Song Of Solomon 7:9 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Song Of Solomon 7:9 kjv
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
Song Of Solomon 7:9 nkjv
And the roof of your mouth like the best wine. The wine goes down smoothly for my beloved, Moving gently the lips of sleepers.
Song Of Solomon 7:9 niv
and your mouth like the best wine. May the wine go straight to my beloved, flowing gently over lips and teeth.
Song Of Solomon 7:9 esv
and your mouth like the best wine. She It goes down smoothly for my beloved, gliding over lips and teeth.
Song Of Solomon 7:9 nlt
May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine ? Young Woman
Yes, wine that goes down smoothly for my lover,
flowing gently over lips and teeth.
Song Of Solomon 7 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Song 1:2 | Let him kiss me... for your love is better than wine. | Love's superior and intoxicating delight |
| Song 4:10 | How much more delightful is your love than wine. | Profound pleasure from beloved's love |
| Song 5:1 | Eat, friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved ones! | Invitation to full enjoyment of intimate love |
| Song 7:6 | How fair and pleasant you are, O love, with your delights! | Beloved as an ultimate source of joy |
| Prov 16:24 | Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. | Sweetness and health in gracious speech |
| Ps 45:2 | You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips. | Attraction and beauty in speech/words |
| Eccl 9:7 | Eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart. | Enjoyment and joy from life's blessings |
| Phil 4:8 | Whatever is true... honorable... lovely... think about these things. | Delighting in what is pure and admirable |
| Ps 104:15 | Wine that makes glad the heart of man. | Wine as a source of joy and refreshment |
| Isa 25:6 | A feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine. | God's lavish provision, symbol of ultimate joy |
| Joel 2:24 | The vats shall overflow with wine. | Abundance, restoration, divine blessing |
| Gen 27:28 | God give thee... plenty of new wine. | Blessing of prosperity and fullness |
| Zech 9:17 | Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women. | Prosperity and vigor from blessings |
| Eph 5:18 | Do not get drunk with wine... but be filled with the Spirit. | Contrast earthly vs. spiritual exhilaration |
| Jn 2:1-11 | Water turned into wine at Cana. | Christ's provision of abundant, joyful life |
| Rev 19:9 | Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. | Ultimate celebratory feast of heavenly joy |
| Prov 10:32 | The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable. | Discernment and appropriateness in speech |
| Prov 15:4 | A gentle tongue is a tree of life. | Life-giving power of wholesome words |
| Prov 31:26 | She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. | Wise, kind, and instructing speech |
| Mal 2:6 | The law of truth was in his mouth... he walked with me in peace. | Truthful, pure speech honoring God |
| Heb 13:15 | Offer up a sacrifice of praise... the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. | Sacrificial, devoted speech to God |
| 1 Pet 3:10 | Whoever desires to love life... let him keep his tongue from evil. | Importance of pure and good speech for life |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good. | Importance of edifying speech for others |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. | Speech that is pleasing, attractive, and wise |
Song Of Solomon 7 verses
Song Of Solomon 7 9 meaning
This verse expresses the lover's fervent admiration for his beloved, likening her words and kiss to the most exquisite, potent wine. It conveys a deep sense of pleasure, exhilaration, and profound delight that her intimacy and communication evoke in him. The imagery describes how her presence has an irresistible and invigorating effect, flowing smoothly and effortlessly into his being, prompting profound internal and external responses.
Song Of Solomon 7 9 Context
Chapter Context: Song of Solomon Chapter 7 is a passionate continuation of the lover's descriptive praise for his beloved. He admires her beauty from her feet upwards, culminating in this verse with a focus on her mouth, which signifies her speech and kiss. The chapter is characterized by expressions of ardent desire, physical intimacy, and deep appreciation within the safety and purity of their marital relationship. It moves from outward physical allure to the profound effect her internal and relational qualities have on him.
Historical/Cultural Context: Wine was an essential part of ancient Near Eastern culture, symbolizing joy, prosperity, and celebration. "The best wine" (Hebrew: yein hattov) referred to aged, fine vintage wine, which was highly valued for its superior taste, smoothness, and exhilarating potency. It represented the height of pleasure and luxury. In this cultural context, comparing the beloved's mouth or words to such wine was a profound compliment, signifying that her intimacy and speech brought unparalleled delight, an intoxicating sense of joy, and deep satisfaction to her lover. The "lips and teeth" or "lips of those that are asleep" speak to both the physical sensation and the profound impact of her communication.
Song Of Solomon 7 9 Word analysis
And your mouth:
- Hebrew: וְחִכֵּךְ (v'khikhekh) – literally, "and your palate."
- Analysis: "Palate" indicates the roof of the mouth, not merely the lips, encompassing the full source of taste, words, and sounds. It implies an intimate source of both physical sensation (kissing, taste) and communication (speech). This word ties deeply into the sensory and communicative aspects of the beloved.
like the best wine—:
- Hebrew: כְּיֵין הַטּוֹב (k'yein hattov) – "like wine, the good/excellent."
- Analysis: A superlative comparison. "The best wine" was fine, aged, potent, and smooth, offering a pinnacle of gustatory delight. This metaphor signifies profound joy, luxury, refined pleasure, and exhilarating impact, exceeding ordinary experiences. It portrays her words and intimacy as the highest form of gratification.
wine that goes down smoothly / flowing gently:
- Hebrew: יֵלֶךְ (yelekh - "it goes") מֵישָׁרִים (meisharim - "straightly" or "smoothly"). This describes the effect of the wine that precedes it.
- Analysis: This describes the quality of the wine—it is effortless to drink, flowing without any harshness or obstruction. Applied to the beloved's love and words, it suggests unhindered delight, an ease of reception, and pure enjoyment without any resistance or difficulty.
for my beloved:
- Hebrew: לְדוֹדִי (l'dodi) – "for my beloved one."
- Analysis: This specifies the intimate, personal nature of the experience. The delight derived from her words and intimacy is singularly for him, underscoring the exclusivity and profound connection of their relationship.
moving gently the lips and teeth / causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak:
- Hebrew: דּוֹבֵב שִׂפְתֵי יְשֵׁנִים (dovev siftei yeshenim) – "causing the lips of those who are asleep to murmur/speak softly."
- Analysis: This is the most evocative and complex phrase, subject to several interpretations.
- Interpretation 1 (Gentle effect): The wine is so exquisitely smooth that it glides effortlessly over the lips and teeth, indicating the sublime and gentle nature of the beloved's kiss or soft words.
- Interpretation 2 (Arousing speech): The intoxicating effect of this love is so potent it stirs dormant or hesitant "sleeping lips" (those who are quiet or reserved) to "murmur" or "speak." It suggests her love awakens deep, unexpressed desires, drawing forth declarations or passionate responses even from those previously silent.
- Interpretation 3 (Rejuvenation): It may refer to inspiring frank speech even in the old, who might otherwise be quiet. This highlights a reanimating, life-giving quality.
Words-group by Words-group analysis:
- "And your mouth like the best wine—": This powerful opening directly links the beloved's source of speech and intimacy to the highest form of earthly pleasure. It is a profound declaration of how her words and presence profoundly satisfies and excites.
- "wine that goes down smoothly for my beloved,": This segment highlights the effortless and perfect enjoyment the lover experiences. It speaks to the ideal and seamless flow of affection and pleasure within their intimate bond, tailor-made to delight him completely.
- "moving gently the lips and teeth / causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.": This climactic image underscores the deep, transformative power of her intimacy. Whether subtly delightful or powerfully evocative, it depicts how her presence awakens deep internal responses, stirring expression and intense sensation even in areas previously untouched or unvoiced, signifying a complete and captivating impact on the lover.
Song Of Solomon 7 9 Bonus section
- The Hebrew term for "mouth" (חֵךְ, chek) not only implies speech and kissing but also discernment of taste. By calling it "like the best wine," it further suggests that her words and presence are not only delightful but are also discerned as inherently good, true, and profoundly satisfying to the discerning palate of the lover.
- Some ancient translations, like the Septuagint (LXX), interpret the final phrase, "causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak," as "going directly to my beloved's lips," emphasizing the smooth, direct, and unhindered physical flow of affection, highlighting the exquisite gentleness of her kiss or soft words.
- Allegorically, in the context of Christ and the Church, this verse speaks to the profound spiritual delight and animating power of Christ's words and His intimate fellowship. His presence and truth are likened to the "best wine," refreshing the soul, and His Spirit stirs the "asleep" or languid hearts of believers to praise, worship, and vocal testimony, making them vibrant and expressive in their devotion.
Song Of Solomon 7 9 Commentary
Song of Solomon 7:9 climaxes the lover's adoration of his beloved, showering the highest praise on her words and intimacy by comparing them to the "best wine." This metaphor suggests an unparalleled level of delight, sweetness, and intoxicating joy that her presence brings. Like vintage wine, her influence is smooth, potent, and utterly satisfying, evoking a deep, cherished pleasure without effort. The enigmatic phrase about "causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak" encapsulates the profound and often surprising impact of her love. It indicates that her words and affection can awaken deep-seated emotions and expressions, stimulating a response where there might have been silence, stirring the heart to new levels of communication and passion. This verse beautifully celebrates the life-giving, soul-stirring, and profoundly satisfying nature of physical and verbal intimacy within the sacred bond of marriage, mirroring God's design for deep relational joy.