TRV
Translation
King James Version
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.
Complete Jewish Bible
Your navel is like a round goblet that never lacks spiced wine. Your belly is a heap of wheat encircled by lilies.
Berean Standard Bible
Your navel is a rounded goblet; it never lacks blended wine. Your waist is a mound of wheat encircled by the lilies.
American Standard Version
Thy body islikea round goblet, Wherein no mingled wine is wanting: Thy waist is like a heap of wheat Set about with lilies.
World English Bible Messianic
Your body is like a round goblet, no mixed wine is wanting. Your waist is like a heap of wheat, set about with lilies.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Thy nauel is as a round cuppe that wanteth not licour: thy belly is as an heape of wheat compassed about with lilies.
Young's Literal Translation
Thy waist is a basin of roundness, It lacketh not the mixture, Thy body a heap of wheat, fenced with lilies,
In the KJVVerse 17,630 of 31,102
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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
CONSOLATION ON THE DEATH OF EMPEROR VALENTINIAN 69
“Your navel is like a round bowl, not wanting tempered wine. Your belly is like a heap of wheat, set about with lilies. Your neck is like a tower of ivory. Your eyes are a pool in Heshbon.” The good navel of the soul, capable of receiving all virtues, is like a bowl, fashioned by the author of faith himself. For in a bowl wisdom has mixed her wine, saying, “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.” This navel, therefore, fashioned with all the beauty of the virtues, does not lack mixed wine. His belly also was filled not only with the wheaten food of justice, as it were, but also with that of grace, and it bloomed with sweetness like a lily.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Small, too, are the navel and belly of the soul that ascends to Christ. Therefore it is praised in the words of the spouse, who says, “Your navel is like a round bowl never wanting wine, your belly is like a heap of tiny wheat among lilies.” It is polished by all kinds of learning, and it is a spiritual draught never failing in fullness and in the knowledge of heavenly secrets. The belly of the soul is mystic, like the navel, and it receives not only strong food to strengthen hearts but sweet and fragrant food by which it is delighted. Perhaps Moses meant that this sacrilege needs to be atoned for by many pious prayers. - "Letter 77, To Laymen"
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Your navel is a rounded goblet, etc. The navel, which is the most fragile member of our body, rightly signifies the frailty of our mortality. And our navel becomes a rounded goblet never lacking in drink, when, reminded of our mortality and frailty, we strive to offer the cup of the word of salvation to our neighbors, so that, as we show mercy, the blessedness of heavenly mercy is repaid to us. There is also nothing to hinder that what is said about the alms of the general cup may be understood, about which the judge himself will say: "I was thirsty, and you gave me drink" (Matthew 25). For a bowl is another, larger, with two handles. About which the poet says, "But when the first rest has come to the feasts and the tables have been removed, And they place great bowls, and crown the wines." And this bowl is rightly said to be turned: for in this way the vessel which is made by turning is filled more quickly than by other crafts, so that namely the speed of bestowing piety, whether to those who need an earthly or a heavenly cup, or even both, may be shown, according to Solomon's statement: "Do not say to your friend, 'Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give,' when you can give at once" (Proverbs 3). But it must also be said that, as we mentioned above, turning is more indescribable than other arts, because surely from itself it produces its own rule, by which it may accomplish the work it does with disciplined roundness, and therefore rightly insinuates the simplicity of a truly pious mind, which makes alms with pure intention. For whoever gives a cup to the thirsty for this reason, that an equal rewarder may lavish abundance of the earthly cup on him, or for this reason offers the cup of the word to those erring, that the Lord may grant him greater abundance of knowledge, in which he may appear marvelous to men; the cup turned with a lathe is not matched by the navel made with other tools, because in doing a work of mercy as commanded, he does not seek from the Lord a direct and indescribable reward for sustaining his own fragility, but a temporal one. The navel of the bride's turned cup can also be understood to mean that the Church, or any holy soul, the more it remembers itself to be fragile, and still far distant from the immortality and incorruption it hopes for in the future, the more diligently it takes care to refresh itself with the continuous cups of the word of God and to become warmed in its love, saying that of the Psalmist: "And your cup overflows; how splendid it is!"
BedeAD 735
Commentary on the Song of Songs
Your belly is like a heap of wheat surrounded by lilies. The belly, like the navel, denotes our mortal condition: for it is the most certain and greatest judge of our weakness, which daily renews our body with nourishment, lest it fail, until that which we hold promised is achieved: Meat for the belly, and the belly for meat, but God shall destroy both it and them (I Corinthians VI). Therefore, our belly is like a heap of wheat, when mindful of our frailty, we prepare for ourselves the fruits of good works in the present life which perpetually nourish us. However, he says "heap of wheat" well, and not merely a store of wheat, to signify the virtues rising high. And since a heap, rising from a wider base, is usually narrower at the top, this figure rightly suits our good actions, which are fewer in number when they are higher in merit. For you may see more who offer alms from their possessions to the needy than those who leave everything they possess; more good spouses than celibates; more who abstain from physical pleasures than those who lay down their lives for truth. And he well asserted that the same heap of wheat is surrounded by lilies, so we may perform all our good deeds for the sake of eternal love's sight, and allow no hostile encroachments into the field of our hearts, as we encircle all our deeds with the prospect of heavenly reward. The works of almsgiving which we do for Christ in the poor can also be understood in the heap of wheat, concerning which He says: I was hungry, and you gave me food (Matthew XXV). And well after the bowl filled with cups, are the members of the bride compared to a heap of wheat, to signify that after drink, also, bread may be given to the poor: which indeed can be taken in both a spiritual and a bodily sense, that is, in those things by which we instruct the mind of an erring neighbor. For spiritual instruction is recognized as having the likeness of a cup in some words, and bread of life in others: for it has the similarity of a cup in open teachings, but of bread in mysteries. He hands the cup with those things which, as soon as they are heard, can be easily understood and do not require another explanation, as is the case with: "You shall not kill, you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness" (Deut. V), and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. XXII). He offers bread when he entrusts to his listeners words that are more difficult to understand, which, like food that reaches our insides through chewing, reach the innermost parts of our senses through interpretation. Such is the entire series of this song, such as the law: “Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it” (Exod. XX), where mystically it is admonished to sanctify the light of spiritual grace, in which alone we have true rest, that is, to keep it always unblemished in our hearts as we receive it on the day of redemption. Thus, these and similar words, to whose understanding we attain with the effort of interpretation, are rightly compared to a heap of wheat, which is brought to the use of our refreshment by no small labor of grinding, sowing, baking, and chewing. But clearer issues that never need the cup are rightly compared to a drink because abundant open commands or promises of God in the Scriptures, like a drink taken without delay or labor, can be understood as soon as they are heard and, when understood, stored in the repository of memory for the growth of our salvation. The immaculate womb of the divine fountain from which we are reborn into a new creature can be most suitably figured in the bride: which, like a heap of wheat hedged with lilies, because it obviously teaches all whom you regenerate in Christ to persist in good works with the sole gaze of heavenly glory. It is like a heap of wheat because it cleanses those whom it washes from all the chaff of sins and makes them conform through second birth to him who said of himself, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John XII). It is hedged with lilies because, having freed them from the entanglements of sins with which they were carnally born, it also adorns them with the light of heavenly graces and confirms them.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 7:2 offers a vibrant and intimate poetic description of the Shulamite woman's physical beauty, focusing on her navel and belly. Through rich metaphors drawn from agrarian life and celebratory feasting, the verse extols her as a source of abundant life, sustenance, and unceasing delight, celebrating the fertility, purity, and aesthetic grace of the beloved within the context of passionate and committed romantic love.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 7:2 is exceptionally rich in Metaphor, comparing the beloved's body parts to objects that evoke specific qualities: her navel to a "round goblet" and her belly to a "heap of wheat." These comparisons are not literal but transfer the qualities of the objects—such as fullness, abundance, sustenance, and beauty—to the beloved, deepening the lover's praise. The phrase "wanteth not liquor" employs Litotes, a form of understatement where an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, thereby powerfully emphasizing the goblet's perpetual fullness and, by extension, the beloved's unending capacity for delight and satisfaction. Imagery is paramount throughout the verse, creating vivid sensory pictures of overflowing goblets, golden heaps of wheat, and delicate white lilies, appealing strongly to sight and evoking a profound sense of abundance, purity, and natural beauty. The entire verse is a prime example of Hyperbole, as the praise is exaggerated to convey the profound depth of admiration and desire, elevating the beloved's beauty to an idealized, almost mythical, status.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, situated within the broader context of the Song of Solomon, offers profound insights into the divine design for human love and intimacy. It unequivocally affirms the goodness of physical beauty and its celebration within the sacred bounds of a committed relationship, showcasing a love that is both passionate and pure. The imagery of overflowing abundance—a goblet that never empties, a heap of wheat—speaks powerfully to the overflowing joy, deep satisfaction, and rich fruitfulness that God intends for marriage. It suggests a relationship that is not merely functional but deeply satisfying, life-giving, and perpetually delightful, reflecting God's own generous and abundant nature. Theologically, it reminds us that the physical body, as part of God's good creation, is worthy of honor and is capable of expressing profound love and commitment in a way that brings glory to the Creator.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 7:2 invites us to appreciate the inherent beauty and vitality of the human form as a precious gift from God, designed for love and intimacy within the covenant of marriage. It challenges us to cultivate relationships that are marked by genuine admiration, heartfelt affirmation, and a deep appreciation for our beloved, seeing them as a source of unending joy and sustenance, much like the imagery of the perpetually full goblet and the abundant heap of wheat. For those in committed relationships, this verse encourages a celebratory and unashamed embrace of physical intimacy, recognizing it as a sacred and beautiful expression of love and commitment. Beyond the literal, the verse's themes of abundance and satisfaction can inspire us to seek a life of spiritual fruitfulness and contentment, recognizing that true fulfillment ultimately comes from a relationship where spiritual needs are met and joy overflows from a divine source. It also prompts us to consider how we express appreciation and delight in those we love, using words that build up, affirm, and celebrate their unique beauty and worth.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "navel" and "belly" in this verse?
Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the navel (often referring to the lower abdomen or umbilical region) and belly were frequently associated with life, vitality, and fertility. The description here is not merely anatomical but profoundly symbolic. The "navel" being like a "round goblet, which wanteth not liquor" suggests a perfectly formed, beautiful vessel that is perpetually full, symbolizing unending satisfaction and an inexhaustible source of delight and life. The "belly" as a "heap of wheat set about with lilies" powerfully conveys abundance, sustenance, and the potential for fruitfulness (like a bountiful harvest), adorned with purity and grace. Together, these images celebrate the beloved's life-giving potential, her inherent beauty, and her capacity to provide deep, continuous fulfillment within the relationship, echoing themes of blessing and prosperity found in passages like Psalm 127:3.
Is this verse meant to be interpreted literally or allegorically?
Answer: Song of Solomon 7:2, like the entire book, is primarily a celebration of human romantic and physical love within marriage, and its imagery is deeply literal in its praise of the beloved's beauty. The primary meaning is the celebration of the profound, God-ordained relationship between a husband and wife. However, due to the book's inclusion in the biblical canon and its profound themes of love, desire, and union, it has historically been interpreted allegorically by both Jewish and Christian traditions. Jewish tradition often sees it as an allegory of God's covenantal love for Israel, while Christian tradition commonly interprets it as an allegory of Christ's sacrificial love for His Church. Both interpretations find rich spiritual meaning in the imagery of abundance, beauty, and unwavering devotion. While the literal celebration of marital love remains foundational, the allegorical interpretations offer spiritual nourishment by drawing profound parallels to the divine-human relationship, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-27.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Song of Solomon 7:2 primarily celebrates the beauty and abundant joy of human marital love, its rich imagery finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church. The "round goblet, which wanteth not liquor" can be seen as a beautiful foreshadowing of Christ Himself, who is the inexhaustible source of living water, satisfying every spiritual thirst (as promised in John 4:14 and John 7:37-38). He is the one who provides unending spiritual sustenance and joy, ensuring that His people "want not" for anything truly essential. Similarly, the "heap of wheat set about with lilies" beautifully portrays the Church, Christ's beloved Bride, as a source of spiritual fruitfulness and abundance, made pure and beautiful by His grace. Just as wheat provides life-sustaining bread, Christ is the "bread of life" (John 6:35), and through Him, the Church is empowered to bear much spiritual fruit for the world (John 15:5), adorned with the radiant beauty of holiness (Ephesians 5:27) and the purity of Christ's righteousness (Revelation 19:8). This verse, therefore, ultimately points to the ultimate satisfaction, unending provision, and glorious beauty found in the divine Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, and His beloved Bride, the Church, in whom all spiritual blessings are found.