Song Of Solomon 1:17 kjv
The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
Song Of Solomon 1:17 nkjv
The beams of our houses are cedar, And our rafters of fir.
Song Of Solomon 1:17 niv
The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.
Song Of Solomon 1:17 esv
the beams of our house are cedar; our rafters are pine.
Song Of Solomon 1:17 nlt
fragrant cedar branches are the beams of our house,
and pleasant smelling firs are the rafters.
Song Of Solomon 1 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 6:9 | So he built the house and finished it...the house with beams...of cedar. | Cedar as high-quality building material for God's Temple. |
| 1 Kgs 6:34 | ...he made two doors of fir wood... | Fir/cypress used for temple doors and structures. |
| Ps 92:12 | The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. | Cedar symbolizing strength, righteousness, and flourishing. |
| Ezek 31:3-8 | Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches... | Cedar used metaphorically for great power and stature. |
| Isa 60:13 | The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane tree, and the pine together... | Precious timbers for beautifying God's sanctuary. |
| Ezra 3:7 | They gave money...to the Sidonians and Tyrians to bring cedar logs from Lebanon... | Cedar's value and source for temple rebuilding. |
| Isa 2:13 | ...against all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty... | Cedars as symbols of grandeur or pride. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | ...you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God... | Believers as a spiritual building, the dwelling of God. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers are living stones forming God's spiritual house. |
| 1 Cor 3:9 | For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. | The Church as God's edifice. |
| Heb 3:6 | but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house... | Christ's faithfulness in building and leading His people. |
| Matt 7:24-25 | Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock... | Building on a secure and lasting foundation. |
| Jn 14:2-3 | In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? | Christ prepares a dwelling for His beloved people. |
| Song 4:7 | You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. | Mutual admiration and beauty in the Song's themes. |
| 1 Cor 13:8 | Love never ends... | The enduring and permanent nature of love. |
| Heb 6:19 | We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope... | Hope providing security and stability. |
| Ps 18:2 | The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer... | God as a strong and secure dwelling/refuge. |
| Ps 61:3 | For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower against the enemy. | God providing shelter and protection. |
| Rev 3:20 | Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. | Christ's desire for intimate fellowship and shared dwelling. |
| 2 Sam 7:11 | The Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. | God establishing a lasting dynasty or lineage. |
Song Of Solomon 1 verses
Song Of Solomon 1 17 Meaning
Song of Solomon 1:17 speaks of the exquisite and durable construction of the lovers' shared dwelling. The "beams of our house are cedar" and "our rafters of fir" describe a structure built with the finest and most resilient materials available in the ancient Near East. This verse figuratively represents the strength, stability, beauty, and enduring quality of the intimate relationship between the beloved and her lover. It signifies a secure and pleasant abode for their love, built on solid and valuable foundations. In an allegorical sense, for believers, it speaks to the well-established and beautiful union between Christ and His Church, a dwelling built to last through eternity.
Song Of Solomon 1 17 Context
Song of Solomon 1:17 immediately follows the beloved's heartfelt praise of her lover's handsomeness and pleasantness (Song 1:16). This verse serves to reinforce the atmosphere of beauty, comfort, and mutual delight. The lovers are now in a metaphorical or actual shared space, celebrating not only each other's person but also the strong and pleasant dwelling that houses their relationship. Historically, during the time of Solomon, elaborate building projects using expensive timbers like cedar and fir from Lebanon were common, especially for royal structures. This detail would have conveyed immense quality, luxury, and permanence to the original audience, suggesting a stable, secure, and grand "house" for the profound love described in the poem. The "house" thus becomes a symbol of the security and established nature of their love, not merely a temporary tryst but a lasting union.
Song Of Solomon 1 17 Word analysis
- The beams (קֹרוֹת - qorot): Refers to the main timbers or joists that form the structural framework of a roof or floor. Its significance lies in representing the fundamental support and stability of the "house." These are the strong, foundational elements upon which the entire structure rests.
- of our house (בֵיתֵנוּ - beitenu): The possessive "our" (נוּ - nu) is crucial. It signifies shared ownership, intimacy, and a mutual dwelling place. It's not just "a house" but their collective, intimate space. "Beit" (house) commonly refers to a dwelling but can also signify a family, household, or even a dynasty in broader biblical usage. Here, it denotes the deeply personal and shared life of the lovers.
- are cedar (אֶרֶז - erez): Cedarwood, particularly from Lebanon, was highly esteemed in the ancient world for its durability, natural beauty, aromatic quality, and resistance to decay and insects. It was the preferred wood for magnificent structures like the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 6-7) and royal palaces. Symbolically, cedar represents strength, permanence, majesty, luxury, and lasting quality. Its inclusion underscores the precious and enduring nature of the "house" of their love.
- and our rafters (רָהִיטֵנוּ - rahitenu): While "rafters" is a common translation, this Hebrew word can also mean paneling, ornate carvings, or a system of connected rails, implying decorative or finishing elements for the ceiling or interior. The possessive "our" again emphasizes shared ownership of these details. It suggests that not only the core structure but also the aesthetics and finishing touches of their "house" are well-considered and jointly enjoyed.
- of fir (בְּרוֹתִים - b'rotim): Refers to cypress or juniper wood. Like cedar, fir was a valued timber used in temple and palace construction (1 Kgs 6:34). Though perhaps not as grand as cedar, it complements it with its own strength and appealing qualities. It further reinforces the idea of a beautiful, sturdy, and high-quality construction, contributing to the overall sense of comfort and splendor.
Words-group analysis:
- "The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir": This phrase paints a vivid picture of a dwelling built with superior, lasting materials. It's an affirmation of the strength, permanence, and inherent beauty of the "house." The repetition of "our" ("our house," "our rafters") emphasizes the shared nature of this stable and beautiful sanctuary. This building imagery moves the love described in the Song from a fleeting emotion to an established, solid reality, much like a well-built home.
Song Of Solomon 1 17 Bonus section
The imagery of a grand "house" built with noble materials serves as a contrast to any notion of fleeting romance or superficiality often associated with human passion. It elevates the love depicted to a realm of durability and majesty. This verse contributes to the overall theme of the Song portraying love as something beautiful, secure, and enduring, not simply a momentary infatuation. It echoes the concept of divine love which is unfailing and strong. Furthermore, the selection of materials that are naturally aromatic (especially cedar) could subtly hint at the "fragrance" of their love, drawing a connection to the beloved's earlier words in Song 1:12 about the scent of nard and myrrh, suggesting that their shared dwelling is filled with pleasantness.
Song Of Solomon 1 17 Commentary
Song of Solomon 1:17, following the declaration of mutual beauty, describes the shared dwelling of the lovers. This description goes beyond mere physical architecture; it's a symbolic portrayal of the robustness and beauty of their relationship itself. The choice of cedar and fir—renowned for their strength, permanence, and fragrance—implies that their love is not transient or flimsy, but deeply rooted, enduring, and exquisitely pleasant. This "house" is a secure and luxurious space where their affection can flourish. In a deeper allegorical sense, for the Church, it signifies that our dwelling with Christ is built on immutable and glorious foundations, a union that is eternally beautiful and secure. It reminds believers of the precious, lasting spiritual home God provides through Christ.