, H3828) — frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke) מֹר (môr, H4753) — myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter) אֲהָלִים (ʼăhâlîym, H174) — aloe wood (i.e. sticks) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בֶּשֶׂם (besem, H1314) — fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Turn your eyes away from me, for they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down from Gilead.
How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.
Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.
Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, the hair of your head like purple threads; the king is captured in your tresses.
O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect in the splendor I bestowed on you, declares the Lord GOD.
Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock.
So Moses gave Gilead to the clan of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there.