Song Of Solomon 4:3

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.

Thy lips {H8193} are like a thread {H2339} of scarlet {H8144}, and thy speech {H4057} is comely {H5000}: thy temples {H7541} are like a piece {H6400} of a pomegranate {H7416} within {H1157} thy locks {H6777}.

Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like a pomegranate split open behind your veil.

Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon, and your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.

Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, And thy mouth is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate Behind thy veil.

Song of Solomon 4:3 continues the lover's passionate praise of his beloved, the Shulamite, detailing her exquisite features with rich, poetic imagery. This verse focuses on her lips, speech, and temples, highlighting both her physical allure and the pleasing nature of her words.

Context

This verse is part of a longer poetic description (often called a 'wasf' in scholarly analysis) found in Song of Solomon 4:1-7, where the male beloved enumerates the various beautiful attributes of the female beloved. This intimate dialogue takes place in a garden setting, symbolizing flourishing love and fertility. The detailed compliments serve to affirm her beauty and express the depth of his admiration and desire. This section is a cornerstone of the book's celebration of human love and attraction, presented through vivid ancient Near Eastern poetic conventions.

Key Themes

  • Physical Beauty: The imagery of "lips like a thread of scarlet" and "temples like a piece of a pomegranate" paints a picture of vibrant, healthy, and captivating beauty. The scarlet color suggests richness and allure, while the pomegranate, a fruit known for its many seeds and delicate internal structure, implies a subtle, blushing beauty visible through her hair.
  • The Charm of Speech: Beyond mere physical appearance, the phrase "thy speech is comely" emphasizes the attractive quality of her words. This suggests that her conversations are pleasing, graceful, and perhaps wise, adding a layer of inner beauty to her external charm. This highlights the importance of communication in a loving relationship.
  • Deep Admiration and Affection: The meticulous detail of the lover's praise conveys profound affection and admiration. He sees and cherishes every aspect of her, both visible and audible, affirming her worth and desirability. This extensive compliment is a hallmark of the passionate love celebrated throughout the Song of Solomon.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "scarlet" (sheni) refers to a rich, vibrant red dye, often associated with luxury, royalty, or distinction. It signifies a striking and attractive color for her lips.
  • "Comely" is translated from the Hebrew word na'weh, meaning "pleasing," "beautiful," or "fitting." It implies not just that her speech sounds good, but that it is appropriate and delightful, reflecting a graceful character. The praise of her "comely" speech highlights that true beauty extends beyond physical appearance to encompass the grace and wisdom of one's words, a theme echoed in wisdom literature like Proverbs 16:24.
  • The "pomegranate" (rimmon) is a fruit frequently used in ancient Near Eastern art and literature as a symbol of fertility, abundance, and beauty. Its appearance "within thy locks" suggests a delicate, blushing hue on her temples, partially veiled by her hair, adding to her mystique.

Related Scriptures

This verse is part of a series of compliments, often called a 'wasf' (description), where the lover meticulously praises his beloved's features, similar to other detailed descriptions found throughout the book, such as in Song of Solomon 1:15 or Song of Solomon 6:5. The emphasis on the beauty of her speech complements the physical praise, echoing the importance of words in relationships, as seen in Proverbs 31:26 which describes the virtuous woman opening her mouth with wisdom and kindness.

Practical Application

Song of Solomon 4:3 offers timeless insights into the nature of love and attraction. It reminds us that:

  • Beauty is Comprehensive: True attraction encompasses both outward appearance and the inner qualities expressed through one's words and character. The beauty of speech can be as captivating, if not more so, than physical features.
  • The Power of Affirmation: The lover's detailed praise demonstrates the importance of verbally affirming and appreciating our loved ones. Expressing specific admiration can strengthen bonds and foster mutual respect.
  • Valuing Communication: The emphasis on "comely speech" highlights that graceful, kind, and wise words are fundamental to healthy relationships. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, to attract or repel.
This verse encourages us to cultivate both inner and outer beauty, recognizing that genuine appeal arises from a harmonious blend of both.

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 6:7

    As a piece of a pomegranate [are] thy temples within thy locks.

  • Joshua 2:18

    Behold, [when] we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.

  • Song Of Solomon 5:16

    His mouth [is] most sweet: yea, he [is] altogether lovely. This [is] my beloved, and this [is] my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

  • Psalms 37:30

    The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

  • Numbers 19:6

    And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast [it] into the midst of the burning of the heifer.

  • Numbers 4:8

    And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.

  • Ezekiel 16:63

    That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

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