My beloved put in his hand by the hole [of the door], and my bowels were moved for him.
My beloved {H1730} put in {H7971} his hand {H3027} by {H4480} the hole {H2356} of the door, and my bowels {H4578} were moved {H1993} for him.
The man I love put his hand through the hole by the door-latch, and my heart began pounding at the thought of him.
My beloved put his hand to the latch; my heart pounded for him.
My beloved put in his hand by the holeof the door, And my heart was moved for him.
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Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. -
Psalms 110:3
Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. -
Song Of Solomon 1:4
Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. -
Acts 16:14
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. -
1 Kings 3:26
Then spake the woman whose the living child [was] unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, [but] divide [it]. -
Genesis 43:30
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought [where] to weep; and he entered into [his] chamber, and wept there. -
1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.
Context
Song of Solomon 5:4 is part of a vivid dream or narrative sequence where the Shulamite woman recounts an encounter with her beloved. She has gone to bed, and her beloved arrives at her door, seeking entry. This verse describes his attempt to open the door and her immediate, profound internal reaction. In ancient Israelite homes, doors often had a latch or bolt that could be manipulated from the outside through a small opening or "hole" in the door. His action of putting his hand through this opening signifies his presence and his desire to enter, even as she hesitated to respond quickly.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "my bowels were moved for him" is a direct translation of the Hebrew idiom, which signifies a profound, gut-level emotional response. In biblical literature, the "bowels" (often translated as "inward parts" or "heart") were considered the seat of deep emotions, including compassion, pity, and intense love. It's not merely a physical sensation but an expression of profound empathy and yearning, similar to how the father in the parable of the prodigal son was "moved with compassion".
Practical Application
While primarily a love poem, Song of Solomon 5:4 offers rich spiritual allegory. It can illustrate the soul's profound yearning for God, mirroring the Psalmist's longing for God as a deer pants for water. This verse encourages believers to: