Song Of Solomon 1:15

Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves' eyes.

Behold, thou art fair {H3303}, my love {H7474}; behold, thou art fair {H3303}; thou hast doves {H3123}' eyes {H5869}.

[He] Look at you, my love! How beautiful you are! Your eyes are doves

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.

Behold, thou art fair, my love; Behold thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves.

Song of Solomon 1:15 is a tender declaration of admiration from the lover, traditionally understood as King Solomon, to his beloved, the Shulamite woman. This verse is part of a beautiful poetic dialogue where the couple expresses their deep affection and appreciation for one another's beauty and character.

Context

The Song of Solomon is a unique book in the Bible, often interpreted as a celebration of romantic love and marriage, and allegorically, as a depiction of the love between God and His people, or Christ and His Church. In Chapter 1, the beloved (the Shulamite) expresses her longing for her lover (Solomon), and he, in turn, praises her beauty. Verse 15 follows Solomon's initial compliments in Song of Solomon 1:9-11, where he compares her to a company of horses and adorns her with jewels. This verse continues his heartfelt praise, emphasizing her captivating eyes.

Key Themes

  • Admiration and Affirmation: The verse highlights the importance of vocalizing appreciation for one's beloved, fostering a strong and loving relationship.
  • Beauty Beyond the Superficial: While physical beauty is acknowledged, the specific mention of "doves' eyes" points to an inner beauty, perhaps signifying gentleness, purity, and faithfulness.
  • Mutual Delight: The book as a whole portrays a relationship where both partners find profound joy and delight in each other, a model for healthy marital bonds.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fair" (yapah) signifies beauty, loveliness, and attractiveness. The repetition of "Behold, thou art fair" underscores the intensity and sincerity of the compliment. The phrase "doves' eyes" is particularly significant. In ancient Near Eastern poetry, comparing eyes to doves was a common motif for beauty and tenderness. Doves themselves were symbols of:

  • Purity and Innocence: Their gentle nature often associated them with unblemished character.
  • Gentleness and Meekness: The soft, unassuming gaze of a dove suggests a gentle spirit.
  • Faithfulness: Doves are known for their monogamous pairing, making them a symbol of loyalty and devotion in love.

Thus, Solomon's praise goes beyond mere physical appearance; he is admiring the inner qualities reflected in her gaze—her purity, gentleness, and potential for deep faithfulness.

Reflection and Application

This verse offers timeless wisdom for relationships:

  1. Verbal Affirmation: It reminds us of the power of expressing genuine admiration and love to our partners. Such affirmations strengthen bonds and build confidence.
  2. Seeing Deeper Beauty: The focus on "doves' eyes" encourages us to look beyond superficial beauty and appreciate the inner qualities—like purity, gentleness, and loyalty—that truly enrich a person and a relationship. This resonates with the idea of inner beauty often valued in scripture, as seen in 1 Peter 3:4.
  3. Theological Parallel: Many commentators interpret the Song of Solomon as an allegory for the deep, passionate love between Christ and His Church. In this view, Christ sees His Church as "fair" and pure, despite her imperfections, because of His sanctifying work. This mirrors the spiritual beauty Christ bestows upon His bride, as described in Ephesians 5:27, where He presents her to Himself "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish."

Ultimately, Song of Solomon 1:15 is a beautiful testament to the power of love, admiration, and the profound connection found in a devoted relationship, both human and divine.

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.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:1

    ¶ 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.

  • Song Of Solomon 5:12

    His eyes [are] as [the eyes] of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, [and] fitly set.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:7

    Thou [art] all fair, my love; [there is] no spot in thee.

  • Ephesians 1:17

    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

  • Ephesians 1:18

    The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

  • 2 Corinthians 11:2

    For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:3

    But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

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