Song Of Solomon 4:3 kjv
Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.
Song Of Solomon 4:3 nkjv
Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil Are like a piece of pomegranate.
Song Of Solomon 4:3 niv
Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate.
Song Of Solomon 4:3 esv
Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil.
Song Of Solomon 4:3 nlt
Your lips are like scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is inviting.
Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates
behind your veil.
Song Of Solomon 4 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Song of Solomon 4:1 | Your hair is like a flock of goats | Descriptive praise |
| Song of Solomon 4:2 | Your teeth are like a flock of ewes | Vivid physical praise |
| Song of Solomon 4:13 | Your sprouts are a paradise of pomegranates | Richness and beauty |
| Song of Solomon 7:7 | I said, "I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit." | Desire for union |
| Isaiah 3:18 | The ornaments of their anklets, their scarves, their robes, and their cloaks... | Eastern feminine adornment |
| Ezekiel 16:11-14 | I dressed you with embroidered cloth... you were very beautiful. | God's favor and beauty |
| Revelation 21:2 | The new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. | Divine beauty |
| Proverbs 25:11 | Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word... | Words as beautiful art |
| Genesis 24:22 | the man took a gold ring, weighing half a shekel, and two gold bracelets for her wrists. | Gifts of adornment |
| Song of Solomon 5:10-11 | My beloved is radiant and ruddy... His head is the finest gold. | Exalted beauty |
| Genesis 1:11-12 | The land produced vegetation, plants yielding seed... | Fruitfulness of creation |
| Song of Solomon 2:15 | Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards... | Protecting love's purity |
| Song of Solomon 7:3 | Your body is like a round bowl that does not lack spiced wine. | Fullness and ripeness |
| Genesis 22:24 | and his concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore ... | Family and progeny |
| Exodus 35:26 | and every woman whose heart stirred her to skillful work spun thread of blue and purple and scarlet... | Skillful women's work |
| Psalm 45:13-14 | The princess is altogether lovely within; her raiment is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king with gladness... | Royal beauty |
| Song of Solomon 6:10 | Who is she that looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as an army with banners? | Supreme beauty |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit... | Spiritual fruitfulness |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. | Spiritual qualities |
| Song of Solomon 2:1-2 | I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my beloved among the maidens. | Beauty amidst the common |
| Song of Solomon 7:12 | Let us go out early to the vineyards and see if the grapevines have budded... | Early fruitfulness |
Song Of Solomon 4 verses
Song Of Solomon 4 3 Meaning
Your cheeks are lovely, like the halves of a pomegranate. (Shoshashanah 4:3)
The verse beautifully compares the beloved's cheeks to the glistening, jewel-like seeds found within a sliced pomegranate. This imagery speaks of beauty, fertility, and alluring freshness, evoking a sense of vibrant health and desirability.
Song Of Solomon 4 3 Context
Song of Solomon 4:3 continues the passionate and intimate praise of the beloved by the lover (often interpreted as Solomon and the Shulamite woman, or as Christ and the Church). The preceding verses have detailed the beloved's captivating features. This verse focuses on her cheeks, likening them to the precious, vibrant interior of a pomegranate. Culturally, pomegranates were highly valued in ancient Israel for their juice, seeds, and symbolic associations with fertility, beauty, and abundance. The verse is part of a larger theme of mutual admiration and sensual delight within the bounds of committed love.
Song Of Solomon 4 3 Word Analysis
- Shurek (Hebrew: שׁוּרֵק, pronounced shoo-RAYK) - Often translated as "thy temples" or "your temples" in reference to the sides of the head above the ears. However, in this specific context, many scholars suggest a slightly different interpretation based on the surrounding imagery.
- Tzara`at (Hebrew: צָרַעַת, pronounced tsah-rah-AHT) - Traditionally means "leprosy," "affliction," or "plague." This is a key word for analysis. Some ancient translations and interpretations suggest it here implies "beauty," "splendor," or "radiance," possibly from a root or usage different from the typical "leprosy." This divergence is critical to understanding the poetic intent.
- B’eirekh (Hebrew: בְּרֵךְ, pronounced bre-KH) - This likely relates to the "temple" of the head.
- Rimon (Hebrew: רִמּוֹן, pronounced rim-MON) - Means "pomegranate."
- Khelqei (Hebrew: חֶלְקֵי, pronounced khel-QEH) - Means "halves" or "portions" of the pomegranate.
Words Group Analysis:
- "Your temples are like the halves of a pomegranate": The striking element is the use of tzara`at. Instead of referring to the disease of leprosy, the context demands a meaning associated with beauty. Some scholars propose a connection to a root meaning "shining" or "brilliant." The halves of a pomegranate, with their glistening red seeds, perfectly embody such vivid, enticing beauty. The cheeks and temples area of a face, especially when flushed with emotion or health, can indeed possess a radiant quality.
Song Of Solomon 4 3 Bonus Section
The interpretation of "Tzara`at" is a notable point. While the word overwhelmingly refers to leprosy, the context of the Song of Solomon demands a positive descriptor. Scholars have debated this, with some suggesting an archaic meaning of "brilliant splendor" or connecting it to the bright sheen of the pomegranate seeds. This highlights how poetic language can draw upon varied linguistic roots or meanings to create evocative imagery, sometimes pushing beyond the most common semantic range. The pomegranate itself was a symbol in various ancient cultures of fertility, prosperity, and even immortality, adding layers of meaning to the compliment.
Song Of Solomon 4 3 Commentary
This verse presents a powerful metaphor for beauty. The lover sees the beloved's cheeks not just as skin, but as containing the vibrant, precious seeds of a pomegranate, revealed when it is split open. This suggests an inner beauty and vitality that shines through. The imagery of the pomegranate, a fruit associated with fertility and abundance in the ancient world, elevates the praise. It speaks of a beauty that is both striking and full of life-giving potential. The interpretation of "temples" could also refer to the flush of color on the cheeks and sides of the face, which, like the bright seeds, conveys health and allure.