Song Of Solomon 5 16

Song Of Solomon 5:16 kjv

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Song Of Solomon 5:16 nkjv

His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

Song Of Solomon 5:16 niv

His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.

Song Of Solomon 5:16 esv

His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Song Of Solomon 5:16 nlt

His mouth is sweetness itself;
he is desirable in every way.
Such, O women of Jerusalem,
is my lover, my friend.

Song Of Solomon 5 verses

Song Of Solomon 5 16 meaning

Song of Solomon 5:16 concludes the Shulamite's lavish description of her beloved, portraying him as perfectly attractive in every way. Her declaration encompasses his speech, his entire being, and firmly states his unique identity as both her most cherished beloved and her dearest companion. This statement is a profound and public affirmation of her love and commitment to him, made before the "daughters of Jerusalem."

Song Of Solomon 5 16 Context

This verse is the concluding crescendo of the Shulamite's passionate description of her beloved in Song of Solomon chapter 5. After a night where her beloved came to her door but she was slow to respond, she experienced regret and then a dream where she searched for him in the city. When questioned by the "daughters of Jerusalem" about the exceptional qualities of her beloved compared to others (Song 5:9), she embarks on an elaborate, detailed portrait of him, from his head to his feet (Song 5:10-15). Verse 16 serves as the summary statement and emphatic declaration, synthesizing all the specific beauties and virtues into a holistic affirmation of his supreme desirability. Culturally, this was a public defense and commendation of her beloved, intended to assert his unmatched excellence.

Song Of Solomon 5 16 Word analysis

• His mouth: (Heb. פִיהוּ, pîhū) - Literally "his mouth." In Hebrew culture, the mouth is the organ not only of speech and song but also of the kiss. It signifies his communication, his words, his wisdom, and his intimacy. Its sweetness implies delightful conversation and endearing affections.
• is most sweet: (Heb. מַמְתַקִּים, mamtaqqîm) - This is a rare superlative form, literally "sweetnesses" or "all sweetnesses," emphasizing ultimate, profound sweetness rather than mere sweetness. It suggests a delightful and attractive quality, especially of speech or kissing. It points to words that are pleasing, persuasive, and utterly charming, evoking joy and delight.
• and he is altogether desirable: (Heb. וְכֻלּוֹ מַחֲמַדִּים, vekhullō maḥamaddîm) -
  • altogether: (Heb. וְכֻלּוֹ, vekhullō) - Meaning "and all of him" or "his entirety." This is a crucial qualifier, signifying that not just one part, but every single aspect of his being—his character, his physical attributes, his essence—is encompassed in this perfection.
  • desirable: (Heb. מַחֲמַדִּים, maḥamaddîm) - This is also a plural noun, meaning "precious things," "objects of desire," "delights." Like mamtaqqîm, the plural conveys an intense, complete, or superlative degree of desirability. He is a collection of all things that are desirable and precious. This term is also used elsewhere in the Bible for highly valued items like temple treasures or beloved sons.
• This is my beloved: (Heb. זֶה דוֹדִי, zeh dôdî) -
  • This: (Heb. זֶה, zeh) - An emphatic demonstrative, pointing directly and assertively. It leaves no room for doubt or ambiguity.
  • my beloved: (Heb. דוֹדִי, dôdî) - From dod, meaning "loved one," "lover," or "dear one." It is a term of profound romantic and affectionate attachment, conveying deep personal connection and passionate love. It denotes the beloved one who fills her heart.
• and this is my friend: (Heb. וְזֶה רֵעִי, vezeh rêʿî) -
  • this: (Heb. וְזֶה, vezeh) - Again, an emphatic demonstrative, adding another layer of personal affirmation.
  • my friend: (Heb. רֵעִי, rêʿî) - From rea', meaning "companion," "neighbor," "intimate friend." This term speaks of a deep, trusting, reliable, and enduring companionship, separate from, but complementary to, the romantic passion of "beloved." It suggests a partnership built on mutual trust, understanding, and shared life.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable": This phrase beautifully balances the intimacy of delightful speech/kissing with the totality of his physical and character-based perfections. It transitions from a specific attractive feature (mouth/words) to a comprehensive endorsement of his entire being, indicating that he is flawless in every regard. The use of double superlatives (mamtaqqîm and maḥamaddîm) intensifies the expression of complete charm and allure.
• "This is my beloved and this is my friend": This is the Shulamite's concluding identification and declaration. The repetition of "this is" provides an emphatic affirmation. By coupling "beloved" (dôdî) with "friend" (rêʿî), she describes the multifaceted nature of their relationship: intensely passionate and romantically exclusive, yet also deeply founded in reliable, trusting, and abiding companionship. It highlights a relationship that combines romantic ardor with genuine, foundational friendship.
• "O daughters of Jerusalem": This vocative directly addresses her audience, making her statement a public confession and testimony of her profound and settled love. It signifies the end of her spirited defense and description, intended to impress upon her listeners the unparalleled worth of her lover.

Song Of Solomon 5 16 Bonus section

The progression of the Shulamite's description from the tangible physical features (head, hair, eyes, cheeks, lips, hands, body, legs, feet – Song 5:11-15) to the intangible qualities of "mouth is most sweet" (speech, character) and "altogether desirable" (total excellence) before finally arriving at the relational titles "beloved" and "friend" is highly significant. This movement underscores that true, lasting love is not merely based on superficial attraction but matures into a deep appreciation for the entire person and a profound relational bond. It highlights that the Beloved's attractiveness stems from his inherent goodness, his engaging communication, and the secure, cherished role he plays in her life. The use of both "beloved" (dôdî) and "friend" (rêʿî) suggests a sophisticated understanding of a healthy relationship, balancing romantic intimacy with a strong foundation of companionship and trust, qualities that make a relationship truly "altogether desirable."

Song Of Solomon 5 16 Commentary

Song of Solomon 5:16 is the pinnacle of the Shulamite's love confession for her beloved. After systematically describing his physical features, she now synthesizes her adoration into two core truths: his utter sweetness in speech and his all-encompassing desirability. The use of intensified Hebrew plurals (mamtaqqîm for "most sweet" and maḥamaddîm for "desirable") elevates his perfections to the absolute highest degree, indicating that he lacks nothing pleasing or attractive.

Her final declaration, "This is my beloved and this is my friend," encapsulates the holistic ideal of love: passion (dôdî) intertwined with faithful companionship (rêʿî). She affirms that he fulfills every longing of her heart, not merely as a romantic figure, but as a steadfast, trusted partner. This is a profound model for human marriage, demonstrating that the strongest unions are built on both deep affection and a supportive friendship.

From a Christocentric allegorical perspective, this verse eloquently portrays the believer's profound admiration for Jesus Christ. His "mouth is most sweet" reflecting His gracious words and the truth of the Gospel (Psa 19:10, Lk 4:22), and He is "altogether desirable" for His perfect character, beauty, and redemptive work (Col 1:19, Heb 12:2). He is indeed "my beloved" – God's own beloved Son (Matt 3:17) and the object of our saving faith and affection. He is also "my friend," for He laid down His life for us, calling us friends rather than servants (Jn 15:13-15). The Shulamite's public declaration echoes the Church's testimony of Christ to a questioning world.