Song Of Solomon 6:4

ยถ Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as [an army] with banners.

Thou art beautiful {H3303}, O my love {H7474}, as Tirzah {H8656}, comely {H5000} as Jerusalem {H3389}, terrible {H366} as an army with banners {H1713}.

[He] You are as beautiful as Tirtzah, my love, as lovely as Yerushalayim, but formidable as an army marching under banners.

You are as beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as troops with banners.

Thou art fair, O my love, as Tirzah, Comely as Jerusalem, Terrible as an army with banners.

Commentary

In Song of Solomon 6:4, the King (traditionally Solomon) continues his fervent praise for his beloved, the Shulamite. This declaration comes after she has publicly described his virtues in Song of Solomon 5:10-16, highlighting the reciprocal nature of their deep admiration and affection.

Context

This verse is part of a passionate exchange in the Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating human love and often interpreted as an allegory for God's love for His people or Christ's love for the Church. The King's words here affirm his unwavering devotion and the profound impact of the Shulamite's presence. The mention of Tirzah and Jerusalem grounds the praise in specific, well-known symbols of beauty and majesty in ancient Israel. Tirzah was an ancient city known for its beauty, serving as an early capital of the northern kingdom, while Jerusalem was the established capital, revered for its spiritual and political significance.

Key Themes

  • Multi-faceted Beauty: The Shulamite's beauty is portrayed as comprehensive, encompassing both aesthetic delight ("beautiful as Tirzah") and dignified majesty ("comely as Jerusalem"). Tirzah was renowned for its pleasantness and beauty, often associated with royal residences before Samaria. Jerusalem, the capital, symbolized spiritual and political strength and splendor, as seen in Psalm 48:2.
  • Awe-Inspiring Presence: The phrase "terrible as an army with banners" is striking and central to understanding this verse. It does not imply fright in a negative sense, but rather a formidable, awe-inspiring, and magnificent quality. Her beauty and presence command respect and attention, possessing an irresistible power that captivates and overwhelms, much like a well-organized and splendid army.
  • Security and Strength: Beyond mere physical attractiveness, her beauty possesses a strength and dignity that perhaps even deters rivals or secures her place in the King's heart, providing him with a sense of powerful allegiance and pride.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "terrible" is 'ayom (ืึธื™ึนื), which conveys a sense of being awesome, formidable, or inspiring dread/reverence. In this context, it speaks to the overwhelming and magnificent nature of her beauty and presence, rather than something frightening. It suggests a powerful, almost spiritual impact she has on the King, making her stand out uniquely. The word "comely" (Hebrew: na'wah) means beautiful, fitting, or pleasant, reinforcing the idea of a harmonious and dignified beauty.

Practical Application and Reflection

For believers, this verse offers rich allegorical insights. Just as the King sees profound beauty and strength in his beloved, so too does Christ view His Church (Ephesians 5:27). The Church, though imperfect, is seen by God as beautiful, majestic, and formidableโ€”an "army with banners" against spiritual darkness, united under His leadership. This verse encourages us to recognize the deep, abiding beauty that comes from inner character and divine favor, a beauty far more enduring than superficial appearance. It also reminds us of the powerful, awe-inspiring presence of God's people when they are united in purpose and devotion, embodying a spiritual strength that is truly 'terrible' to the forces of evil and a beacon of hope to the world.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Song Of Solomon 6:10

    Who [is] she [that] looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, [and] terrible as [an army] with banners?

  • Psalms 48:2

    Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

  • 1 Kings 14:17

    And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: [and] when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died;

  • Song Of Solomon 2:14

    ยถ O my dove, [that art] in the clefts of the rock, in the secret [places] of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, and thy countenance [is] comely.

  • Lamentations 2:15

    All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

  • Revelation 21:2

    And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:7

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