Song Of Solomon 1:15 kjv
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.
Song Of Solomon 1:15 nkjv
Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove's eyes.
Song Of Solomon 1:15 niv
How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.
Song Of Solomon 1:15 esv
Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.
Song Of Solomon 1:15 nlt
How beautiful you are, my darling,
how beautiful!
Your eyes are like doves.
Song Of Solomon 1 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 45:11 | The king will greatly desire your beauty... | Desired beauty |
| Prov 31:30 | Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. | Fleeting vs. True beauty |
| Ezek 16:14 | Your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor which I had bestowed on you,” declares the Lord GOD. | God's bestowed beauty |
| Song 2:2 | As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the young women. | "My love" as uniquely valued |
| Song 4:1 | Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. | Parallel admiration, specific to eyes and veil |
| Song 5:12 | His eyes are like doves beside streams of water, bathed in milk, mounted like jewels. | Male eyes with dove-like quality |
| Matt 6:22-23 | The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. | Eye as lamp, signifying inner state |
| Luke 11:34 | Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light... | Purity of eye relates to purity of body |
| Gen 8:8-11 | He sent out a dove from him to see if the water was abated... the dove came back to him toward evening, and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf... | Dove symbol of peace, new beginnings |
| Psa 55:6 | And I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” | Dove symbol of peace, refuge |
| Hos 7:11 | Ephraim is like a silly dove, without sense; they call to Egypt; they go to Assyria. | Dove representing simple-mindedness or being misled |
| Matt 3:16 | And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove... | Holy Spirit depicted as a dove |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure... | Emphasizing purity as a virtue |
| 1 Tim 5:22 | ...keep yourself pure. | Call to personal purity |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. | Pure relationship with Christ likened to virgin bride |
| Eph 5:25-32 | Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church... | Christ and Church as Groom and Bride |
| Rev 19:7-8 | Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come... His bride has made herself ready. | Marriage of Lamb (Christ & Church) |
| Prov 4:25 | Let your eyes look directly forward, and let your gaze be straight before you. | Eyes as a metaphor for focus and integrity |
| Ps 34:5 | Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. | Beholding goodness |
| Ps 27:4 | One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD... | Beholding God's beauty |
Song Of Solomon 1 verses
Song Of Solomon 1 15 Meaning
This verse expresses the profound admiration of the male lover for the female, the Shulamite. It is a declaration of her inherent beauty, specifically highlighting her eyes as pure, gentle, and innocent, akin to doves. The repetition emphasizes the strength and sincerity of his perception, focusing on a beauty that suggests not only physical attractiveness but also an unblemished character.
Song Of Solomon 1 15 Context
Song of Solomon chapter 1 describes the initial stage of the lovers' relationship, primarily from the Shulamite's perspective. She expresses her longing for her beloved and praises him. Verse 15 marks the beloved's first direct compliment to the Shulamite, responding to her admiration in previous verses. This interaction initiates a beautiful back-and-forth dialogue of appreciation and affection, setting the stage for their blossoming relationship within the context of pure, exclusive love.
Song Of Solomon 1 15 Word analysis
Behold: הִנֵּךְ (hinnēḵ) - An emphatic interjection meaning "look," "lo," or "behold." It draws immediate attention to the statement that follows, signifying a sudden or profound realization, and emphasizes the deep impression her beauty makes on him.
you: The singular feminine pronoun, directly addressing the Shulamite.
are: An implied verb in the Hebrew, conveying existence or state.
beautiful: יָפָה (yāp̄â) - Means aesthetically pleasing, fair, or good. While often referring to physical attractiveness, in the biblical context, "beautiful" can also suggest completeness, moral goodness, or inner charm, especially when linked with other virtuous qualities. Its repetition in the verse highlights its significance.
my love: רַעְיָתִי (ra‘yāṯî) - A unique term found exclusively in Song of Solomon, used eight times by the male lover for the Shulamite. It conveys "my companion," "my darling," "my friend," or "my beloved." It signifies an intimate, affectionate partnership rather than merely passionate desire, suggesting mutual companionship and a unique bond.
your eyes: עֵינַיִךְ (‘êna·yiḵ) - The eyes are often seen as the "windows to the soul" in ancient cultures. They are a focal point for expressing emotions, sincerity, and inner character. Here, they are specifically singled out as a remarkable aspect of her beauty.
are: Implied verb, connecting "eyes" to "doves."
doves: יוֹנִים (yōwnîm) - Plural of יוֹנָה (yônâ), meaning dove. In the ancient Near East and biblical tradition, doves symbolize purity, innocence, gentleness, tenderness, peace, simplicity, and faithfulness. This metaphor implies that the Shulamite's gaze is soft, clear, modest, and truthful, reflecting an unblemished character and genuine affection, devoid of deceit or impurity.
Words-group analysis:
- "Behold, you are beautiful; behold, you are beautiful": The repetition of "Behold, you are beautiful" (or "How beautiful you are!") acts as a powerful refrain, underscoring the intensity of the male lover's admiration. This double affirmation expresses deep appreciation for her very being, not just a superficial glance. It establishes a profound, almost awe-struck, recognition of her loveliness.
- "your eyes are doves": This is a rich poetic metaphor. It's not just that her eyes are beautiful in form or color, but that their quality and expression resemble that of doves. This conveys traits like purity of intention, innocent sincerity, gentle affection, quiet modesty, and deep faithfulness. It implies that her inner character, visible through her eyes, is unblemished and serene, elevating the compliment beyond mere physical appeal to encompass her virtuous spirit.
Song Of Solomon 1 15 Bonus section
- The structure of praise here, starting broadly with "beautiful" and then narrowing to a specific, significant feature ("eyes"), is a common literary device in the Song of Solomon (e.g., in chapter 4). This focused praise gives depth to the compliment.
- The emphasis on the eyes as the core of beauty goes beyond outward form, suggesting that the spirit and inner disposition of the individual are being perceived and cherished.
- In ancient cultures, the eyes were thought to reveal one's true nature or intentions. Describing them as "doves" serves as an assurance of the beloved's uncorrupted nature and integrity within the relationship.
- While Song of Solomon often contains sensuous imagery, the "doves" metaphor maintains an element of modesty and purity within the declaration of love, distinguishing this relationship from mere lust. It subtly points to a love that values holiness.
Song Of Solomon 1 15 Commentary
Song of Solomon 1:15 is the male lover's profound declaration of admiration for the Shulamite. His double pronouncement of her beauty underscores its depth and impact on him. The central metaphor, "your eyes are doves," is key to understanding this verse. Doves were common symbols of purity, innocence, gentleness, and peace in the ancient world. Therefore, the compliment suggests that her gaze reflects not just physical attractiveness but an unblemished inner character, sincerity, and unwavering faithfulness. This elevates their affection to a spiritual plane, focusing on qualities of the heart rather than merely outward appearance. It anticipates the deeper communion of Christ and His Church, where His beloved is cherished for her purity and devotion. This appreciation for spiritual beauty is a counter-cultural message, promoting true purity in relationship.
- Practical example: Just as the lover sees pure qualities in the beloved, Christ sees His Church, washed clean, as beautiful and pure before Him, appreciating her inner transformation more than outward show.
- Practical example: For a couple, it emphasizes seeing and cherishing the pure intentions, kindness, and faithful nature of one's beloved, beyond superficial traits.