Song of Solomon 5:11-16

11 His face is bronzed and smooth; his hair is wavy, black as a raven.

12 His eyes are as beautiful as doves by a flowing brook, doves washed in milk and standing by the stream.

13 His cheeks are as lovely as a garden that is full of herbs and spices. His lips are like lilies, wet with liquid myrrh.

14 His hands are well-formed, and he wears rings set with gems. His body is like smooth ivory, with sapphires set in it.

15 His thighs are columns of alabaster set in sockets of gold. He is majestic, like the Lebanon Mountains with their towering cedars.

16 His mouth is sweet to kiss; everything about him enchants me. This is what my lover is like, women of Jerusalem.

Song of Solomon 5:11-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 5

This chapter begins with Christ's answer to the church's request; in which he informs her, that he was come into his garden, as she desired, and gives an account of what he had done there; and kindly invites his dear friends to feast with him there, So 5:1; Then she relates her case and circumstances, which followed upon this, her sleepy frame, and ungrateful carriage to her beloved; which he resenting, withdrew from her, and this gave her sensible pain, So 5:2-6; what treatment she met with from the watchmen; her charge to the daughters of Jerusalem; and the questions they asked about her beloved, So 5:7-9; which put her upon giving a large description of him, by each of his parts, head, hair So 5:10-15; And the chapter is concluded with a general commendation of him and his loveliness, and a claim of interest in So 5:16.

Footnotes

• [a]. and standing by the stream; [Hebrew unclear.]
• [b]. like smooth ivory; [Hebrew unclear.]