Song of Solomon 7:4 - Admiration by the Bridegroom
Your neck is like a tower made of ivory;
The imagery of the neck as a tower suggests strength, dignity, and elegance. In ancient times, towers were symbols of protection and grandeur. Ivory, a precious material, indicates purity and value. This metaphor highlights the beloved's noble character and esteemed position. The neck, often associated with will and determination, suggests a steadfast and upright nature. In biblical symbolism, towers can also represent a place of refuge and safety, as seen in Proverbs 18:10, where the name of the Lord is described as a strong tower.
your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim;
Heshbon was a significant city in ancient Moab, known for its strategic location and abundant water sources. The pools of Heshbon would have been clear, tranquil, and life-sustaining, symbolizing depth, clarity, and serenity. The eyes, often seen as windows to the soul, reflect the inner beauty and peace of the beloved. The gate of Bath-rabbim, possibly a well-known entrance to the city, suggests accessibility and openness. This imagery may also connect to the idea of spiritual insight and understanding, as seen in Psalm 119:18, where the psalmist asks for open eyes to behold wondrous things.
your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, facing toward Damascus.
The tower of Lebanon likely refers to a prominent structure in the region known for its impressive height and strategic vantage point. Lebanon, famous for its cedars, was a place of beauty and strength. The nose, central to the face, symbolizes discernment and perception. Facing toward Damascus, a major city to the north, suggests a forward-looking perspective and awareness of the surrounding world. This imagery conveys a sense of alertness and readiness, akin to the watchfulness encouraged in 1 Peter 5:8, where believers are urged to be sober-minded and vigilant.
Persons / Places / Events
1. The Beloved
The speaker in this verse is the bridegroom, often interpreted as Solomon, who is expressing admiration for his bride.
2. The Bride
The recipient of the praise, often seen as a representation of the church or the individual believer in a spiritual allegory.
3. Heshbon
An ancient city in Moab, known for its pools, which are used metaphorically to describe the bride's eyes.
4. Bath-rabbim
A gate in Heshbon, indicating a place of entry and significance.
5. Lebanon and Damascus
Regions known for their beauty and strength, used to describe the bride's nose, symbolizing dignity and prominence.
Teaching Points
The Beauty of Holiness
Just as the bride is described with beautiful imagery, believers are called to reflect the beauty of holiness in their lives.
Spiritual Perception
The eyes like pools suggest clarity and depth of spiritual insight, encouraging believers to seek wisdom and understanding.
Strength and Dignity
The neck and nose symbolize strength and dignity, reminding Christians to stand firm in their faith and convictions.
Christ's Love for the Church
The admiration expressed by the bridegroom reflects Christ's deep love and appreciation for His Church.
The Importance of Inner Beauty
While physical beauty is celebrated, the emphasis is on the inner qualities that reflect God's character.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Song of Solomon 7How can the description of the bride's flawless perfection in Song of Solomon 4:7 align with human reality, given our understanding of human imperfection?If historically attributed to King Solomon, how does Song of Solomon 4 mesh with the accounts of his many wives and concubines in other biblical texts (e.g., 1 Kings 11:3)?How do we reconcile the poetic exaggerations in Song of Solomon 4:1-3 with any literal or historical interpretations of the text?What does 'Do not awaken love until it pleases' mean?
(4) Fishpools in Heshbon.--Literally, pools. The Authorised Version follows the Vulg. piscin?, for which there is no authority. For Heshbon, see Note on Numbers 21:26. The ruins still remain, with the same name Hesban, in the Wady of that name (Robinson, p. 278). "There are many cisterns among the ruins; and towards the south, a few yards from the base of the hill, is a large ancient reservoir, which calls to mind the passage in Song of Solomon 7:4" (Smith's Bib. Dict.). Captain Warren took a photograph of "the spring-head of the waters of Hesban," published by the Palestine Exploration Fund. In regard to the image, comp.--
"Adspicies oculos tremulo fulgore micantes
Ut sol a liquida s?pe refulget aqua."
Ovid. Art. Am., ii. 722.
Comp. also Keats:--
"Those eyes, those passions, those supreme pearl springs.
The gate of Bath-rabbim.--Doubtless the name of an actual gate, so called from the crowds of people streaming through it: daughter of multitudes.
Verse 4. - Thy neck is like the tower of ivory; thine eyes are as the pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim; thy nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus. This is plainly a partial repetition of the king's description. The ivory tower was perhaps a tower well known, covered with ivory tablets, slender in structure, dazzlingly white in appearance, imposing and captivating. No doubt in the lips of the court ladies it is intended that this echo of the royal bridegroom's praises shall be grateful to him. Heshbon is situated some five and a half hours east of the northern points of the Dead Sea, on an extensive, undulating, fruitful, high table-land, with a far-reaching prospect. "The comparison of the eyes to a pool means either their glistening like a water-mirror or their being lovely in appearance, for the Arabian knows no greater pleasure than to look upon clear, gently rippling water: cf. Ovid, 'De Arte Am.,' 2:722 -
"Adspicies oculos tremulo fulgore micantes,
Ut sol a liquida saepe refulget aqua" The nose formed a straight line down from the forehead, conveying the impression of symmetry, and at the same time a dignity and majesty inspiring with awe like the tower of Lebanon. The reference is perhaps to a particular tower, and in the time of Solomon there were many noted specimens of architectural and artistic splendour. "A tower which looks in the direction of Damascus is to be thought of as standing on one of the eastern spurs of Hermon or on the top of Amana (Song of Solomon 4:8), whence the Amana (Barada) takes its rise, whether as a watchtower (2 Samuel 8:6) or only as a look out from which might be enjoyed the paradisaical prospect." Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Your neck
צַוָּארֵ֖ךְ (ṣaw·wā·rêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6677: The back of the neck
is like a tower
כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל (kə·miḡ·dal)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers
[made] of ivory;
הַשֵּׁ֑ן (haš·šên)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8127: A tooth, ivory, a cliff
your eyes
עֵינַ֜יִךְ (‘ê·na·yiḵ)
Noun - cdc | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain
are like the pools
בְּרֵכ֣וֹת (bə·rê·ḵō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1295: A pool, pond
of Heshbon
בְּחֶשְׁבּ֗וֹן (bə·ḥeš·bō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2809: Heshbon -- a place East of the Jordan
by
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against
the gate
שַׁ֙עַר֙ (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate
of Bath-rabbim;
רַבִּ֔ים (rab·bîm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1337: Bath-rabbim -- 'daughter of multitudes', a name for Heshbon or its gate
your nose
אַפֵּךְ֙ (’ap·pêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire
is like the tower
כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל (kə·miḡ·dal)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers
of Lebanon
הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן (hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3844: Lebanon -- a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel
facing toward
צוֹפֶ֖ה (ṣō·w·p̄eh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await
Damascus.
דַמָּֽשֶׂק׃ (ḏam·mā·śeq)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834: Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)
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