Song Of Solomon 1:10

Thy cheeks are comely with rows [of jewels], thy neck with chains [of gold].

Thy cheeks {H3895} are comely {H4998} with rows {H8447} of jewels, thy neck {H6677} with chains {H2737} of gold.

your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with its strings of beads;

Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.

Thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair, Thy neck with strings of jewels.

Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:10 (KJV)

Song of Solomon 1:10 is a verse of profound admiration and praise, spoken by the King (often identified as Solomon) to his beloved, the Shulamite woman. It highlights her exquisite beauty, specifically focusing on her adorned features, which are likened to precious jewels and gold.

Context

This verse is part of an intimate dialogue in the opening chapter of the Song of Solomon, a book of love poetry celebrating the beauty and affection between a bride and groom. Following the Shulamite's expressions of longing and the King's initial compliments, verse 10 immediately builds upon the King's declaration in Song of Solomon 1:9, where he compares her to "a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots." This comparison, surprising to modern ears, was a high compliment in ancient times, signifying grace, strength, and regal beauty. Verse 10 then zeroes in on specific details of her appearance, further enhancing his praise, and sets the stage for his promise to adorn her even more in Song of Solomon 1:11.

Key Themes

  • Admiration and Praise: The verse is a powerful testament to the King's deep admiration for his beloved's physical beauty, expressing it through rich, vivid imagery.
  • Beauty and Adornment: It emphasizes the aesthetic value of adornment, with "rows [of jewels]" on her cheeks and "chains [of gold]" on her neck signifying not only beauty but also status, wealth, and honor.
  • Esteem and Value: By describing her features with such precious materials, the King conveys the immense value and esteem he holds for the Shulamite. She is seen as highly precious and worthy of the finest embellishments.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, jewelry and adornment were not merely decorative; they were significant symbols of wealth, social status, and personal beauty. "Rows [of jewels]" could refer to ornaments woven into braided hair framing the face, or possibly facial piercings common in some ancient cultures. "Chains [of gold]" for the neck were highly prized possessions. The imagery here reflects the customs of the time, where a bride would be adorned sumptuously, often by her groom, as a sign of his love, commitment, and her elevated position within the marriage. This lavish description underscores the King's desire to honor and cherish his bride.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "comely" (נָאוֶה, na'veh) means "beautiful," "pleasant," or "fitting." It conveys a sense of harmonious and attractive beauty. The KJV's bracketed additions, "[of jewels]" and "[of gold]," are interpretive clarifications, as the original Hebrew simply implies the material by context or common adornment practices. These additions help the English reader understand the nature of the "rows" and "chains" being described.

Practical Application and Reflection

While a literal description of physical beauty, Song of Solomon 1:10 offers several layers of application:

  • Valuing One Another: It teaches the importance of expressing appreciation and admiration for our loved ones. Affirming the beauty and worth of others, both internally and externally, strengthens relationships.
  • God's View of His People: Spiritually, this verse can be seen as an allegory for Christ's love for His Church. Just as the King praises his beloved, Christ sees His Church as beautiful and delights in her, adorning her with grace, righteousness, and spiritual gifts. This resonates with passages describing believers as being clothed in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.
  • Inner and Outer Beauty: While the verse focuses on external adornment, the overall message of the Song of Solomon, and indeed the Bible, often points to a deeper, intrinsic beauty that comes from character and spirit, as highlighted in 1 Peter 3:3-4. The external beauty here is a reflection of the beloved's overall preciousness to the King.

Ultimately, Song of Solomon 1:10 celebrates the joy and delight found in loving admiration, serving as a reminder to cherish and affirm those we hold dear.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 16:11

    I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

  • Ezekiel 16:13

    Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment [was of] fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

  • 1 Peter 3:4

    But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

  • Song Of Solomon 5:13

    His cheeks [are] as a bed of spices, [as] sweet flowers: his lips [like] lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

  • Genesis 24:47

    And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter [art] thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

  • 2 Peter 1:3

    According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

  • 2 Peter 1:4

    Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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