Song Of Solomon 7:7

KJV

This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters [of grapes].

KJV (with Strong's)

This thy stature {H6967} is like {H1819} to a palm tree {H8558}, and thy breasts {H7699} to clusters {H811} of grapes.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your appearance is stately as a palm tree, with its fruit clusters your breasts.

Berean Standard Bible

Your stature is like a palm tree; your breasts are clusters of fruit.

American Standard Version

This thy stature is like to a palm-tree, And thy breasts to its clusters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 7:7 is a vibrant expression of admiration from the Beloved to the Shulamite, celebrating her physical beauty and grace within the context of their intimate marital relationship. The verse employs rich natural imagery, comparing her elegant stature to a stately palm tree and her breasts to luscious clusters of grapes, conveying a sense of dignified beauty, abundant ripeness, and delightful appeal. It stands as a testament to the goodness and joy of physical intimacy and mutual appreciation within the covenant of marriage, reflecting God's design for human love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a passionate soliloquy (Song of Solomon 7:1-9) where the Beloved, likely the King or Shepherd, expresses his profound admiration for the Shulamite woman. The preceding verses (Song of Solomon 7:1-6) detail a progressive appreciation of her beauty, moving from her feet upwards, describing her graceful movements, her navel, her waist, and her neck. Verse 7:7 then focuses on her overall stature and specific intimate details, culminating the description of her physical form. This section is part of a larger literary unit (Song of Solomon 6:13-8:4) that describes the consummation of their love and the deepening of their marital bond, emphasizing mutual delight and desire. The Song of Solomon itself is a poetic dialogue, celebrating the various facets of romantic and physical love between a man and a woman.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel and the broader Near East held specific ideals of beauty, often associating them with natural elements that symbolized strength, fruitfulness, and grace. Palm trees (`tâmâr`) were highly valued for their uprightness, height, and the sweet, nourishing dates they produced, making them a fitting metaphor for dignified beauty and prosperity. Grapes (`'eshkôl`) were a staple crop, symbolizing joy, abundance, and fertility. The imagery of "clusters" would have immediately evoked a sense of lusciousness, ripeness, and delightful abundance. The cultural setting allowed for open, though not explicit, expressions of physical admiration within the bounds of marriage, viewing such intimacy as a divine blessing. The Song reflects a pastoral and agricultural society where these natural comparisons would have resonated deeply with the audience's daily experience and understanding of beauty and provision.
* **Key Themes:** Song of Solomon 7:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. Primarily, it underscores the **Celebration of Marital Love and Intimacy**, portraying a healthy and unashamed appreciation for a spouse's physical attributes. This verse highlights the theme of **Beauty and Admiration**, emphasizing that physical beauty is a gift to be cherished and admired within the secure bounds of marriage, as seen in the Beloved's effusive praise. The imagery of the "palm tree" and "clusters of grapes" also introduces themes of **Grace, Dignity, and Fruitfulness**, suggesting not only physical attractiveness but also an inherent elegance and the potential for abundance and delight, echoing the blessings of a fruitful union established in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - Be Fruitful and Multiply"). Furthermore, the intimate nature of the description reinforces the theme of **Mutual Desire and Belonging**, central to the entire [Song of Solomon](/song_of_solomon/1 "The Song of Solomon - A Celebration of Love"), where both partners express their longing and delight in each other.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **stature (Hebrew, _qôwmâh'_):** From the root meaning "to rise," this word refers to height or erectness. In this context, it emphasizes the Shulamite's graceful, tall, and upright bearing, likening her to the stately and dignified appearance of a palm tree. It speaks to her overall physical presence and elegant form.
* **like (Hebrew, _dâmâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to compare" or "to resemble." This verb explicitly establishes the simile, drawing a direct comparison between the Shulamite's physical attributes and the natural imagery of the palm tree and grape clusters, highlighting the perceived similarities in beauty, grace, and abundance.
* **palm tree (Hebrew, _tâmâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be erect," this refers to the date palm. Palm trees were known for their straight, tall trunks, their evergreen fronds, and their sweet, nourishing fruit. Symbolically, they represented elegance, uprightness, victory, and prosperity, conveying a sense of noble and striking beauty.
* **clusters (Hebrew, _ʼeshkôwl'_):** This term denotes a bunch of grapes or other fruit. Here, it specifically refers to the full, ripe clusters of grapes. The imagery evokes a sense of abundance, lusciousness, and delightful ripeness, suggesting a rich and inviting fullness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This thy stature is like to a palm tree":** The Beloved begins by admiring the Shulamite's overall physical presence and height. The comparison to a "palm tree" emphasizes her elegant, upright, and stately bearing. Palm trees are tall, slender, and graceful, often associated with dignity and beauty in ancient Near Eastern culture. This simile conveys a sense of her noble and striking appearance, suggesting a woman of commanding yet graceful presence.
* **"and thy breasts to clusters [of grapes]":** Following the general admiration of her stature, the Beloved focuses on a more intimate detail: her breasts. The comparison to "clusters of grapes" is highly evocative, suggesting ripeness, abundance, fullness, and lusciousness. Grapes were a symbol of joy and fertility, and their clusters imply a rich, inviting, and delightful form, conveying both aesthetic pleasure and the natural beauty associated with fruitfulness and life.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 7:7 is rich in **Simile**, the primary literary device, directly comparing the Shulamite's "stature" to a "palm tree" and her "breasts" to "clusters of grapes" using the word "like." This vivid imagery allows the reader to visualize her beauty through familiar and positive natural elements. The use of **Symbolism** is also profound: the **palm tree** symbolizes grace, dignity, uprightness, and even victory or flourishing (as seen in [Psalm 92:12](/psalms/92-12 "Psalm 92:12 - The Righteous Flourish Like a Palm Tree")), while **clusters of grapes** symbolize abundance, fertility, joy, and lusciousness. Together, these symbols create a powerful portrait of a woman who is not only physically attractive but also embodies qualities of elegance, richness, and life-giving potential. The verse also employs **Sensory Language**, appealing to sight (the tall palm tree, the full clusters) and implicitly to touch and taste (the ripeness and sweetness associated with grapes), drawing the reader into the Beloved's appreciative experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Song of Solomon 7:7, through its celebration of physical beauty and intimacy, affirms God's good design for human sexuality within the covenant of marriage. It underscores that physical attraction and desire are not inherently sinful but are beautiful gifts from God, intended to be enjoyed and expressed within the secure and exclusive bounds of a husband-wife relationship. The unashamed and detailed praise of the Shulamite's body reflects a biblical worldview where the physical self is not denigrated but celebrated as part of God's creation. This verse, therefore, contributes to a holistic understanding of marriage as a union of spirit, soul, and body, designed for mutual delight, companionship, and fruitfulness.

* [Song of Solomon 4:7](/song_of_solomon/4-7 "Song of Solomon 4:7 - You are all fair, my love") - "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee." This verse also highlights the Beloved's complete and unreserved admiration for the Shulamite's beauty.
* [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice with the wife of your youth") - "Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and thou be ravished always with her love." This proverb explicitly encourages delight and satisfaction in one's spouse.
* [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union") - "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." This foundational verse establishes the deep unity and intimacy, including physical, intended for marriage.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 7:7 offers profound insights for contemporary relationships, particularly within the context of marriage. It serves as a powerful reminder that genuine love encompasses an appreciation for the whole person, including their physical form, within a safe and committed relationship. In a world often plagued by body shaming or the commodification of sexuality, this verse calls us back to a biblical perspective where physical intimacy is a sacred and beautiful expression of love, designed for mutual delight and affirmation. It challenges spouses to cultivate an atmosphere of open admiration and appreciation for one another, actively speaking words of affirmation and cherishing the unique beauty of their partner. Such expressions of love foster deeper intimacy, strengthen marital bonds, and reflect God's original design for joyful companionship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Beloved's specific and appreciative language challenge or affirm your understanding of physical intimacy within marriage?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual or a couple, cultivate a healthier and more affirming appreciation for physical beauty within the boundaries of a committed relationship?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of expressing admiration and delight to our loved ones, both verbally and through our actions?**

### FAQ
**Is the Song of Solomon only about physical love, or does it have deeper meaning?**

Answer: While Song of Solomon 7:7, and indeed much of the book, vividly celebrates physical love and attraction within marriage, its meaning extends far beyond the purely physical. The book is an inspired testament to the beauty, purity, and passion of exclusive love between a husband and wife, reflecting God's design for human relationships. Theologically, it has long been interpreted allegorically by both Jewish and Christian traditions as a profound representation of the covenantal love between God and Israel, or between Christ and His Church. Thus, the physical intimacy described serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual intimacy, devotion, and delight that characterize these divine relationships. It teaches us about commitment, desire, mutual respect, and the joy found in complete belonging, whether in human marriage or in our relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Song of Solomon 7:7 directly celebrates the beauty of the Shulamite within her marital relationship, its themes find a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the relationship between Christ and His Church. The Church, often described as the Bride of Christ, is presented in Scripture as beautiful and beloved by her Groom. Just as the Beloved admires the Shulamite's "stature" and "clusters," Christ cherishes His Church, not for her inherent perfection, but for the beauty He imparts to her through His redemptive work. Her "stature" can be seen in the spiritual maturity and uprightness she attains through union with Him, as she grows in grace and knowledge of God (cf. [Ephesians 4:13](/ephesians/4-13 "Ephesians 4:13 - Attaining the Full Stature of Christ")). The "clusters" imagery, symbolizing fruitfulness and abundance, points to the spiritual fruit that the Church bears through the power of the Holy Spirit, a fruit that brings joy and glory to Christ (cf. [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine, Bearing Fruit")). Ultimately, this verse foreshadows the glorious reality of the Church, "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish," presented to Christ as a radiant bride (cf. [Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The intense, cherishing love expressed in Song of Solomon 7:7 is but a shadow of the perfect, self-sacrificial, and eternally devoted love that Christ has for His redeemed people, a love that makes His bride beautiful in His eyes.

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 4:5

Thy two breasts [are] like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

Isaiah 66:10

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

Ephesians 3:17

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Song Of Solomon 1:13

A bundle of myrrh [is] my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

Psalms 92:12

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Ephesians 4:13

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Song Of Solomon 8:8

¶ We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?