Song of Solomon 7

Song of Solomon 7:1-10

TEXT 7:1-10

Solomon; Son 7:1-9 (Son 7:1-5 may be remarks of women attendants)

Shulammite (interrupting the King); Son 7:9 b - Son 7:10 (Her final avowal of fidelity to her beloved.)

How beautiful are thy feet in sandals,

O prince’s daughter!

Thy rounded thighs are like jewels, The work of the hands of a skillful workman.

Thy body is like a round goblet

Wherein no mingled wine is wanting.

Thy waist is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies.

Thy two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a roe.

Thy neck is like the tower of ivory;

Thine eyes are the pools in Heshbon, By the gates of Bathrabbim;

Thy nose is like the tower of Labanon which looketh toward Damascus.

Thy head upon thee is like carmel, and the hair of thy head like purple;

The King is held captive in the tresses thereof.

How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

This thy stature is like to a palm tree, And thy breasts to its clusters.

I said, I will climb up into the palm tree,

I will take hold of the branches thereof; Let thy breasts be as clusters of the vine, And the smell of thy breath like apples,

And thy mouth like the best wine,

That goeth down smoothly for my beloved, Gliding through the lips of those that are asleep.

I am my beloved’S; and his desire is toward me.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:1-10

If verses one through five are the words of women attendants to the maiden what could be their purpose?

Why use the term prince’s daughter?

In what way can rounded thighs be compared to jewels and the work of skillful artists?

Her body is like a goblet full of unmixed wine. Is this the meaning of Son 7:2 a?

It seems strange to compare her waist to a heap of wheatset about with lilieswhat can this mean?

Breasts are compared to fawns before (Cf. Son 4:5). This seems to be a favorite comparison. What is involved?

The neck like an ivory tower was also used in Son 4:4or was it? Discuss.

Her head compared to Carmelthe city? the mountain? or what? How?

Purple hair?? Explain.

What is meant by saying her eyes were like pools in Heshbon?

It would hardly be a compliment today to point out a very prominent nose. What is meant by Son 7:4 b?

The king is held captive. How? for what?

This maid was fair and pleasantbut for what purpose? (Cf. verse six)

The king is surely getting bold in verse seven. It would seem that his figure of speech breaks down in Son 7:8 a. Explain.

If her breasts were fruit of the vine, what would be their purpose?

Solomon is about to act upon his wordsthen there seems to be a break in Son 7:9 b. Explain.

The Shulammite surely endangers herself in putting off the passionate advances of the king. What prompted her remark of verse ten?

PARAPHRASE 7:1-10

Solomon or Women Attendants:

How stately is thy walk in sandals, O noble lady!

Thy rounded hips are like ornaments Fashioned by a skillful craftsman.

Thy bosom is as a well-shaped goblet

That lacks not blended wine. Thy body is like a heap of wheat Set about with anemones.

Thy two breasts are like two fawns,

Twins of a gazelle.

Thy neck is like an ivory tower.

Thine eyes as the clear pools at Heshbon. By the Bath-rabbin gate. Thy nose (face?) is like the tower of Lebanon. Which looks towards Damascus.

Thy head is set upon thee like Carmel,

And thy tresses have a purple sheen. A king is enmeshed in their ringlets.

How fair and how pleasing art thou, O Love,

Among delightful things!

Solomon:

This form of thine is like a palm tree,

And thy breasts like date clusters,

I said (to myself), I will climb the palm tree

By taking hold of the frond stumps. Let thy breasts be like clusters of grapes, The fragrance of thy breath like citrons,

And thy palate (mouth?) like the best wine.

Shulammite (interrupting):

That rightly goes down only for my beloved.

Solomon (concluding):

Causing slumbering lips to speak.

I am my beloved’S, and his desire is for me myself.

COMMENT 7:1-10

Exegesis Son 7:1-10

There is an interesting explanation of these verses in An Exposition of the Bible by Walter F. AdeneyHe does not attribute these verses to Solomon but to the women of the court, he says:

The Shulammite now seems to be attempting a retreat, and the ladies of the court bid her return; they would see the performance of a favourite dance, known as -The Dance of Mahanaim.-’ Thereupon we have a description of the performer, as she was seen during the convolutions of the dance, dressed in a transparent garment of red gauzeperhaps such as is represented in Pompeian frescoes,so that her person could be compared to pale wheat surrounded by crimson anemones. It is quite against the tenor of her conduct to suppose that the modest country girl would degrade herself by ministering to the amusement of a corrupt court in this shameless manner. It is more reasonable to conclude that the entertainment was given by a professional dancer from among the women of the harem. We have a hint that this is the case in the title applied to the performer, in addressing whom Solomon exclaims, O prince’s daughter, an expression never used for the poor Shulammite, and one from which we should gather that she was a captive princess who had been trained as a court dancer. The glimpse of the manners of the palace helps to strengthen the contrast of the innocent, simple country life in which the Shulammite delights. It has been suggested, with some degree of probability, that the Shulammite is supposed to make her escape while the attention of the king and his court is diverted by this entrancing spectacle. It is to be observed, at all events, that from this point onwards to the end of the poem, neither Solomon nor the daughters of Jerusalem take any part in the dialogue, while the scene appears to be shifted to the Shulammite’s home in the country, where she and the shepherd are now seen together in happy companionship. (p. 534, 535.) We much prefer this explanation to the labored efforts of the commentators to apply this to the Shulammite. No doubt the women of the harem could imagine (with Solomon) that if this maid were to dance she would meet the description here given.

There are ten features of the female form:

(1)

How beautiful are your feetas you walk in your sandals, you have the grace of a princess.

(2)

Your thighs are a work of artlike the carved jewels of a master artist.

(3)

Your navel is like a lovely goblet in which the best of wine can always be found.

(4)

Your waist is like a heap of wheat encircled with anemones.

(5)

Your two breasts are as soft as two fawnsperfect twins of a roe.

(6)

Your neck is like an ivory tower.

(7)

Your eyes have the depth of the pools of Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbin.

(8)

Your face (or nose) has the grandeur and serenity of the tower of Lebanon, which looketh toward Damascus.

(9)

Your head is like the beautiful Mount Carmel.

(10)

Your hair, as it shines in the sunlight, is the royal color of purplea king would be held captive in its ringlets.

Marriage Son 7:1-10

One’s wife should be physically attractive to her husband. She should know it. It would not be at all offensive if you were to make your own personal paraphrase of these verses and give them to your wife as a love letter from her husband. Better yet, you could read them to her. Perhaps the metaphors and similes you use could have a more contemporary motif. Your wife would not be at all flattered if you told her that her nose was like the tower of Lebanon. If you do not tell your wife of her physical attraction to you she could be willing to listen to someone else who is ready to describe her charms.

Communion Son 7:1-10

We believe most of this section is a flattering attempt on the part of Solomon or the women of his court to seduce the Shulammite. No doubt the description fits the maidenbut the purpose behind telling it is surely open to censure. Flattery is such a subtle tool of Satan. So many Christians are very susceptible to flattery. Why? Because no one has convinced them of their true worth. We are almost ready to believe anyone who can see a value in us, even if it is only for their own advantage. We need to read again and again the love letters of our Father and His Son who tell us over and over again how valuable we are to them and the world in which we live.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:1-10

When we attribute these verses to the women of the court of Solomon we are introduced to a dance routine. Explain and discuss.

What did the Shulammite do while the dance was in progress?

How does the description given here relate to the maiden?

Do the ten features of the female form describe the Shulammite or the dancer or both? Discuss.

Read verses six through ten and explain them in your own words.

Discuss the application of these verses to marriage.

What is the antidote for flattery? Discuss.

Song of Solomon 7:11-13

TEXT 7:118:4

Shulammite:

Invitation to the Shepherd, Son 7:11 to Son 8:2

Aside to Court Ladies, Son 8:3

Adjuration to Court Ladies, Son 8:4 (final)

Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field;

Let us lodge in the villages.

Let us get up early to the vineyards;

Let us see whether the vine hath budded, And its blossom is open, And the pomegranates are in flower; There will I give thee my love.

The mandrakes give forth fragrance;

And at our doors are all manner of precious fruits, new and old, Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

8:1

O that thou wert as my brother,

That sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me.

I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house,

Who would instruct me; I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate.

His left hand should be under my head,

And his right hand should embrace me.

I adjure you O daughters of Jerusalem,

That ye stir up, nor awake my love, Until he please.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:118:4

How is it now possible for the maiden to give such an invitation since she is confined to the palace of Solomon?

What time of the year is suggested by the reference to the vines and the pomegranate tree?

Why offer her love in the vineyard?

Mandrakes are a particular type of fruitCf. Genesis 30:14-18what is intended by her reference to them here?

The last half of Son 7:13 is a poetic way of promising something. What was it?

Does the maid want her lover to become or pretend he is her brother? What is meant?

It would seem from Son 8:1 b that no physical expression of love had passed between the maid and the shepherd. If this is true, how shall we understand some of the earlier expressions? Discuss.

Why take her beloved into her mother’s house? What type of instruction would be given?

Was she promising a real drink of wine or was this a poetic expression?

Verse three was repeated earlier. What is meant?

Verse four is an oft-repeated refrainit is given at very appropriate times. Show how this is true here.

PARAPHRASE 7:118:4

Shulammite’s Soliloquy

Come, my beloved, let us go into the open country;

Let us lodge in the villages.

We will rise early and go into the vineyards.

We will see if the vines have budded; Whether the blossom is opening, And the pomegranates are in flower. There will I give thee my caresses.

The mandrakes are giving forth their fragrance,

At our doors are all kinds of luscious fruits, New and old, all reserved for thee, my beloved.

Son 8:1

Oh, that thou hadst been as my brother,

One nursed in the bosom of my own mother! Then had I met thee in the open, I would have kissed thee, And no one would have despised me.

I would have led thee to my mother’s house;

Where she would have instructed me. I would have made thee drink spiced wine Made from the juice of my own pomegranates.

Aside to Court Ladies

His left hand would have been under my head,

And his right hand supporting me.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

Why should ye arouse or stir up love Until itself is pleased to awaken?

COMMENT 7:118:4

Exegesis Son 7:11 to Son 8:4

The bridegroom has come for his bride. Whether this is literal or figurative, we could not say. Does this only happen in the dreams of the maiden or has Solomon capitulated? If Solomon has given her leave to go back to her home in Shunem, then perhaps a message has been sent to her shepherd and he actually is present to respond to the words of his beloved. We shall comment separately upon each of these six verses.

Son 7:11. It must have been with a good deal of poignancy that the maiden thought of the open fields of Galilee. She no doubt thought of friends or relatives in some of the villages who would welcome she and her new husband as overnight visitors. All the associations of many years back rushed in upon her and her heart is full of yearnings to be back again amid familiar faces and places. She is tired of the oppressive atmosphere of the king’s harem.

Son 7:12. It is still the spring of the year. It was spring when she was snatched away from her garden. Unless we conclude an entire year has gone by, her sojourn at court was only a few weeks. After a pleasant conversation with friends at the house in the village they would retire for the night. She is already anticipating their marriage and what is here proposed amounts in our terms to a honeymoon. How fresh and new is the atmosphere in the early morning! A stroll through the vineyard could be so beautiful! Holding hands, we could stoop down and check together the development of the blossoms. We could pause to drink deeply of the fragrance from the flowers of the pomegranate trees. There in the seclusion and privacy of His hanidwork I will give you my love. Away from the eyes of anyone but her beloved she would express her deep feelings for him.

Son 7:13. We are back in the village of Shunem. In the garden near the house the fragrance of the mandrakes is filling the air. At the doors of our house we have kept from past seasons dired fruitwe will also have fresh produce from our garden. Ever since I met you I have planned and laid up these gifts for the day when we could share them together. Besides the literal meaning we have given to her words, we seem to catch another meaning! Mandrakes had long been associated with love (Cf. Genesis 30:14-18). Perhaps these words are but a veiled promise of her expressions of love to be given to him in their house.

Verse one of the eighth chapter. The shepherd had addressed her as his sister, she now reciprocates with the thought that if he were her brother she would rush into his arms and kiss him at any time and any place. We like the words of Adeney here: This singular mode of courtship between two lovers who are so passionately devoted to one another that we might call them the Hebrew Romeo and Juliet, is not without significance. Its recurrence, now on the lips of the bride, helps to sharpen still more the contrast between what passes for love in the royal harem, and the true emotion experienced by a pair of innocent young people, unsullied by the corruptions of the courtillustrating, as it does at once, its sweet intimacy and its perfect purity. (ibid., p. 535.)

Verse two. Why go to her mother’s house? This would be after their marriage for instruction from the mother in the art of lovemaking. No mention is made of her fatherperhaps her mother is a widow. Such a simple home-like atmosphere is in strong contrast to the oppressive magnificence of Solomon’s palace. She has some wonderful home-made country beverages for himspiced wine and pomegranate juice. Perhaps what is here called -spiced wine-’ is especially prepared juice from the pomegranate.

Verses three and four. We have treated these verses earlier in our comments on Son 2:6-7. The fourth verse is repeated twice: in Son 2:7 and Son 3:5. Please see our comments upon these verses. This would seem to be the final word to Solomon and the women of the court. She is saying in essence: I am committed to the shepherd as my husbandI can already feel his strong arms around me. Do not, as I have said twice before, attempt to arouse any love on my part for Solomonlove will take its spontaneous courseand in my case it is for my shepherd.!

Marriage Son 7:11 to Son 8:4

If the Shulammite represents the bride of Christ, then these words can become a pattern for the love the church should have for her Lord. This has always been a parallel for the love the husband should have for his wife and the wife for her husband. Where is the bride who will express her love with the same, intensity and fidelity as the Shulammite? We believe there are many who would if they were married to a man like the shepherd. But is this the criteria for such a response? Many a husband knows he is far from the ideal here described but his wife loves him none-the-less. This is surely the fulfillment (in reverse order) of how Christ loved the church. Even when this is true can we not read into these words the longing of the dear girl we married? She does want to find anew the fresh fields and the secluded spotshe still wants your exclusive interest in herto share with her the little thingsthe beautiful things of very ordinary life. Just a cup of teaa simple flowereven an orange eaten with love is worth more than the many expensive things for which we spend so much time away from her. If somehow her husband could be her brother she could then get on the inside of his thoughts and could establish a rapport shared in a happy family. Anything to be one with the one she loves more than life.

Communion Son 7:11 to Son 8:4

What a tremendous example this passage is of the kind of love we, as the bride, should give to our living Lord. Christ is a living Person. He loves you with a personal love, and He looks everyday for your personal response to His love. Look into His face with trust till His love really shines into your heart (Romans 5:5). Make his heart glad by telling Him you love Him. (author unknown) Converse with your heavenly Husbandsay to Him, Come, my beloved, let’s go to workor let’s wash the dishes. He is aliveHe does want to participate in all you are and do. He also sleeps with you at night. How delightful to begin the day with Him. We have found so much good in the little booklet Manna In The Morning published by Moody Press. We wish to say a word of recommendation hereif you are not meeting Him in the morningor even if you areget it and read it. Oh, how we need to plan ahead for a continual love affair with our Lord. There is all manner of precious fruit from our experiences and from His wordboth new and old which we can share with Him. This will never happen if we do not plan it. Communion with our Lord through the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 2:1 ff) is a joint participationa partnership that includes all of life. Do we take Him into our mother’s house? i.e., into the relationship and fellowship of the family conversation? or of the TV programs and the exchange of the usual subjects? If we did, perhaps our family would be so impressed with His presence that instruction would have an entirely different meaning.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:118:4

The bridegroom has come for the brideis this to be understood as an actual visit from the shepherd? Discuss.

With whom would the newly-weds stay in the villages?

The maiden is homesickshe feels oppressed. Why?

We conclude the whole Song discusses a time of only a few weeks in May or late April. How is this conclusion reached?

It would seem the young couple are on their honeymoon. What gives us this thought?

Do you agree that there is a possible double-meaning in Son 7:13? Discuss.

How can we compare this couple to Romeo and Juliet?

Is there anyone anywhere in the United States like the two persons described here? Discuss.

Why go to her mother’s house? Where is her father?

What were her final words for the women of the harem and Solomon?

Where is the wife like the Shulammite? Discuss.

Are there men like the shepherd? (What about the rest of us?)

What is really important with our wife?

Why would any wife want a brother-sister relationship with her husband? or is this what is meant? Discuss.

What a tremendous example this passage is of the kind of love we as the bride should give to our living Lord. Please discuss the very practical application of this text to your own personal relationship to your Lord.