Song Of Solomon 6:4 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Song Of Solomon 6:4 kjv
Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.
Song Of Solomon 6:4 nkjv
O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, Lovely as Jerusalem, Awesome as an army with banners!
Song Of Solomon 6:4 niv
You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as troops with banners.
Song Of Solomon 6:4 esv
You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners.
Song Of Solomon 6:4 nlt
You are beautiful, my darling,
like the lovely city of Tirzah.
Yes, as beautiful as Jerusalem,
as majestic as an army with billowing banners.
Song Of Solomon 6 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 48:2 | Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion... | Jerusalem's beauty and joy |
| Ps 50:2 | From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. | God's radiant beauty from Zion |
| Ps 87:3 | Glorious things are said of you, city of God. | Glorious city of God (Jerusalem) |
| Lam 2:15 | Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty...? | Jerusalem as the perfection of beauty |
| Ezek 16:14 | And your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty... | God bestows perfect beauty on Jerusalem |
| Isa 62:3 | You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord... | Beloved (or Israel) as a crown of beauty |
| Ps 45:3-4 | Gird your sword on your side, O mighty one; in your splendor ride forth. | Majesty and power of the King |
| Ps 93:1 | The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in strength... | God's supreme majesty and strength |
| Rev 21:2 | I saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven as a bride. | New Jerusalem, like an adorned bride |
| Eph 5:27 | ...that he might present the church to himself in splendor... | Church as a glorious, spotless bride |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband. | Church as betrothed to Christ |
| Num 2:2 | The people of Israel shall encamp each by his own standard, with banners. | Israelite camps with banners (order, identity) |
| Ps 20:5 | May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners... | Raising banners in God's name for victory |
| Isa 11:10 | ...the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner for the peoples... | Christ as a banner for nations |
| Isa 11:12 | He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished... | God's standard/signal for gathering |
| Hab 3:4 | ...his splendor was like the sunrise... | God's awe-inspiring splendor |
| Job 37:22 | Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. | God's overwhelming majesty and awe |
| Prov 31:30 | Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. | Beauty is fleeting; fear of Lord brings praise |
| 1 Pet 3:3-4 | Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty... | Inner beauty of gentle and quiet spirit |
| Mal 3:17 | They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession. | God's treasured possession |
| Tit 2:10 | ...adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything. | Adorning doctrine, living beautifully for God |
| Phil 2:15 | ...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish... | Blameless conduct shines in the world |
Song Of Solomon 6 verses
Song Of Solomon 6 4 meaning
This verse expresses the Beloved's profound admiration for the Shulamite's captivating beauty, comparing her to both ancient cities known for their grace and charm—Tirzah for its pleasantness and Jerusalem for its majestic and sacred splendor. The striking comparison to "an army with banners" conveys a sense of her formidable, awe-inspiring presence, combining physical attractiveness with an unshakeable inner strength, purity, and dignified majesty.
Song Of Solomon 6 4 Context
Song of Solomon 6:4 is a direct praise from the Beloved (the King) to the Shulamite, immediately following her distressed account in chapter 5 of seeking him after a dream. She had opened to him, but he had left, leading her to search for him, enduring hardship and scorn from the city guards. Her passionate declaration of her unwavering love and her description of his supreme excellence in 5:10-16 elicits this profound reaffirmation from him. The Beloved's lavish praise in 6:4-10 reassures her, showing he still cherishes her deeply and her beauty remains undiminished in his eyes, emphasizing not just her physical appeal but her overall captivating and formidable presence.
Song Of Solomon 6 4 Word analysis
- You (אַתְּ - 'at): Feminine singular pronoun, directly addressing the beloved. It emphasizes personal intimacy and direct commendation within the cherished relationship.
- are beautiful (נָאוָה - na'vah): This Hebrew word signifies being comely, becoming, pleasing, or well-ordered. It speaks to a holistic beauty that is appealing and reflects an inner harmony as much as outer grace.
- O my love (רַעְיָתִי - ra'yati): An intimate and tender term of endearment, best translated as "my darling" or "my companion." It highlights the deep affection and exclusive relationship shared, unique to the Beloved's vocabulary for the Shulamite within the Song.
- as Tirzah (כְּתִרְצָה - kə̄-ṯirṣāh): "Tirzah" (from Hebrew tirṣāh meaning "pleasantness" or "delight") was a historical Canaanite city, known for its strategic location and beauty, serving as an early capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kgs 15:33). It symbolizes a natural, lush, established, and perhaps fertile beauty, associated with charm and earthly pleasantness.
- lovely (נָעֲמָה - nā'ămāh): Derived from the root na'em, meaning to be pleasant, agreeable, or delightful. It extends beyond mere visual appeal, conveying a sense of charm and amiability that attracts and satisfies the senses and the soul.
- as Jerusalem (כִּירוּשָׁלַיִם - kî-yərūšālayim): Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, renowned for its spiritual significance, its impressive fortifications, and its sacredness. It symbolizes majestic, grand, and revered beauty, reflecting enduring glory, peace, and divine favor. It's a beauty that is both hallowed and structurally magnificent.
- awesome (אֲיֻמָּה - 'ăyumah): This powerful term, also translated as "terrible," "formidable," or "awe-inspiring," suggests a beauty that commands profound respect, reverence, and a powerful impression. It moves beyond superficial attractiveness to a deep, compelling presence that instills a sense of wonder and unshakeable dignity. It's not a negative fear but a compelling sense of spiritual authority and profound moral presence.
- as an army with banners (כְּנִדְגָּלוֹת - kə-niḏgālōt): This imagery speaks of well-organized military companies displaying their standards or flags. It conveys discipline, unity, strength, majesty, and a formidable, powerful presence. The Shulamite's beauty is portrayed not as fragile or passive, but as active, potent, and inspiring—akin to a glorious, well-ordered army, reflecting her resolute character, purity, and spiritual strength.
Song Of Solomon 6 4 Bonus section
The threefold comparison in Song 6:4 (Tirzah, Jerusalem, an army with banners) presents a dynamic progression from natural beauty to majestic splendor, culminating in a striking image of strength and awe. The phrase "awesome as an army with banners" (repeated in Song 6:10) is highly significant because it breaks from conventional beauty descriptions for women. It transcends mere physical attractiveness, pointing to a profound, intrinsic quality that emanates from the Shulamite's entire being. This spiritual potency is reminiscent of the "terrifying beauty" or majestic strength found in divine descriptions within other biblical texts. For the Beloved, her purity, steadfastness, and singular devotion evoke not just love but also deep reverence, suggesting her character possesses an unshakeable, compelling power and authority, reflecting the comprehensive nature of biblical love that encompasses body, soul, and spirit.
Song Of Solomon 6 4 Commentary
Song of Solomon 6:4 is a pivotal verse of adoration where the Beloved, in a moment of tender reaffirmation, bestows upon the Shulamite a richly layered praise. Her beauty is first likened to Tirzah, evoking a pleasant, perhaps natural and established grace. This is immediately elevated to the majestic and sacred beauty of Jerusalem, a city representing enduring glory, peace, and spiritual significance. The pinnacle of this commendation, however, lies in the declaration that she is "awesome as an army with banners." This isn't merely physical attraction but a profound recognition of her inner fortitude, her moral purity, and an unshakeable dignity that commands respect. This powerful imagery suggests a compelling, organized, and spiritually robust virtue, much like a formidable and disciplined host. In its spiritual interpretation, this reflects Christ's view of His Church or the individual believer: beautifully adorned by His grace, possessing majestic purity, and powerful in spiritual witness and steadfast faith against opposition.