Song Of Solomon 4:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The bridegroom's passionate adoration for his beloved, the Shulamite, continues in Song of Solomon 4:3, where he meticulously praises her captivating beauty through rich natural and precious imagery. He extols her lips, comparing their vibrant allure to a "thread of scarlet," and celebrates the inherent grace and pleasantness of her "comely speech." Furthermore, he describes her temples, glimpsed subtly "within her locks," as resembling a delicate "piece of a pomegranate," painting a vivid picture of exquisite, partially veiled beauty that encompasses both her physical charm and the captivating essence of her words.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Song of Solomon 4:3 is an integral part of a detailed poetic description, often referred to as a "wasf," spanning [Song of Solomon 4:1-7](/song_of_solomon/4-1-7 "Song of Solomon 4:1-7 - The Bridegroom's Praise"). In this section, the male beloved meticulously enumerates and praises various physical attributes of the female beloved, from her eyes and hair to her teeth, lips, temples, neck, and breasts. This particular verse focuses on her facial features and speech, building upon the previous verses' compliments and leading into further adoration. The "wasf" serves as a powerful expression of admiration, desire, and delight within the context of an intimate, celebratory relationship, affirming the bride's beauty in the eyes of her lover.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery employed in Song of Solomon 4:3 is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern cultural landscape. "Scarlet" (`H8144`, _shânîy_) was a highly prized and expensive dye, often associated with royalty, luxury, and distinction, signifying richness and vibrancy. Pomegranates (`H7416`, _rimmôwn_) were ubiquitous symbols of fertility, abundance, and beauty throughout the region, frequently depicted in art and architecture (e.g., on the pillars of Solomon's Temple in [1 Kings 7:20](/1_kings/7-20 "1 Kings 7:20 - Pomegranates on Temple Pillars")). The detailed, almost itemized, praise of a beloved's features was a common poetic convention in ancient love poetry, designed to heighten the sense of admiration and attraction. The setting is likely pastoral, reflecting the agricultural and natural environment that provided much of the imagery for the Song.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Song of Solomon. Foremost is the theme of **Physical Beauty and Attraction**, celebrating the aesthetic appeal of the human form as a gift from God. The specific details, like "lips like a thread of scarlet" and "temples like a piece of a pomegranate," emphasize the captivating and vibrant nature of the beloved's appearance. Another crucial theme is the **Charm and Power of Speech**. By noting "thy speech is comely," the verse moves beyond mere physical attributes to highlight the attractiveness of her words, suggesting grace, wisdom, and pleasantness in her communication. This underscores that true beauty encompasses both external form and internal character, as expressed through one's words, a concept echoed in wisdom literature like [Proverbs 16:24](/proverbs/16-24 "Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant Words"). Finally, the verse exemplifies **Profound Admiration and Affirmation** within a loving relationship. The meticulous and lavish praise demonstrates the depth of the lover's affection and his desire to affirm the beloved's worth and desirability, fostering a secure and cherished bond.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lips (Hebrew, _sâphâh'_):** From `H8193`, this word primarily refers to the lip (as a natural boundary) and by implication, language or speech. In this context, it signifies the physical lips, which are the organs of speech, connecting their visual beauty to the charm of her words.
* **scarlet (Hebrew, _shânîy'_):** From `H8144`, this term denotes crimson, properly referring to the insect or its color, or stuff dyed with it. It signifies a striking, luxurious, and attractive hue, suggesting the lips are full, healthy, and alluring, perhaps indicating vitality and passion.
* **speech (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** From `H4057`, this word can mean a pasture or desert, but also speech, including its organs. In Song of Solomon 4:3, it specifically refers to the beloved's spoken words, emphasizing their pleasing and delightful quality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy lips [are] like a thread of scarlet":** The bridegroom begins by praising the bride's lips, comparing them to a "thread of scarlet." This simile evokes a vibrant, rich red color, suggesting her lips are full, healthy, and captivating. The "thread" might imply a delicate, finely drawn line, or perhaps the intensity of the color found in a single thread of expensive scarlet dye, emphasizing their striking beauty.
* **"and thy speech [is] comely":** Moving beyond mere physical appearance, the lover commends the quality of her verbal expression. Her "speech is comely" means her words are pleasing, graceful, appropriate, and delightful. This indicates that her inner character, as expressed through her communication, is as attractive and captivating as her physical features, highlighting the importance of wise and pleasant discourse in a loving relationship.
* **"thy temples [are] like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.":** The final part of the verse shifts to her temples, describing them as resembling "a piece of a pomegranate" seen "within thy locks." This imagery suggests a delicate, blushing hue on her skin, perhaps a soft red or pink, partially veiled by her hair. The pomegranate, a symbol of beauty and fertility, adds to the sense of vibrant, natural allure, implying a subtle, inviting beauty that is both visible and partially concealed.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 4:3 is rich in **Simile**, the primary literary device, using "like a thread of scarlet" and "like a piece of a pomegranate" to create vivid comparisons that enhance the description of the beloved's beauty. The use of **Imagery** is central, appealing directly to the visual sense with colors (scarlet, the blush of pomegranate) and textures (thread, locks of hair), allowing the reader to visualize the bride's features. **Symbolism** is also present, as scarlet often symbolizes passion, luxury, and vitality, while the pomegranate traditionally symbolizes fertility, abundance, and beauty in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The meticulous enumeration of features, characteristic of a "wasf," employs a form of **Cataloguing** or **Detailed Description**, which serves to heighten the sense of admiration and the lover's deep appreciation for every aspect of his beloved. This careful selection of natural and precious elements elevates the bride's beauty to an almost idealized level.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Song of Solomon 4:3, in its celebration of the beloved's beauty, speaks to the biblical affirmation of physical attractiveness and the profound joy found in human love and intimacy, which are gifts from God. It highlights that true beauty is holistic, encompassing both outward appearance and the inner grace expressed through one's words and character. The "comely speech" emphasizes the value of edifying and pleasant communication within relationships, reflecting a character that is pleasing not only to a human lover but also in the sight of God. This verse, therefore, implicitly underscores the sanctity and richness of marital love as a reflection of divine design, where both physical and spiritual aspects of a person are cherished and affirmed.

* [Proverbs 31:26](/proverbs/31-26 "Proverbs 31:26 - The Virtuous Woman's Speech")
* [Psalm 45:11](/psalm/45-11 "Psalm 45:11 - The King's Desire for the Queen's Beauty")
* [1 Peter 3:3-4](/1_peter/3-3-4 "1 Peter 3:3-4 - Inner Beauty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 4:3 offers profound insights for contemporary relationships and personal growth. It encourages us to appreciate beauty in its comprehensive form, recognizing that while physical attractiveness is celebrated, the grace and wisdom of one's words ("comely speech") are equally, if not more, captivating and foundational for lasting connection. This verse challenges us to cultivate not only external appeal but also an inner character that produces words that are pleasing, edifying, and kind. Furthermore, the lover's meticulous and effusive praise serves as a powerful model for affirmation within relationships. It reminds us of the importance of verbally expressing our admiration and appreciation for our loved ones, articulating specific qualities we cherish. Such intentional affirmation strengthens bonds, builds confidence, and fosters a deeper sense of being seen, valued, and loved.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you balance the appreciation of physical beauty with the value of inner character and "comely speech" in your own life and relationships?**
* **In what specific ways can you cultivate more "comely speech" in your daily interactions, both within your closest relationships and with others?**
* **How does the lover's detailed praise inspire you to more intentionally affirm and appreciate the people in your life? What specific qualities can you articulate to them?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "thread of scarlet" imagery for lips?**

Answer: The "thread of scarlet" imagery (`H8144`, _shânîy_) signifies a vibrant, rich, and luxurious red color. In ancient times, scarlet dye was highly prized and often associated with wealth, royalty, and distinction. Applied to lips, it suggests a striking, alluring, and vital beauty, indicating healthy, full, and captivating lips that draw the eye and perhaps hint at passion and vitality. It's a powerful visual metaphor for intense beauty.

**Why is "comely speech" highlighted alongside physical features?**

Answer: The inclusion of "comely speech" (`H5000`, _nâʼveh_) is significant because it elevates the praise beyond mere physical appearance, emphasizing that true beauty encompasses both outward form and inner character. It suggests that the beloved's words are not only pleasant to hear but also graceful, appropriate, and delightful, reflecting wisdom, kindness, and charm. This highlights the crucial role of communication and character in fostering deep, lasting affection and admiration, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 15:23](/proverbs/15-23 "Proverbs 15:23 - A Word Fitly Spoken").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Song of Solomon 4:3 directly celebrates human love and beauty, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment when viewed allegorically as Christ's love for His Church, His bride. Just as the bridegroom praises the Shulamite's captivating beauty and "comely speech," so too does Christ behold His Church, not primarily for her outward perfection, but for the spiritual beauty He has bestowed upon her through His redemptive work. The "lips like a thread of scarlet" can foreshadow the blood of Christ, which cleanses and beautifies His people, making them radiant in His sight, as seen in [Revelation 1:5](/revelation/1-5 "Revelation 1:5 - Washed by His Blood"). More significantly, the "comely speech" of the bride finds its ultimate expression in the Church's proclamation of the Gospel. The Church's words, when speaking truth in love, are "comely" and beautiful to Christ, as she declares His excellencies and spreads His good news, reflecting the sentiment of [Romans 10:15](/romans/10-15 "Romans 10:15 - How Beautiful Are the Feet"). Her temples, like a "piece of a pomegranate within thy locks," can symbolize the Church's delicate, veiled beauty, partially hidden from the world but fully known and cherished by Christ, whose love transforms and perfects her into a glorious bride without spot or wrinkle, as promised in [Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church"). Thus, this verse speaks to the intimate, affirming, and transformative love of Christ for His redeemed people, whose beauty and voice are made perfect in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.