Song of Solomon 4

Solomon 4:1-16 .

1. Contrast with the bride's state by nature ( Isaiah 1:6 ) her state by grace ( Solomon 4:1-7 ), "perfect through His comeliness put upon her" ( Ezekiel 16:14 , John 15:3 ). The praise of Jesus Christ, unlike that of the world, hurts not, but edifies; as His, not ours, is the glory ( John 5:44 , Revelation 4:10 Revelation 4:11 ). Seven features of beauty are specified ( Solomon 4:1-5 ) ("lips" and "speech" are but one feature, Solomon 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" ( Luke 7:44 ). MAURER for "locks," has "veil"; but locks suit the connection better: so the Hebrew is translated ( Isaiah 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--( Matthew 6:22 , Ephesians 1:18 ; contrast Matthew 5:28 , Ephesians 4:18 , 1 John 2:16 ). Chaste and guileless ("harmless," Matthew 10:16 , Margin; John 1:47 ). John the Baptist, historically, was the "turtledove" ( Solomon 2:12 ), with eye directed to the coming Bridegroom: his Nazarite unshorn hair answers to "locks" ( John 1:29 John 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 ( 1 Corinthians 11:6-15 ), so the Nazarite's hair marked his subjection and separation unto God. (Compare Judges 16:17 , with 2 Corinthians 6:17 , Titus 2:14 , 1 Peter 2:9 ). Jesus Christ cares for the minutest concerns of His saints ( Matthew 10:30 ).
appear from--literally, "that lie down from"; lying along the hillside, they seem to hang from it: a picture of the bride's hanging tresses.
Gilead--beyond Jordan: there stood "the heap of witness" ( Genesis 31:48 ).

2. even shorn--is translated ( 1 Kings 6:25 ), "of one size"; so the point of comparison to teeth is their symmetry of form; as in "came up from the washing," the spotless whiteness; and in "twins," the exact correspondence of the upper and lower teeth: and in "none barren," none wanting, none without its fellow. Faith is the tooth with which we eat the living bread ( John 6:35 John 6:54 ). Contrast the teeth of sinners ( Psalms 57:4 , Proverbs 30:14 ); also their end ( Psalms 3:7 , Matthew 25:30 ). Faith leads the flock to the washing ( Zechariah 13:1 , 1 Corinthians 6:11 , Titus 3:5 ).
none . . . barren--( 2 Peter 1:8 ). He who is begotten of God begets instrumentally other sons of God.