1 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.
2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.
3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.
4 Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.
5 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.
10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!
11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.
16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
Chapter 4 of The Song of Solomon in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a beautiful and passionate love song that captures the essence of romantic love. It is a dialogue between two lovers: the Shulamite woman and King Solomon. The chapter is predominantly Solomon's expression of his admiration and affection for the Shulamite woman. His words are both descriptive and adoring, creating a vivid picture of his beloved and their relationship.
The chapter begins with Solomon praising the beauty of the Shulamite woman. He uses metaphors and similes from nature to compare her physical attributes to beautiful and precious things. For example, her eyes are compared to doves, her hair to a flock of goats, her teeth to a flock of shorn sheep, her lips to a thread of scarlet, her temples to a piece of pomegranate, and her neck to the tower of David. He also compares her breasts to two young roes that are twins and feed among the lilies. These comparisons are not only meant to highlight her physical beauty but also to express his admiration for her.
The primary theme of Chapter 4 in Song of Solomon is love and desire. The chapter is an intimate dialogue between two lovers, filled with longing and desire. It paints a picture of love that is passionate, intense, and deeply personal. This is evident in the way Solomon describes his beloved – with admiration and desire, and in the way he longs for her presence and affection.
Solomon's expressions of love are not limited to physical attraction. He also appreciates and admires her inner beauty. In verse 7, he proclaims, "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee." This statement suggests that he perceives her as perfect and without any flaw, indicating his deep love and admiration for her.
The theme of beauty and its perception is another significant aspect of this chapter. Solomon uses vivid and beautiful imagery drawn from nature to describe his beloved. His descriptions are not only about physical attractiveness but also about the beauty he sees in her character, her grace, and her virtues. This suggests that beauty, as portrayed in this chapter, is not just about physical appearance but also about inner beauty.
The way Solomon perceives and appreciates the Shulamite woman's beauty also indicates his deep affection for her. His descriptions are not objectifying but rather, they are expressions of his love and admiration. They reveal his perception of her as a unique and precious individual, and not merely as an object of his desire.
Chapter 4 of Song of Solomon also explores the theme of intimacy and union between two lovers. The dialogue is filled with expressions of longing and desire for each other's presence and affection. The chapter ends with Solomon inviting his beloved to come with him from Lebanon, an invitation to share in his life. This suggests a desire for a deeper connection and union with her.
Solomon's invitation is not just about physical intimacy but also about emotional and spiritual union. He expresses his desire to share his life with her, to be with her, and to experience life together. This deep longing for union goes beyond physical attraction and speaks of a profound emotional and spiritual connection.
While the Song of Solomon is a love song between two human beings, many biblical scholars and theologians also interpret it as a symbolic representation of the love relationship between God and His people. In this context, Solomon's expressions of love and admiration for the Shulamite woman could be seen as a reflection of God's love for His people.
In this interpretation, the Shulamite woman represents the people of God, and Solomon represents God. The love, admiration, and desire that Solomon expresses for the Shulamite woman symbolize God's love, admiration, and desire for His people. Similarly, the longing for union and intimacy that Solomon expresses symbolizes God's longing for a deep and intimate relationship with His people.
In conclusion, Chapter 4 of The Song of Solomon in the KJV Holy Bible is a beautiful and passionate expression of love, admiration, and desire. It captures the essence of romantic love, with its longing for intimacy and union, its perception and appreciation of beauty, and its intense emotions. At the same time, it also carries a deeper, symbolic meaning that speaks of the love relationship between God and His people. Through its vivid imagery and passionate dialogue, it provides a profound insight into the nature of love, both human and divine.
Share this page