Song Of Solomon 5:15 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Song Of Solomon 5:15 kjv
His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
Song Of Solomon 5:15 nkjv
His legs are pillars of marble Set on bases of fine gold. His countenance is like Lebanon, Excellent as the cedars.
Song Of Solomon 5:15 niv
His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars.
Song Of Solomon 5:15 esv
His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars.
Song Of Solomon 5:15 nlt
His legs are like marble pillars
set in sockets of finest gold.
His posture is stately,
like the noble cedars of Lebanon.
Song Of Solomon 5 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 75:3 | When the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved, I bear up the pillars of it. Selah. | God's foundational power. |
| 1 Kgs 7:21 | And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin... | Pillars symbolizing establishment. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. | The church as a pillar of truth. |
| Rev 3:12 | Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out... | Believers as permanent pillars in God's presence. |
| Gen 28:18 | And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. | Memorial stone set as a pillar. |
| 1 Chr 29:2 | ...and onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistening stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. | Marble and precious stones for temple building. |
| Esth 1:6 | ...where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble... | Royal setting with marble pillars. |
| Rev 21:19-20 | And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones... | Precious stones for the foundations of the New Jerusalem. |
| Ex 25:11 | And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it... | Pure gold for sacred objects. |
| Ps 19:10 | More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold... | God's Word more precious than fine gold. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise... | Faith's value greater than gold. |
| Rev 3:18 | I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich... | Spiritual purity likened to refined gold. |
| Job 28:15 | It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. | Wisdom's incomparable value. |
| Ps 92:12 | The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. | Righteousness like enduring cedars. |
| Ps 104:16 | The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; | God's magnificent creation of cedars. |
| Isa 2:13 | And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up... | Cedars symbolizing height and human pride. |
| Ezek 31:3 | Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature... | Assyria's majesty likened to a Lebanon cedar. |
| 1 Kgs 5:6 | Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon... | Cedars as prime material for Solomon's temple. |
| 2 Sam 5:11 | And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons... | Cedar as a royal building material. |
| Judg 9:15 | And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. | Cedars as a source of shelter/strength. |
| Zech 11:1-2 | Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled... | Cedars used metaphorically in lament over fallen mighty ones. |
| Rev 1:15 | And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. | Description of Christ's majestic appearance, emphasizing strength. |
Song Of Solomon 5 verses
Song Of Solomon 5 15 meaning
This verse continues the Shulamite's passionate description of her beloved to the daughters of Jerusalem. It focuses on his strong, noble, and majestic physical presence. His legs are compared to solid, beautiful pillars of marble, securely founded on precious fine gold bases, conveying strength, purity, and steadfastness. His overall appearance is likened to the grandeur and excellence of Mount Lebanon, known for its towering, enduring, and stately cedar trees, thus emphasizing his regal, unyielding, and splendid nature. The imagery highlights both his robust physical beauty and his dignified, stable character.
Song Of Solomon 5 15 Context
Song of Solomon chapter 5 finds the Shulamite longing for her beloved after a night's absence. She recounts a dream where he called to her, but her hesitation caused her to miss him. Filled with regret and longing, she seeks him in the city. When questioned by the daughters of Jerusalem about her beloved, she launches into an elaborate, poetic, and intimate description of his physical perfection. This specific verse, SoS 5:15, is part of her detailed eulogy, moving from earlier descriptions of his head, hair, eyes, and hands, to his legs and overall stature, painting a complete picture of his masculine ideal beauty and majesty, using rich, symbolic language drawn from the natural and architectural splendors known to their ancient Near Eastern culture. This vivid imagery is typical of the book's highly allegorical and descriptive love poetry.
Song Of Solomon 5 15 Word analysis
- His legs (שׁוֹקָיו
shoqav): Refers to the thighs or lower legs, symbolizing strength, mobility, and the foundation of his physical presence. The use of "legs" in a flattering description emphasizes a man's robustness and virility. - as pillars ('ammudei): Metaphorical. Pillars are structures providing support, stability, and often majestic architectural elements. They evoke an image of unwavering strength, dignity, and a commanding presence. Used in temple architecture (e.g., Kgs), they also suggest holiness and honor.
- of marble (שֵׁשׁ
shesh): A prized, pure white stone, signifying purity, smoothness, lasting beauty, and value. The contrast of hard, strong marble with the idea of legs emphasizes solidness and grace simultaneously. It implies a refined and precious quality. - set upon (מְיֻסָּדִים
meyussadim): Meaning 'founded' or 'established upon,' indicating secure, firm grounding. It speaks to an unshakeable stability and strength that originates from a solid base. - sockets (אַדְנֵי
adneiy): These are bases or pedestals on which pillars firmly rest. This highlights the integrity and stability of his posture and being; his strength is not precarious but deeply founded. - of fine gold (פָז
paz): Refers to pure, refined gold, symbolizing immense value, incorruptibility, purity, and perhaps even a divine or royal splendor. Gold here adds to the preciousness and noble character of his foundation. - his countenance (מַרְאֵהוּ
mar'ehu): This refers to his appearance, his general look, his bearing, or his overall visual impression, encompassing his aura and majestic presence rather than just facial features. - as Lebanon (כַּלְּבָנוֹן
kallevanon): Mount Lebanon was famed for its grandeur, height, rich forests, and imposing natural beauty. Comparing his presence to Lebanon evokes an image of vastness, elevation, natural splendor, and coolness. - excellent (בָּחוּר
baḥur): Often translated as 'choice,' 'select,' or 'magnificent.' It signifies being of the highest quality, exceptional, or preeminent. It intensifies the comparison to Lebanon and the cedars, denoting an unparalleled quality in his appearance. - as the cedars (כָּאֲרָזִים
ka'arazim): Cedars of Lebanon are renowned for their impressive height, immense strength, longevity, enduring fragrance, and resistance to decay. They were often used for royal palaces and temples, symbolizing majesty, royalty, steadfastness, and enduring glory.
Song Of Solomon 5 15 Bonus section
The consistent use of materials (marble, gold) and natural features (Lebanon, cedars) associated with royal and divine contexts (e.g., Temple construction, King's palaces) in the ancient Near East implicitly elevates the beloved. It suggests a "kingly" quality in the Shulamite's perception, aligning her beloved with the highest standards of majesty and enduring value. The Shulamite's elaborate, almost worshipful, description of her beloved in this passage highlights the depth and intensity of her love and admiration, seeing him as unparalleled in his physical perfection and inner nobility. This lavish praise reflects the wisdom literature's appreciation for physical beauty as a gift and the deep connection between two souls, mirroring in a human way the glorious descriptions of God's dwelling and nature found throughout scripture.
Song Of Solomon 5 15 Commentary
SoS 5:15 offers a superlative description of the beloved's masculine beauty and robust character. The imagery moves from physical attributes to an overall impression, using powerful metaphors. His legs are not merely strong but "pillars of marble," suggesting an impressive, unyielding physical presence combined with a pure and refined elegance. Their "sockets of fine gold" imply a priceless foundation, a profound inner stability and worth that grounds his every step. The transition to his "countenance" being "as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars," elevates the description from physical attributes to his overall aura. This isn't just a facial description but his entire presence, exuding the grandeur, majesty, endurance, and stately strength of the iconic Lebanon landscape and its famous cedars. It speaks of a dignified, towering figure, commanding respect and admiration, both physically and in his essential character. This multifaceted praise underscores not only external beauty but also intrinsic value, stability, and an imposing, noble spirit, embodying an idealized image of a cherished individual.